[The interpretation and integration of traditional Chinese phytotherapy into Western-type medicine with the possession of knowledge of the human genome]. / A hagyományos kínai fitoterápia értelmezése és beillesztése a nyugati típusú orvoslásba az emberi genom ismeretének birtokában.

The terminology of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is hardly interpretable in the context of human genome, therefore the human genome program attracted attention towards the Western practice of medicine in China. In the last two decades, several important steps could be observed in China in relation to the approach of traditional Chinese and Western medicine. The Chinese government supports the realization of information databases for research in order to clarify the molecular biology level to detect associations between gene expression signal transduction pathways and protein-protein interactions, and the effects of bioactive components of Chinese drugs and their effectiveness. The values of TCM are becoming more and more important for Western medicine as well, because molecular biological therapies did not redeem themselves, e.g., in tumor therapy. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(18): 696-702.

[Health effects of sour cherries with unique polyphenolic composition in their fruits]. / A különleges és egyedi polifenol-összetételu meggy egészségi hatásai.

Health effects of fruit consumption are confirmed by many studies. Such effects are attributed to the polyphenolic compounds accumulating in fruit skin and mesocarp tissues. They contribute to the regulation on transcriptional, post-transcriptional and epigenetic levels. Since people consume much less fruits than the recommended quantities, a new approach includes the promotion of super fruits that are extremely rich sources of specific health compounds. A comparative analysis of Hungarian stone fruit cultivars detected a huge variability in fruit in vitro antioxidant capacity and total polyphenolic content. Two outstanding sour cherry cultivars ('Pipacs 1' and 'Fanal') were identified to accumulate elevated levels of polyphenolic compounds in their fruits. Sour cherries with different polyphenolic compositions were tested against alimentary induced hyperlipidemia using male Wistar rat model. Consumption of cherry fruit had different consequences for different cultivars: consumption of 'Pipacs 1' and 'Fanal' fruits resulted in 30% lower total cholesterol levels in the sera of hyperlipidemic animals after only 10 days of treatment. However, the consumption of 'Újfehértói fürtös' fruit has not induced significant alterations in the same parameter. Other lipid parameters also reflected the short-term beneficial effects of 'Pipacs 1' and 'Fanal' fruits. We suggest that not only some tropical and berry fruits might be considered as super fruits but certain genotypes of stone fruits as well. These have indeed marked physiological effects. Since 'Pipacs 1' and 'Fanal' are rich sources of colourless polyphenolics (e.g., phenolic acids and isoflavonoids) and anthocyanins, respectively, the protective effects associated with their consumption can be attributed to different polyphenolic compounds. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(18): 720-725.

[Phytoestrogens in the treatment of menopause]. / Fitoösztrogének a menopauza terápiájában.

In previous centuries many women did not even live until their menopause years due to poor economic conditions, deficiencies of medicine, epidemics and wars. Nowadays in the developed countries, people live until they are 75-80 years old, and with the expansion of average age, the number of people affected by menopause and the years spent in that state increase. Nowadays women spend one third of their lives in the menopausal stage. The only effective way to treat unpleasant symptoms for centuries was with the use of herbs, and the knowledge about them spread through oral tradition. In the 20th century, this therapeutic form was pushed into the background by the development of synthetic drug production and the introduction of hormone replacement therapy. Thanks to the influence of media in the 20th century, women began to have the social need for preserving their beauty and youth for as long as they could. Hormone replacement therapy enjoyed great popularity because women were temporarily relieved of their life quality-impairing menopausal symptoms, but years later it turned out that hormone replacement therapy could pose serious risks. A distinct advantage of herbal therapy is the more advantageous side-effect-profile opposite the used synthetics in hormone replacement therapy. Women are therefore happy to turn to valuable and well-tried natural therapies, which have been used for thousands of years. There is growing interest in herbal remedies. Studying the effects of phytoestrogens has now become an active area for research. However, the results of studies in animals and humans are controversial, some sources suggest that phytoestrogens are effective and safe, other authors claim that they are ineffective in menopause or they have particularly dangerous properties, and cannot be recommended to everyone. It is important to address this issue for the sake of health, mental health and safety of women, and so it is necessary to assess the benefits and the risks before applying them. Orv Hetil. 2017; 158(32): 1243-1251.

[Gut-liver axis in inflammatory bowel disease. A retrospective study]. / A bél­máj tengely vizsgálata colitis ulcerosában. Retrospektív tanulmány.

INTRODUCTION: Examination of the gut-liver axis came into the spotlight worldwide. Liver enzyme elevations are commonly seen in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is a diagnostic challenge in everyday clinical practice. Liver and biliary diseases are common extra-intestinal manifestations in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The assessment of routine liver function tests could be an inaccurate reflection of liver damage, so its prevalence could be underestimated. There would be a need for non-invasive biomarkers and/or scoring systems, which would help the diagnosis of liver damage associated with intestinal diseases. AIM: In our work we considered to highlight the importance of the gut-liver axis significance. We used data of patients suffering from ulcerative colitis, as a model for bowel diseases to understand the underlying factors of the pathogenesis of hepatobiliary manifestations. METHOD: In our retrospective study, we investigated the data of 100 ulcerative colitis patients (male = 46, female = 54) (mean age: 42.5 ± 12.7) and compared to healthy controls (n = 42) (male = 17, female = 25) (mean age: 40.2 ± 13.5). Liver function tests (ALT, AST, GGT, ALP, bilirubin, albumin, thrombocyte), bile acid levels were determinated, and various free radical markers (global, enzymatic) were used to assess the redox homeostasis of patients. Hydrogen donor activity, reducing power, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity, total antioxidant status and induced chemiluminescence were measured, considering that the patients received 5-aminosalicilate and/or azathioprin and elemental diet treatment. RESULTS: Liver function parameters were increased in ulcerative colitis patients, and total antioxidant status, as well. Reducing power significantly decreased, but there was no significant difference compared to the control group of glutathione peroxidase and H-donor activity, we observed only tendentious decrease. The antioxidant protection of more than 54% of patients had a significantly lower rate, according to all the parameters. With chemiluminescence measurement we measured better free radical scavenging capacity, both in plasma and in erythrocytes as a result of the therapy, however, it showed an increase of superoxide dismutase activity, which warns of inflammatory processes. The cause of the decrease in bile acid levels found in the group of ulcerative colitis patients, can be the accelerated peristaltic. CONCLUSIONS: In the daily routine, liver enzyme values do not give an accurate picture of liver damage associated with ulcerative colitis. With the help of various specific parameters determined by us, we can estimate the background processes of the gut-liver axis alterations. The decrease in bile acid levels can be a predictive factor in ulcerative colitis. Our work highlights the need of non-invasive screening for liver diseases in inflammatory bowel disease. Orv Hetil. 2017; 158(26): 1014-1021.

[Ayurveda for the treatment of obesity]. / Ájurvéda az elhízás kezelésében.

Obesity is an increasing problem all over the world as the lifestyle changes and fast food chains gain popularity. In India, 31% of men and 29% of women are overweight, which is a growing trend over the last 11 years. Obesity increases the risk of many diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, reflux disease, gastrointestinal tumors, and sleep apnea. Obesity without complications can also cause serious complications during surgery. In Ayurveda the formation of diseases depends on the balance of the three doshas - vata, pitta, kapha. The rate of three doshas varies depending on the body constitution of the indvidual. Studies of an Indian research group have shown that Ayurvedic body type classification may be associated with genes of inflammation and oxidative stress factors, the rate of DNA methylation and development of cardiovascular diseases. Orv. Hetil., 2016, 157(34), 1349-1352.

[Various pathways leading to the progression of chronic liver diseases]. / Az idült májbetegségek progressziójához vezeto folyamatok.

As the result of various effects (viruses, metabolic diseases, nutritional factors, toxic agents, autoimmune processes) abnormal liver function, liver steatosis and connective tissue remodeling may develop. Progression of this process is complex including various pathways and a number of factors. The authors summarize the factors involved in the progression of chronic liver disease. They describe the role of cells and the produced inflammatory mediators and cytokines, as well as the relationship between the disease and the intestinal flora. They emphasize the role of oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death in disease progression. Insulin resistance and micro-elements (iron, copper) in relation to liver damage are also discussed, and genetic and epigenetic aspects underlying disease progression are summarized. Discovery of novel treatment options, assessment of the effectiveness of treatment, as well as the success and proper timing of liver transplantation may depend on a better understanding of the process of disease progression.

[Evaluation of free radical quantity in the anterior chamber following femtosecond laser-assisted capsulotomy]. / Szabadgyök-felszabadulás vizsgálata femtoszekundum lézerrel asszisztált capsulotomiát követoen.

INTRODUCTION: Femtosecond laser is a revolutionary, innovative treatment method used in cataract surgery. AIM: To evaluate free radical quantity in the anterior chamber of the eye, during femtosecond laser assisted capsulotomy, in a porcine eye model. METHOD: Seventy fresh porcine eyes were collected within 2 hours post mortem, were transported at 4 ºC and treated within 7 hours. Thirty-five eyes were used as control and 35 as femtosecond laser assisted capsulotomy group. A simple luminol-dependent chemiluminescence method was used to measure the total scavenger capacity in the aqueous humour, as an indicator of free radical production. The emitted photons were expressed in relative light unit %. RESULTS: The relative light unit % was lower in the control group (median 1%, interquartile range [0.4-3%]) than in the femtosecond laser assisted capsulotomy group (median 4.4%, interquartile range [1.5%-21%]) (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Femtosecond laser assisted capsulotomy decreases the antioxidant defense of the anterior chamber, which refers to a significant free radical production during femtosecond laser assisted capsulotomy. Orv. Hetil., 2016, 157(47), 1880-1883.

Antihyperlipidemic Effects of Sour Cherries Characterized by Different In Vitro Antioxidant Power and Polyphenolic Composition.

The aims of the present study were to clarify in vivo effects of three sour cherry cultivars characterized by different polyphenolic composition in hyperlipidemic animals in a short term experiment. The three different sour cherry cultivars were chosen based on their total in vitro antioxidant capacity, total polyphenolic, monomeric anthocyanin and flavonoid content. Male Wistar rats were divided randomly into eight groups: rats kept on normal diet (control) and normal diet supplied with sour cherry powder of one of the three cultivars; others were kept on fat-rich diet and fat-rich diet supplied with sour cherry powder prepared from one of the three cultivars. The treatment lasted 10 days. Lyophilized sour cherry administered in the diet decreased both total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, and increased the HDL cholesterol concentration in sera of hyperlipidemic animals. Significant differences were found in the efficacy of different sour cherry cultivars in case of hyperlipidemia. Sour cherries characterized by higher polyphenol content seem to have a more pronounced effect on serum cholesterol levels. Our results suggest that besides anthocyanins, colourless polyphenols also have lipid lowering effect.

[Natural bioactive agents in liver therapy]. / Természetes hatóanyagok a májterápiában.

Medical science alongside with other sciences, aiming to preserve health and combat diseases, has evolved significantly since the late 1930s. It has reached incredible results and opened up unpredicted perspectives for future generations to come. From the 1980s significant results also emerged from researching natural plant active ingredients for the prevention of damage from free radicals which were discovered in different symptoms. One of the important areas of research is the recognition of significant bioactive molecules from the aspects of food consumption, alongside the detection of their effect in the context of their structure. It is also important that by possessing these data it is possible to develop correct food consumption habits, especially for people who are suffering from diseases. Through the decades we came a long way from folk medicine observations to molecular, biological justification of effect mechanisms.

[Removal of weremit from the abdomen. Interpretation and efficacy of an ancient Egyptian prescription by the newest scientific results]. / A weremit kiuzése a hasból. Óegyiptomi recept hatásosságának értelmezése az újabb kutatási eredmények alapján.

Significant percentage of today's knowledge of ancient Egyptian medicine has been acquired from papyri left behind from various periods of Egyptian history. The longest and the most comprehensive is the Ebers papyrus, kept at the University Museum of Leipzig, which was written more than one thousand years before Hippocrates (c. 460-377 BC). One of the riddles among the prescriptions of the Ebers papyrus Eb20 has been used in order to remove the so called "wemyt" weremit from the abdomen with the help of a drink, which consists of "jnnk", Conyza dioscoridis in milk or sweet beer. The authors assume that the disease could be an infection of Schistosoma haematobium and/or Schistosoma mansoni. Nowadays the tea of Conyza dioscoridis is widely used as an important part of traditional medicine against rheumatism, intestinal distention and cramps, as well as an antiperspirant, and with external use for wound healing. The authors' intent is to interpret the efficacy of the above-mentioned ancient prescription with the help of modern medical and pharmaceutical knowledge.

Effect of haemodynamic changes on epithelium-related intestinal injury in off-pump coronary surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Intestinal injury is thought to play a central role in the occurrence of multiorgan dysfunction after on-pump coronary surgery. Clinical benefits of off-pump revascularisation remain, however, controversial. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Hepatic enzymes and plasmatic IL-6, IL-8 and intestinal-type fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) were determined in 20 patients (age 65-75) undergoing either on-pump (n = 10) or off-pump (n = 10) coronary surgery. Haemodynamic and biochemical parameters, catecholamine and volume therapy were monitored. RESULTS: Central venous pressure (CVP) was significantly higher in the off-pump group during and 12h after operation (9.5 ± 1.35 vs. 6.21 ± 0.63 mmH2O, p = 0.012). Higher GGT and GLDH levels occurred in the off-pump group and correlated with the elevated I-FABP levels at 24h (935.8 ± 83.7 vs. 370.4 ± 67.7 pg/mL, p<0.001). CVP correlated with I-FABP peak values (Pearson's coefficient 0.852). IL-6 and IL-8 were released to a lower extent in the off-pump group compared to on pump (p<0.05) at 24h (139.3 ± 27.7 vs. 279.4 ± 56.2 and 15.3 ± 7.4 vs. 38.5 ± 13.8 pg/mL) and at 72 h post-operatively (4.5 ± 2.1 vs. 30.1 ± 12.1 and 7.8 ± 1.2 vs. 17.1 ± 5.2 pg/mL). CONCLUSIONS: While inflammatory activation is reduced with CPB avoidance, elevated CVP during off-pump surgery is followed by temporary postoperative enterocyte damage that may threaten the normal function of the gastrointestinal system and lead - in certain groups of high risk patients--to irrecoverable injury.

[The significance of omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease]. / Az ómega-3 zsírsavak jelentosége a nem alkoholos zsírmájbetegség kezelésében.

Today, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common chronic liver disease, yet there is no clearly accepted effective therapy. What is certain is that the number of people suffering from the disease is increasing, making prevention, treatment and recognition of co-morbidities of paramount importance. Current evidence suggests that the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease may be due to pathological factors of different origins. The main risk factors include genetic factors, acquired environmental influences and lifestyle. Lifestyle modification, i.e., the elimination or reduction of these harmful factors, can reverse liver damage, depending on the stage of the disease. In this summary statement, we review the pathophysiology of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, risk factors and therapeutic options, within that in particular lifestyle modification (dietary changes, increasing physical activity, weight loss). Furthermore, we also show the importance of omega-3 fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in detail. With our knowledge, the personalized treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can be elaborated. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(33): 1294-1299.

[Effect of "Pintes" white wine on metabolic parameters in patients with metabolic syndrome]. / Pintes fehérbor hatása az anyagcsere-paraméterekre metabolikus szindrómás betegekben.

UNLABELLED: Moderate alcohol consumption has been associated with decreased cardiovascular mortality in the general population. Relatively few studies have been conducted to evaluate the effect of white wine on insulin sensitivity. AIMS: The authors studied the impact of moderate Pintes white wine consumption on insulin sensitivity and other metabolic parameters. METHODS: The prospective study involved 18 patients with metabolic syndrome. The patients consumed Pintes white wine for 4 weeks, and parameters were measured before and after consumption. RESULTS: The HOMA-IR decreased significantly after white wine consumption (2.28±2.04 vs 1.08±0.6; p = 0.002). There were no changes in serum cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride and fasting plasma glucose levels. CONCLUSION: White wine consumption improved insulin sensitivity in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Kanpo traditional medicine nowadays is still a supported therapeutic option in Japan: Kanpo preparations / A Kanpó hagyományos orvoslás, ma is támogatott terápiás lehetoség Japánban: Kanpó-készítmények

Összefoglaló. A japánok hagyományos gyógymódja, a Kanpó a több ezer éves kínai gyógyító tapasztalaton alapul. A Kanpó filozófiája azonban csak részben hasonlít a hagyományos kínai orvosláshoz, bár megtartja annak több fontos alaptételét, de annak egyszerusített, pozitivista és pragmatikus változata, amely igazodik a japán kultúrához. A Kanpó a japán egészségbiztosítási rendszer fontos része a korszeru nyugati gyógymódokkal együtt. A nyugati orvostudomány viszont kevésbé érdeklodik a Kanpó terápiás lehetoségei iránt, tekintettel arra, hogy a hagyományos kínai orvoslás és az Ájurvéda-gyógymódok széles körben elterjedtek a világban az utóbbi néhány évtizedben. A Kanpó készítményei elérhetok az internet különbözo kereskedelmi honlapjain. Sajnálatos módon a készítmények összetétele általában pontatlanul van megadva. A gyógynövények fajait nem jelölik, így nemcsak félrevezeto, hanem az összetevok hatása sem ismert. A dolgozat a leggyakrabban használt néhány hagyományos készítmény összetételét és hatását tárgyalja. Orv Hetil. 2022; 163(110): 386-392. Summary. Kanpo, the traditional Japanese medicine, is based on thousands of years of Chinese healing experience. Kanpo's philosophy, however, is only partially similar to traditional Chinese medicine. Although it retains several important basic tenets, it is a simplified, positivist, and pragmatic version of aligning to Japanese culture. Kanpo is an important part of the Japanese health insurance system along with modern western therapies. Western medicine, on the other hand, is less interested in Kanpo's therapeutic options, given that traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic therapies have become widespread in the world over the past few decades. Kanpo's herbal preparations are available on various commercial internet websites. Unfortunately, the composition of the formulas is generally inaccurate. The species of herbs are not identified, so not only are they misleading, but the effects of the ingredients are not known either. The article discusses the composition and effects of some of the most commonly used conventional formulas. Orv Hetil 2022; 163(10): 386-392.

Paradoxical alteration of indocyanine green concentration in bile and the visibility of the intra-operative fluorescence cholangiography in pigs.

Background: A significant difference exists between the reported optimal timing of indocyanine green (ICG) injection during fluorescence cholangiography and ICG dissipation time from the serum. There are no reports on alterations in ICG concentration in biliary fluid over time. Herein, we measured the concentration of ICG and the fluorescence intensity ratio between the common bile duct (CBD) and liver, which was recognized as a parameter of the visibility of the CBD. Materials and methods: ICG (0.05 mg/kg) was injected intravenously into female pigs (n = 7). Afterwards, the fluorescence of the CBD and liver was detected at 30 min, 2 h, and 4 h. Biliary fluid was collected from cannulated CBD tubes. The fluorescence intensity was measured using captured images and calculated using the ImageJ image-processing program. ICG concentration was measured using spectrophotometry and compared using an analysis of variance test. Results: Biliary ICG concentrations at 30 min, 2 h, and 4 h were 92.07 ± 27.72 µg/mL, 37.14 ± 9.76 µg/mL (p < 0.05 vs. 30 min), and 13.91 ± 5.71 µg/mL (p < 0.05 vs. 30 min), respectively; p < 0.01. The CBD/liver fluorescence intensity ratios at 30 min, 2 h, and 4 h were 1.25 ± 0.72, 2.39 ± 1.28 (p < 0.05 vs. 30 min and 4 h), and 3.38 ± 1.73 (p < 0.05 vs. 30 min and 2 h), respectively. Conclusions: The ICG biliary concentration was highest at 30 min, whereas the CBD/liver fluorescence intensity ratio was highest at 4 h. Decreasing the fluorescence intensity of the liver may be an important approach for improving the visualization of the CBD during fluorescence cholangiography. Institutional protocol number: PE/EA/491-5/2020.

Reduction of liver ischemia-reperfusion injury via glutamine pretreatment.

BACKGROUND: Surgical methods that reduce bleeding during major hepatic resections lead to warm ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury of the liver. This is well known to have a considerable impact on the postoperative outcome. Much research work has been done to develop possible protective techniques. We aimed to investigate the effectivity of L-alanyl-L-glutamine dipeptide pretreatment in an animal model of hepatic I-R injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats underwent normothermic, 60 min segmental liver ischemia followed by 24 h of reperfusion. The animals (n=30) were divided into three experimental groups: sham operated, I-R, and glutamine (Gln) pretreated. Twenty-four h prior to I-R injury, rats in the Gln group received 500 mg/kg Dipeptiven infusion as glutamine pretreatment. Hepatic microcirculation during the first hour of reperfusion was monitored by noninvasive laser Doppler flowmeter. After a 24-h reperfusion period, liver tissue was analyzed by histologic and immunohistochemical assessments. Serum necroenzyme and antioxidant levels were measured. RESULTS: In the Gln group, the integral of the reperfusion curve (RA) and the plateau maximum (PM(10)) of the flow graph showed improving tendency (RA: P=0.096; PM(10): P=0.084). Severity of histologic damage was reduced. Serum necroenzymes (ALT: P=0.042, AST: P=0.044) were significantly lower. Chemiluminescent intensity of liver and plasma was significantly decreased (P=0.0003 and P=0.0496). Further spectrophotometric analysis of liver homogenate samples also showed significant improvement of the redox homeostasis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that L-alanyl-L-glutamine dipeptide pretreatment given 24 h prior to I-R injury could be an effective method to reduce liver damage caused by hepatic inflow occlusion.

The effect of ischemic preconditioning on redox status during liver resections--randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Portal clamping during liver resection decreases intraoperative blood loss, but causes ischemic-reperfusion (I-R) injury. Intermittent portal clamping (IPC) and ischemic preconditioning (IP) decreased I-R injury in animal models. Most of the human studies about IP excluded cirrhotic patients, whose liver is more vulnerable to I-R injury. The effect of IP and IPC during extended liver resection was investigated in this randomized controlled trial, with special respect to cirrhotic patients. METHODS: One hundred sixty patients (100 normal liver, 60 cirrhotic) undergoing major liver resection were randomized to receive IPC (15 min ischemia, 5 min reperfusion), or IP (10 min ischemia, 10 min reperfusion). Serum oxygen-derived free radicals (ODFR) and antioxidant concentrations (preoperative, after reperfusion and 7th postoperative day), such as "conventional" liver tests (preoperative, 1st, 3rd, and 7th postoperative day) were measured. RESULTS: IP resulted in significantly lower peak ODFR, AST, ALT, and bilirubin levels after liver resection than IPC (P < 0.05). The level of serum antioxidants after reperfusion was significantly higher in IP than in IPC groups (P < 0.05). In cirrhotic patients without IP none of these values normalized until the 7th postoperative day. CONCLUSIONS: Ischemic preconditioning--especially in patients with liver cirrhosis--is a suitable method to decrease the I-R injury of the liver.

Increased total scavenger capacity and decreased liver fat content in rats fed dehydroepiandrosterone and its sulphate on a high-fat diet.

BACKGROUND: Weak androgens have an antioxidant effect in vitro which is represented as a beneficial change in the antioxidant status. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to clarify whether dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEAS) oral administration results in beneficial antioxidant changes in Sprague-Dawley adult male rats in vivo. METHODS: Groups of experimental animals were fed a high-fat or a normal-fat diet and treated with DHEA or DHEAS in the drinking fluid. The control group was fed a high-fat diet together with untreated drinking fluid. Total scavenger capacity (TSC) was measured before and after 4 weeks of treatment in blood samples using a chemiluminometric assay. Fat content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in the liver were determined by Sudan staining and spectrophotometric assessments, respectively, from the fresh frozen tissue. RESULTS: DHEA and the DHEAS treatment showed significantly increased TSC in the groups fed a high-fat diet. The control group and the DHEA- or DHEAS-treated groups on normal diets showed no significant changes in TSC. The total score of liver fat content in the high-fat diet groups showed a marked positivity with Sudan staining, and the groups treated with DHEA or DHEAS had a markedly decreased amount of fat in the liver slides compared to the untreated group on the high-fat diet. Liver SOD activity was decreased in all high-fat diet groups and elevated only in the groups on a normal diet with DHEA or DHEAS treatment. Liver catalase and GST activities were decreased in the groups where TSC was significantly increased. CONCLUSION: Our results support the hypothesis that DHEA and DHEAS supplementation can improve the antioxidant status in lipid-rich dietary habits.

Accumulation of antioxidants in apricot fruit through ripening: characterization of a genotype with enhanced functional properties.

Two apricot genotypes, 'Gonci magyarkajszi' and 'Preventa' were assayed at three ripening stages for flesh color indices (L*, a*, b*, C* and Hº), contents of total phenolics and vitamin C, and both water- and lipid-soluble antioxidant capacities (ferric reducing antioxidant power; 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity; total radical scavenging activity; and Photochem lipid-soluble antioxidant capacity) to compare their dynamics in the accumulation of antioxidant compounds and capacities through ripening. The increase in a*, b* and C* and decrease in Hº during ripening represented a color shift from green to yellow and orange due to carotenoid accumulation. Parallel to carotenoid accumulation, contents of total phenolics and vitamin C and antioxidant capacity increased significantly (p < 0.05) from unripe to fully ripe fruits. More phenolics and vitamin C accumulated in fully ripe fruits of 'Preventa' than 'Gönci magyarkajszi'. The accumulation patterns of these compounds were different: while the vitamin C contents in unripe fruit of 'Preventa' and 'Gönci magyarkajszi' were identical (approx. 6 mg/100 g fresh weight), unripe 'Preventa' contained even more phenolics (approx. 12 mmolGA/l) than fully ripe 'Gönci magyarkajszi' (8 mmolGA/l). Our results confirm that fully ripe 'Preventa' fruits are characterized by outstanding functional properties due to the increased accumulation of vitamin C and phenolics throughout the ripening process.