Beneficial Effects of Polyphenol-Rich Chokeberry Juice Consumption on Blood Pressure Level and Lipid Status in Hypertensive Subjects.

Epidemiological studies have shown a positive association between intake of foods rich in antioxidants and lower incidence of cardiovascular disease development. Polyphenols are considered the most abundant and important dietary antioxidants. The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of polyphenol-rich chokeberry juice consumption on 24-h ambulatory monitored blood pressure (BP) level in subjects with no pharmacologically treated high normal BP or grade I hypertension. Twenty-three subjects (12 men and 11 women) aged 33-67 were enrolled and instructed to consume 200 mL of juice daily for 4 weeks. Participants were divided in two groups, based on prevalence of sympathetic or parasympathetic activity. Measurements of biochemical parameters and heart rate variability analysis were also applied. At the end of the intervention period, average 24-h and awake systolic and diastolic BP were significantly decreased (P<.05). This was more pronounced in the group with prevalence of sympathetic activity. Significant reduction in triglyceride level (P<.05) and a reducing effect on total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were also found. Obtained results indicate a positive impact of regular chokeberry juice consumption on BP and lipid status in pharmacologically untreated hypertensive subjects.

Effect of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation on oxidative stress markers and antioxidative defense in patients with schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of alpha-lipoic acid (LA) supplementation on oxidative stress markers in patients with schizophrenia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Eighteen (18) medicated patients with schizophrenia and 38 healthy controls received daily supplements of LA (500 mg/day) for three months. At baseline, 45th and 90th days of supplementation, venous blood collected for analysis of oxidative stress markers [superoxide anion (O2(•-)), thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP)] and antioxidative defense markers [superoxide dismutase (SOD), total sulfhydryl groups (-SH) and total antioxidant status (TAS)]. RESULTS: Increased plasma TBARS, TAS, SH groups levels and SOD activity were found in schizophrenic patients compared to control group. LA supplementation significantly reduced TBARS, AOPP and improved TAS levels in healthy subjects, while there were no significant differences in patients group. SH groups increased after 45 days and decreased to baseline levels after 90 days of supplementation in the control group. SOD activity decreased significantly in patients group after 45 days and 90 days of supplementation. After initial rose SOD activity in control group, decreased to baseline levels found after 90 days. CONCLUSION: LA supplementation decreased lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage of proteins and improved non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity in healthy controls. No significant changes were observed on oxidative damage in patients with schizophrenia.

The influence of maternal smoking habits before pregnancy and antioxidative supplementation during pregnancy on oxidative stress status in a non-complicated pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: As a physiological condition closely linked with increased susceptibility to oxidative stress, pregnancy can be further compromised by cigarette smoking. Inadequate nutrition and reduced intake of antioxidants can also disrupt the prooxidant/antioxidant relationship and contribute to oxidative stress. Increased oxidative stress during pregnancy may be involved in several complications of pregnancy, such as preterm labor, fetal growth restriction, preeclampsia and miscarriage. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of maternal smoking habits before pregnancy on the parameters of oxidative stress and the antioxidative defense system, lipid profile parameters and paraoxonase-1 (PON1) activity during the third trimester of uncomplicated pregnancies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Healthy pregnant women (n = 86) were divided into non-smoking and smoking groups, and into groups taking vitamin supplements and not taking them. Oxidative damage was measured through the levels of thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances (TBARS) and plasma antioxidant status was evaluated by measuring total antioxidant capacity (TAC). RESULTS: TBARS concetration was significantly higher (p < 0.05) and PON1 activity was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the smokers' group. No significant differences were found in the investigated parameters in relation to vitamin supplement intake. CONCLUSIONS: Habitual smoking before pregnancy is associated with increased oxidative stress. Vitamin supplementation has no effect on the oxidative stress status of healthy pregnant women.

Effects of polyphenol-rich chokeberry juice on antioxidant/pro-oxidant status in healthy subjects.

Berry fruits are a rich source of polyphenols, especially anthocyanins: well-known potent anti-oxidant phytochemicals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate beneficial effects of long-term consumption of polyphenol-rich organic chokeberry juice on different markers of antioxidant/pro-oxidant status in healthy female volunteers. Twenty-nine women, aged 25-49, were included in the study. Serological markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant defence, blood pressure, routine biochemical, and anthropometric parameters were analyzed at baseline and after twelve weeks of regular chokeberry juice consumption. Significant decrease in thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances level (TBARS; P<.001) and pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB; P<.05), as well as increase in paroxonase-1 activity toward diazoxon (P<.01) were found. Total oxidative status and sulphydryl groups levels were not significantly influenced by the intervention. Anthropometric, biochemical parameters, and blood pressure values were within the referent values for all subjects and were not influenced by the chokeberry juice consumption. However, we found positive correlation between age, body mass index, waist circumference, body fat percent, blood pressure, and analyzed marker of lipid peroxidation, which was influenced by the consumption. In conclusion, the fine modulation of several antioxidant/pro-oxidant status biomarkers observed in healthy subjects indicates putative prophylactic effects of polyphenol-rich chokeberry juice and supports its importance as part of an optimal diet.

Dietary supplementation with polyphenol-rich chokeberry juice improves skin morphology in cellulite.

The aim of our study was to investigate possible beneficial effects of organic chokeberry juice (OCJ) consumption in the treatment of cellulite. Twenty-nine women aged 25-48 with a cellulite grade 2 according to the Nurnberger-Muller scale were included. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured. Skin structure was analyzed by ultrasonography. All subjects consumed 100 mL of OCJ per day, during 90 days. Measurements of investigated parameters were performed at 0, 45, and 90 days of the study. A marked reduction in the subcutaneous tissue thickness was observed in all subjects, with the average reduction of 1.9 mm. The length of subcutaneous tissue fascicles (ScTFL) was reduced in 97% (28 out of 29) of subjects, with the average value of 1.18 mm. After 45 days of chokeberry juice consumption, reduction of edema was observed in 55.2% of the subjects with edema at the baseline, while at the endpoint of the study, edemas were not observed in any of the subjects involved in the study. OCJ could have beneficial effects on the cellulite condition, including the length of ScTFL, subcutaneous tissue, and dermis thickness as well as on edema reduction.

Effect of astaxanthin supplementation on paraoxonase 1 activities and oxidative stress status in young soccer players.

The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of astaxanthin (Asx) on paraoxonase (PON1) activities and oxidative stress status in soccer players. Forty soccer players were randomly assigned in a double-blind fashion to Asx and placebo (P) group. Blood samples were obtained before, 45 and 90 days after supplementation. PON1 activity was assessed by using two substrates: paraoxon and diazoxon. The oxidative stress biomarkers were also examined: total sulphydryl group content (-SH groups), thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), advanced oxidation protein products and redox balance. The significant interaction effect of supplementation and training (p < 0.05) on PON1 activity toward paraoxon was observed. The PON1 activity toward diazoxon increased in Asx group after 90 days (p < 0.01), while there was no significant difference in P group. SH groups content rose from pre- to post-supplementation period only in Asx group (supplementation and training, p < 0.05; training, p < 0.01). TBARS levels decreased after 45 days and increased after 90 days of regular soccer training in both groups (training, p < 0.001). Redox balance decreased significantly in response to the regular training, regardless of treatment group (training, p < 0.001). Asx supplementation might increase total SH groups content and improve PON1 activity through protection of free thiol groups against oxidative modification.

Cytotoxic effects of the Viscum album L. extract on Ehrlich tumour cells in vivo.

To date most pharmacological studies on mistletoe (Viscum album L.) have focused on the therapeutic properties of its polar extracts. This study examined the non-polar constituents of Viscum album and their biological activities. Supercritical CO(2) extraction coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to selectively extract and identify compounds in Viscum album leaves. Several non-polar classes of compounds were identified in the extract. In addition, a volatile fraction was identified that contained several novel terpene molecules. The hypothesis was tested that the Viscum album extract exhibits cytotoxic properties in Ehrlich carcinoma (EAC) cells in vivo due to the induction of oxidative stress. A significant reduction in the incidence of cancer was observed in all groups that received the Viscum album extract compared with the EAC control group. The largest decrease was observed in mice pretreated with the Viscum album extract, although significantly reduced numbers of EAC cells were also observed in animals with developed carcinoma. The activities of antioxidative enzymes in the EAC cells suggested the absence of oxidative stress. However, changes in the antioxidative enzymes activities observed after administration of the Viscum album extract might be due to the induction of oxidative stress in the EAC cells.