Purification and partial elucidation of the structure of an antioxidant carbohydrate biopolymer from the probiotic bacterium Bacillus coagulans RK-02.

An exopolysaccharide (EPS) was isolated from Bacillus coagulans RK-02 and purified by size exclusion chromatography. The purified, homogeneous EPS had an average molecular weight of ∼3 × 104 Da by comparison with FITC-labeled dextran standards. In vivo evaluations showed that, like other reported polysaccharides, this EPS displayed significant antioxidant activity. FTIR spectroscopy analysis showed the presence of hydroxy, carboxy, and α-glycosidic linkages and a mannose residue. GC analysis indicated that the EPS was a heteropolymer composed of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine, and fucose as monomeric constituent units. Partial elucidation of the structure of the carbohydrate biopolymer based on GC-MS and NMR analysis showed the presence of two unique sets of tetrasaccharide repeating units that have 1→3 and 1→6 glycosidic linkages. This is also the first report of a Gram-positive bacterial polysaccharide with both fucose as a sugar monomer and 1→3 and 1→6 glycosidic linkages in the molecular backbone.

Silibinin is a potent antiviral agent in patients with chronic hepatitis C not responding to pegylated interferon/ribavirin therapy.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Oral Silibinin (SIL) is widely used for treatment of hepatitis C, but its efficacy is unclear. Substantially higher doses can be administered intravenously (IV). METHODS: Pedigreed nonresponders to full-dose pegylated (Peg)-interferon/ribavirin (PegIFN/RBV) were studied. First, 16 patients received 10 mg/kg/day SIL IV (Legalon Sil; Madaus, Köln, Germany) for 7 days. In a subsequent dose-finding study, 20 patients received 5, 10, 15, or 20 mg/kg/day SIL for 14 days. In both protocols, PegIFN alpha-2a/RBV were started on day 8. Viral load was determined daily. RESULTS: Unexpectedly, in the first study, HCV-RNA declined on IV SIL by 1.32 +/- 0.55 log (mean +/- SD), P < .001 but increased again in spite of PegIFN/RBV after the infusion period. The viral load decrease was dose dependent (log drop after 7 days SIL: 0.55 +/- 0.5 [5 mg/kg, n = 3], 1.41 +/- 0.59 [10 mg/kg, n = 19], 2.11 +/- 1.34 [15 mg/kg, n = 5], and 3.02 +/- 1.01 [20 mg/kg, n = 9]; P < .001), decreased further after 7 days combined SIL/PegIFN/RBV (1.63 +/- 0.78 [5 mg/kg, n = 3], 4.16 +/- 1.28 [10 mg/kg, n = 3], 3.69 +/- 1.29 [15 mg/kg, n = 5], and 4.85 +/- 0.89 [20 mg/kg, n = 9]; P < .001), and became undetectable in 7 patients on 15 or 20 mg/kg SIL, at week 12. Beside mild gastrointestinal symptoms, IV SIL monotherapy was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: IV SIL is well tolerated and shows a substantial antiviral effect against HCV in nonresponders.

Total antioxidant capacity and antioxidant enzymes in serum, saliva, and gingival crevicular fluid of preeclamptic women with and without periodontal disease.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities, and malondialdehyde levels in serum, saliva, and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women with and without periodontal disease. METHODS: Forty pregnant women, consisting of 10 preeclamptic subjects with periodontal disease, 10 preeclamptic periodontally healthy subjects, 10 normotensive subjects with periodontal disease, and 10 normotensive periodontally healthy subjects, were included in this study. After clinical measurement and samplings, total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase activities, and malondialdehyde levels in serum, saliva, and GCF of preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women were determined, and the data were tested by non-parametric tests. Total antioxidant capacity of the clinical samples was measured using a novel automated colorimetric measurement method. Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities and malondialdehyde levels were determined spectrophotometrically. RESULTS: Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities in GCF and serum and total antioxidant capacity in saliva, GCF, and serum were the lowest in preeclamptic women with periodontal disease. However, serum and GCF levels of malondialdehyde were the highest in this group of pregnant women. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic and local antioxidant and total antioxidant capacities are affected by periodontal disease in addition to the impact of preeclamptic status. Similar comments may be made for the increases in systemic and local malondialdehyde levels.

Relationship between salivary melatonin and severity of periodontal disease.

BACKGROUND: Melatonin possesses antioxidant, free-radical scavenging, and immunoenhancing properties that promote fibroblast activity and bone regeneration. The aim of this study was to examine the possible links between salivary melatonin levels and the severity of periodontal disease using the community periodontal index (CPI). METHODS: Thirty-seven patients with different degrees of periodontal disease were studied. Salivary and plasma melatonin levels (by radioimmunoassay), salivary/plasma melatonin ratio, and CPI status were collected for each patient. The Spearman correlation coefficient was used to analyze relationships among variables. RESULTS: Data showed a significant correlation between CPI and salivary/plasma melatonin ratios. When saliva volume was controlled for, a significant correlation (P<0.05) was found between lower salivary melatonin and a worse CPI. This finding suggests that melatonin may act as a protector against free radicals produced by inflammatory periodontal diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Salivary melatonin levels varied according to the degree of periodontal disease. As the degree of periodontal disease increased, the salivary melatonin level decreased, indicating that melatonin may act to protect the body from external bacterial insults. Therefore, melatonin may be potentially valuable in the treatment of periodontal diseases, although further research is required to validate this hypothesis.

Periodontitis in rats induces systemic oxidative stress that is controlled by bone-targeted antiresorptives.

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis is a chronic, polymicrobial inflammatory disease that degrades connective tissue and alveolar bone and results in tooth loss. Oxidative stress has been linked to the onset of periodontal tissue breakdown and systemic inflammation, and the success of antiresorptive treatments will rely on how effectively they can ameliorate periodontal disease-induced oxidative stress during oral infection. METHODS: Rats were infected with polybacterial inoculum consisting of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia, as an oral lavage every other week for 12 weeks. Daily subcutaneous injections of enoxacin, bis-enoxacin, alendronate, or doxycycline were administered for 6 weeks after 6 weeks of polybacterial infection in rats. The serum levels of oxidative stress parameters and antioxidant enzymes, including glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase, were evaluated in each of the infected, treated, and sham-infected rats. RESULTS: Rats infected with the periodontal pathogens displayed a five-fold increase in the oxidative stress index compared with controls as a result of increased levels of serum oxidants and decreases in total antioxidant activity. The overall decrease in antioxidant activity occurred despite increases in three important antioxidant enzymes, suggesting an imbalance between antioxidant macromolecules/small molecules production and antioxidant enzyme levels. Surprisingly, the bone-targeted antiresorptives bis-enoxacin and alendronate inhibited increases in oxidative stress caused by periodontitis. Bis-enoxacin, which has both antiresorptive and antibiotic activities, was more effective than alendronate, which acts only as an antiresorptive. CONCLUSION: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that the increased oxidative stress induced by periodontal infection in rats can be ameliorated by bone-targeted antiresorptives.

Polyethylene glycol-superoxide dismutase, a conjugate in search of exploitation.

Without a doubt PEG-SOD has been the enzyme most studied in PEGylation. One can say that it represents the preferred model to assess chemistries for PEG activation, analytical procedures suitable for conjugate characterization, the influence of PEG size in conjugate removal from circulation and elimination of immunogenicity and antigenicity, and the effect of route of administration. The effect of PEG conjugation was studied in vitro and in vivo models in comparison with the free enzyme and the following conclusions may be drawn: (1) At the blood vessel level, PEG-SOD has been shown to provide a greater resistance to oxidant stress, to improve endothelium relaxation and inhibit lipid oxidation. (2) In the heart, PEG-SOD proved to be at least as effective as native SOD in treatment of reperfusion-induced arrhythmias and myocardial ischemia. (3) In the lung, PEG-SOD appeared to be able to reduce oxygen toxicity and E. coli-induced lung injury, but not in the treatment of lung physiopathology associated with endotoxin-induced acute respiratory failure and in the reduction of asbestos-induced cell damage. (4) On cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injuries the effect of PEG-SOD was uncertain, also due to the difficulty of cerebral cell penetration. (5) In kidney and liver ischemia both enzyme forms were found to ameliorate reperfusion damage. In view of so much positive research on PEG-SOD, it is surprising that no approved application in human therapy has been established and approved.

Free radical scavenging activity in the nonenzymatic fraction of human saliva: a simple DPPH assay showing the effect of physical exercise.

Free-radicals and other reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated as being major damaging species in pathology and they have been widely investigated. Using 1,1'-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), we estimated total free radical scavenging activity in the low-molecular-weight nonenzymatic fraction (LMNEF) of human whole saliva. The activity of the whole saliva and serum were measured in terms of the rate of decrease in the absorbance at 517 nm in a 40% ethanol DPPH solution (pH 7.4) at room temperature. The DPPH activity of saliva and serum showed a significant linear relationship. The mean DPPH activities of saliva from 257 subjects aged 4-72 was found to be 0.389+/-.190 micromol/ml and bore no relation to age or sex. The activity in saliva of 86 subjects aged 4-11 was significantly different before and after exhaustive aerobic dance exercise for 1 hr. Physical exercise markedly decreased free radical scavenging activity in whole saliva of children. On the basis of the above results, we concluded that DPPH is useful for evaluating the total antioxidant capacity of LMNEF of human saliva.

Human salivary tea catechin levels and catechin esterase activities: implication in human cancer prevention studies.

Because of the possible application of tea in the prevention of oral and esophageal cancers, the salivary levels of tea catechins were determined in six human volunteers after drinking tea. Saliva samples were collected after thoroughly rinsing the mouth with water. After drinking green tea preparations equivalent to two to three cups of tea, peak saliva levels of (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC; 11.7-43.9 microg/ml), EGC-3-gallate (EGCG; 4.8-22 microg/ml), and (-)-epicatechin (EC; 1.8-7.5 microg/ml) were observed after a few minutes. These levels were 2 orders of magnitude higher than those in the plasma. The elimination half-life (t(1/2)) of the salivary catechins was 10-20 min, much shorter than that of the plasma. Holding a tea solution in the mouth for a few minutes without swallowing produced even higher salivary catechin levels, but taking tea solids in capsules resulted in no detectable salivary catechin level. Holding an EGCG solution in the mouth resulted in EGCG and EGC in the saliva and, subsequently, EGC in the urine. The results suggest that EGCG was converted to EGC in the oral cavity, and both catechins were absorbed through the oral mucosa. A catechin esterase activity that converts EGCG to EGC was found in the saliva. The enzyme was likely of human origin, but the activity was not inhibited by common human esterase inhibitor. The present results suggest that slowly drinking tea is a very effective way of delivering rather high concentrations of catechins to the oral cavity and then the esophagus.

TMJ pain in relation to circulating neuropeptide Y, serotonin, and interleukin-1 beta in rheumatoid arthritis.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain is influenced by circulating levels of neuropeptide Y, serotonin, and interleukin-1 beta in rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: Forty-three seropositive (RF+) or seronegative (RF-) rheumatoid arthritis patients and 24 healthy individuals were included in the study. RESULTS: High serum concentrations of serotonin were associated with low TMJ pressure pain thresholds and pain during mandibular movement in the RF+ patients. The results of this study do not support a relationship between circulating neuropeptide Y or interleukin-1 beta and TMJ pain. The RF+ patients had higher C-reactive protein levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rates than the RF- patients. There were also higher plasma levels of interleukin-1 beta in the RF+ patients than in the healthy individuals. Plasma levels of neuropeptide Y in the RF- patients were higher than in the healthy individuals. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that the serum concentration of serotonin is associated with TMJ allodynia in seropositive rheumatoid arthritis.

Vitamin E supplementation, superoxide dismutase status, and outcome of scaling and root planing in patients with chronic periodontitis: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: This study investigates the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in serum and saliva of patients with chronic periodontitis (CP). In addition, the outcome of scaling and root planing (SRP) with and without vitamin E supplementation is evaluated in terms of changes in periodontal parameters and SOD activity in patients with CP. METHODS: Serum and salivary SOD activity in 38 patients with CP were compared with those of 22 systemically and periodontally healthy individuals (control group). At periodontal examination, serum and saliva samples were obtained. Patients with CP were randomly divided into treatment groups 1 (TG-1) and 2 (TG-2). SRP was performed for both groups, and TG-2 also received 200 mg (300 IU) vitamin E every other day. Periodontal parameters and SOD activity were evaluated after 3 months. SOD activity was determined using an SOD assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay reader at 450 nm. RESULTS: SOD activity in both serum (P <0.05) and saliva (P <0.001) was lower in patients with CP compared with controls. After 3 months of follow-up, SOD activity improved in both treatment groups; however, the improvement in TG-2 was higher than in TG-1, along with more improvement in periodontal parameters. Serum SOD levels in TG-2 increased even above the level of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic and local SOD levels are lowered in CP. Adjunctive vitamin E supplementation improves periodontal healing as well as antioxidant defense.

Comparative evaluation of serum superoxide dismutase and glutathione levels in periodontally diseased patients: an interventional study.

BACKGROUND: Periodontal disease is an immune-inflammatory disease characterized by connective tissue breakdown, loss of attachment, and alveolar bone resorption. Under normal physiological conditions, a dynamic equilibrium is maintained between the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defense capacity. Oxidative stress occurs when this equilibrium shifts in favor of ROS. Oxidative stress is thought to play a causative role in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases. AIM: The present study was designed to estimate and compare the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) levels in the serum of periodontitis, gingivitis, and healthy individuals before and after nonsurgical periodontal therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was conducted in the Department of Periodontics, A. B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Deralakatte, Mangalore. The study was designed as a single blinded interventional study comprising 75 subjects, inclusive of both sexes and divided into three groups of 25 patients each. Patients were categorized into chronic periodontitis, gingivitis, and healthy. The severity of inflammation was assessed using gingival index and pocket probing depth. Biochemical analysis was done to estimate the SOD and GSH levels before and after nonsurgical periodontal therapy. RESULTS obtained were then statistically analyzed using ANOVA test and paired t-test. RESULTS: The results showed a higher level of serum SOD and GSH in the healthy group compared to the other groups. The difference was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.0001). The post-treatment levels of SOD were statistically higher than the pre-treatment levels in periodontitis and gingivitis group.

Evaluation of antioxidant enzymes activity and malondialdehyde levels in patients with chronic periodontitis and diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of diabetes, a known risk factor for periodontitis, on activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), and catalase (CAT) as well as levels of free radical damage marker malondialdehyde (MDA) in blood and saliva of individuals with chronic periodontitis (CP). METHODS: Sixty patients with CP (30 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus [DMCP] and 30 systemically healthy patients [CP]) and 60 periodontally healthy individuals (30 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 30 systemically healthy patients [PH]) were included in this study. After clinical measurements, blood and saliva samples were collected. SOD, GR, and CAT activities in red blood cell lysate and saliva and MDA levels in plasma and saliva samples were spectrophotometrically assayed. An analysis of variance test followed by a post hoc test was used to compare the intragroup and intergroup variances among the study groups. RESULTS: MDA levels in both the periodontitis groups were higher than in the periodontally healthy groups, but the difference between the CP and DMCP groups did not reach statistical significance (P >0.05). There was a highly significant difference between the CP and PH groups for all the enzymes studied except for SOD in blood. Only salivary SOD and GR activities were significantly different in the CP and DMCP groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study favors the role of oxidative stress in both diabetes and periodontitis. It shows that the compensatory mechanism of the body is partially collapsed because of excessive production of free radicals during periodontitis and is not able to cope with increased free radical generation attributable to diabetes, thereby worsening the situation.

Effect of chronic periodontitis on oxidative status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and chronic periodontitis (CP) are the most common chronic inflammatory diseases and have remarkable similar pathologies. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of periodontal status on oxidative stress in patients with RA by evaluating serum oxidative parameters and prolidase levels. METHODS: For this cross-sectional comparative study, the following four groups were composed of 20 individuals each (80 individuals total): 1) RA with CP (RA-CP group); 2) RA but periodontally healthy (RA-C group); 3) systemically healthy with CP (CP group); and 4) systemically and periodontally healthy (C group). Demographic, periodontal, rheumatological, and serum oxidative parameters as determined by serum total antioxidant status, total oxidant status, oxidative stress index (OSI), lipid hydroperoxide levels, paraoxonase, arylesterase, and ceruloplasmin activity, prolidase level, and total sulfhydryl groups were evaluated. RESULTS: The OSI values of the RA-CP group were statistically significantly higher than those of the C group (P <0.05). The prolidase levels of the RA-C, RA-CP groups and the CP group were statistically higher than those of the C group (P = 0.001, P = 0.007, and P = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Although CP and RA each increase oxidative stress, in a small sample size these effects are only significant when both CP and RA are combined relative to neither exposure. In addition, increased prolidase levels in patients with RA and CP may be related to increased oxidative tissue damage.

The impact of smoking status on antioxidant enzyme activity and malondialdehyde levels in chronic periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of smoking status on the systemic and local superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in subjects with chronic periodontitis (CP). METHODS: Sixty-five CP patients (23 smokers [CP-S], 23 former smokers [CP-FS], and 19 non-smokers [CP-NS]) and 20 periodontally healthy non-smoker controls (PH-NS) were included in the study. After the clinical measurements, serum and gingival tissue samples were collected. SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT activities and MDA levels in hemolysates and gingival tissue samples were spectrophotometrically assayed. RESULTS: Blood MDA levels in all the periodontitis groups were higher than in the PH-NS group but only the difference between CP-FS and PH-NS groups was significant (P <0.01). Gingival tissue MDA levels in the periodontitis groups were significantly higher than that in the control group (P <0.01). However, the control group had the highest gingival SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT activities compared with all the periodontitis groups (P <0.01). The CP-S group had the highest gingival MDA levels and SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT activities among the periodontitis groups, whereas the lowest values were observed in the CP-NS group (P <0.01). The blood and gingival MDA levels in the CP-FS group were similar in the CP-NS group, whereas they were lower than in the CP-S group. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic and local MDA levels are increased by smoking in addition to the impact of periodontitis. The decreased local SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT activities observed in periodontitis patients may increase with smoking.

Lipid peroxidation levels, total oxidant status and superoxide dismutase in serum, saliva and gingival crevicular fluid in chronic periodontitis patients before and after periodontal therapy.

BACKGROUND: Recent data have demonstrated increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels and oxidative stress in periodontitis. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) are both increased during oxidative stress. Furthermore, this study examined SOD concentration, total oxidative status (TOS) and MDA levels in periodontal patients and investigated the longitudinal effect of periodontal therapy on the index levels of chronic periodontitis (CP) patients. METHODS: Serum, saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were obtained from 48 CP patients and 35 healthy control subjects prior to, as well as after 16 weeks following non-surgical post-periodontal therapy. MDA, TOS and SOD and clinical parameters were determined pre- and post-therapy. RESULTS: The levels of TOS and SOD values were significantly higher in the CP group than in the control group (p < 0.05), but only MDA in GCF. Post-periodontal therapy, serum, saliva and GCF TOS and SOD levels significantly decreased compared to basal levels (p < 0.05), but only MDA in GCF. CONCLUSIONS: LPO was higher in the periodontal region, with TOS and SOD increasing both locally and peripherally. Non-surgical therapy can restore and control the subject antioxidant capacity by locally and systemically modifying the levels of MDA, TOS and SOD.

Increased biological half-life of aerosolized liposomal recombinant human Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase in pigs.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are dangerous intermediates of cellular oxygen metabolisms, and are involved in pathogenesis of a wide range of diseases. Superoxide Dismutases (SODs) are an important part of antioxidant defense systems in mammalian cells capable of reducing the harmful effect of ROS on human tissues. Unfortunately, intravenously administered SOD shows a biological half-life of a few minutes, and enteral administration fails due to biodegradation of the enzyme in the gastrointestinal system. The aim of our study was to improve biological half-life of recombinant human Cu/Zn SOD (rhSOD) within systemic circulation by liposomal encapsulation and aerosolization into the lungs. We studied the feasibility of a "needle-free" route of drug administration via the lungs combined with the sustained release effect of liposomes in an experimental pig model. We studied 14 anesthetized pigs separated into three groups. The first group (n = 5) received 15 mg aerosolized liposomal rhSOD. The second group (n = 4) received 15 mg intravenously injected liposomal rhSOD. The third group (n = 5) served as an untreated control. We determined rhSOD concentration as well as activity within the lungs by the use of bronchoalveolar lavages (BALs). RhSOD plasma concentrations were determined by blood sampling. In animals treated with aerosolized liposomal rhSOD plasma concentration of the enzyme increased and formed a plateau ranging from 19 to 21 ng/mL over the whole observational period (5 h). At the end of the experiment 5 h after completion of aerosol administration 95.2% of peak plasma concentration was found in this group. Three and 5 h after completion of aerosolization leucocytes (p = 0.54, 0.40) in BALs as well as PaO2 (p = 0.44, 0.35), PaCO(2) (p = 0.83, 0.75), and pH (p = 0.07, 0.07) in arterial blood remained unchanged compared to baseline. In animals treated with intravenously injected liposomal rhSOD, plasma concentration of the enzyme substantially increased to 3987 ng/mL but rapidly decreased over the observational period (5 h). At the end of the experiment 14.1% of peak plasma concentration was found in this group. Aerosolization of liposomal rhSOD leads to long-term and uniform uptake into systemic circulation without acute deleterious effects on respiratory tract. Compared to intravenously administered liposomal rhSOD, biologic half-life within systemic circulation was substantially prolonged in aerosol-treated animals. It could be a feasible strategy for administration of radical scavenging enzymes for treatment of systemic diseases.

Total antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase activity levels in serum and gingival crevicular fluid in post-menopausal women with chronic periodontitis.

OBJECTIVES: Menopause has been linked with oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant (AO) defence. A connection has been established between menopause and certain periodontal conditions. The objective of this study is to compare serum and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentrations in post-menopausal patients with chronic periodontitis (PMCP) with those of pre-menopausal chronic periodontitis patients (CP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-two PMCP patients, 31 CP patients, 25 post-menopausal periodontally healthy controls (PMPH) and 26 pre-menopausal controls (PH) were studied. After clinical measurements and samplings, serum and GCF TAOC and SOD concentrations were established in turn using an automated TAOC assay and spectrophotometric end point measurement. The results were analysed statistically. RESULTS: Serum and GCF TAOC and SOD concentrations were significantly lower in menopause and periodontitis (p<0.05). The lowest values were in the PMCP group, whereas the highest values were in the PH group. While the effect of menopause was more evident in serum antioxidant analysis, the effect of periodontitis was observed to be more apparent in GCF. CONCLUSIONS: A decrease in systemic and local AO defence was observed owing to both menopause and periodontitis. The lowest AO values in the PMCP group suggest that menopause may be a risk factor for periodontitis.

Free radical-scavenging properties of olive oil polyphenols.

Plants in the Mediterranean basin, such as vine and olive trees, have developed an array of antioxidant defences to protect themselves from environmental stress. Accordingly, the incidence of coronary heart disease and certain cancers is lower in the Mediterranean area, where olive oil is the dietary fat of choice. As opposed to other vegetable oils, extra virgin olive oil, which is obtained by physical pressure from a whole fruit, is rich in phenolic components that are responsible for the particular stability of the oil. We have investigated the scavenging actions of some olive oil phenolics, namely hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein, with respect to superoxide anion generation, neutrophils respiratory burst, and hypochlorous acid. The low EC50S indicate that both compounds are potent scavengers of superoxide radicals and inhibitors of neutrophils respiratory burst: whenever demonstrated in vivo, these properties may partially explain the observed lower incidence of CHD and cancer associated with the Mediterranean diet.

Oxidation of human red blood cells by a free radical initiator and effects of radical scavengers.

Haemolysis induced by a free radical initiator (4,4'azobis-(4-cyanovaleric acid) has been studied with transfusion blood. Azobis cyanovaleric acid caused an increase in haemolysis. The effect of alpha- and gamma-tocopherol, 2,2,5,7,8 pentamethyl-6-chromanol and 2,2,7,8 tetramethyl-6-chromanol on the red blood cell haemolysis was studied. There was little difference in the antioxidant action of four chromanols studied. Compounds without the side chain appeared to suppress haemolysis as well as alpha- and gamma-tocopherol. These results suggest that the long side chain of vitamin E has little or no effect on its antioxidant activity in red blood cells. However "protection against haemolysis" was related to total chromanol content of red blood cells. Therefore by dividing "protection" by "total chromanol content" it can be seen that alpha-tocopherol has the highest antioxidant potency.