1.
Protective efficacy of vitamins C and E on p,p'-DDT-induced cytotoxicity via the ROS-mediated mitochondrial pathway and NF-κB/FasL pathway.
Jin, X, Song, L, Liu, X, Chen, M, Li, Z, Cheng, L, Ren, H
PloS one. 2014;(12):e113257
Abstract
Dichlorodiphenoxytrichloroethane (DDT) is a known persistent organic pollutant and liver damage toxicant. However, there has been little emphasis on the mechanism underlying liver damage toxicity of DDT and the relevant effective inhibitors. Hence, the present study was conducted to explore the protective effects of vitamin C (VC) and vitamin E (VE) on the cytotoxicity of DDT in HL-7702 cells and elaborate the specific molecular mechanisms. The results demonstrated that p,p'-DDT exposure at over 10 µM depleted cell viability of HL-7702 cells and led to cell apoptotic. p,p'-DDT treatment elevated the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, induced mitochondrial membrane potential, and released cytochrome c into the cytosol, with subsequent elevations of Bax and p53, along with suppression of Bcl-2. In addition, the activations of caspase-3 and -8 were triggered. Furthermore, p,p'-DDT promoted the expressions of NF-κB and FasL. When the cells were exposed to the NF-κB inhibitor (PDTC), the up-regulated expression of FasL was attenuated. Strikingly, these alterations caused by DDT treatment were prevented or reversed by the addition of VC or VE, and the protective effects of co-treatment with VC and VE were higher than the single supplement with p,p'-DDT. Taken together, these findings provide novel experimental evidences supporting that VC or/and VE could reduce p,p'-DDT-induced cytotoxicity of HL-7702 cells via the ROS-mediated mitochondrial pathway and NF-κB/FasL pathway.
2.
Effects of bayberry juice on inflammatory and apoptotic markers in young adults with features of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Guo, H, Zhong, R, Liu, Y, Jiang, X, Tang, X, Li, Z, Xia, M, Ling, W
Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.). 2014;(2):198-203
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Oxidative stress and inflammation are involved in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Bayberries contain high levels of polyphenols that possess antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties in vitro. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the consumption of bayberry juice beneficially alters the levels of oxidative, inflammatory, and apoptotic biomarkers in young individuals with features of NAFLD. METHODS In this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study, 44 participants (ages 18-25 y) were given 250 mL of either bayberry juice or placebo twice daily for 4 wk. Several anthropometric characteristics were measured, and fasting blood samples were drawn before and after each intervention period. The levels of plasma glucose, insulin, lipids, and some NAFLD-related biomarkers were determined. RESULTS No significant effects on the anthropometric parameters and the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance were observed. Compared with placebo, the consumption of bayberry juice significantly decreased the plasma levels of protein carbonyl groups (P = 0.038), tumor necrosis factor-α (P < 0.001), and interleukin-8 (P = 0.022). The apoptosis markers analysis revealed significant differences between the treatment and the placebo in the levels of tissue polypeptide-specific antigen (P < 0.001) and cytokeratin-18 fragment M30 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION The consumption of bayberry juice for a period of 4 wk can protect against NAFLD in young adults by improving the plasma antioxidant status and inhibiting the inflammatory and apoptotic responses that are involved in this disease.
3.
Strawberry consumption is associated with increased antioxidant capacity in serum.
Henning, SM, Seeram, NP, Zhang, Y, Li, L, Gao, K, Lee, RP, Wang, DC, Zerlin, A, Karp, H, Thames, G, et al
Journal of medicinal food. 2010;(1):116-22
Abstract
Strawberries are known to contain antioxidants, but the significance of ingesting antioxidant-rich fruits remains to be established. In order to determine whether the consumption of strawberries impacted measures of in vivo antioxidant capacity, frozen strawberries (250 g) were administered daily for 3 weeks to 21 healthy female volunteers. Compliance was confirmed by quantitating pelargonidin-glucuronide, urolithin A-glucuronide, and 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3-[(2)H]furanone-glucuronide in plasma and urine by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and antioxidant capacity in serum measured by the increase in lag phase of low-density lipoprotein after copper sulfate exposure, DNA strand breaks in lymphocytes, and activity of phase II enzymes. Among these measures lipid peroxidation lag time increased by 20% (P < .01), whereas other measures did not change significantly. The potent antioxidant defenses in humans make determination of changes due to dietary ingestion in healthy individuals difficult. In summary, daily consumption of strawberries resulted in a modest but significant increase in antioxidant capacity in a healthy population.