Effect of a proanthocyanidin-rich extract from longan flower on markers of metabolic syndrome in fructose-fed rats

Recent evidence strongly suggests that oxidative stress due to redox imbalance is highly associated with metabolic syndrome. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the supplementation of longan flower water extract (LFWE), which showed powerful antioxidative activity in vitro, on markers of metabolic syndrome in a fructose-fed rat model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: group C, fed with standard Purina chow; group F, fed with high-fructose diet (HF) alone; group L, fed with HF plus LFWE 125 mg/kg bw per day by gavage; and group H, fed HF plus LFWE 250 mg/kg bw per day by gavage. The dietary manipulation lasted for 14 weeks. Results of our study showed that rats fed with HF resulted in oxidative stress and affected the antioxidant status including plasma thiobarbituric acid and liver antioxidant enzyme activity. Treatment with LFWE significantly augmented the antioxidant system. HF was able to cause insulin resistance and elevation of the blood pressure. The supplementation of LFWE ameliorated insulin resistance by enhancing the expression of insulin signaling pathway related proteins, including insulin receptor substrate-1 and glucose transporter 4. LFWE supplementation was also found to decrease systolic blood pressure. These findings indicate that longan flower water extract may improve the symptoms of metabolic syndrome in fructose-fed rats.     

Quercetin-4'-glucoside is more potent than quercetin-3-glucoside in protection of rat intestinal mucosa homogenates against iron ion-induced lipid peroxidation

Quercetin is a typical antioxidative flavonoid found in vegetables, which is more commonly present as its glucosides, quercetin-3-glucoside (Q3G) and quercetin-4'-glucoside (Q4'G). The main aim of this study was to estimate the antioxidant activity of Q3G and Q4'G on iron ion-driven lipid peroxidation of the gastrointestinal mucosa. Q4'G markedly suppressed the lipid peroxidation when rat gastrointestinal mucosa homogenates were incubated with Fe(NO3)3 and ascorbic acid. Its effectiveness was greater as compared to that of Q3G and comparable to that of quercetin aglycone. Furthermore, Q4'G yielded higher amounts of quercetin aglycone than Q3G on incubation with the homogenates. However, Q4'G showed a lower chelating activity in comparison to Q3G. These results indicate that Q4'G, even though it has a low chelating activity, because of its efficient conversion to antioxidative aglycone on exposure to the mucosa, can act as a powerful antioxidant on iron ion driven lipid peroxidation in the intestinal mucosa. Thus, vegetables rich in Q4'G, such as onion, are likely to serve as favorable antioxidant sources for suppressing iron-induced oxidative stress in the intestinal tract.     

Erythritol attenuates the diabetic oxidative stress through modulating glucose metabolism and lipid peroxidation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

We investigated the effects of erythritol on rats with streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetes mellitus. Oral administration of erythritol [100, 200, or 400 mg (kg body weight)(-1) day(-1) for 10 days] to rats with STZ-induced diabetes resulted in significant decreases in the glucose levels of serum, liver, and kidney. Erythritol also reduced the elevated serum 5-hydroxymethylfurfural level that is glycosylated with protein as an indicator of oxidative stress. In addition, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance levels of serum and liver and kidney mitochondria were dose-dependently lower in the erythritol-treated groups than in the control diabetic group. Furthermore, the serum creatinine level was reduced by oral administration of erythritol in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that erythritol affects glucose metabolism and reduces lipid peroxidation, thereby improving the damage caused by oxidative stress involved in the pathogenesis of diabetes.     

Antioxidative and hepatoprotective effects of Antrodia camphorata extract

Antrodia camphorata (A. camphorata) is well-known in Taiwan as a traditional Chinese medicine. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of A. camphorata extracts to protect against oxidative stress in vitro and against carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced hepatic injury in vivo. An extract of A. camphorata inhibited nonenzymatic iron-induced lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenates with an IC(50) value about 3.1 mg/mL. It also scavenged the stable free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The dose of the A. camphorata extract resulting in a decrease of 0.20 in the absorbance of DPPH was about 31 +/- 0.7 microg/mL. Furthermore, an A. camphorata extract dose-dependently (250-1250 mg/kg) ameliorated the increase in plasma aspartate aminotransferase (GOT) and alanine aminotransferase (GPT) levels caused by chronic repeated CCl(4) intoxication in mice. Moreover, A. camphorata extract significantly improved the CCl(4)-induced increase in hepatic glutathione peroxidase, reductase, and CCl(4)-induced decrease in superoxide dismutase activities. It also restored the decrement in the glutathione content and catalase activity of hepatic tissues in CCl(4)-intoxicated mice. Furthermore, it also dose-dependently inhibited the formation of lipid peroxidative products during CCl(4) treatment. Histopathological changes of hepatic lesions induced by CCl(4) were significantly ameliorated by treatment with an A. camphorata extract in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that A. camphorata extract exerts effective protection against chronic chemical-induced hepatic injury in vivo, by mediating antioxidative and free radical scavenging activities.     

Hypocholesterolemic effects of a flavonoid-rich extract of Hypericum perforatum L. in rats fed a cholesterol-rich diet

In a previous study, a flavonoid-rich extract of Hypericum perforatum L. (FEHP) was prepared and its antioxidant activity was determined by a series of models in vitro. In this study, the hypocholesterolemic effects of FEHP in rats fed a cholesterol-rich diet were tested. Forty Wistar rats fed a standard laboratory diet or a cholesterol-rich diet for 16 weeks were used. The serum lipid levels, as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in serum and liver, were examined. Cholesterol-rich diet induced hypercholesterolemia was manifested in the elevation of serum lipid levels such as total cholesterol (TC), total triglycerides (TG), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Administration of middle-dose (75 mg/kg of BW/day) and high-dose (150 mg/kg of BW/day) FEHP significantly lowered the serum levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C, while increasing the serum level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Also, the content of MDA in serum and liver decreased significantly after oral administration of FEHP compared with those of rats fed a cholesterol-rich diet. In addition, FEHP increased the activity of SOD in serum and liver, but the activity of CAT was significantly elevated only in liver. These results suggested that the hypocholesterolemic effects of FEHP might be due to its abilities to lower serum TC, TG, and LDL-C levels as well as to slow the lipid peroxidation process and to enhance the antioxidant enzyme activity.     

Red mold dioscorea has greater hypolipidemic and antiatherosclerotic effect than traditional red mold rice and unfermented dioscorea in hamsters

Monascus-fermented red mold dioscorea (RMD) was proven to produce higher monacolin K levels than red mold rice (RMR) in our previous study. The goal of this study is to investigate whether the novel RMD had more hypolipidemic and antiatherosclerotic effect than traditional red mold rice. The daily dose of RMR for adults was recommended as 1 g, which corresponded to 96 mg/kg/day for hamsters. Therefore, high cholesterol diet-induced hyperlipidemic hamsters were daily administrated with a 0.5-fold (48 mg/kg/day), a 1-fold (96 mg/kg/day), or a 5-fold dose (480 mg/kg/day) of RMD for 8 weeks. Furthermore, a 1-fold dose of RMR (96 mg/kg/day) and unfermented dioscorea (96 mg/kg/day) were also respectively used to evaluate the effect of hypolipidemic and antiarteriosclerosis. The results indicated that only needing a 0.5-fold dose of RMD was able to significantly lower total cholesterol (by 13.78%, p<0.001), triglyceride (by 38.74%, p<0.01), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (by 43.11%, p<0.05) as well as maintain a high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, as compared to the hyperlipidemic group. RMD including a higher monacolin K level and a dioscorea substrate was able to exhibit a more significant difference in the hypolipidemic effect than RMR or unfermented dioscorea. Both RMR and dioscorea exhibited potent in vitro antioxidative ability and in vivo protection against hypolipidemia-induced oxidative stress. Therefore, the antioxidative ability of RMD provided by Monascus metabolites (dimerumic acid, tannin, phenol, etc.) as well as dioscorea was able to perform more antiatherosclerotic effects on increasing total antioxidant status, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activity and repressing lipid peroxidation and atherosclerotic plaque than RMR and dioscorea.     

Protective effects of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) extract on restraint stress-induced liver damage in mice

Our experiments showed that 18 h restraint stress could induce serious liver damage, with an increase in plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level (107.68 +/- 3.19 U/L vs 18.08 +/- 1.46 U/L). Meanwhile, we observed increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and lowered oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values in plasma and liver of restraint mice compared with starved mice. Bilberry extract (containing 42.04% anthocyanins) was oral administrated to mice at 50, 100, and 200 mg/(kg x day) for five days, which remarkably decreased plasma ALT level to 17.23 +/- 2.49 U/L at the dose of 200 mg/(kg x day) and thus alleviated stress-induced liver damage. In addition, bilberry extracts increased glutathione (GSH) and vitamin C levels and significantly decreased MDA and nitric oxide (NO) levels in the liver tissues. These results suggest that bilberry extract plays an important role in protecting against restraint stress-induced liver damage by both scavenging free radicals activity and lipid peroxidation inhibitory effect. This study showed the beneficial health effects of bilberry extract through its antioxidative action.     

Increase of antioxidative potential of rat plasma by oral administration of proanthocyanidin-rich extract from grape seeds.

The effect of a single oral administration of proanthocyanidins, oligomeric and polymeric polyhydroxyflavan-3-ol units, on the antioxidative potential of blood plasma was studied in rats. Proanthocyanidin-rich extract from grape seeds was administered by intragastric intubation to fasted rats at 250 mg/kg of body weight. The plasma obtained from water- or proanthocyanidin-administered rats was oxidized by incubation with copper sulfate or 2, 2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) at 37 degrees C, and the formation of cholesteryl ester hydroperoxides (CE-OOH) was followed. The plasma obtained from proanthocyanidin-administered rats was significantly more resistant against both copper ion-induced and AAPH-induced formation of CE-OOH than that from control rats. The lag phase in the copper ion-induced oxidation of rat plasma was remarkably increased at 15 min after administration of proanthocyanidins and reached a maximum level at 30 min. When the plasma from proanthocyanidin-administered rat was hydrolyzed by sulfatase and beta-glucuronidase following analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection, metabolites of proanthocyanidins occurred in rat plasma at 15 min after administration, three peaks of which were identified as gallic acid, (+)-catechin, and (-)-epicatechin. These results suggest that the intake of proanthocyanidins, the major polyphenols in red wine, increases the resistance of blood plasma against oxidative stress and may contribute to physiological functions of plant food including wine through their in vivo antioxidative ability.     

Antioxidative effects of lactic acid bacteria on the colonic mucosa of iron-overloaded mice

The antioxidative effects of lactic acid bacteria on lipid peroxidation in the colonic mucosa were investigated. Among 49 strains of lactic acid bacteria, Streptococcus thermophilus YIT 2001 showed the highest inhibitory activity against lipid peroxidation in liposomes induced by ferrous iron. Feeding a diet containing 0.4% St. thermophilus YIT 2001 (2 x 10(8) colony-forming units per mouse per day) for 2 weeks caused a significant decrease of lipid peroxide (thiobarbituric acid reactive substance) in the colonic mucosa of iron-overloaded mice (0.07% Fe in the diet). The mucosal lipid peroxide level did not correlate with the soluble iron concentration of the cecal contents. Therefore, it is suggested that the antioxidative effect of St. thermophilus YIT 2001 in the colonic mucosa was not due to the removal of ferrous iron from the reaction system of lipid peroxidation.     

Cytoprotective effect of hydroxytyrosyl alkyl ether derivatives after oral administration to rats in a model of glucose-oxygen deprivation in brain slices

This study was designed to determine whether the oral administration of hydroxytyrosol (HT) alkyl ether derivatives has a neuroprotective effect in rats. The animals were treated for 7 days with HT or ethyl, butyl, hexyl, octyl, and dodecyl HT ether. A method of in vitro hypoxia-reoxygenation in brain slices was used. Hexyl, octyl, and dodecyl HT derivatives reduced brain cell death (LDH efflux). Lipid peroxidation and nitrite concentrations were inhibited most by hexyl, octyl, and dodecyl derivatives. Concentrations of 3-nitrotyrosine were reduced by HT butyl, hexyl, octyl, and dodecyl ether derivatives. Interleukin-1β was significantly reduced in brain slices from rats treated with all HT ether derivatives. LDH efflux showed a linear correlation with brain concentrations of lipid peroxides, nitrites plus nitrates, and interleukin 1β. The reduction in oxidative and nitrosative stress and decreased production of pro-inflammatory interleukins may be the basis for the observed neuroprotective effects.     

Antioxidant effects of isorhamnetin 3,7-di-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside isolated from mustard leaf (Brassica juncea) in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes

To investigate the effects of isorhamnetin 3,7-di-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (isorhamnetin diglucoside), a major flavonoid compound of mustard leaf, on oxidative stress due to diabetes mellitus, in vivo and in vitro studies were carried out. Oral administration of isorhamnetin diglucoside (10 or 20 mg/kg of body weight/day for 10 days) to rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes significantly reduced serum levels of glucose and 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (5-HMF), which is glycosylated with hemoglobin and is an indicator of oxidative stress. After intraperitoneal administration, isorhamnetin diglucoside did not show these activities. In addition, after oral administration, the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance levels of serum, and liver and kidney mitochondria declined significantly compared with the control group in a dose-dependent manner, whereas after intraperitoneal administration these levels fell only slightly. On the basis of the oral and intraperitoneal results, it was hypothesized that isorhamnetin diglucoside was converted to its metabolite in vivo, and its conversion to its aglycone, isorhamnetin, by beta-glucosidase was confirmed; isorhamnetin acted as an antioxidant. Moreover, it was observed that isorhamnetin diglucoside had no effect on the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical, whereas isorhamnetin showed a potent antioxidant effect in vitro. In addition, intraperitoneal administration of isorhamnetin reduced serum glucose and 5-HMF levels. Furthermore, lipid peroxidation in blood, liver, and kidney associated with diabetes mellitus declined after the administration of isorhamnetin. These results suggest that isorhamnetin diglucoside is metabolized in vivo by intestinal bacteria to isorhamnetin and that isorhamnetin plays an important role as an antioxidant.     

Chinese yam (Dioscorea alata cv. Tainung No. 2) feeding exhibited antioxidative effects in hyperhomocysteinemia rats

Antioxidative effects of Dioscorea alata (D. alata) were investigated in hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) induced by methionine (Met) oral feeding (1 (g/kg of BW)/day). HHcy rats were fed a standard laboratory chow supplemented without or with freeze-dried D. alata powder at 1, 2.5, and 5 (g/kg of BW)/day, assigned as Met, Met + D1, Met + D2, and Met + D3 groups, respectively. Twelve weeks after D. alata feeding, plasma homocysteine levels (16.3-24.2 microM) were significantly decreased compared to that of the Met group (34.1 +/- 9.9 microM) (p < 0.01), and similar to the basal level (15.0 +/- 1.9 microM). Thrombin-induced platelet aggregation (PA) of the Met + D2 and Met + D3 groups was significantly lower than that of the Met group. Plasma malondialdehyde levels, an indicator of lipid peroxidation, and hepatic reactive oxygen species, an indicator of oxidative stress, of HHcy with D. alata feeding were significantly lower than that without D. alata feeding. The hepatic catalase in the Met + D2 and Met + D3 groups was significantly elevated compared to that in the Met group. D. alata feeding did not significantly change hepatic superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase, which were adaptively enhanced by Met feeding. The decreased glutathione/glutathione disulfide ratio in the Met group was increased after D. alata feeding. These results indicated that HHcy induced by Met could be reversed by D. alata feeding. D. alata feeding exhibited its antioxidative effects in HHcy including alleviating PA, lipid peroxidation, and oxidative stress, but did not induce activity of antioxidant enzymes which had already adaptively increased by HHcy.     

Novel effects of a single administration of ferulic acid on the regulation of blood pressure and the hepatic lipid metabolic profile in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

We studied the effects of a single oral administration of ferulic acid (FA) on the blood pressure (BP) and lipid profile in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). Male 12-week-old SHRSP were administered FA (9.5 mg/kg of body weight) and distilled water as the control (C) (1 mL) via a gastric tube. The hypotensive effect of FA was observed at the lowest value after 2 h administration. A decrease in the angiotensin-1-converting enzyme (ACE) activity in the plasma corresponded well with the reduction of BP. Plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were lower after 2 h administration. The mRNA expression of genes involved in lipid and drug metabolism was downregulated in the FA group. These results suggest that oral administration of FA appears beneficial in improving hypertension and hyperlipidemia.     

Lipid-lowering and antioxidant effects of hydroxytyrosol and its triacetylated derivative recovered from olive tree leaves in cholesterol-fed rats

This study was designed to test the lipid-lowering and antioxidative activities of triacetylated hydroxytyrosol compared with its native compound, hydroxytyrosol, purified from olive tree leaves. Wistar rats fed a standard laboratory diet or a cholesterol-rich diet for 16 weeks were used. The serum lipid levels, the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) level, as an indicator of lipid peroxidation, and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as that of catalase (CAT) were examined. The cholesterol-rich diet induced hypercholesterolemia that was manifested in the elevation of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Administration of hydroxytyrosol and triacetylated hydroxytyrosol (3 mg/kg of body weight) decreased the serum levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C significantly and increased the serum level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Furthermore, the content of TBARS in liver, heart, kidney, and aorta decreased significantly when hydroxytyrosol and its triacetylated derivatives were orally administered to rats compared with those fed a cholesterol-rich diet. In addition, triacetylated hydroxytyrosol and hydroxytyrosol increased CAT and SOD activities in the liver. These results suggested that the hypolipidemic effect of triacetylated hydroxytyrosol and hydroxytyrosol might be due to their abilities to lower serum TC, TG, and LDL-C levels as well as to their antioxidant activities preventing the lipid peroxidation process.     

Inhibition of lipid peroxidation by Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum.

The inhibition of lipid peroxidation by Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum was investigated using two lipid model systems. All eight strains, including six strains of L. acidophilus and two strains of B. longum, demonstrated an inhibitory effect on linoleic acid peroxidation. The inhibitory rates on linoleic acid peroxidation ranged from 33 to 46% when 1 mL of intracellular cell-free extract was tested. In the second model system, the cell membrane of osteoblast was used as the source for biological lipid. The results indicated that all strains were able to protect biological lipids from oxidation. The inhibition rates on cell membrane lipid peroxidation ranged from 22 to 37%. The effect of L. acidophilus and B. longum on inhibition of fluorescent tissue pigment accumulation was also obtained for osteoblastic cells. The inhibition rates on fluorescent tissue pigment accumulation ranged from 20 to 39%. The antioxidative effect of each milliliter of intracellular cell-free extract of L. acidophilus and B. longum was equivalent to 104-172 ppm of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). These results indicated that all strains demonstrated high antioxidative activity. The scavenging ability of lipid peroxidation products, tert-butyl hydroperoxide and malondialdehyde, was also evaluated. The results showed that L. acidophilus and B. longum were not able to scavenge the tert-butyl hydroperoxide. Nevertheless, malondialdehyde was scavenged well by these strains.     

Protective effects of fermented filtrate from Antrodia camphorata in submerged culture against CCl4-induced hepatic toxicity in rats

The protective effects and the possible mechanisms of dry matter of fermented filtrate (DMF) from Antrodia camphorata in submerged culture (ACSC) on H(2)O(2)-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 and carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced hepatotoxicity in Sprague-Dawley rats were investigated. The results showed that the inhibitory effect of DMF and its crude triterpenoids on lipid peroxidation occurred in a dose-response manner in an AAPH/linoleic acid system. When HepG2 cells were pretreated with DMF at the concentration of 0.10 mg/mL for 4 h and then induced by 1 h of treatment with H(2)O(2) (100 microM), lipid peroxidation was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased, as measured by the formation of malondialdehyde. The oral pretreatment with DMF [0.25 and 0.50 mg/kg of body weight (bw)] for 5 consecutive days prior to the administration of a single dose of 40% CCl(4) (0.10 mL/100 g of bw, ip) significantly prevented the increase in serum levels of hepatic enzyme markers (alanine and aspartate aminotransferase) and liver lipid peroxidation (p < 0.05). Histopathological evaluation of the rat liver revealed that DMF reduced the incidence of liver lesions, including neutrophil infiltration, hydropic swelling, and necrosis induced by CCl(4) in rats. Moreover, reduced glutathione (GSH)-dependent enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione S-transferase) and the GSH/GSSG ratio were significantly improved in the oral pretreatment DMF of rats (p < 0.01). The results suggest that DMF may play a role in preventing oxidative damage in living systems by up-regulating hepatic GSH-dependent enzymes to preserve the normal GSH/GSSH ratio and scavenging free radicals formed during CCl(4) metabolism.     

Ameliorative influence of sesame lignans on lipid profile and lipid peroxidation in induced diabetic rats

Sesame lignans are working as antioxidants in various physiological functions. In the present study, the antioxidative effect of sesame lignans is examined in chemically induced diabetes mellitus (DM) in rats against lipid profile and lipid peroxidations. DM was induced in four groups of rats by injection of alloxan. The control groups (non-diabetic and diabetic) received a diet containing sunflower oil while the rest of the three experimental diabetic groups received a diet containing 0.25% alpha-tocopherol (D-Toc), 0.5% sesame lignan (D-SL), and 0.25% alpha-tocopherol+0.25% sesame lignan (D-Toc-SL) in sunflower oil for 4 weeks. Lipid profile and lipid peroxidations of plasma, erythrocyte membrane (EM), and liver tissues were measured. The total cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, plasma lipid peroxidation, and also LDL-peroxidation decreased, and HDL cholesterol increased significantly (P<0.05) in all the experimental groups as compared to the control diabetic sunflower oil group. The triacylglycerol (TAG) level in plasma decreased significantly in the D-SL and D-Toc-SL groups as compared to control diabetic group. Significant decrease in TAG level was observed in the D-SL group as compared to the D-Toc group. LDL peroxidation also decreased significantly in the D-Toc-SL group as compared to the D-Toc group. EM lipid peroxidation and liver lipid peroxidation decreased significantly in the D-Toc, D-SL, and D-Toc-SL groups as compared to the control diabetic group. Liver TAG level decreased more significantly in the D-SL and D-Toc-SL groups than in the control diabetic group. So, sesame lignans at 0.5% level and sesame lignan + alpha-tocopherol significantly ameliorate the alteration in lipid profile and the adverse free radical generative influence of DM induced by alloxan.     

Rapid photometric assay evaluating antioxidative activity in edible plant material.

The objective of the present study is to develop a rapid and convenient method to determine antioxidative activity. It was determined by the inhibition capacity on the hemoglobin-catalyzed peroxidation of linoleic acid. The appropriate conditions for reaction of 4 mM linoleic acid were 0.002% hemoglobin at 37 degrees C for 10 min. Adding methanol to the reaction mixture at <20% showed no significant effect on the peroxidation of linoleic acid. Products formed from hemoglobin-catalyzed peroxidation of linoleic acid were 9- and 13-hydroperoxyoctadecadienoic acid at a ratio of approximately 50:50. Eight synthetic antioxidants were assayed for their antioxidative activity; all of them showed linear response to the logarithm of their concentration. Antioxidative activity from different plant samples was also examined. Tea, ginger, chrysanthemum, and roselle showed higher antioxidative activity. Either hydrophobic or hydrophilic antioxidants were able to be assayed with this method within 15 min.     

Bioavailability and tissue distribution of sesamol in rat

Sesamol, generally regarded as the main antioxidative component in sesame oil, can be generated from sesamolin by roasting sesame seed or bleaching sesame oil. This paper reports the bioavailability of sesamol in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Biological fluid was sampled following a dose of sesamol of 50 mg/kg by gastric gavage (p.o.) or by intravenous injection. The pharmacokinetic data of sesamol were calculated by noncompartmental model. The tissue distribution of sesamol (p.o., 100 mg/kg) in SD rats was also investigated. The concentration changes of sesamol were determined in various tissues and plasma within a 24 h period after oral administration of sesamol. The results showed that the oral bioavailability of sesamol was 35.5 +/- 8.5%. Sesamol was found to be able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and go through hepatobiliary excretion. Sesamol conjugated metabolites were widely distributed in SD rat tissues, with the highest concentrations in the liver and kidneys and the lowest in the brain. It is postulated that sesamol is incorporated into the liver first and then transported to the other tissues (lung, kidneys, and brain). The major metabolites of sesamol distributed in the lung and kidney were glucuronide and sulfate.     

Bound malondialdehyde in foods: bioavailability of N,N'-di-(4-methyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarbaldehyde)lysine

Reactions between lipid peroxidation products and proteins in foods have detrimental nutritional effects, most importantly, losses of essential amino acids. One of the major products of the reaction of malondialdehyde and alkanals with amino groups are 4-substituted 1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarbaldehyde derivatives. The product of the reaction of lysine with malondialdehyde and acetaldehyde, N,N'-di-(4-methyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarbaldehyde)lysine (MDDL), has been synthesized and used for in vitro and in vivo bioavailability studies. Release of free lysine did not occur in incubations of MDDL with tissue homogenates. After oral administration of radioactively labeled MDDL, radioactivity was only recovered in feces. Radioactivity was not incorporated into hepatic microsomes after intraperitoneal administration, which would have indicated release of available lysine. These results show that MDDL is a form of unavailable lysine, because it is not metabolized to free lysine and cannot be absorbed from the gut. Thus, formation of this derivative in foods would result in loss of available lysine.