Blood antioxidant parameters in subjects from Azorean populations with different sociocultural profile

Abstract de Comunicação em Painel (PS4-02730) apresentada em "27th Meeting of the Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS)", 30 Jun-6 Jul, 2001, Lisboa, Portugal.Age, sex, physiological and pathological conditions, as well as geographical location reflected in diet, social and environmental conditions and even in life habits are relevant factors in the assessment of the prooxidant/antioxidant status of individuais. The aim of this work is to compare some antioxidant parameters, such as whole blood Se-glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and erythrocyte Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, serum selenium, copper and zinc leveis in healthy subjects from three populations with different sociocultural characteristics. Volunteer men and women aged 20-60 were selected from Ponta Delgada (urban population), Ribeira Quente (fishing population) and Água Retorta (rural population) located in the island o f S. Miguel (Azores’ Archipelago, Portugal). No significant differences in GSH-Px activity were found in interpopulation analysis, but the activity tended to be higher in women than in men; in turn, selenium levels, which were maximum in subjects from Ribeira Quente, were significantly bigher in male than in female groups, except in the rural population where they were similar. SOD activities, as well as zinc leveis were significantly higher in both men and women from the fishing population than in the others, where they did not differ. Also SOD, but not zinc or copper, was higher by 13% in women than in men from Ribeira Quente. The rural population exhibited the highest copper concentrations, being much higher in these women than in those from Ribeira Quente or Ponta Delgada. Diet, either food or drinking water might be a major cause for the differences observed

Serum selenium, copper and zinc concentrations in inhabitants of S. Miguel Island (Azores Archipelago)

Abstract(2386) de Comunicação oral apresentada em "17th International Congress of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology" e "1997 Annual Meeting of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology", August 24-29, 1997 San Francisco, California, USA.Selenium, copper and zinc are trace elements which, besides having other biological functions, are cofactors of enzymes involved in antioxidant systems. The aim of this study is to report the first data on serum selenium, copper and zinc concentrations in Portuguese subjects (W – Women, n = 149; M, Men, n = 92) living in urban, rural and fishing regions of S. Miguel Island. […]

Antioxidant markers and cardiovascular risk factors in Azorean subjects with coronary artery disease

Abstract de Comunicação em painel apresentada em "14th World Congress on Heart Disease, International Academy of Cardiology", 2008, 26-29 Jul, Toronto, Canadá.To evaluate some blood antioxidant parameters in azorean subjects with coronary artery disease (CAD) previously submitted to percutaneous revascularization (PCI), by considering some cardiovascular risk factors

Systemic markers of the redox balance and Apolipoprotein E Polymorphism in Atherosclerosis: the Relevance for an Integrated Study

Copyright © 2006 by Humana Press Inc.Artigo original publicado por Humana Press Inc. Actual Editora da Revista Biological Trace Element Research: Springer [A publicação original está disponível em www.springerlink.com].Prospective studies have demonstrated that an imbalance between oxidative damage and antioxidative protection can play a role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Also, genotypes with the apolipoprotein E ζ4 allele have been associated with an increase risk for this pathology. Based on this knowledge, the aim of this study was to evaluate indicators of the redox balance, trace elements, and apolipoprotein E allelic profile in subjects from the Lisbon population with clinically stable atherosclerosis, at risk for atherosclerotic events, and in healthy subjects for comparison. The activities of superoxide dismutase in erythrocytes and glutathione peroxidase in whole blood, plasma total thiols, and serum ceruloplasmin were kept unchanged among the three groups. Serum α-tocopherol was increased in atherosclerotic patients. Total malondialdehyde in serum and protein carbonyls in plasma, which are indicators of lipid and protein oxidative damage, respectively, reached their highest values in risk subjects. The concentrations of potassium and calcium, in plasma and in blood cells, were slightly elevated in patients and might reflect an electrolytic imbalance. Regarding the apolipoprotein E polymorphism, atherosclerotic patients had an increased incidence of the high-risk genotypes for atherogenesis (ζ3/ζ4 and ζ4/ζ4). A multivariate model applied to the general population using most of the parameters clearly separated the three groups at study (i.e., the healthy group from the steady-state group of risk disease and from the atherosclerotic one). As shown by us, the usefulness of biochemical and complementary genetic markers is warranted for a better knowledge on atherosclerosis molecular basis.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia; Centro de Biologia Ambiental; Instituto de Investigação Científica Bento da Rocha Cabral; Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge

Blood antioxidant markers and elemental levels in Azorean patients with coronary artery disease: a preliminary study

Abstract de comunicação em Painel (3.P01) apresentada em VIIIth Conference of the International Society for Trace Element Research in Humans (ISTERH), IXth Conference of the Nordic Trace Element Society (NTES) and VIth Conference of the Helenic Trace Element Society (HTES),2007,21-26 Out, Hersonissos (Creta), GréciaAtherosclerosis (ATH) and related vascular diseases are the first cause of morbidity and mortality in Portugal, including the Azores’ Archipelago. The oxidation of low density lipoproteins (LDL) is considered to be an important event in the development of the disease. Accordingly, by preventing LDL oxidation, antioxidants can possibly reduce the risk or the progression of ATH. Essential trace elements as Cu, Se, Zn, and Fe are involved in endogenous antioxidant systems, mainly as cofactors of antioxidant enzymes. Other elements, like K and Ca, might play a role in atherogenesis while implicated in physiological and metabolic processes which are known to be disturbed in ATH. The aimof the present study was to evaluate some blood antioxidant markers and blood elemental levels in 20 Azorean subjects (ten men and ten women, aged 40 to 65 years) with coronary artery disease previously submitted to percutaneous revascularization (PCI). The whole blood gluthatione peroxidase (Se-GPx) and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activities were measured, as well as serum vitamin E levels (by HPLC). The concentrations of K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Se in plasma and blood cells were determined by PIXE. Results were analyzed by taking into account several cardiovascular risk factors, namely, gender, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) concentration. Se-GPx activity and vitamin E levels were significantly lower (24 and 15%, respectively) in the PCI group than in controls. In blood cells, significantly differences in Ca (19±5 vs 24±6 μg/mL) and Zn (14±1 vs 12±2 μg/mL) levels were observed in PCI women (but not in men) compared to the respective counterparts. Also in PCI women, both serum triglyceride and plasma tHcy concentrations were above reference values and higher than in men. Results suggest a decreased antioxidant status in PCI patients. In particular, women appear to be less protected than men, as reflected in some cardiovascular risk factors

Prognostic Value of VEGF in Patients Submitted to Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

The authors gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the staff of Servico de Cardiologia, Hospital de Santa Marta, and Ms. Rute Pinheiro for the help with laboratory work. The study was financially supported by Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia, PIC/IC/82734/2007 Contract and SFRM/BPD/6308/2009 Grant, and by Liga dos Amigos do Hospital de Santa Marta.We examined the longitudinal changes of VEGF levels after percutaneous coronary intervention for predicting major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. VEGF was measured in 94 CAD patients' serum before revascularization, 1-month and 1-year after. Independently of clinical presentation, patients had lower VEGF concentration than a cohort of healthy subjects (median, IQ: 15.9, 9.0-264 pg/mL versus 419, 212-758 pg/mL; P < 0.001) at baseline. VEGF increased to 1-month (median, IQ: 276, 167-498 pg/mL; P < 0.001) and remained steady to 1-year (median, IQ: 320, 173-497 pg/mL; P < 0.001) approaching control levels. Drug eluting stent apposition and previous medication intake produced a less steep VEGF evolution after intervention (P < 0.05). Baseline VEGF concentration <40.8 pg/mL conveyed increased risk for MACE in a 5-year follow-up. Results reflect a positive role of VEGF in recovery and support its importance in CAD prognosis.publishersversionpublishe

Dietary selenium intake and antioxidant defenses in tissues of peripuberal rats

Proceedings of the 10th International Symposium on Trace Elements in Man and Animals (TEMA 10), held May 2-7, 1999, in Evian, France.Free radicais are highly reactive chemical species that can oxidize and damage essential biological molecules. Their formation is a result of endogenous metabolism or of xenobiotics bio-transformation, but under normal physiological conditions cells are protected against oxidative challenge by enzymatic and non enzymatic antioxidants (Sies and Groot, 1992; Yu, 1994). Selenium (Se) is a trace element which essentiality for animais and humans is now well established. The element performs its functions mainly through selenoproteins and several glutathione peroxidases that degrade hydroperoxides using glutathione (GSH) as a reducer, are selenoenzymes playing an important role as antioxidant defenses (Ursini, Maiorino and Gregolin, 1985; Flohé, 1989). However, selenium is also a toxic agent with a narrow range of suitable levels. The main objective of this study was to assess the physiological development of some antioxidant parameters in liver and testes of rats during the puberty until the adult hood and to know if a low selenium supplementation in the diet can have some effect on those parameters, especially on those related with glutathione metabolism. (Introduction