The importance of redox status in the frame of lifestyle approaches and the genetics of the lung innate immune molecules, SP-A1 and SP-A2, on differential outcomes of covid-19 infection

The pandemic of COVID-19 is of great concern to the scientific community. This mainly affects the elderly and people with underlying diseases. People with obesity are more likely to experience unpleasant disease symptoms and increased mortality. The severe oxidative environment that occurs in obesity due to chronic inflammation permits viral activation of further inflammation leading to severe lung disease. Lifestyle affects the levels of inflammation and oxidative stress. It has been shown that a careful diet rich in antioxidants, regular exercise, and fasting regimens, each and/or together, can reduce the levels of inflammation and oxidative stress and strengthen the immune system as they lead to weight loss and activate cellular antioxidant mechanisms and reduce oxidative damage. Thus, a lifestyle change based on the three pillars: antioxidants, exercise, and fasting could act as a proactive preventative measure against the adverse effects of COVID-19 by maintaining redox balance and well-functioning immunity. Moreover, because of the observed diversity in the expression of COVID-19 inflammation, the role of genetics of innate immune molecules, surfactant protein A (SP-A)1 and SP-A2, and their differential impact on the local lung microenvironment and host defense is reviewed as genetics may play a major role in the diverse expression of the disease. © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Oxidative status in ICU patients with septic shock

The aim of this pilot study was to investigate variability of oxidative stress during sepsis evolution. ICU patients with the diagnosis of septic shock were included. Thiobarbituric-acid reactive substances, total antioxidant capacity, protein carbonyls in plasma, reduced, oxidized glutathione and catalase activity in erythrocyte lysate were assessed in the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 8th day after sepsis appearance. A total of 17 patients were divided in two groups: survivors (n = 7) and non-survivors (n = 10). APACHE II was 11.5 +/- 5.4 and 19.9 +/- 4.97 in survivors and non-survivors respectively (p = 0.005), while mean age and SOFA score at sepsis diagnosis, were similar between the two groups. GSH levels, catalase activity and protein carbonyls presented significant different course in time between survivors and non-survivors (p < 0.05). Catalase activity was significantly higher in survivors (238.8 +/- 51.5) than non-survivors (166.4 +/- 40.2; p = 0.005), while protein carbonyls levels were significantly lower in survivors (0.32 +/- 0.09) than non-survivors (0.48 +/- 0.16; p = 0.036) on the 1st day. Yet, non-survivors exhibited a declining course in GSH levels during time, while GSH levels were maintained in survivors. Conclusively, a longstanding antioxidant deficiency in non-surviving patients was noted. This phenomenon was clearly prominent in patients' erythrocytes. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

The Importance of Redox Status in the Frame of Lifestyle Approaches and the Genetics of the Lung Innate Immune Molecules, SP-A1 and SP-A2, on Differential Outcomes of COVID-19 Infection

The pandemic of COVID-19 is of great concern to the scientific community. This mainly affects the elderly and people with underlying diseases. People with obesity are more likely to experience unpleasant disease symptoms and increased mortality. The severe oxidative environment that occurs in obesity due to chronic inflammation permits viral activation of further inflammation leading to severe lung disease. Lifestyle affects the levels of inflammation and oxidative stress. It has been shown that a careful diet rich in antioxidants, regular exercise, and fasting regimens, each and/or together, can reduce the levels of inflammation and oxidative stress and strengthen the immune system as they lead to weight loss and activate cellular antioxidant mechanisms and reduce oxidative damage. Thus, a lifestyle change based on the three pillars: antioxidants, exercise, and fasting could act as a proactive preventative measure against the adverse effects of COVID-19 by maintaining redox balance and well-functioning immunity. Moreover, because of the observed diversity in the expression of COVID-19 inflammation, the role of genetics of innate immune molecules, surfactant protein A (SP-A)1 and SP-A2, and their differential impact on the local lung microenvironment and host defense is reviewed as genetics may play a major role in the diverse expression of the disease

Gsh levels affect weight loss in individuals with metabolic syndrome and obesity following dietary therapy

This study examined the effects of redox status markers on metabolic syndrome (MetS) and obesity before and after dietary intervention and exercise for weight loss. A total of 103 adults suffering from MetS and obesity participated in this study and followed a personalized diet plan for 6 months. Body weight, body fat (BF) percentage (BF%), respiratory quotient (RQ) and the redox status markers, reduced glutathione (GSH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and protein carbonyls (CARB), were measured twice in each individual, before and after intervention. Dietary intervention resulted in weight loss, a reduction in BF% and a decrease in RQ. The GSH levels were significantly decreased following intervention, while the levels of TBARS and CARB were not affected. Based on the initial GSH levels, the patients were divided into 2 groups as follows: The high GSH group (GSH, >3.5 µmol/g Hb) and the low GSH group (GSH <3.5 µmol/g Hb). Greater weight and BF loss were observed in patients with high GSH levels. It was observed that patients with MetS and obesity with high GSH values responded better to the dietary therapy, exhibiting more significant changes in weight and BF%. This finding underscores the importance of identifying redox status markers, particularly GSH, in obese patients with MetS. Knowing the levels of GSH may aid in developing a better design of an individualized dietary plan for individuals who wish to lose weight. © 2018, Spandidos Publications. All rights reserved

Effect of polyphenols from coffee and grape on gene expression in myoblasts

Coffee and grape contain various bioactive compounds like polyphenols that may exert beneficial effects, especially antioxidant activity, on human health upon consumption. However, the molecular mechanisms through which these effects are achieved are not fully elucidated. Thus, in the present study in order to investigate these mechanisms, a whole genome expression DNA microarray analysis was carried out in myoblasts treated with polyphenols of coffee and grape pomace at concentrations that improved the redox status. Grape was composed of catechin, epicatechin, cyanidin, malvidin, delphinidin, petunidin, myrtillin, kuromanin, oenin, peonidin, quercetin, gallic acid and caftaric acid as LC–MS revealed, with a total polyphenolic content (TPC) of 648 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g of dry matter. Coffee had a TPC of 42.61 mg GAE/g coffee and was composed of 3-chlorogenic acid (16.61 mg/g), 4- and 5-chlorogenic acids (13.62 mg/g), as UHPLC-HRMS revealed. According to the results, grape polyphenols altered mainly the expression of cytoskeleton and differentiation-associated genes, while coffee compounds had a more profound effect, on the expression levels of many metabolic and antioxidant genes possibly through the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2) like-2 (Nrf2) pathway. © 2017 Elsevier B.V

Variations in Oxidative Stress Levels in 3 Days Follow-up in Ultramarathon Mountain Race Athletes

Spanidis, Y, Stagos, D, Orfanou, M, Goutzourelas, N, Bar-or, D, Spandidos, D, and Kouretas, D. Variations in oxidative stress levels in 3 days follow-up in ultramarathon mountain race athletes. J Strength Cond Res 31(3): 582-594, 2017 - The aim of the present study was the monitoring of the redox status of runners participating in a mountain ultramarathon race of 103 km. Blood samples from 12 runners were collected prerace and 24, 48, and 72 hours postrace. The samples were analyzed by using conventional oxidative stress markers, such as protein carbonyls (CARB), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in plasma, as well as glutathione (GSH) levels and catalase (CAT) activity in erythrocytes. In addition, 2 novel markers, the static oxidation-reduction potential marker (sORP) and the capacity oxidation-reduction potential (cORP), were measured in plasma. The results showed significant increase in sORP levels and significant decrease in cORP and GSH levels postrace compared with prerace. The other markers did not exhibit significant changes postrace compared with prerace. Furthermore, an interindividual analysis showed that in all athletes but one sORP was increased, whereas cORP was decreased. Moreover, GSH levels were decreased in all athletes at least at 2 time points postrace compared with prerace. The other markers exhibited great variations between different athletes. In conclusion, ORP and GSH markers suggested that oxidative stress has existed even 3 days post ultramarathon race. The practical applications from these results would be that the most effective markers for short-term monitoring of ultramarathon mountain race-induced oxidative stress were sORP, cORP, and GSH. Also, administration of supplements enhancing especially GSH is recommended during ultramarathon mountain races to prevent manifestation of pathological conditions. © 2016 National Strength and Conditioning Association

The effects of spirulina supplementation on redox status and performance following a muscle damaging protocol

Spirulina plantensis is a popular supplement which has been shown to have antioxidant and performance enhancing properties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of spirulina supplementation on (a) redox status (b) muscle performance and (c) muscle damage following an eccentric bout of exercise that would induce muscle damage. Twenty-four healthy, recreationally trained males participated in the study and were randomly separated into two groups: a spirulina supplementation (6 g per day) and a placebo group. Both groups performed an eccentric bout of exercise consisting of 5 sets and 15 maximum reps per set. Blood was collected at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after the bout and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and protein carbonyls (PC) were assessed in plasma. Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) was also assessed at the same aforementioned time points. Eccentric peak torque (EPT) was evaluated immediately after exercise, as well as at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h post exercise. Redox status indices (TAC and PC) did not change significantly at any time point post exercise. DOMS increased significantly 24 h post exercise and remained elevated until 72 h and 96 h post exercise for the placebo and spirulina group, respectively. EPT decreased significantly and immediately post exercise and remained significantly lower compared to baseline until 72 h post exercise. No significant differences between groups were found for DOMS and EPT. These results indicate that spirulina supplementation following a muscle damaging protocol does not confer beneficial effects on redox status, muscle performance or damage. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Influence of long-term fasting on blood redox status in humans

Fasting is increasingly practiced to improve health and general well-being, as well as for its cytoprotective effects. Changes in blood redox status, linked to the development of a variety of metabolic diseases, have been recently documented during calorie restriction and intermittent fasting, but not with long-term fasting (LF). We investigated some parameters of the blood redox profile in 109 subjects before and after a 10-day fasting period. Fasting resulted in a significant reduction in body weight, improved well-being and had a beneficial modulating effect on blood lipids and glucose regulation. We observed that fasting decreased lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and increased total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in plasma, concomitant with a uric acid elevation, known to be associated with fasting and did not cause gout attacks. Reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase in erythrocytes did not show significant changes. In addition, reduction in body weight, waist circumference, and glucose levels were associated to a reduced lipid peroxidation. Similar results were obtained by grouping subjects on the basis of the changes in their GSH levels, showing that a period of 10 days fasting improves blood redox status regardless of GSH status in the blood. © 2020 by the authors