Biological activity of Aronia melanocarpa antioxidants pre-screening in an intervention study design

The beneficial effects of black chokeberry fruits and juices in health promotion and prevention of chronic diseases shown in both epidemiological and dietary intervention studies are often connected with their antioxidant activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the total phenolics and anthocyanins content, chemical antioxidant activity (DPPH-assay), antioxidant protection in erythrocytes and anti-platelet activity in vitro of three different chokeberry products: commercial and fresh pure chokeberry juice and a crude lyophilized water-ethanol extract of chokeberry fruits, as part of their pre-clinical evaluation. The obtained results indicated differences in chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the investigated products. Cellular effects, including both in vitro anti-platelet and antioxidant effects, were not directly correlated with the chemical antioxidant activity and the results obtained in vitro for antiplatelet effects were only partially consistent with the results obtained in vivo, in a pilot intervention trial. In conclusion, chemical analyses and in vitro experiments on foods and their bioactive substances are a valuable pre-screening tool for the evaluation of their biological activity. However, extrapolation of the obtained results to the in vivo settings is often limited and influenced by the bioavailability and metabolism of native dietary compounds or interactions with differrent molecules within the human body

Iscador Qu inhibits doxorubicin-induced senescence of MCF7 cells (vol 7, 3763, 2017)

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Associations of fatty acids composition and estimated desaturase activities in erythrocyte phospholipids with biochemical and clinical indicators of cardiometabolic risk in non-diabetic Serbian women: the role of level of adiposity

Introduction: Fatty acids (FAs) composition and desaturase activities can be altered in different metabolic conditions, but the adiposity-independent associations with clinical and biochemical indicators of cardiometabolic risk are still unclear. This study aimed to analyze the associations of FAs composition and estimated desaturase activities with anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical cardiometabolic risk indicators in non-diabetic Serbian women, and to investigate if these associations were independent of the level of adiposity and other confounders. Methods: In 76 non-diabetic, otherwise healthy Serbian women, aged 24-68 years, with or without metabolic syndrome or obesity (BMI=23.6±5.6 kg/m2), FA composition in erythrocyte phospholipids was measured by gas-liquid chromatography. Desaturase activities were estimated from product/precursor FAs ratios (D9D:16:1n-7/16:0; D6D:20:3n-6/18:2n-6; D5D:20:4n-6/20:3n-6). Correlations were made with anthropometric, biochemical (serum glucose, triacylglycerols, LDL-C, HDL-C, ALT, AST, and their ratios) and clinical (blood pressure) indicators of cardiometabolic risk. Linear regression models were performed to test the independence of these associations. Results: Estimated desaturase activities and certain FAs were associated with anthropometric, clinical and biochemical indicators of cardiometabolic risk: D9D, D6D, 16:1n-7 and 20:3n-6 were directly associated, while D5D and 18:0 were inversely associated. However, the associations with clinical and biochemical indicators were not independent of the associations with the level of adiposity, since they were lost after controlling for anthropometric indices. After controlling for multiple confounders (age, postmenopausal status, education, smoking, physical activity, dietary macronutrient intakes, use of supplements, alcohol consumption), the level of adiposity was the most significant predictor of desaturase activities and aforementioned FAs levels, and mediated their association with biochemical/clinical indicators. Vice versa, desaturase activities predicted the level of adiposity, but not other components of cardiometabolic risk (if the level of adiposity was accounted). While the associations of anthropometric indices with 16:1n-7, 20:3n-6, 18:0 and D9D and D6D activities were linear, the associations with D5D activity were the inverse U-shaped. The only adiposity-independent association of FAs profiles with the indicators of cardiometabolic risk was a positive association of 20:5n-3 with ALT/AST ratio, which requires further exploration. Discussion: Additional studies are needed to explore the mechanisms of the observed associations

Aktivnost antioksidativnih enzima u eritrocitima zdravih trudnica, trudnica sa preeklampsijom i novorođenčadi

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific syndrome of unknown etiology and represents multisystem disorder. It is characterized by the increased blood pressure, proteinuria, and edema. Preeclampsia is a great risk for both mother and fetus. Disturbances of the balance between the production of reactive oxygen species antioxidants status is considered to be one of the causes of various pathological conditions of the reproductive system, including preeclampsia. The main objective of this study is to determine the activities of superoxide-dismutase and catalase in peripheral blood erythrocytes of the pregnant women with preeclampsia and healthy pregnant women before delivery and umbilical cord blood erythrocytes of their babies immediately after the delivery. The results showed that the activity of superoxide dismutase in erythrocytes were statistically significantly lower in the group of patients with preeclampsia than in healthy pregnant women, as in the group of their babies compared to the babies of healthy pregnant women. Similarly, catalase activity was significantly lower in women with preeclampsia compared to the controls, as well as in erythrocytes of their babies compared to babies of healthy mothers. An observed difference in the antioxidant enzyme activities suggests a putative association between preeclampsia and decreased antioxidant status. Since the direct application of antioxidants did not give expected results of the data presented indicate the opportunity for the prevention of preeclampsia and alleviation of symptoms by dietary measures and life style changes in the population of pregnant women and women of childbearing age, directy targeting the enzymatic antioxidant system.Cilj ovog rada je određivanje aktivnosti superoksid-dizmutaze i katalaze u eritrocitima periferne krvi trudnica sa preeklampsijom i zdravih trudnica pre porođaja i krvi pupčanika njihovih beba neposredno posle porođaja. Preeklampsija je sindrom nepoznate etiologije i podrazumeva multisistemski poremećaj u organizmu trudnice. Karakteriše se povećanjem krvnog pritiska, edemom i proteinurijom i u ozbiljnijim slučajevima može doći do dramatičnog pogoršanja bolesti i ugrožavanja funkcije bubrega, jetre, mozga i hematoloških poremećaja. Preeklampsija predstavlja veliki rizik za zdravlje i majke i ploda. Poremećaj balansa između antioksidanasa i produkcije reaktivnih vrsta kiseonika smatra se jednim od uzroka različitih patoloških stanja reproduktivnog sistema, uključujući i preeklampsiju. Deo enzimskog sistema antioksidativne zaštite organizma čine enzimi superoksid- dizmutaza i katalaza, uključeni u regulaciju nivoa reaktivnih vrsta kiseonika.Dobijeni rezultati pokazali su da je aktivnost superoksid-dizmutaze u eritrocitima statististički značajno niža u grupi ispitanica sa preeklampsijom u odnosu na zdrave trudnice, kao i u grupi beba ispitanica sa preklampsijom u odnosu na bebe zdravih trudnica.Takođe, pokazano je da je aktivnost katalaze u eritrocitima statistički značajno niža kod trudnica sa preeklampsijom u odnosu na kontrolnu grupu, kao i kod njihovih beba u odnosu na bebe zdravih majki. Razlike u aktivnost antioksidativnih enzima u ispitivanim grupama trudnica i njihovih beba ukazuje na povezanost preeklampsije i smanjenog antioksidativnog statusa. S obzirom da primena direktnih antioksidanasa nije dala očekivane rezultate prikazani podaci ukazuju na mogućnost prevencije ili ublažavanja komplikacija izazvanih preklampsijom dijetarnim merama i poboljšanjem stila života trudnica i žena u reproduktivnom periodu, usmerenim na jačanje mehanizama antioksidativne zaštite

Efekti ekstrakta bele imele na markere aktivacije i agregacije trombocita

BACKGROUND: Viscum album preparations are extensively used as complementary therapy in cancer and are shown to exert antitumor activities which involve the cytotoxic properties, induction of apoptosis, inhibition of angiogenesis and several other immunomodulatory mechanisms. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the eft fects of mistletoe extract on platelet as well as monocyte functions, as an important factors in immunomodulation of cancers metas tatic potencial and angiogenesis in tumors. METHODS: The effect of different concentrations of mistletoe extract on agonist-induced platelet activation markers and their aggregation with leukocytes was examined in the blood of healthy subjects ( n = 6 ) using flow cytometry. Effects on LPS -induced activation markers was det ermined in the blood of healthy subj ects as well as on THP- 1 cell line using an ELISA essays and flow cytometry. RESULTS: Mistletoe extract significantly inhibited agonist induced P selectin expression and platelet-monocytes aggregation. Additionally, mistletoe extract exerts anti-tumor effect through the stimulation of TNF-a production in LPS induced monocytes activation. CONCLUSION: Obtained data demonstrate that mistletoe extract was effective in modulating platelet and monocyte functions, as a part of pleiotropic anticancer effect.UVOD: Preparati biljke Viscum album se intenzivno koriste kao komplementarna terapija u lecenju kancera. Mehanizmi antitumorskog delovanja, potvrđeni in vitro, ukljucuju citotoksicno delovanje, indukciju apoptoze, inhibiciju angiogeneze, imunomodulatorno delovanje. CILJ: Cilj ovog istraživanja je ispitivanje uticaja ekstrakta bele imele na funkciju trombocita i monocita kao važnih faktora u imunomodulaciji kancerskog procesa, metastatskom potencijalu i tumorskoj angiogenezi. METODE: Uticaj razlicitih koncentracija ekstrakta bele imele na markere agonistom indukovane aktivacije trombocita i njihove agregacije sa leukocitima ispitivan je u krvi zdravih ispitanika (n=6) primenom protocne citometrije. Uticaj na markere LPS indukovane aktivacije određivan je u krvi ispitanika i kulturi THP-1 celija korišceenjem ELISA eseja i protocne citometrije. REZULTATI: Ekstrakt imele znacajno inhibira ekspresiju P-selektina i trombocitno-monocitnu agregaciju. Pokazana stimulacija produkcije TNF-a u LPS-om aktiviranim monocitima dodatno doprinosi antitumorskom potencijalu. ZAKLJUČAK: Dobijeni rezultati potvrđuju potenci jal ekstrakta imele da modulira trombocitnu i monocitnu funkciju, kao deo pleotropnog antitumorskog delovanja

Effects of glucomannan-enriched, aronia juice-based supplement on cellular antioxidant enzymes and membrane lipid status in subjects with abdominal obesity

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of a 4-week-long consumption of glucomannan-enriched, aronia juice-based supplement on anthropometric parameters, membrane fatty acid profile, and status of antioxidant enzymes in erythrocytes obtained from postmenopausal women with abdominal obesity. Twenty women aged 45-65 with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 36.1 ± 4.4 kg/m2 and waist circumference of 104.8 ± 10.1 cm were enrolled. Participants were instructed to consume 100 mL of supplement per day as part of their regular diet. A significant increase in the content of n-3 (P<0.05) polyunsaturated fatty acids in membrane phospholipids was observed, with a marked increase in the level of docosahexaenoic fatty acid (P<0.05). Accordingly, a decrease in the n-6 and n-3 fatty acids ratio was observed (P<0.05). The observed effects were accompanied with an increase in glutathione peroxidase activity (P<0.05). Values for BMI (P<0.001), waist circumference (P<0.001), and systolic blood pressure (P<0.05) were significantly lower after the intervention. The obtained results indicate a positive impact of tested supplement on cellular oxidative damage, blood pressure, and anthropometric indices of obesity. © 2014 Nevena Kardum et al

Associations of fatty acids composition and estimated desaturase activities in erythrocyte phospholipids with biochemical and clinical indicators of cardiometabolic risk in non-diabetic Serbian women: the role of level of adiposity

IntroductionFatty acids (FAs) composition and desaturase activities can be altered in different metabolic conditions, but the adiposity-independent associations with clinical and biochemical indicators of cardiometabolic risk are still unclear. This study aimed to analyze the associations of FAs composition and estimated desaturase activities with anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical cardiometabolic risk indicators in non-diabetic Serbian women, and to investigate if these associations were independent of the level of adiposity and other confounders.MethodsIn 76 non-diabetic, otherwise healthy Serbian women, aged 24-68 years, with or without metabolic syndrome or obesity (BMI=23.6±5.6 kg/m2), FA composition in erythrocyte phospholipids was measured by gas-liquid chromatography. Desaturase activities were estimated from product/precursor FAs ratios (D9D:16:1n-7/16:0; D6D:20:3n-6/18:2n-6; D5D:20:4n-6/20:3n-6). Correlations were made with anthropometric, biochemical (serum glucose, triacylglycerols, LDL-C, HDL-C, ALT, AST, and their ratios) and clinical (blood pressure) indicators of cardiometabolic risk. Linear regression models were performed to test the independence of these associations.ResultsEstimated desaturase activities and certain FAs were associated with anthropometric, clinical and biochemical indicators of cardiometabolic risk: D9D, D6D, 16:1n-7 and 20:3n-6 were directly associated, while D5D and 18:0 were inversely associated. However, the associations with clinical and biochemical indicators were not independent of the associations with the level of adiposity, since they were lost after controlling for anthropometric indices. After controlling for multiple confounders (age, postmenopausal status, education, smoking, physical activity, dietary macronutrient intakes, use of supplements, alcohol consumption), the level of adiposity was the most significant predictor of desaturase activities and aforementioned FAs levels, and mediated their association with biochemical/clinical indicators. Vice versa, desaturase activities predicted the level of adiposity, but not other components of cardiometabolic risk (if the level of adiposity was accounted). While the associations of anthropometric indices with 16:1n-7, 20:3n-6, 18:0 and D9D and D6D activities were linear, the associations with D5D activity were the inverse U-shaped. The only adiposity-independent association of FAs profiles with the indicators of cardiometabolic risk was a positive association of 20:5n-3 with ALT/AST ratio, which requires further exploration.DiscussionAdditional studies are needed to explore the mechanisms of the observed associations

Design, formulation and sensory evaluation of a polyphenol-rich food placebo: an example of aronia juice for food intervention studies

Products suitable for use as controls in food interventions designed to demonstrate the role of minor components are largely lacking. In the present study, we aimed to develop a formulation to be used as a placebo in a clinical trial designed to assess the effects of aronia juice polyphenols on platelet function. Three formulations with the same nutrient composition as aronia juice were prepared by mixing various nutrients, artificial colours and flavours with water. The similarity of formulations to aronia juice in terms of taste, colour, smell and texture was assessed by six food panellists. The final placebo was tested for its impact on platelet function, biochemical and anthropometric parameters in a 4-week long study. No significant changes in platelet function, or in several cardiovascular and safety markers were recorded. Formulation suitable for use as a placebo for dietary intervention studies using aronia juice has been developed and demonstrated to be well tolerated in humans

The impact of aronia juice on biomarkers of oxidative status and fatty acid profile in healthy subjects with or without risk factors for cardiovascular diseases

Kardiovaskularne bolesti (KVB) predstavljaju najznačajniji uzrok obolevanja i umiranja u svetu. Faktori rizika za nastanak KVB često su praćeni promenama u oksidativnom statusu. Oksidativni stres, definisan kao poremećaj ravnoteže između stvaranja reaktivnih vrsta kiseonika i njihovog uklanjanja antioksidansima, dovodi se u vezu sa patogenezom kardiovaskularnih i drugih hroničnih bolesti. Rezultati brojnih epidemioloških studija pokazali su povezanost ishrane bogate voćem, povrćem i integralnim žitaricama sa smanjenjem rizika za nastanak KVB. Povoljno delovanje namirnica biljnog porekla u prevenciji KVB pripisuje se delom nutritivnim sastojcima, ali pre svega nenutritivnim, biološki aktivnim sastojcima, fitohemikalijama. Zahvaljujući visokoj zastupljenosti u biljkama i visokom antioksidativnom kpacitetu, polifenoli se smatraju najznačajnijim dijetarnim antioksidansima. Plod aronije (Aronia melanocarpa) i proizvodi dobijeni njegovom preradom predstavljaju jedan od najbogatijih izvora polifenola. Osnovni cilj ove doktorske disertacije bio je ispitivanje uticaja konzumacije soka ploda aronije na markere oksidativnog statusa i profil masnih kiselina kod zdravih osoba sa ili bez prisutnih faktora rizika za nastanak KVB. Tri grupe ispitanika su uključene, i to zdravi ispitanici bez faktora rizika za KVB, ispitanici sa abdominalnom gojaznošću i ispitanici sa visokim-normalnim krvnim pritiskom, odnosno hipertenzijom stadijuma 1. Ispitanici sa abdominalnom gojaznošću konzumirali su sok ploda aronije obogaćen dijetarnim vlaknima iz grupe glukomanana. Redovna konzumacija soka ploda aronije ispoljila je značajan uticaj na pojedine pokazatelje oksidativnog statusa i antioksidativne zaštite u serumu zdravih ispitanika bez faktora rizika za nastanak KVB, kao i u serumu ispitanika sa abdominalnom gojaznošću. Što se tiče uticaja na enzimsku antioksidativnu zaštitu u eritrocitima, značajan porast aktivnosti glutation-peroksidaze zabeležen je kod sve tri grupe ispitanika. Dodatno, u slučaju zdravih ispitanika bez faktora rizika za KVB, povećana je i aktivnost superoksid-dismutaze dok je kod ispitanika sa visokim-normalnim pritiskom, odnosno hipertenzijom stadijuma 1, značajan porast aktivnosti zabeležen za sva tri praćena enzima (glutation-peroksidazu, superoksid-dismutazu i katalazu)...Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are one of the most important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Risk factors for CVD development are often accompained with disturbance in oxidative status. Oxidative stress, defined as disbalance between reactive oxygen species production and their removal by antioxidants, is often related to pathogenesis of cardiovascular and other chronic diseases. Numerous epidemiological studies have shown association between diet rich in fruits, vegetables and cereals and decreased risk of CVD development. Positive impact of plant foods in the prevention of CVD has been attributed partly to their nutritive compounds, but mostly to their biologically active compounds, phytochemicals. Polyphenols are considered to be the most important dietary antioxidants, due to their high abundance in plants and strong antioxidant activity. Aronia (Aronia melanorpa) fruits and their products are one of the richest sources of polyphenols. The main aim of this study was to investigate the impact of aronia juice consumption on biomarkers of oxidative status and fatty acid profile in healthy subjects with or without risk factors for CVD. Three study groups were enrolled including healthy subjects without CVD risk factors, subjects with abdominal obesity and subjects with high-normal blood pressure or grade 1 hypertension. Subjects with abdominal obesity consumed aronia juice enriched with stable glucomannan dietary fibers. Regular aronia juice consumption showed significant impact on some serum biomarkers of oxidative status and antioxidant protection in healthy subjects without CVD risk facotrs and in subjects with abdominal obesity. Regarding the influence on antioxidant enzymes in erythrocytes, aronia juice consumption led to the significant increase in glutathione-peroxidase activity in all three study groups. Additionally, in case of healthy subjects without CVD risk factors superoxide-dismutase activity was also increased, while in subjects with high-normal blood pressure or grade 1 hypertension, significant increase in activities of all three analysed enzymes (glutathione-peroxidase, superoxide-dismutase and catalase) was recorded..

Effects of physiologically-relevant concentrations of anthocyanins and their metabolites on adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet activation and aggregation

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