OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of acupuncture of"Daimai"(GB26) on abdominal fat accumulation, lipid metabolism and hepatic oxidative stress in abdominal obese non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) rats.

METHODS:male SD rats were divided into 3 groups: normal diet (normal,＝8), high fat diet control (model) and acupuncture (＝8/group in the latter 2 groups). The abdominal obese NAFLD model was established by feeding the rats with high fat diet for 12 weeks. EA (2 Hz/15 Hz, 1.5 mA) was applied to bilateral GB26 for 20 min, once every other day for 8 weeks. Rats of the model group were also restrained for 20 min as those in the EA group. The body mass and abdominal circumference were measured weekly, the isolated adipose tissues around the bilateral kidney and epididymis and the fresh liver were weighed. The contents of serum cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), alanine transaminase (ALT), glutamic oxaloacetic aminotransferase (AST) were detected by using an automatic biochemical analyzer. The abdominal visceral fat distribution was acquired by CT scanning. The oxidative stress indexes of the homogenated liver tissues, such as malondialdehyde (MDA) was assayed using sodium thiobarbital (TBA) method, and theactivity of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) were assayed by using hydroxylamine method and colorimetric method respectively. The histopathological changes of the liver were observed after staining with hematoxylin-eosin (HE).

RESULTS:Following modeling, the body mass and waist circumference, visceral fat weight of bilateral kidneys and testis (visceral fat weight), liver weight, serum ALT, AST, TG and TC and liver MDA contents, were significantly higher in the model group (<0.001，<0.05), while hepatic T-SOD and GSH-PX activity was considerably lower in the model group than those in the normal group (<0.001). After acupuncture intervention, the levels of all the above-mentioned indexes (modeling induced both increase and decrease) were reversed relevant to the model group (<0.05,<0.01). The results of CT scanning showed that the fat accumulation area in the abdomen was 8.67 cm18.51 cmand 13.75 cmin the normal, model and acupuncture groups, respectively, presenting a decrease after acupuncture. H．E. staining displayed that the degree of hepatic steatosis (including vague hepatic lobule boundary, disordered arrangement of hepatic cord, hepatocellular swelling, diffuse fatty degeneration, unequal-sized lipid droplets in the hepatocytes, nucleus excursion and dissolution after modeling) wasimproved after acupuncture.

CONCLUSION:Acupuncture can reduce body weight and abdominal fat accumulation in abdominal obese NAFLD rats, which may be related to its effects in inhibiting oxidative stress (lowering MDA level and increasing the activity of T-SOD and GSH-PX) and improving hepatic lipid metabolism.

The present study evaluates the protective effects of an antioxidant-rich extract of(NAOE) in abnormalities associated with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in rats. HPTLC of NAOE revealed the presence of 13 total antioxidants, 14 flavonoids, and 10 phenolic acids. Rats administered with fructose (20% /) in drinking water for 45 days to induce abnormalities of MetS received NAOE (200 and 400 mg/kg, po), the standard drug gemfibrozil (60 mg/kg, po), aerobic exercise (AE), and a combination of NAOE 400 mg/kg and AE (NAOEAE) daily for 45 days. All treatments significantly altered the lipid profile and attenuated the fructose-elevated levels of uric acid, C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and marker enzymes (AST, LDH, and CK-MB) in serum and malondialdehyde in the heart and restored the fructose-depleted levels of glutathione and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase). A significant decrease in blood glucose and insulin levels decreased insulin resistance, and improved glucose tolerance was observed in the treatment animals when compared with the fructose-fed animals. The best mitigation of MetS was shown by the NAOEAE treatment indicating that regular exercise along with adequate consumption of antioxidant-rich foods such as spinach in diet can help control MetS.

BACKGROUND:Tuberculosis (TB) has reemerged to become the world's leading cause of death from a single infectious agent. Inflammatory cytokines play an important role during the course of the disease and may be responsible for tissue damage by lipid peroxidation. The study was aimed to explore the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect of ginger in pulmonary TB patients.

METHODS:A total of 69 pulmonary TB patients participated in a randomized and placebo-controlled study. The intervention group received 3 g of ginger extract daily for 1 month and placebo group was supplemented with starch capsule. Participants of both groups were taking standard antitubercular treatment during the study. The concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, ferritin and malondialdehyde (MDA) in blood samples were analyzed before and after the intervention by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for TNF alpha and ferritin and spectrophotometry for MDA.

RESULTS:Ginger supplementation significantly reduced the levels of TNF alpha, ferritin and MDA in ginger supplemented group in comparison to baseline. Ginger supplementation with antitubercular treatment significantly lowered TNF alpha, ferritin and MDA concentrations in comparison to control group.

CONCLUSIONS:Ginger was found to be effective as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant supplement along with anti-TB therapy as it possesses strong free radical scavenging property.

Aerobic training is related to an increase in blood oxidation markers. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant capacity of Lippia citriodora extracts (PLX(®) ) on plasma and blood cell oxidative status of university students beginning a 21 days aerobic training routine (3 days/week). Using a double-blind design, 15 male athletes (21 ± 2.1 years) were assigned to a group consuming 1.8 g/day of the plant extract (PLX(®) -group) or a placebo (PLB-group). Two blood extractions were performed at day 0 and 21, from which lymphocytes, erythrocytes and plasma were isolated. Several circulating parameters, antioxidant enzyme activities and oxidative stress markers were measured. The PLX(®) -group displayed an increased HDL-cholesterol, a modest decrease in erythrocyte number and an increased circulating urea. Activation of glutathione (GSH)-reductase was observed in erythrocytes and lymphocytes of PLX(®) -group, accompanied by lower levels of oxidative stress markers, such as malondialdehyde and protein carbonyls in plasma. The antioxidant action exerted by PLX(®) on GSH-reductase seems to be post-translational and mainly due to verbascoside, a phenylpropanoid that represents 10% (w/w) of extract content. In conclusion, PLX(®) shows antioxidant properties that could play an important role in modulating GSH-reductase activity in lymphocytes and erythrocytes and protecting plasma from exercise oxidative damage.

BACKGROUND:Excessive free radicals, generated from the metabolic reaction in organisms, have been implicated in many human diseases as well as aging process. Nowadays, many synthetic substances have been developed as anti-oxidation cosmetic ingredients. However, man-made antioxidants often have certain toxicity and side effects, which make their application under strict control. Therefore, more and more researchers focus on natural antioxidants because of their advantages.

AIMS:In this study, CE obtained from natural Chinese medicine was used to investigate whether it had antioxidant effect in vitro and repair effect on HaCaT cell damage caused by UVB.

METHODS:UV-Vis and HPLC were adopted for qualitative and quantitative analysis of CE. We investigated the antioxidant potential of CE by assessing its ABTS, DPPH•, hydroxyl (OH•), and superoxide anions () free-radical quenching ability. The safety of CE was studied by CCK-8 assay. To evaluate the anti-oxidation effect of CE on UVB-induced damage on HaCaT cells, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were tested.

RESULTS:Experiment data showed that the CE displayed high scavenging ability: ABTS, DPPH•, OH•, andquenching rates were 88%, 64%, 94%, and 58%, respectively. Furthermore, after UVB radiation (30 mJ/cm), adding CE (50-500 μg/mL) could increase the SOD activity in HaCaT cells and reduce the MDA contents.

CONCLUSIONS:All results illustrate that the CE shows significant antioxidant effect on scavenging free radicals in vitro. Besides, the CE can repair UVB-induced oxidant damage by improving SOD activity and reducing MDA content.

Antioxidants are potential therapeutic agents for reducing stress-induced organ damage. We investigated the effects of ascorbic acid andβ-carotene on oxidative stress-induced cerebral, cerebellar, cardiac and hepatic damage using microscopy and biochemistry. Male Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups: untreated control, stressed, stressed + saline, stressed + ascorbic acid and stressed + β-carotene. The rats in the stressed groups were subjected to starvation, immobilization and cold. The histopathological damage scores for the stressed and stressed + saline groups were higher than those of the control group for all organs examined. The histopathological damage scores and mean tissue malondialdehyde levels for thegroups treated with antioxidants were lower than those for the stressed and stressed + saline groups. Mean tissue superoxide dismutase activities for groups that received antioxidants were higher than those for the stressed + saline group for most organs evaluated. Ascorbic acid and β-carotene canreduce stress-induced organ damage by both inhibiting lipid oxidation and supporting the cellular antioxidant defense system.

Ascorbic acid (AA), one of the best-known reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers, exhibits numerous functions such as antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. Increasing evidence demonstrates that oxidative stress plays an important role in testicular toxicity. In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of AA against cadmium (Cd)-induced blood-testis barrier (BTB) disruption. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into four groups: the Cd-treated group received a single dose (s.c.) of 2 mg/kg BW cadmium chloride; the AA antagonism group received an injection of AA at a dose of 400 mg/kg BW (200 mg 24 h prior to Cd treatment and 200 mg 24 h following Cd treatment); and the control groups received an equal volume of saline or an equal dose of AA. As expected, ROS expression was upregulated in the Cd-treated rats, accompanied by an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA). Interestingly, AA suppressed Cd-induced oxidative stress by decreasing the levels of ROS and MDA and increasing the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). In addition, AA also reduced BTB disruption by inhibiting TGF-β3 activation and p38 MAPK phosphorylation. Significant decreases in occludin and claudin-11 expression were observed in the Cd-treated rats, whereas AA administration attenuated this effect. Moreover, testicular histopathology and transmission electron microscopy further demonstrated the protective effects of AA against Cd-induced BTB damage. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that AA protects BTB destruction via the inhibition of oxidative stress and the TGF-β3/p38 MAPK signalling pathway in the testis of Cd-exposed rats.

OBJECTIVE:Yoga is a mind-body modulation technique that has been shown to have beneficial effects on various diseases related to various systems in the body. However, the molecular basis of mechanism of action is not clear. Hence, this study was designed to study the leukocyte telomere biology and its relation with homocysteine and oxidative stress in yoga practitioners.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:This is a prospective case-control study involving Yoga practitioners aged 30-40 y with minimum of two years yoga practice (Yoga group) and age, gender and body mass index matched sedentary healthy general population with no medical problems (Control group). Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) was measured by using quantitative PCR (qPCR), fasting plasma homocysteine was measured by a rapid high-performance liquid chromatography assay and the oxidative stress was assessed with total antioxidant status (TAOS), malondialdehyde (MDA) measured by calorimetry.

RESULTS:The LTL was shorter in control group than in yoga group (p<0.001). The TAOS was more in yoga group when compared to control group (p=0.008), MDA and homocysteine was high in control group when compared to Yoga group (p<0.001). Further, the LTL was positively correlated with TAOS (r=0.841, p<0.001) and negatively correlated with MDA (r=-0.931, p<0.001) and Homocysteine (r=-0.756, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION:The LTL is well-preserved in people who practice Yoga regularly with lower systemic oxidative stress compared to those who have a relatively sedentary lifestyle despite lack of any medical disorders. The habitual yoga practice seems to inhibit replicative cellular senescence.

OBJECTIVE:The neuroprotective effects of both garlic and ascorbic acid (AA) have been documented. In this study the effects of garlic and ascorbic acid on memory deficits and brain tissue oxidative damages induced by lead exposure was investigated.

METHODS:The juvenile rats were divided and treated: (1) Control, (2) Lead (lead acetate in drinking water, 8 weeks), (3) Lead - Ascorbic Acid (Lead-AA), (4)  Lead - Garlic (100 mg/kg, daily, gavage) (Lead-Gar).

RESULTS:In Morris water maze (MWM), the escape latency and traveled path in the Lead group were significantly higher while, the time spent in the target quadrant (Q1) was lower than Control. Both Lead-Gar and Lead-AA groups spent more times in Q1than to lead group. There were no significant differences in swimming speed between the groups. In passive avoidance (PA) test, the time latency for entering the dark compartment by Lead group was lower than Control. Treatment of the animals by AA and garlic significantly increased the time latency. In Lead group, the total thiol concentration in brain tissues was significantly lower while, MDA was higher than Control. Treatment by both garlic and AA increased total thiol concentrations and decreased MDA. Both garlic and AA decreased the lead content of brain tissues.

CONCLUSION:It is suggested that treatment with garlic attenuates the learning and memory impairments due to lead exposure during juvenile rat growth which is comparable to AA. The possible mechanism may be due to its protective effects against brain tissues oxidative damage as well the lowering effects of brain lead content.

The aim of this work is to characterize the primary structure and physicochemical properties of natural polysaccharides (GLP) and degraded polysaccharides (GLP) from Ganoderma lucidum, and evaluate their hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities. The results of particle size distribution and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides were effectively degraded by ultrasonic method. GLPwas composed of the same monosaccharide units as GLP but with different molar ratios. Infrared spectra and NMR showed that the primary structure of polysaccharides had not been changed by ultrasonic degradation. Meanwhile, the thermal stability of polysaccharides increased after ultrasonic treatment. After administration by GLP and GLPfour weeks, body weight, visceral index, atherosclerosis index (AI) and biochemical indicators in serum and in liver were determined. The results showed that GLPhad stronger hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities than GLP. GLPwas more effective than the GLP for reducing AI, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), raising high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) (p < 0.01), reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) content, as well as increasing the glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in mice serum, increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and reducing MDA content in liver (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). In addition, the histopathological observations of mice livers showed that GLPcould significantly improve lipid metabolism disorder in hepatocytes. Thus, GLPmight be tested as a more effective hypolipidemic drug.

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of long-term docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) dietary supplementation on the erythrocyte fatty acid profile and oxidative balance in soccer players after training and acute exercise. Fifteen volunteer male athletes (age 20.0± 0.5 years) were randomly assigned to a placebo group that consumed an almond-based beverage (n = 6), or to an experimental group that consumed the same beverage enriched with DHA (n = 9) for 8 weeks. Blood samples were taken in resting conditions at the beginning and after 8 weeks of nutritionalintervention and training in resting and in post-exercise conditions. Oxidative damage markers (malonyldialdehyde, carbonyl and nitrotyrosine indexes) and the activity and protein level of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase and peroxidase) were assessed. The results showed that training increased antioxidant enzyme activities in erythrocytes. The experimental beverage increased DHA from 34.0 ± 3.6 to 43.0 ± 3.6 nmol/10(9) erythrocytes. DHA supplementation increased the catalytic activity of superoxide dismutase from 1.48 ± 0.40 to 10.5 ± 0.35 pkat/10(9) erythrocytes, and brought about a reduction in peroxidative damage induced by training or exercise. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with DHA changed the erythrocyte membrane composition, provided antioxidant defense and reduced protein peroxidative damage in the red blood cells of professional athletes after an 8-week training season and acute exercise.

AIM:To detect the effects of verbascoside on decreasing the concentration of oxygen free radicals (OFR) and lipid peroxidation in skeletal muscle resulting from exhaustive exercise.

METHODS:Electron spin resonance (ESR) technique and thiobarbituric acid reaction (TBAR) method were used to detect the concentration of OFR in intact gastrocnemius muscle and the contents of milondialdehyde (MDA) in muscle homogenate.

RESULTS:Verbascoside decreased the concentration of OFR (P<0.05) and the level of lipid peroxidation (P<0.05) in muscle caused by exercise.

CONCLUSION:Verbascoside has the effects of reducing oxidative stress in muscle caused by exhaustive exercise by decreasing the concentration of free radicals and the level of lipid peroxidation.

PURPOSE:This study tested the effectiveness of a fruit, berry, and vegetable concentrate (FVC), Juice Plus+® (NSA LLC, Collierville, TN), supplement on muscle function and oxidative stress in response to an acute bout of eccentric exercise (EE).

METHODS:Forty-one healthy volunteers (age = 18-35 yr) were randomly assigned to either a placebo (P) or an FVC treatment taking capsules for 28 d (6 d(-1)) before EE and for the next 4 d. All subjects completed four sets of 12 repetitions of eccentric elbow flexion with their nondominant arm. Blood, muscle soreness (MS), range of motion (ROM), and maximal isometric force (MIF) of the elbow flexors were obtained before and immediately after exercise and at 2, 6, 24, 48, and 72 h postexercise. Plasma was analyzed for creatine kinase (CK), lipid hydroperoxides, malondialdehyde (MDA), and protein carbonyls (PC). Glutathione ratio was determined from whole-blood extracts.

RESULTS:MS, ROM, MIF, and plasma CK demonstrated significant time effects independent of treatment. MS and plasma CK increased over time, whereas ROM and MIF decreased over time. There was a significant time and time× treatment effect for plasma PC and MDA. PC and MDA increased over time in the P group (P<0.01) but were not significantly altered in the FVC-treated group at any time. No significant changes were noted in lipid hydroperoxides. The glutathione ratio was elevated immediately postexercise in both groups (P<0.01) and elevated 6 h postexercise with P compared with the FVC-treated group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION:This study reports that 4 wk of pretreatment with an FVC can attenuate blood oxidative stress markers induced by EE but had no significant impact on the functional changes related to pain and muscle damage.

INTRODUCTION:Exercise training and vitamin C supplementation have both been recommended as an effective adjuvant treatment in the management of symptoms in patients with many diseases. However, its effects on rhinitis symptoms remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of exercise training alone, and in combination with vitamin C supplementation, on rhinitis symptoms in allergic rhinitis patients.

METHODS:Twenty-seven rhinitis patients were randomized into 3 groups: control (CON; n = 8), exercise (EX; n = 9), and exercise combined with vitamin C (EX + Vit.C; n = 10). The exercise training protocol consisted of walking and/or running on a treadmill at 65-70% heart rate reserve for 30 min per session, 3 times per week for 8 weeks. The EX + Vit.C group ingested 2,000 mg vitamin C per day.

RESULTS:After 8 weeks, both EX and EX + Vit.C groups increased peak aerobic capacity and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) and exhibited significantly decreased rhinitis symptoms, nasal blood flow (NBF) and malondialdehylde levels compared to pre-test. Rhinitis symptoms and NBF after nasal challenge with house dust mite decreased significantly in the EX and EX + Vit.C groups. The EX and EX + Vit.C groups had significantly lower nasal secretion interleukin (IL)-4, but higher nasal secretion IL-2 levels, than the CON group.

CONCLUSIONS:This study clearly confirms that aerobic exercise training significantly improved clinical of allergic rhinitis and cytokine profiles. Nonetheless, with the limited power of small sample size, whether adding vitamin C is any beneficial is not shown. A larger randomized controlled trial is thus warranted.

OBJECTIVE:The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of pomegranate juice on the level of oxidative stress in the blood of endurance-based athletes. Pomegranate juice is rich in polyphenols, conferring it a higher antioxidant capacity than other beverages with polyphenolic antioxidants.

METHODS:A randomized double-blind, multicenter trial was performed in athletes from three different sport clubs located in southeastern of Spain. Plasma oxidative stress markers (protein carbonyls and malondialdehyde [MDA]) as well as C-reactive protein and sE-selectin were measured. Thirty-one athletes participated in the study. Participants were divided into three groups. The first group was supplemented with 200 mL/d pomegranate juice (PJ; n = 10) over a 21-d period, the second with 200 mL/d pomegranate juice diluted 1:1 with water (PJD; n = 11), and a control group that did not consume pomegranate juice (C; n = 10). Nine athletes were excluded due to protocol violations (n = 4 in the PJ group and n = 5 in the PJD group) because they did not observe the 24 h of rest before the last blood test.

RESULTS:The control group increased levels of carbonyls (+0.7 ± 0.3 nmols/mg protein) and MDA (+3.2 ± 1.0 nmols/g protein), whereas the PJ and PJD groups maintained or decreased their levels, respectively. On the other hand, lactate levels increased in the PJ group (from 10.3 at day 0 to 21.2 mg/dL at day 22). A nonsignificant decrease was detected in sE-selectin and C-reactive protein in the groups consuming pomegranate juice.

CONCLUSION:Consumption of pomegranate juice over a 21-d period improved MDA levels and carbonyls, and thus decreased the oxidative damage caused by exercise.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of short-term forest bathing on human health.

METHODS:Twenty healthy male university students participated as subjects and were randomly divided into two groups of 10. One group was sent on a two-night trip to a broad-leaved evergreen forest, and the other was sent to a city area. Serum cytokine levels reflecting inflammatory and stress response, indicators reflecting oxidative stress, the distribution of leukocyte subsets, and plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) concentrations were measured before and after the experiment to evaluate the positive health effects of forest environments. A profile of mood states (POMS) evaluation was used to assess changes in mood states.

RESULTS:No significant differences in the baseline values of the indicators were observed between the two groups before the experiment. Subjects exposed to the forest environment showed reduced oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory level, as evidenced by decreased malondialdehyde, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor a levels compared with the urban group. Serum cortisol levels were also lower than in the urban group. Notably, the concentration of plasma ET-1 was much lower in subjects exposed to the forest environment. The POMS evaluation showed that after exposure to the forest environment, subjects had lower scores in the negative subscales, and the score for vigor was increased.

CONCLUSION:Forest bathing is beneficial to human health, perhaps through preventive effects related to several pathological factors.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of maca extract on the ultrastructures of mitochondria in the spinal nerve cell and exercise endurance.

METHODS:The Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, including the control group (no swimming), the swimming group (free swimming), and 3 treatment groups treated with the maca extract at the doses of 4.0, 5.3 and 8.0 g/kg body weight. The animals in swimming and treatment groups were then for free swimming in the circulating water flow daily for 15 days. On the 16day after swimming endurance, the spinal and muscular tissues were collected from all groups. The mitochondrial ultrastructures of the neurons of the spinal cells were observed with the projection electron microscope, and the levels of the glycogen, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and Cain muscle tissues were determined by the RIA method.

RESULTS:When rats were treated with maca extract (at 4.0, 5.3, 8.0 g/kg body weight), the total swimming time and the swimming duration before sinking were increased by 19.83%, 60.28%, 77.55%, and 55.34%, 73.91%, 94.47%, respectively, compared with the simple swimming group(<0.01), while the sinking times were decreased by 34.35%, 51.18% and 57.96%, compared with those of the swimming group. Also, the levels of SOD, GSH-Px, and muscle glycogen in three treatment groups were enhanced by 5.12%, 22.74%, 52.53%, 44.22%, 77.79%, 98.45%(<0.01), and 35.08%, 47.83%,81.88% (<0.01)respectively over the swimming rats without treatment, but the MDA content and the Calevels were reduced by 20.10%, 31.49% 38.72%, and 6.42%, 17.58%, 26.35%,compared with the simple swimming group(<0.01). In addition, compared to the swimming group, the mitochondrial densities of volume (VD), surface (SD) and numbers (ND) of spinal nerve cells in rats treated with maca extract (4.0, 5.3, 8.0 g/kg body weight) were reduced by 7.79%, 18.18%, 31.17%, 16.95%, 27.34%, 43.31% and 13.51%, 23.19%, 43.15%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:Our results demonstrated the protective effects of maca extract on the mitochondria of spinal cell and suggested that maca extract could improve the muscle antioxidant activity by increasing the levels of SOD, GSH-Px, and muscle glycogen.

BACKGROUND:Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is accompanied by substantial accumulation of biomarkers of oxidative stress and depletion of antioxidants reserve which initiate chain reactions that damage brain cells. The present study investigated the role of ascorbic acid andα-tocopherol on the severity and management of TBI in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:Wistar rats were subjected to closed head injury using an accelerated impact device. Rats were administered 45 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg body weight of ascorbic acid,α-tocopherol or a combination of the two vitamins for 2 weeks pre- and post injury. Blood and brain tissue homogenates were analyzed for vitamin C, vitamin E, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and creatine kinase activities.

RESULTS:The results indicated that TBI caused significant (P<0.05) decreased in vitamins C and E levels in the blood and brain tissue of TBI-untreated rats. The activities of superoxide dismutase in TBI rats were markedly reduced when compared with non traumatized control and showed a tendency to increased following supplementation with vitamins C and E. Supplementation of the vitamins significantly (P<0.05) reduced malondialdehyde in the treatment groups compared with the TBI-untreated group.

CONCLUSION:The study indicated that pre and post treatment with ascorbic acid andα-tocopherol reduced oxidative stress induced by brain injury and effectively reduced mortality rate in rats.

Sepsis is associated with high morbidity and mortality. This study was to investigate the protective effects of electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment with different waveforms on septic brain injury in rats and its mechanism. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated by EA with different waveforms (continuous wave, dilatational wave, or intermittent wave) at Baihui (GV20) and Tsusanli (ST36) acupoints for 30min, and underwent cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) or sham operation. The results showed that EA pretreatment with different waveforms improved survival rate, attenuated encephaledema, brain injury, neuronal apoptosis and cognitive dysfunction, and preserved blood-brain barrier (BBB). EA pretreatment decreased the production of tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, interleukin(IL)-6, malondialdehyde (MDA), and increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in serum and hippocampus at 48h after sham or CLP operation. Additionally, EA pretreatment downregulated the expressions of toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1(Iba 1). The effect of dilatational wave was the most significant, followed by intermittent wave, and continuous wave was relatively poor. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that EA pretreatment with three waveforms alleviates sepsis-inducedbrain injury by inhibition of microglial activation and attenuation of inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis. These findings suggest that EA pretreatment with dilatational wave at Baihui and Tsusanli acupoints might be a promising therapeutic strategy for relieving septic brain injury.

BACKGROUND:Only limited data are available for evaluating the effects of the administration of grape seed extract (GSE) on the metabolic status of female volleyball players.

OBJECTIVES:This study was conducted to determine the effects of GSE administration on the metabolic status of female volleyball players.

METHODS:This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed among 40 female volleyball players. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups, with members of the test group (n = 20) taking 300 mg of GSE twice a day for eight weeks and members of the control group (n = 20) taking a placebo pearl for the same period. Fasting blood samples were taken before and after the eight-week intervention period in order to determine the related variables.

RESULTS:Supplementation with GSE resulted in a significant rise in the plasma glutathione (GSH) level (+265.5± 344.2 vs. +2.2 ± 378.2 µmol/L, P = 0.02), as well as a significant decrease in the malondialdehyde (MDA) level (-1.4 ± 2.0 vs. -0.2 ± 1.2 µmol/L, P = 0.01) when compared to the placebo group. In addition, when compared to the group that received the placebo, the subjects who received GSE hadsignificantly decreased serum insulin concentrations (-23.4 ± 23.4 vs. +1.8 ± 25.2 pmol/L, P = 0.002), a decreased homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (-0.7 ± 0.7 vs. +0.2 ± 0.9, P = 0.002), and an increased quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (+0.01 ± 0.01 vs. -0.01 ± 0.02, P = 0.03). The administration of GSE had no significant effects on creatine phosphokinase (CPK), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), nitric oxide (NO), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and lipid concentrations when compared with the administration of the placebo. However, after controlling for baseline NO levels, age, and baseline BMI, the changes in the plasma NO concentrations were significantly different between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS:In conclusion, taking GSE for eight weeks had beneficial effects on the plasma GSH, MDA levels, and markers of insulin metabolism of female volleyball players.