• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.103-109
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• 2004

Body antioxidant status is an important factor for the prevention of many chronic diseases in the elderly. This study was done to investigate antioxidant status and its relationship to immune response by measuring plasma cytokine (IL-2 and IL-6) levels in elderly women. Subjects were 76 elderly women aged over 60 years, visiting Jangwhi Social Welfare Center of Seongbook-Gu in Seoul. Subjects were divided into 3 groups according to age (< 65, 65 - 74, > 75). Dietary intakes were assessed by semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires (SFFQ). Plasma vitamin C level was measured by 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine method and plasma levels of vitamin E, A and ${\beta}$-carotene were measured by HPLC. Plasma levels of IL-2 and IL-6 were determined with a solid phase sandwich enzyme linked-immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) using commercial kits. The average intakes of antioxidant vitamins were 96.3mg (137.5% of RDA) for vitamin C and 523.3 ${\mu}$gRE (74.8% of RDA) for vitamin A in elderly women. All of the average plasma levels of antioxidant vitamins were within normal range. However the percentage of the elderly women with deficiency plus marginal values were 7.9% in vitamin C, 9.2% in vitamin A and 7.9% in vitamin E. Plasma levels of IL-2 and IL-6 were 27.1${\pm}$7.1pg/ml and 5.9${\pm}$5.3pg/ml in elderly women. Correlation data showed that plasma IL-2 level was negatively correlated with plasma vitamin C level. In addition, IL-6 level was also negatively correlated with plasma vitamin C, A and E levels, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between erythrocyte thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance(TB-ARS) level and plasma IL-2 or IL-6 levels. In addition, erythrocyte TBARS level showed a significant positive correlation with plasma total antioxidant status (TAS) level and a significant negative correlation with plasma vitamin C level. Overall results might imply that the decreased levels of antioxidant vitamins result in an increase in oxidative stress and thereby increase cytokine production such as IL-2 and IL-6. However further research is required to elucidate these relationships.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.167-178
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• 2000

The effect of oral vitamin e (800IU/day) and C (500mg/day) supplementation for 10 days and/or smoking cessation for 5 days on oxidative damage to the red blood cells (RBC) of male smokers (22.2$\pm$0.2 years old) was studied. RBC were tested for their ability to protect against smoking-induced oxidative damage by measuring heme proteins (carboxyhemoglobin, hemoglobin, methemoglobin, oxyhemoglobin), hemolysis and thiobarbiturinc acid reactive substances (TBARS). Plasma levels of vitamin c, A, E, $\beta$-catotene, total cholesterol, glutamic pyruvic transaminase(GPT) and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase(GOT) were also analyzed. In experiment one, a comparison was made of heme proteins and lipid damage to RBC, plasma antioxidant status (indexed by plasma levels of vitamin C, E, A and $\beta$-carotene) between smokers(n=56) and non-smokers (n=16). No differences were found in plasma antioxidant status, heme protein damage and TBARS concentration of RBC. In experiment two, 46 fasting male smokers from experiment one were divided into 4 groups. The groups were smoking with placebo group(SP, n=14), smoking cessation with vitamins supplementatin group (SV, n=13), smoking cessation with placebo group (NSP, n=9) and smoking cessation with vitamins supplementation group (NSV, n=10). After supplementing antioxidant vitamins, significant increases were seen in plasma vitamins supplementation group (NSV, n=10). After supplementing antioxidant vitamins, significant increases were seen plasma vitamin C (p<0.05) and vitamin E levels (p<0.05). The plasma vitamin E level was highest in the NSV group. Vitmain E and C supplementation provided some protection against heme proteins and lipid damage by lowering methemoglobin, hemolysis and TBARS concentration of RBC. Smoking cessation significantly decreased TBARS of RBC and plasma total cholesterol concentration. Supplementing vitamin E and C with smoking cessation considerably lowered plasma total cholesterol. These results point to a special association among smoking, oxidative damage and plasma antioxidant vitamin status. They indicate that increases in plasma antioxidant status can be detected after the supplementation of vitamin C and E and that smoking cessation had an additional effect on plasma vitamin E level. The present data suggest that improved antioxidant status induced by antioxidant supplementation or smoking cessation may help prevent oxidative damage in smokers.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.289-295
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• 2000

In the present work we investigated the effect of regular physical exercise on the activities of erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme, plasma total radical-trapping antioxidant potential(TRAP) and plasma level of lipid peroxidation(malondialdehyde, MDA) in 64 healthy male, aged 34-67 years. The study population were divided in two groups: small amount of exerciser(exercise time less than 10min/d) and moderate amount of exerciser(exercise time more than 20min/d) according to their physical exercise habits measured by a questionnaire. Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase(SOD), glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) and catalase(CAT), plasma TRAP, as well as plasma MDA were determined. Erythrocyte GSH-Px and plasma TRAP were higher in moderate amount of exercisers than those in small amount of exercisers by 17% and 26%, respectively. No significant differences were observed in erythrocyte SOD, CAT and plasma MDA between the two groups. Mean exercise time was positively correlated with the erythrocyte GSH-Px activity and plasma TRAP significantly. The results would sugest that regular moderate exercise enhances antioxidant defences against reactive oxygen species and may increase the likelihood of a healthier life span.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.262-267
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• 2005

Reactive oxygen species can be generated in the skin by hair dyeing. The aim of this study was to find out the effects of the oxidative-type hair dye application in young women on the antioxidant systems. We investigated the lipid peroxide levels, glutathione (GSH) levels, and the antioxidant enzyme activities including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) in plasma and erythrocytes and catalase (CAT) in erythrocytes, and DNA damages in lymphocytes. Also, plasma concentrations of antioxidant vitamins, vitamin A and E, were measured and the correlations between various antioxidant parameters and oxidative damages were evaluated The antioxidant enzyme activities in plasma (GSHPx) and in erythrocytes (SOD and CAT) were decreased significantly after hair dyeing. 1be lipid peroxide and GSH levels were not affected in both plasma and erythrocytes. No significant difference was found in the concentrations of both vitamin A and E between before and after hair dyeing. However, DNA damages expressed as the tail extent moment (TEM) and tail length (TL) were significantly (p<0.001) increased. The plasma vitamin E concentration was correlated with DNA damages (TEM: r=-0.590, p<0.01 and TL: r=-0.533. p<0.01) and RBC SOD activity (r=0.570, p<0.05). In turn, RBC SOD activity was significantly correlated with both plasma MDA levels (r=-0.412, p<0.05) and DNA damages (TM: r=-0.546, p<0.01, TL: r=-0.493, p<0.01). Our results demonstrated that the exposure to hair dyeing produced lymphocyte DNA damage and modification of the antioxidant enzyme activities. Also, there were very strong associations between plasma vitamin E concentration, RBC SOD activity and DNA damage induced by hair dyeing. It suggests that the antioxidant status of a subject is likely to be related to the extent of the harmful effects caused by hair dyeing.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.7
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• pp.553-560
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to examine the lipid peroxidation, plasma antioxidant status and insulin resistance in childhood obesity. To this end, we measured blood lipid profiles, glucose, insulin concentrations, plasma antioxidant vitamins, baseline conjugated diene formation as a measure of LDL oxidation in vivo and TRAP (total radical trapping antioxidant potential) of 93 school children (58 nonobese, 35 overweight-obese). Insulin resistance was estimated by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The overweight-obese children showed significantly higher levels of leptin (p < 0.0001) and triglyceride (p < 0.05) and significantly lower level of plasma Iycopene (p < 0.001) and $\gamma$-tocopherol (p < 0.05) compared with the normal weight children. Furthermore, the levels of TRAP were significantly lower in overweight-obese children (p < 0.05). Significant positive relationships between plasma leptin and conjugated dienes formation (p < 0.005) and inverse relationship between plasma leptin and lipid corrected levels of $\beta$-carotene (p < 0.05), Iycopene (p < 0.05) were observed. Our results showed an increased lipid peroxidation and decreased antioxidant capacity in childhood obesity which could be involved in the atherosclerotic process.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.206-213
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• 2017

BACKGROUN/OBJECTIVES: Although studies have revealed that black garlic is a potent antioxidant, its antioxidant mechanism remains unclear. The objective of this study was to determine black garlic's antioxidant activities and possible antioxidant mechanisms related to nuclear factor erythroid 2-like factor 2 (Nrf2)-Keap1 complex. METHODS/MATERIALS: After four weeks of feeding rats with a normal fat diet (NF), a high-fat diet (HF), a high-fat diet with 0.5% black garlic extract (HF+BGE 0.5), a high-fat diet with 1.0% black garlic extract (HF+BGE 1.0), or a high-fat diet with 1.5% black garlic extract (HF+BGE 1.5), plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin,homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were determined. As oxidative stress indices, plasma concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and 8-isoprostaglandin $F2{\alpha}$ (8-iso-PGF) were determined. To measure antioxidant capacities, plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and activities of antioxidant enzymes in plasma and liver were determined. The mRNA expression levels of antioxidant related proteins such as Nrf2, NAD(P)H: quinone-oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione S-transferase alpha 2 (GSTA2) were examined. RESULTS: Plasma glucose level, plasma insulin level, and HOMA-IR in black garlic supplemented groups were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those in the HF group without dose-dependent effect. Plasma TBARS concentration and TAC in the HF+BGE 1.5 group were significantly decreased compared to those of the HF group. The activities of catalase and glutathione peroxidase were significantly (P < 0.05) increased in the HF+BGE 1.0 and HF+BGE 1.5 groups compared to those of the HF group. The mRNA expression levels of hepatic Nrf2, NQO1, HO-1, and GSTA2 were significantly (P < 0.05) increased in the HF with BGE groups compared to those in the HF group. CONCLUSIONS: The improvements of blood glucose homeostasis and antioxidant systems in rats fed with black garlic extract were related to mRNA expression levels of Nrf2 related genes.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.36-41
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• 2000

The aim of this study was to evalute the effect of multivitamin-mineral supplementation during pregnancy on plasma levels of antioxidants, erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities, and lipid peroxidation. A controlled, semi-randomized, prospective trial was performed by comparing the supplement group, which received multivitamin-mineral tables once daily for 10 weeks, with the control group. Plasma levels of $\beta$-carotene, tocopherol, coenzyme Q10, ascorbate, folate, zinc, and selenium and malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as the activities of superocxide dismutase(SOD) and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) in erythrocytes were measured initially (20 wk gestation) and at the end of the intervention (34 wk gestation). In the control group, plasma ascorbate and selenium levels decreased and tocopherol levels increased. In the supplement group, a significant increase in plasma $\beta$-carotene(46%), conenzyme Q10 (42%), and zinc (24%) was observed after 10 weeks of supplementation. No changes were observed in the plasma levels of MDA, and erythrocyte GSH-Px activity, while SOD activity increased in both control group and the supplement group during the intervention. These data suggest that multivitamin-mineral supplementation during pregnancy produced moderate increases in plasma $\beta$-carotens, coenzyme Q10, and zinc concentrations but the enhancement of those plasma antioxidants had on direct on the plasma level of MDA, erythrocytes SOD or GSH-Px activities.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2003

This study was done to evaluate the antioxidant status of female college students by determining their intakes and plasma levels of antioxidnt vitamins (vitamin C, A and E) and total antioxidant status (TAS). Subjects were 46 healthy female college students aged 20 - 29 years. Body composition was determined by a multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis. Dietary intakes were examined by 24hr record method and nutrients intakes were analyzed by the Computer Aided Nutritional analysis program for professional (CAN-pro). Plasma vitamin C level were measured by spectrophotometric method and retinol, ${\beta}$-carotene, ${\alpha}$-tocopherol were measured by HPLC. Plasma TAS was measured with a Randox kit using the trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) method. Daily energy and protein intakes of the female college students were 1670.5㎉ (83% of RDA) and 63.3g (115.1% of RDA), respectively. However their intakes of Ca and Fe were below 75% of RDA. Their intakes of vitamin A and C were 596.6 ${\mu}$ gRE (85.2% of RDA) and 71.0mg (101.4% of RDA), respectively. Plasma levels of vitamin C, retinol, ${\beta}$-carotene and ${\alpha}$-tocopherol were 14.7mg/L, 0.7mg/L, 0.2mg/L and 9.1mg/L, respectively which were within normal range. There was no subject with deficiency or marginal level in plasma vitamin A and C. However 1.6% of the subjects had below adequate level in vitamin E. Plasma TAS level was 1.2mmol/L. Correlation data showed that all plasma antioxidant vitamins were positively correlated with plasma TAS. Overall data indicate that the antioxidant status of female college students were pretty good. However it might be necessary to educate them to eat more fruits and vegetables for preventing many chronic diseases in a later life. (J Community Nutrition 5(1) : 13∼20, 2003)

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.12-19
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• 2003

The measurement of the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of human plasma has been widely applied in nutritional science, for example to evaluate the antioxidant contribution of dietary components and to study, although indirectly, the bioavailability of dietary antioxidants. Several methods have been proposed for the measurement of TAC, most of them based on the ability of plasma to withstand the oxidative damage induced by aqueous radicals. Although plasma contains both hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidants that interact through extensive cross-talk in most of the methods employed for the TAC measurement, the hydrophilic antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, uric acid, and protein thiols mainly contribute to the total antioxidant plasma capacity (almost 70%) while lipophilic antioxidants embedded in the lipoproteins (carotenoids, a-tocopherol, ubiquino1-10) participate only in a negligible amount (less than 5%). The present paper reviews the analytical methods used to assess the TAC and in particular focuses on new approaches that are capable of distinguishing the antioxidant capacity of both the aqueous and lipid compartments of plasma. The general principle of the method as well as some in vitro and ex vivo applications will be discussed within the text.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.401-408
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• 2001

The spontaneous frequency of genetic damage and the possible relationship of this damage to total radical-trapping antioxidant potential(TRAP) and antioxidant vitamins, including plasma levels of $\alpha$-carotene, $\beta$-carotene, cryptoxanthin, retinol, $\alpha$-tocopherol and ${\gamma}$-tocopherol in humans were investigated in 57 subjects using two indices of genetic damage, SCE & HFC frequency. The mean of SCE and HFC frequencies were weakly correlated with plasma TRAP(r=-0.305, p<0.1 for SCEs: r=-0.297, p<0.1 for HFCs, respectively), but those were strongly negatively correlated with plasma $\beta$-carotence(r=-0.385, p<0.01 for SCEs : r=-0.392, p<0.01 for HFCs) and cryptoxanthin(r=-0.312, p<0.05 for SCEs : r=0.335, p<0.05 for HFCs, respectively) levels in the subjects. However, those DNA damage markers including SCE and HFC did not correlate with either plasma $\alpha$-carotene, $\alpha$-tocopherol or retinol concentrations. The mean of SCE and HFC frequencies were positively correlated with plasma ${\gamma}$-tocopherol level(r=0.421, p<0.01 for SCEs : r=0.399, p<0.01 for HFCs, respectively). These findings indicate that increased cytogenetic DNA changes, as determined by SCE and HFC frequencies are possibly associated with generation of free radicals in lymphocytes and decreased plasma antioxidant vitamin($\beta$-carotene and cryptoxanthin) status in the subjects. (Korean J Nutrition 34(4) : 401~08, 2001)