• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.527-538
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• 2002

Body antioxidant status is an important factor in the prevention of many chronic diseases caused by oxidative stress, especially in the elderly and is affected by health-related habits, such as smoking, drinking and regular physical activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between these health-related habits and plasma antioxidant status in the elderly. Plasma antioxidant status was examined by determining plasma levels of antioxidant vitamins (vitamin C, A, E, $\beta$ -carotene), total antioxidant status (TAS) and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) . The subjects included 225 elderly persons aged over 60 yews (63 males, 162 females) living in the Ulsan area. They were interviewed to collect data on their general characteristics and health behaviors such as smoking, exercise and alcohol consumption by means of questionnaires. Their dietary intakes were obtained by means of semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) The study population was divided into two or three groups according to their smoking, drinking, and exercise status. The ratio of smoker, drinker and exerciser was 16.7%, 31.0% and 44.2% respectively. The dietary antioxidant vitamin intakes were not significantly different among groups of smoking and drinking status, but tended to be higher in non-smokers and non-drinkers than in smokers and drinkers. Plasma vitamin C and $\beta$ -carotene levels were significantly higher in non-smokers, but Plasma vitamin A and TBARS levels were significantly lower in non-smokers than in smokers. Plasma TAS was not significantly different among the smoking groups, but showed a tendency to decrease with an increase in the number of packyear. Plasma vitamin C and $\beta$ -carotene levels of the non-drinkers were higher than those of drinkers and past-drinkers, but plasma vitamin A, C, E, TAS and TBARS showed no difference among the groups of drinker. All vitamin intakes of the exercisers were slightly higher than those of the non-exercisers, but vitamin C intake was significantly higher in female exercisers than in non-exercisers. Plasma $\beta$ -carotene levels were significantly higher in male exercisers and plasma vitamin A, C, E, TAS and TBARS levels tended to be higher in exercisers than in non-exercisers. These results suggested that change to non-smoker, modulation of alcohol consumption and regular exercise could enhance antioxidant defences against reactive oxygen species and might increase the likelihood of a healthier life span.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of oral supplementation of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) for 4 weeks on the plasma free oxygen radical and total antioxidant capacity at resting and after one bout exercise in healthy old men. Thirty volunteers with an average (+/-SD) age of 62.59+/-5.3 years participated in this study and were divided with three groups; CoQ10 (200 mg daily) group, vitamin C & E (800mg, 400 IU daily) group, and placebo group. A cycle exercise (60% HRR) test was performed at the end of study. Blood samples were taken for the analyses at rest and pre-, post-, 30min after cycle exercise, before and after the 4 weeks of supplementation. After supplementation, there were no significant differences in the plasma free oxygen radical levels and total antioxidant capacity at resting. Plasma free oxygen radical level and total antioxidant capacity in three groups were significantly elevated after exercise, however, it did not vary significantly between groups. CoQ10 supplementation showed significant difference in total antioxidant capacity during recovery phase compared with placebo group. Our results demonstrated that supplementation of CoQ10 in healthy old men improve blood total antioxidant capacity after one bout exercise, despite no alteration of plasma free oxygen radical levels.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.775-780
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• 1999

We investigated the effects of antioxidant vitamins supplementation on antioxidative status and plasma lipid profile in female Korean non-insulin diabetes mellitus(NIDDM) patients. Forty-five patients were groups by types of vitamin to take into three groups-Vitam in E group(400IU/day, n=15), Vitamin C group (1,000mg/day, n=15) and Vitamin E plus C group (400 IU plus 1,000mg/day). Supplementation period was 4 weeks. After vitamins supplementation, plasma vitamin E concentration significantly increased in vitamin E and vitamin E + C group, but plasma retinol concentration were not affected by vitamin E or vitamin C supplementation. And plasma levels of lipid peroxide measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances(TBARS), indicator of lipid peroxidation and increased susceptibility of LDL towards lipid peroxidation, were significantly decreased in all three groups after vitamins supplementation. Also catalase activities in erythrocytes were significantly decreased after antioxidant vitamin supplementation in all subjects. And after vitamins supplementation, post prandial 2 hour glucose and total cholesterol levels was decreased in all subjects. And after vitamins supplementation, post prandial 2 hour glucose and total cholesterol levels was decreased in all patients, especially there was a significant difference in vitamin C, Vitamin E + C group. In this study, antioxidant vitamins supplementation might have a protective function against the free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation and decrease the plasma total cholesterol levels in Korean female NIDDM patients.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.30-36
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• 2002

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of regular exercise and other relating factors on the activities of erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes and plasma total radical-trapping antioxidant potential (TRAP) in 61 healthy male college students. The study population were divided in two groups ; small amount of exerciser (exorcise time less than 30min/d) and moderate amount of exerciser (exorcise time more than 30min/d) according to their physical exercise habits measured by a questionnaire. Dietary intake of vitamin C and vitamin E, Plasma lipid Profiles, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase(SOD), glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) and catalase activities, as well as plasma TRAP levels were determined. Plasma TRAP level was significantly higher in moderate amount of exercisers than that in small amount of exercisers. No significant differences were observed in erythrocryte SOD, catalase and GSH-Px between the two groups. Mean exercise time was positively correlated with the plasma level of TRAP significantly, and amount of alcohol consumption was negatively correlated with the erythrocyte SOD activity, Dietary vitamin C and I intakes did not correlated with either erythrocyte enzyme activities or plasma TRAP levels. There were positive correlations between plasma HDL-cholesterol, and erythrocyte GSH-Px or plasma TRAP levels. Plasma vitamin C concentrations was negatively correlated with plasma TRAP levels and erythrocyte SOD activity, however plasma vitamin C concentration was positively correlated with erythrocyte GSH-Px activity, The results would suggest that regular moderate exercise, nonsmoking, high HDL-cholesterol and high plasma vitamin E concentration enhance antioxidant defences against reactive oxygen species and may increase the likelihood of a healthier life span.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.207-213
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• 2006

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of oolong tea extract on blood glucose level and antioxidant system in diabetic rats. The Sprague-Dawley rats were fed on AIN-76 based experimental diets containing 1 % oolong tea extract for 6 weeks. They were induced to be diabetic by receiving streptozotocin (45mg/kg BW) intramuscularly. Blood glucose, blood and hepatic concentration of vitamins A and E, and antioxidant enzyme activities were measured. Oolong tea extract feeding decreased the plasma glucose in diabetic rats. Dietary supplementation of oolong tea extract did not affect antioxidative enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase in diabetic rats. The plasma level of retinol was increased in diabetic rats by feeding oolong tea extract. Plasma and hepatic levels of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol were higher in diabetic rats fed oolong tea extract. In conclusion, these results suggest that oolong tea extract consumption might reduce the plasma glucose in diabetic rats and protect the oxidative damage from diabetic stress to some extent.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.276-287
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• 2008

Diabetic mellitus in an older population is associated with increased basal oxidative stress and free radical accentuated by hyperglycemic challenge. Enhanced free radical in diabetic elderly can cause the oxidative damage and such damage can be protected by antioxidant defense system. It is believed that vitamin C, A and E are the most abundant and effective antioxidants in human plasma. The purpose of this study was to determine the antioxidant status in Korean diabetic elderly using the case-control study. The antioxidant status was examined by determining plasma levels of antioxidant vitamins (vitamin C, A, E, ${\beta}$-carotene), total antioxidant status (TAS) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and intakes of vitamin C, A, ${\beta}$-carotene and retiol. Fasting glucose and HbA1c levels and serum lipid profiles (triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol) were also determined. Diabetic subjects were 122 elderly persons over 60 years old, visiting public health center, and control subjects were 96 healthy elderly persons living in Ulsan, Korea and they were matched by age, gender, smoking and drinking status. The diabetic and control subjects were divided into sub-groups according to the status of using diet therapy and vitamin supplement. The subjects were interviewed to collect data on their general characteristics, disease history, vitamin supplement, diet therapy and health-related habits by questionnaires. Their dietary intakes were obtained by means of semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires (SQFFQ). Fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c levels were significantly higher in diabetes than in control subjects, and plasma total cholesterol level of diabetes was not significantly different from that of control subjects. However serum HDL cholesterol level of diabetes was significantly lower and serum TG level of diabetes was significantly higher than those of control group. The average vitamin A and ${\beta}$-carotene intakes of diabetes were significantly higher than those of control subjects. There was no significant difference in plasma vitamin C, ${\beta}$-carotene, and TBARS levels between two groups, but plasma vitamin A, E and TAS levels were significantly higher in diabetes than those in control group. Plasma vitamin A and TAS levels of diabetic subjects using diet therapy were higher than those of control using diet therapy, and plasma vitamin E, ${\beta}$-carotene and TAS levels of diabetic subjects using vitamin supplements were significantly higher than those of controls using vitamin supplements. These results suggested that diabetic mellitus could enhance antioxidant defences against reactive oxygen species and interest in healthy eating such as consumption of more antioxidant nutrients.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1151-1155
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• 2008

This study aimed to investigate the alterations in plasma antioxidant activity after the consumption of a single oral dose of curcumin, vitamin C, and E administered individually or in combination to (i) assess possible synergies or antagonism between the antioxidants and (ii) determine the optimal composition of the antioxidant mixture such that the duration of action is prolonged to beyond that of individual antioxidants. Each antioxidant was administered to male Sprague-Dawley rats, and blood samples were drawn at different time points up to 180 min to measure the plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Five antioxidant compositions (M1-M5) were evaluated to assess the possible synergies or antagonisms among them and to determine the optimal composition of the antioxidant mixture. Blood samples were collected up to 360 min post-consumption. A single oral dose of individual antioxidants significantly increased the TAC values; however, the time to reach the peak TAC value varied. Among the 5 antioxidant compositions, M2 exhibited the highest and most prolonged antioxidant effect in plasma; this was greater than the proportional sum of the effects of the individual antioxidants in the composition. This result indicates a synergistic interaction among antioxidants in the optimal composition M2.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.388-394
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• 2017

Although several analytical methods for measuring total antioxidant capacity (TAC) have been applied to biological samples, there were often dissimilar results due to the different principles of methods applied. Thus, this study aimed to validate four conventional analytical methods for measuring plasma TAC, including the ABTS assay, DPPH assay, FRAP assay, and ORAC assay, by comparing with urinary 8-isoprostane concentration. In addition, TAC results were compared with antioxidant enzyme activities including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase in erythrocyte, and catalase in plasma. Plasma TAC measure by ABTS assay was strongly correlated with the result by FRAP assay. Plasma TAC by FRAP and ORAC assays were negatively correlated with erythrocyte SOD activity. The agreement among the four TAC assay methods and 8-isoprostane was determined using 95% prediction limits of linear regression, expressed as the mean of 8-isoprostane ${\pm}95%$ prediction limits. The ABTS method better agreed with 8-isoprostane than the other methods, demonstrating narrow prediction of limits. Furthermore, only plasma TAC determined by the ABTS assay was inversely correlated with urinary 8-isoprostane (r = -0.35, p < 0.05). In summary, the ABTS assay would be an appropriate method to measure overall plasma antioxidant capacity and predict the body's antioxidant status.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.161-164
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• 2007

Oxidative stress is prerequisite for the development of atherosclerosis. Apart from the traditional risk factors that contribute to this devastating condition, in the past few decades, much attention has been focused on plasma total homocysteine mainly because of its strong association with coronary artery disease. It has been suggested that homocysteine induces oxidative stress and hence the present work was undertaken to assess the total homocysteine status and plasma total antioxidant capacity in the acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients among Tamil population. The study subjects included only the Tamil population. Blood samples were collected from 100 AMI patients and 100 controls. Plasma was separated and the total antioxidant status was assessed as a measure of ferric reducing power of antioxidants using spectrophotometric method. Plasma total homocysteine concentrations were assessed by automated chemiluminescence method. While Total antioxidant status was significantly decreased, the plasma homocysteine concentrations were elevated in AMI patients compared to the controls. However, there was no correlation between the homocysteine levels and total antioxidant status. The findings of this study may have therapeutic implications, including food sources rich in antioxidants for all AMI patients to minimize the effect of free radicals formed during oxidative stress among Tamil population.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.432-443
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• 2000

Smoking can increase oxidative stress and thereby change the antioxidant defense system in the body. Supplementation of antioxidant vitamins might improve antioxidant status in the body. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of vitamin C supplementation and smoking cessation education on changes of antioxidant status and psychosocial factors related to smoking. To obtain above purposes, we investigated the effectiveness of intervention for male adolescent smokers were evalnate by assessing changes in dietary intakes, plasma antioxidant vitamin concentration, and psychosocial factors related to smoking after program completion. Subjects, male adolescent smokers, were assigned into four groups : Control group(19 students), Educ. group(19 students), Vit. C supple. group(19 students), and Educ.+Vit. C suppl. group(19 students). The Educ. group and Educ.+Vit. C suppl. group received nutrition and smoking cessation education once a week for 5 weeks. Vit. C suppl. group and Educ.+Vit. C suppl. group received 500 mg per day of ascorbic acid for 35 days. All data were collected before and after intervention. Vit. B$_2$and Vit. C intakes of all groups were increased, but the only Ca intake was increased in the Educ. group. Plasma Vit. C concentration and Ratio(plasma Vit. C/Vit. C intakes) were increased in the Vit. C suppl. group and Educ.+Vit. C suppl. group, and the Vit. C deficiency status of these groups(Vit. C suppl. group and Educ.+Vit. C suppl. group) disappeared. Showing the effects of Vit. C supplementation, plasma $\alpha$-tocopherol was increased in the Educ. and Educ.+Vit. C suppl. group, and especially high increases were seen in the Educ.+Vit. C suppl. group. Psychosocial factors related to smoking changed after the education a little. This intervention program had an impact on nutrition intakes, plasma antioxidant vitamins, and some beliefs related to smoking in male adolescent students. Various programs of nutrition and smoking cessation education and vitamin supplementation for quitting smoking must be implemented for adolescent smokers, and further studies are needed regarding sorts and amount of antioxidant nutrients and supplementation periods.