Search

Content: The increased oxidative stress in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients is the result of increased inhaled oxidants, generated by various cells of the airways., Objective: The investigation included measurements of malondiadehyde (MDA), uric acid, ascorbic acid, and matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP-12) in COPD patient. We also performed genetic analysis for protein-protein interaction (PPI) network., Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on healthy subjects with normal lung function (NS, 14 subjects) and 28 patients (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (Gold) 1 and Gold 2) with COPD., Results: There was significant (p < .001) increase in MMP-12, MDA and uric acid levels as compared to healthy controls. A significant (p < .001) decline in ascorbic acid level was observed in COPD patients. The PPI was found to be 0.833 which indicated that proteins present in COPD are linked., Discussion and Conclusion: This study suggests oxidative stress plays an important role in COPD and the PPI provide indication that proteins present in COPD are linked.

Context: Oxidative stress plays a key role in the patho-physiology of hypertension. (-)-Epicatechin has many important biological properties., Objective: The present study was undertaken to evaluate effect of (-)-epicatechin on protein carbonyl content in gender-based hypertensive patients and normal subjects., Methods: The study was carried out on 83 normal (male: 42; female: 41) and 62 hypertensive subjects (male: 32; female: 30). In vitro effect on (-)-epicatechin and L-ascorbic acid was estimated on protein carbonyl content., Results: Result showed a significant (p < 0.001) increase in protein carbonyl content in hypertensive patients but no gender-based difference was observed. (-)-epicatechin shows significant (p < 0.001) dose-dependent effect as compared to L-ascorbic acid, which is manifested as decrease in protein carbonyl content., Conclusion: We hypothesizes that a higher intake of (-)-epicatechin may provide protection against hypertension in males and females.

Content: Quercetin uptake by erythrocytes is rapid. The sodium-hydrogen exchanger (NHE) is a secondary active transporter, regulating intracellular pH, Na(+) concentration and cell volume., Objective: The aim of present study was to investigate NHE as a function of human age and effect of quercetin on its activity. The NHE activity was correlated with erythrocytes ATPases., Materials and Methods: We analyzed normal, healthy subjects of both sexes (20-82 years). NHE activity was estimated in terms of amiloride-sensitive H+-efflux from acid-loaded cells., Results: A significant age-dependent increase in NHE activity was observed during aging in humans. Concentration (10(-3 )M to 10(-8 )M)-dependent in vitro treatment with quercetin causes inhibition of NHE activity. The Na(+)/K(+) -ATPase (r = 0.8882) and Ca(2+)-ATPase (r = 0.9540) activities positively correlated with it., Discussion and Conclusion: The present data show an additional mechanism where dietary flavonoids may exerts beneficial effect during aging.

Context: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is an important enzyme of hexose monophosphate shunt, involved in the biosynthesis of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate hydrogen (NADPH)., Objective: This study was designed to investigate age-dependent changes in human erythrocyte G6PD activity. The G6PD activity pattern was correlated with reduced glutathione (GSH) and total antioxidant potential in terms of FRAP (ferric reducing ability of plasma) value., Materials and Methods: We analyzed normal, healthy subjects of both sexes between the ages of 20 and 80 years. G6PD activity was determined by Burties method., Results: We observe a significant age-dependent decrease in G6PD activity (p < 0.0001). It was positively correlated with GSH (r = 0.5706) and total antioxidant potential (r = 0.7723) as a function of human age., Discussion and Conclusion: Our findings on erythrocyte G6PD and their correlation with GSH and FRAP provide evidence of a higher oxidative stress in old age population.