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Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)—omega-3 fatty acids with various functions—influence sleep in children and young adults. However, only limited studies on their effects on sleep in middle- and old-aged adults have been reported. Therefore, we investigated the effects of DHA and EPA on sleep quality in subjects aged ≥ 45 years. We performed a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, parallel-grouped study, in which we randomly assigned 66 healthy Japanese males and females. Each individual received six 480 mg capsules containing 576 mg DHA and 284 mg EPA per day (DHA/EPA group, n = 33), or corn oil (placebo group, n = 33), for 12 weeks. Before and after the intervention, the Oguri-Shirakawa-Azumi sleep inventory MA version (OSA-MA) and the sleep state test were conducted. In the DHA/EPA group, factor III (frequent dreaming) scores among the OSA-MA scores were significantly improved compared to the placebo group. Additionally, sleep state tests revealed that sleep efficiency improved in the DHA/EPA group. To our knowledge, this study is the first to report that DHA/EPA improves sleep quality in middle- and old-aged individuals, even at doses lower than those administered in previous studies.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an aortic disease in which the aortic diameter is ≥3.0 cm; if left untreated, the aortic wall continues to weaken, resulting in progressive dilatation. Effective therapeutic drugs for AAA patients have not been discovered. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) reportedly attenuates the development of AAA in experimental AAA animal models. However, the underlying mechanism of action is still not totally clear. To understand the mechanism, we visualized the distribution of EPA-containing phosphatidylcholine (PC) in the AAA wall by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry imaging. EPA-containing PC was characteristically distributed in the AAA wall, and the positive area for the M2 macrophage marker was significantly higher in the region where EPA-containing PC was highly detected (region 2) than in the region where EPA-containing PC was poorly detected (region 1). The M1 macrophage marker levels were not different between regions 1 and 2. A comparative observation showed a similar distribution of the M2 macrophage marker and EPA-containing PC. These data suggest the preferential incorporation of EPA into M2 macrophages. Positive areas for matrix metalloproteinase 2 and malondialdehyde in region 2 were significantly lower than those in region 1. The reported suppressive effect of EPA on the development of AAA may be partly attributed to the increased anti-inflammatory property of M2 macrophages.

Background: We previously showed 8-weeks of fish oil supplementation attenuated muscle damage. However, the effect of a shorter period of fish oil supplementation is unclear. The present study investigated the effect of fish oil, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), for 4 weeks on muscular damage caused by eccentric contractions (ECCs) of the elbow flexors.Methods: Twenty-two untrained men were recruited in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel design study and the subjects were randomly assigned to the EPA and DHA group (EPA and DHA, n = 11) and placebo group (PL, n = 11). They consumed either EPA 600 mg and DHA 260 mg per day or placebo supplement for 4 weeks prior to exercise. Subjects performed 60 ECCs at 100% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) using a dumbbell. Changes in MVC torque, range of motion (ROM), upper arm circumference, muscle soreness, echo intensity, muscle thickness, serum creatine kinase (CK), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were assessed before exercise; immediately after exercise; and 1, 2, 3, and 5 days after exercise.Results: ROM was significantly higher in the EPA and DHA group than in the PL group immediately after performing ECCs (p < 0.05). No differences between groups were observed in terms of MVC torque, upper arm circumference, muscle soreness, echo intensity, and thickness. A significant difference was observed in serum CK 3 days after ECCs (p < 0.05).Conclusion: We concluded that shorter period EPA and DHA supplementation benefits joint flexibility and protection of muscle fiber following ECCs.

Background: Although the ingestion of total omega–3 fatty acids (omega–3) is positively related with muscular strength in older persons, little is known about the effect of omega–3 plasma levels on muscular function before and after exercise in young men. Moreover, omega–3 supplementation has a positive role in exercise-induced acute muscle damage. This study investigated the relationship between plasma omega–3 in the blood and promotion and preservation of muscle strength after eccentric contractions (ECCs) in young men. Methods: Thirty-two healthy young men participated in this study. We assessed plasma omega–3 level and the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Twenty-six out of them exercised 60 ECCs at 100% MVC. We measured the MVC torque, flexibility before and immediately after exercise, 1–5 days post exercise. Results: The levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and EPA/arachidonic acid were positively associated with muscle strength (p < 0.05). Higher levels of omega–3 EPA and docosahexaenoic acid prevented the reduction in the MVC and limited joint flexibility after ECCs. Conclusions: The present study reveals that higher levels of EPA are important to promote muscle strength and preserve the strength loss after exercise.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that 8-week eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation improves peripheral muscle performance by concentric contractions (CONs) of elbow flexors in humans. METHODS Sixteen healthy men were randomly administered with EPA and DHA supplement (EPA, n = 8) or placebo (PL, n = 8) by a double-blind method. The EPA group was administered EPA-rich fish oil, containing 600 mg EPA and 260 mg DHA per day for 8 weeks. The subjects performed 5 sets of 6 maximal CONs of elbow flexors. The work output and peak torque were assessed during exercise. Changes in the maximal voluntary isometric contraction torque, range of motion (ROM), upper arm circumference, muscle fatigue by rating of perceived exertion, transverse relaxation time, cross-sectional area (CSA), and lactate in blood were also assessed before, immediately after, and 1 day after exercise. RESULTS The work output during CONs in the EPA group was greater than that in the placebo group at the fifth set (EPA group; 94.0 ± 11.7%, placebo group; 82.5 ± 11.7%, p

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a vascular disease involving gradual dilation of the abdominal aorta. Recent studies suggest that nicotine, which is a primary component in cigarette smoke, is closely associated with the development and rupture of an AAA. Nicotine accelerates AAA development through the weakening of the vascular wall by increasing oxidative stress and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 expression. However, little is known about preventing the AAA induced by nicotine. A non-surgical means of preventing the weakening of the vascular wall before the onset of AAA by functional food factors would be a valuable option over surgery. Fish oil is a functional food that is rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids that have an anti-inflammatory effect. In this study, we evaluated the effect of dietary fish oil on the weakening of the aortic wall due to nicotine administration in a mouse model. Histological analysis showed that the dietary fish oil suppressed the degradation of elastin fibers in the nicotine-administered mice. Additionally, the dietary fish oil suppressed the protein level of MMP-12, macrophage infiltration, and the oxidative stress in the vascular wall. These results suggest that fish oil could suppress the weakening of the vascular wall by suppressing the elastin fiber degradation caused by nicotine. By suppressing the nicotine induced weakening of the vascular wall, fish oil might help prevent the development of AAA.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a vascular disease involving gradual dilation of the abdominal aorta and high rupture-related mortality rates. AAA is histologically characterized by oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and extracellular matrix degradation in the vascular wall. We previously demonstrated that aortic hypoperfusion could cause the vascular inflammation and AAA formation. However, the preventive method for hypoperfusion-induced AAA remains unknown. In this study, we evaluated the effect of fish oil on AAA development using a hypoperfusion-induced AAA animal model. Dilation of the abdominal aorta in the fish oil administration group was smaller than in the control group. Collagen destruction and oxidative stress were suppressed in the fish oil administration group than in the control group. These results suggested that fish oil could prevent the development of AAA induced by hypoperfusion.

Low levels of serum testosterone are characteristically associated with diabetes, coronary atherosclerosis, obstructive sleep apnea, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Testosterone replacement therapy is effective against many of these disorders, indicating the importance of maintaining a healthy testosterone level. In this study, we investigated the effects of fish oil on murine testosterone metabolism and analyzed the dynamics of relevant lipids in testes by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry imaging. Testosterone was upregulated in mice that received fish oil. In the testicular interstitium, eicosapentaenoic acid-containing phosphatidylcholine was distributed characteristically. These data suggest that eicosapentaenoic acid is involved in testosterone metabolism., Highlights • Testosterone was upregulated in mice that received fish oil. • In the testicular interstitium, EPA-containing PC was distributed characteristically. • Leydig cells have a system to incorporate EPA selectively into the plasma membrane. • EPA may be crucial in testosterone metabolism.

Background This study investigated the effect of supplementation with fish oil rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on the M-wave latency of biceps brachii and muscle damage after a single session of maximal elbow flexor eccentric contractions (ECC). Methods Twenty-one men were completed the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and parallel-design study. The subjects were randomly assigned to the fish oil group (n = 10) or control group (n = 11). The fish oil group consumed eight 300-mg EPA-rich fish oil softgel capsules (containing, in total, 600 mg EPA and 260 mg DHA) per day for 8 weeks before the exercise, and continued this for a further 5 days. The control group consumed an equivalent number of placebo capsules. The subjects performed six sets of ten eccentric contractions of the elbow flexors using a dumbbell set at 40% of their one repetition maximum. M-wave latency was assessed as the time taken from electrical stimulation applied to Erb’s point to the onset of M-wave of the biceps brachii. This was measured before and immediately after exercise, and then after 1, 2, 3, and 5 days. Changes in maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) torque, range of motion (ROM), upper arm circumference, and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) were assessed at the same time points. Results Compared with the control group, M-wave latency was significantly shorter in the fish oil group immediately after exercise (p = 0.040), MVC torque was significantly higher at 1 day after exercise (p = 0.049), ROM was significantly greater at post and 2 days after exercise (post; p = 0.006, day 2; p = 0.014), and there was significantly less delayed onset muscle soreness at 1 and 2 days after exercise (day 1; p = 0.049, day 2; p = 0.023). Conclusion Eight weeks of EPA and DHA supplementation may play a protective role against motor nerve function and may attenuate muscle damage after eccentric contractions. Trial registration This trial was registered on July 14th 2015 ( https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/index.cgi ).

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a vascular disease involving the gradual dilation of the abdominal aorta. It has been reported that development of AAA is associated with inflammation of the vascular wall; however, the mechanism of AAA rupture is not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the mechanism underlying AAA rupture using a hypoperfusion-induced animal model. We found that the administration of triolein increased the AAA rupture rate in the animal model and that the number of adipocytes was increased in ruptured vascular walls compared to non-ruptured walls. In the ruptured group, macrophage infiltration and the protein levels of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 were increased in the areas around adipocytes, while collagen-positive areas were decreased in the areas with adipocytes compared to those without adipocytes. The administration of fish oil, which suppresses adipocyte hypertrophy, decreased the number and size of adipocytes, as well as decreased the risk of AAA rupture ratio by 0.23 compared to the triolein administered group. In human AAA samples, the amount of triglyceride in the adventitia was correlated with the diameter of the AAA. These results suggest that AAA rupture is related to the abnormal appearance of adipocytes in the vascular wall.

Purpose This study investigated the effect of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids-rich fish oil (EPA + DHA) supplementation on eccentric contraction-induced muscle damage. Methods Twenty-four healthy men were randomly assigned to consume the EPA + DHA supplement (EPA, n = 12) or placebo (PL, n = 12) by the double-blind method. Participants consumed EPA + DHA or placebo supplement for 8 weeks prior to exercise and continued it until 5 days after exercise. The EPA group consumed EPA + DHA-rich fish oil containing 600 mg EPA and 260 mg DHA per day. Subjects performed five sets of six maximal eccentric elbow flexion exercises. Changes in the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque, range of motion (ROM), upper arm circumference, muscle soreness as well as serum creatine kinase, myoglobin, IL-6, and TNF-α levels in blood were assessed before, immediately after, and 1, 2, 3, and 5 days after exercise. Results MVC was significantly higher in the EPA group than in the PL group at 2–5 days after exercise (p

The antioxidative activity of column chromatographic fractions obtained from brewed coffee was investigated to find antioxidants and to assess the benefit of coffee drinking. The dichloromethane extract inhibited hexanal oxidation by 100 and 50% for 15 days and 30 days, respectively, at the level of 5 μg/mL. A GC/MS analysis of fractions, which exhibited oxidative activity, revealed the presence of antioxidative heterocyclic compounds including furans, pyrroles, and maltol. The residual aqueous solution exhibited slight antioxidative activity. The inhibitory activity (%) of the seven fractions from an aqueous solution toward malonaldehde formation from lipid oxidation ranged from 10 to 90 at a level of 300 μg/mL. The results indicate that brewed coffee contains many antioxidants and consumption of antioxidant-rich brewed coffee may inhibit diseases caused by oxidative damages. Keywords: Antioxidants; brewed coffee; coffee volatiles; heterocyclic compounds

Ld652Y cells derived from the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, were infected with seven different nucleopolyhedroviruses (NPVs) including those from Autographa californica, Bombyx mori (BmNPV), Hyphantria cunea (HycuNPV), Spodoptera exigua (SeMNPV), L. dispar, Orgyia pseudotsugata (OpMNPV) and Spodoptera litura (SpltMNPV). The results showed that Ld652Y cells infected with BmNPV, HycuNPV, SeMNPV, OpMNPV and SpltMNPV underwent apoptosis, displaying apoptotic bodies, characteristic DNA fragmentation and increased caspase-3-like protease activity; HycuNPV induced the most severe apoptosis. In HycuNPV-infected Ld652Y cells, a considerable amount of viral DNA was synthesized although there was no detectable yield of budded virions and polyhedrin. Northern blot and immunoblot analyses revealed that HycuNPV inhibitor of apoptosis 3 (IAP3), which has been shown to function in Sf9 cells, was expressed in HycuNPV-infected Ld652Y cells at a level higher than or comparable with that in HycuNPV-infected SpIm cells, which produced a high titre of progeny virions without any apoptotic response. These results imply that the relative ease of apoptosis induction in NPV-infected Ld652Y cells is largely dependent on inherent cellular properties rather than functions of the respective NPVs, and indicate that the defect in progeny virion production is not merely due to the virus-induced apoptosis in HycuNPV-infected Ld652Y cells.

Typical heterocyclic compounds substituted with various functional groups found in Maillard reaction were examined for antioxidant activity. Pyrroles exhibited the greatest antioxidant activity among all heterocyclic compounds tested. All pyrroles inhibited hexanal oxidation by almost 100% at a concentration of 50 μg/ml over 40 days. Addition of a formyl group to the pyrrole ring enhanced antioxidative activity remarkably. Pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde inhibited hexanal oxidation by about 90% at 5 μg/ml. Unsubstituted furan exhibited the greatest antioxidant activity among furans tested. Addition of all functional groups tested to the furan decreased antioxidative activity. Antioxidant activity of thiophene was increased by the addition of methyl groups, but addition of formyl groups to thiophene decreased antioxidant activity. Thiazoles and pyrazines were ineffective antioxidants at all concentrations tested.

Aims To investigate the effects of n − 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on cerebral circulation, ovariectomized (OVX) rats were administered with phospholipids in krill oil (KPL) or triglycerides in fish oil (FTG); effects on the Ca2 + regulating system in their basilar artery (BA) were then analyzed. Main methods The rats were divided into 4 groups: control, OVX, OVX given KPL (OVXP), and OVX given FTG (OVXT) orally, daily for 2 weeks. Time dependent relaxation (TDR) of contractile response to 5HT in BA was determined myographically, Na+/Ca2 + exchanger (NCX) 1 mRNA expression was determined by real time PCR, and nucleotides were analyzed by HPLC. Key findings The level of TDR in OVX that was significantly lower in the control was inhibited by l -NAME and indomethacin; TEA inhibited TDR totally in the control but only partly in OVXP and OVXT. Relaxation induced by the addition of 5 mM KCl to the BA pre-contracted with 5-HT was inhibited by TEA in the controls, OVXP and OVXT, but not in OVX. Overexpression of NCX1 mRNA in the BA from OVX was significantly inhibited by FTG. The ratio of ADP/ATP in cerebral arteries from OVX was significantly inhibited by KPL and FTG. Levels of triglyceride and arachidonic acid in the plasma of OVX increased, but were significantly inhibited by KPL and FTG. Significance Ovarian dysfunction affects Ca2 + activated-, ATP-sensitive-K+ channels and NCX1, which play crucial roles in the autoregulation of cerebral blood flow. Also, KPL may become as good a supplement as FTG for postmenopausal women.

Chizuru Konagai,1,2 Kenichi Yanagimoto,3 Kohsuke Hayamizu,3 Li Han,3 Tomoko Tsuji,3 Yoshihiko Koga2 1Department of Food and Nutrition, Japan Women's University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan; 2Department of Neuropsychiatry, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan; 3Human Life Science R&D Center, Nippon Suisan Kaisha Ltd, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan Background: Krill oil, rich in n-3 (omega-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) incorporated in phosphatidylcholine, has been reported to have many effects on physiological function. However, there are few studies using psychophysiological methods published that describe the effects of krill oil on brain function. We investigated the influence of ingestion of krill oil on cognitive function in elderly subjects by using near-infrared spectroscopy and electroencephalography. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, parallel-group comparative study design was adopted. Forty-five healthy elderly males aged 61–72 years were assigned to receive 12 weeks of treatment with: medium-chain triglycerides as placebo; krill oil, which is rich in n-3 PUFAs incorporated in phosphatidylcholine; or sardine oil, which is abundant in n-3 PUFAs incorporated in triglycerides. Changes in oxyhemoglobin concentrations in the cerebral cortex during memory and calculation tasks were measured. The P300 component of event-related potentials was also measured during a working memory task. Results: During the working memory task, changes in oxyhemoglobin concentrations in the krill oil and sardine oil groups were significantly greater than those in the medium-chain triglyceride group at week 12. The differential value for P300 latency in the krill oil group was significantly lower than that in the medium-chain triglyceride group at week 12. With regard to the calculation task, changes in oxyhemoglobin concentrations in the krill oil group were significantly greater than those in the medium-chain triglyceride group at week 12. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that n-3 PUFAs activate cognitive function in the elderly. This is especially the case with krill oil, in which the majority of n-3 PUFAs are incorporated into phosphatidylcholine, causing it to be more effective than sardine oil, in which n-3 PUFAs are present as triglycerides. Keywords: eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, phosphatidylcholine, event-related potential, near-infrared spectroscopy, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

We indicated previously that dietary supplementation of the ethyl ester form of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) improves spatial cognition through an increase in DHA levels in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. In the present study, we investigated the effects of peroral administration of krill-derived phospholipids (KPL) on the spatial learning ability and the fatty acid composition of the plasma and brain tissues. Both parameters of the radial arm maze task, the reference- and working memory errors, significantly decreased after KPL administration. The plasma and brain levels of n-3 PUFAs significantly increased, and the levels of arachidonic acid were significantly decreased after KPL administration. Lipid peroxidation in the plasma and in brain tissues was depressed, and cell generation in the dentate gyrus was enhanced in KPL-administered rats. All these effects are similar to those induced by the ethyl ester forms of EPA and DHA.

Aims Glucosamine has been used safely to relieve osteoarthritis in humans, but the precise mechanism underlying its efficacy is still unclear. In this study, we investigated the direct effects of glucosamine and related compounds on mast cell mediated inflammation using cultured mast cells and an animal model. Main methods Dinitrophenyl (DNP)-IgE-sensitized rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells were treated with glucosamine-HCl (GlcN-HCl), N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), chitin oligomer or chitosan oligomer. Cells were stimulated by DNP-BSA to induce degranulation and released β-hexosaminedase was determined colorimetrically to measure the degree of degranulation. Dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) sensitized BALB/c mice were administrated orally with 1 or 0.1 mg GlcN-HCl or GlcNAc for 6 days. One hour after the final administration, mice were challenged by DNFB to induce ear swelling. Key findings GlcN-HCl significantly inhibited the antigen-induced degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells at higher than 0.01 mg/mL for 24 h-treatment while GlcNAc, a chitin oligomer and a chitosan oligomer had no effect. GlcN-HCl also suppressed intracellular calcium mobilization. GlcN-HCl and GlcNAc significantly suppressed the antigen-induced up-regulation of TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA. Ear swelling and histamine levels of plasma and ear in DNFB-treated mice were significantly suppressed by oral administration of GlcN-HCl or GlcNAc (0.1 and 1 mg) for 6 days. Significance Our results strongly suggest that GlcN-HCl and GlcNAc have anti-inflammatory effects in vivo by suppressing the activation of mast cells.

Antioxidative activities of volatile extracts from six teas (one green tea, one oolong tea, one roasted green tea, and three black teas) were investigated using an aldehyde/carboxylic acid assay and a conjugated diene assay. The samples were tested at levels of 20, 50, 100, and 200 micrograms/mL of dichloromethane. The results obtained from the two assays were consistent. All extracts except roasted green tea exhibited dose-dependent inhibitory activity in the aldehyde/carboxylic acid assay. A volatile extract from green tea exhibited the most potent activity in both assays among the six extracts. It inhibited hexanal oxidation by almost 100% over 40 days at the level of 200 micrograms/mL. The extract from oolong tea inhibited hexanal oxidation by 50% in 15 days. In the case of the extract from roasted green tea, the lowest antioxidative activity was obtained at the level of 200 micrograms/mL, suggesting that the extract from roasted green tea contained some pro-oxidants. The extracts from the three black teas showed slight anti- or proactivities in both assays. The major volatile constituents of green tea and roasted green tea extracts, which exhibited significant antioxidative activities, were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major volatile chemicals with possible antioxidative activity identified were alkyl compounds with double bond(s), such as 3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadien-3-ol (8.04 mg/kg), in the extract from green tea and heterocyclic compounds, such as furfural (7.67 mg/kg), in the extract from roasted green tea. Benzyl alcohol, which was proved to be an antioxidant, was identified both in a green tea extract (4.67 mg/kg) and in a roasted tea extract (1.35 mg/kg).

Hyphantria cunea nucleopolyhedrovirus (HycuNPV) infection protected SpIm cells from actinomycin D (ActD)-induced apoptosis as early as 4 h postinfection. Analysis by Southern hybridization revealed that the HycuNPV genome possessed three members of inhibitor of apoptosis genes (iaps) that were designated as hycu-iap1, hycu-iap2, and hycu-iap3 because of their amino acid sequence homology with iaps identified in other baculoviruses. Functional analysis of Hycu-IAPs by transient expression assay in Sf9 cells revealed that Hycu-IAP3 blocked apoptosis induced by actinomycin D and rescued replication of p35 deficient-mutant AcMNPV, while Hycu-IAP1 and Hycu-IAP2 did not show any anti-apoptotic functions. Knockdown of hycu-iap3 expression by RNAi during HycuNPV infection in SpIm cells induced apoptosis. These results indicate that Hycu-IAP3 is essential for blockage of apoptosis during HycuNPV infection of permissive SpIm cells.

Typical heterocyclic compounds substituted with various functional groups found in Maillard reaction products were examined for antioxidant activity. Pyrroles exhibited the greatest antioxidant activity among all heterocyclic compounds tested. All pyrroles inhibited hexanal oxidation by almost 100% at a concentration of 50 microg/mL over 40 days. Addition of formyl and acetyl groups to a pyrrole ring enhanced antioxidative activity remarkably. Pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde, 2-acetylpyrrole, 1-methyl-2-pyrrolecarboxaldehyde, and 2-acetyl-1-methylpyrrole inhibited hexanal oxidation by80% at 10 microg/mL. Unsubstituted furan exhibited the greatest antioxidant activity among furans tested. Addition of all functional groups used in this study to furan decreased antioxidative activity. The antioxidant activity of thiophene increased with the addition of methyl and ethyl groups, but the addition of formyl or acetyl groups to thiophene decreased antioxidant activity. Thiazoles and pyrazines were ineffective antioxidants at all concentrations tested. Reaction of all heterocyclic compounds with hydrogen peroxide resulted in the formation of various oxidized products.

This study investigated the effect of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids-rich fish oil (EPA + DHA) supplementation on eccentric contraction-induced muscle damage. Twenty-four healthy men were randomly assigned to consume the EPA + DHA supplement (EPA, n = 12) or placebo (PL, n = 12) by the double-blind method. Participants consumed EPA + DHA or placebo supplement for 8 weeks prior to exercise and continued it until 5 days after exercise. The EPA group consumed EPA + DHA-rich fish oil containing 600 mg EPA and 260 mg DHA per day. Subjects performed five sets of six maximal eccentric elbow flexion exercises. Changes in the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque, range of motion (ROM), upper arm circumference, muscle soreness as well as serum creatine kinase, myoglobin, IL-6, and TNF-α levels in blood were assessed before, immediately after, and 1, 2, 3, and 5 days after exercise. MVC was significantly higher in the EPA group than in the PL group at 2–5 days after exercise (p