BACKGROUND Hyperlipidemia is associated with endothelial dysfunction, an early event in atherosclerosis and predictor of risk for future coronary artery disease. Epidemiological studies suggest that increased dietary intake of antioxidants reduces the risk of coronary artery disease. The purpose of this study was to determine whether antioxidant vitamin therapy improves endothelial function and...

Chelation therapy is thought to not only remove contaminating metals but also to decrease free radical production. However, in standard ethylene diamine tetracetic acid (EDTA) chelation therapy, high doses of vitamin C with potential pro-oxidant effects are often added to the chelation solution. The authors demonstrated previously that the intravenous administration of the standard chelation co...

The oxidative effects of photodynamic therapy with 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-methoxyphenyl) porphyrin (TMP) and Zn-5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-methoxyphenyl) porphyrin (ZnTMP) were evaluated in Wistar rats subcutaneously inoculated with Walker 256 carcinoma. The animals were irradiated with red light (λ = 685 nm; D = 50 J/cm2; 15 min) 3 h after intra-peritoneal administration of 10 mg/kg body weight of p...

Human serum albumin (HSA) is a mixture of mercaptalbumin (HMA, reduced form) and nonmercaptalbumin (HNA, oxidized form). HMA, possessing a single sulfhydryl residue, is responsible for the largest fraction of reactive sulfhydryl in extracellular fluids and therefore it seems to participate largely in the extracellular antioxidant system. We have developed a convenient high-performance liquid ch...

Cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) can dramatically impair diaphragm muscle function and often necessitates mechanical ventilation (MV) to maintain adequate pulmonary gas exchange. MV is a life-saving intervention. However, prolonged MV results in atrophy and impaired function of the diaphragm. Since cervical SCI can also trigger diaphragm atrophy, it may create preconditions that exacerbate ven...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Oxidant damage is an important contributor to the premature destruction of erythrocytes and anemia in thalassemias. To assess the extent of oxidant damage of circulating erythrocytes and the effects of antioxidant therapy on erythrocyte characteristics and anemia, we used a mouse model of human beta-thalassemia intermedia (b1/b2 deletion). DESIGN AND METHODS Several ...

The use of supra-dietary doses of chemical antioxidants has attracted increasing interest as a possible primary and secondary cancer prevention strategy. It is possible that some cancer patients have an inherently impaired capacity to contend with oxidative stress because of genetic or environmental factors. Specifically, higher levels of intracellular antioxidants may protect against chromosom...

Aims In observational studies, prolonged lower blood total cholesterol levels — down at least to 3 mmol . l 1 — are associated with lower risks of coronary heart disease. Cholesterol-lowering therapy may, therefore, be worthwhile for individuals at high risk of coronary heart disease events irrespective of their presenting cholesterol levels. Observational studies also suggest that increased di...

This overview focuses on how to overcome the treatment challenges posed by COVID-19 infection and reduce mortality with antioxidant therapy. The rationale for this approach is explored addressing following objectives

Oxidative modification of plasma lipoproteins increases their atherogenicity. Nutritive antioxidants, including carotenoids, can prevent such lipoperoxidation and may protect against atherosclerosis. Plasma retinol, ascorbate, alpha-tocopherol and four carotenoids (lutein, lycopene, alpha-carotene and beta-carotene) were measured using HPLC in 45 patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) and in...