Lipid peroxidation is a common feature of many chemical and biological processes, and is governed by a complex kinetic scheme. A fundamental stage in kinetic investigations of lipid peroxidation is the accurate determination of the rate of peroxidation, which in many instances is heavily reliant on the method of finite differences. Such numerical approximations of the first derivative are commo...

Human lens membranes contain the highest cholesterol content of any known biological membrane. Although cholesterol is prone to oxidation, the presence of its oxidation products in human cataract has not been shown before. This study was designed to investigate the presence of cholesterol oxides in human cataractous lenses. Human clear lenses (n = 48) were obtained from Coimbra University Hospi...

We have previously established that a defect in the ability of alveolar macrophages (AM) to phagocytose apoptotic cells (efferocytosis) and pathogens is a potential therapeutic target in COPD. We further showed that levels of mannose binding lectin (MBL; required for effective macrophage phagocytic function) were reduced in the airways but not circulation of COPD patients. We hypothesized that ...

In this study, free radical scavenging abilities of ferulic acid in relation to its structural characteristics were evaluated in solution, cultured neurons, and synaptosomal systems exposed to hydroxyl and peroxyl radicals. Cultured neuronal cells exposed to the peroxyl radical initiator AAPH die in a dose-response manner and show elevated levels of protein carbonyls. The presence of ferulic ac...

The massive amount of statistical and text data available from government agencies has created a set of daunting challenges to both the research and analysis communities. These problems include heterogeneity, size, distribution, and control of terminology. At the Digital Government Research Center ( www.dgrc.org ) we are investigating solutions to these key problems. In this paper we focus on s...

Mitochondria under oxidative stress are thought to play a key role in various neurodegenerative disorders by directing neurons to cell death. Protection by antioxidants against oxidative stress to mitochondria may prove to be beneficial in delaying onset or progression of these diseases. We have investigated the ability of gamma-glutamylcysteine ethyl ester (GCEE) to upregulate mitochondrial gl...

OBJECTIVE The relationship of the structural and functional heterogeneity of HDL particles to protection of LDL against oxidative stress is indeterminate. METHODS AND RESULTS HDL subfractions of defined physicochemical properties were isolated by density gradient ultracentrifugation from normolipidemic human serum (n=8), and their capacity to protect LDL from oxidation was evaluated. Under mi...

Our preceding studies have demonstrated that Hatakeshimeji (Lyophyllum decastes) extracts have some radiation-protection and anti-tumor effects, and, as for the mechanism of the action, the enhancement of immuno activity and the action of anti-oxidation have been elucidated. In this study, we examined anti-tumor effects, the protection of immuno disturbance and the anti-oxidation action, agains...

Purpose: To determine the potent antioxidants among six hydroxy-bearing cinnamaldehyde compounds and their corresponding acids. Methods: The antioxidative activities were evaluated by scavenging 2, 2’-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals and anti-hemolysis of human red blood cells (RBCs). Fourier transform infrared spectrometry(FT-IR, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)and mass spectrome...