BACKGROUND Antioxidants (AOs) represent the main barrier of defense against damaging aggression due to reactive species, in particular by reactive oxygen species (ROS). The plasma AO capacity is a measure of physiological, environmental, and nutritional factors (exposure to ROS and antioxidant supplementation) determining the redox status in humans and can underline the oxidative stress (OS) co...

The effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy on oxidant/antioxidant metabolism are controversial and its effects on hepatic regeneration are not known. In this study, we investigated a possible beneficial effect of HBO therapy on oxidant and antioxidants levels during liver regeneration. To conduct this study, seventy percent hepatectomy was performed on forty-eight Spraggue-Dawley rats and t...

BACKGROUND Antioxidant nutrient deficiencies may hasten the progression of HIV disease by impairing antioxidant defenses. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to determine whether HIV infection is associated with poor selenium status and low antioxidant protection by glutathione and glutathione peroxidase (GPX). DESIGN In a cross-sectional study of 365 HIV-positive and HIV-negative adol...

In premature infants, glucocorticoids ameliorate chronic lung disease, but have adverse effects on long-term neurological function. Glucocorticoid excess promotes free radical overproduction. We hypothesised that the adverse effects of postnatal glucocorticoid therapy on the developing brain are secondary to oxidative stress and that antioxidant treatment would diminish unwanted effects. Male r...

Chronic renal failure (CRF) is associated with oxidative stress which promotes production of reactive carbonyl compounds and lipoperoxides leading to the accumulation of advanced glycation and lipoxidation end products. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) avidly reacts with nitric oxide (NO) producing cytotoxic reactive nitrogen species capable of nitrating proteins and damaging other molecules. This...

Are we over oxidized? A number of recent clinical trials with antioxidants, notably vitamin C and E, have provided no support for the commonly held view that increasing our intake of antioxidants will offset the ravages of cardiovascular disease as well as other diseases (for extensive critical reviews see: Kritharides and Stocker 2002; Antoniades et al 2003; Touyz 2004). Is this conclusion jus...

BACKGROUND Aromatase inhibitors may affect lipid metabolism, inflammatory response and antioxidant balance. PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred and eighty-six post-menopausal patients with breast carcinoma underwent evaluation of parameters of lipid metabolism, inflammatory response and antioxidant balance immediately before as well as 2 and 4 months after the start of therapy with aromatase inh...

Only a small number of cases with favourable outcome after acute renal failure due to intoxication by Cortinarius sp. have been reported in the literature, and approximately half of the patients develop chronic renal failure and dialysis-dependency. We report the case of a couple with acute renal failure after accidental intake of Cortinarius rubellus and a favourable outcome after treatment wi...