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Dietary Antioxidants: Immunity and Host Defense
Abstract
Natural antioxidants may be defined as molecules that prevent cell damage against free radicals and are critical for maintaining optimum health in both animals and humans. In all living systems, cells require adequate levels of antioxidant defenses in order to avoid the harmful effect of an excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and to prevent damage to the immune cells. During the inflammatory processes, the activation of phagocytes and/or the action of bacterial products with specific receptors are capable of promoting the assembly of the multicomponent flavoprotein NADPH oxidase, which catalyzes the production of high amounts of the superoxide anion radical (O(2)(-)). Under these particular circumstances, neutrophils and macrophages are recognized to produce superoxide free radicals and H(2)O(2), which are essential for defence against phagocytized or invading microbes. In this state, antioxidants are absolutely necessary to regulate the reactions that release free radicals. Antioxidant nutrients commonly included in the diet such as vitamin E, vitamin C, β-carotene, selenium, copper, iron and zinc improve different immune function exhibiting an important protective role in infections caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites. As a result, dietary antioxidants have been related to modulate the host susceptibility or resistance to infectious pathogens. Overall, numerous studies have suggested that the development of tolerance, and control of inflammation are strongly correlated with specific immune mechanisms that may be altered by an inadequate supply of either macronutrients or micronutrients. Therefore, the present paper will review the effects of dietary antioxidants on immune cell function and the impact on protection against infectious microorganisms.
... In the food industry, Antioxidants are mainly used to help preserve food and improve its shelf life by reducing free radicals, as well as to add flavor, color, and texture. Antioxidants can also be added to food to reduce the risk of disease and improve health [4]. Free radicals are molecules that can cause oxidative stress and lead to damage to cells and organs [4]. ...
... Antioxidants can also be added to food to reduce the risk of disease and improve health [4]. Free radicals are molecules that can cause oxidative stress and lead to damage to cells and organs [4]. High-fat content food systems (Lipids, meats, fish…) are the principal target of oxidative reactions. ...
This study is based on the exploitation of plant extracts and the subsequent conversion of knowledge into a tactile application in the food industry in order to promote sustainable solutions to various challenges, in particular the excessive use of synthetic products (food, food supplements, cosmetics, etc.). The latter has long been linked to many questions in terms of risks to human health (cancer diseases among others). While creating positive synergies with the various sectors (pharmaceutical, food, cosmetics, etc.) and the discovery of new paths (nutraceuticals, etc.), energy and cost aspects are of interest. Economical, effective, and natural are three basic valleys of research and applications, products or even molecules with antioxidant effects and their combinations in order to preserve the food system in particular and other sectors and integrate biodiversity into value chains.
... Antioxidants have the ability to neutralize the free radicals, protect cells from free radicals damage, and improve the immune responses of body (Bendich, 1993;Khadim and Al-Fartusie, 2021;Silvestre et al., 2022). Furthermore, the immune cell functions rely on reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, but excessive reactive oxygen species can also cause damage to them, so the antioxidant have an important role in protecting immune cells against oxidative damages as well as maintaining their suitable function (Puertollano et al., 2011;Amir Aslani and Ghobadi, 2016). Researcher found that the immune system of broilers keeping constant development, especially before 34-day-old, which means birds cannot effectively adjust and maintain body homeostasis to face unpredictable stresses . ...
This study investigated the appropriate way of dietary Acer truncatum leaves (ATL) addition, the effect of disease prevention and its mechanism of action. In experiment 1, 192 Arbor Acres broilers were assigned to 4 treatment groups, fed with basal diets containing 2% bran, replacing it with primary and fermented ATL, and additional 0.3% ATL extract to the basal diet for 42 d, respectively. In experiment 2, 144 broilers were assigned to 3 treatment groups for 21-d trial: (1) C-N group, basal diets, and injected with 0.9% (w/v) sterile saline; (2) C-L group, basal diets, and injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS); (3) T-L group, ATL diets and injected with LPS. In experiment 1, ATL significantly decreased the index of abdominal fat at 42 d (P < 0.05). ATL extract had a better ability to improve antioxidant capacity and reduce inflammatory levels among all treatment groups, which significantly decreased the content of MDA in the liver and ileum mucosa at 21 d, and increased the expression of IL-10 and Occludin in jejunal mucosa at 42 d (P < 0.05). In experiment 2, ATL significantly increased the level of T-AOC in the liver, decreased the expression of NF-κB in the jejunal mucosa and ileum mucosa (P < 0.05), and restored LPS-induced the changed level of CAT in jejunal mucosa, the expression of IL-6, Claudin-1, and ZO-1 in jejunal mucosa and IL-1β in ileum mucosa (P < 0.05). Analysis of gut microbiota indicated that ATL enhanced the abundances of Bacteroidota and reduced the proportion of Firmicutes (P < 0.05), and the changed levels of T-AOC in body, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and NF-κB in jejunum mucosa and propionic acid in cecal were associated with gut microbiota. Collectively, our data showed that the extract of ATL had a better antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects than primality and fermented. Extraction of ATL modulated intestinal microbiota, and had a protective effect on oxidative stress, inflammation, and intestinal barrier function in broilers challenged with LPS.
... Tus, free radicals are key causal factors in many chronic diseases. Te human body has a natural defense system against these reactions, but dietary antioxidants also contribute to body defense [82]. Some phenolic compounds found in oats have free radical scavenging activities with potential health-benefcial properties [83]. ...
Oats (Avena sativa L.) are a popular functional cereal grain due to their numerous health benefits. This review article summarized the information on the chemical composition and phytonutrients of oats grown in different countries. It also reviewed recently developed fermented oat products to highlight their potential for human health. Oats have an interesting nutritional profile that includes high-quality protein, unsaturated fats, soluble fiber, polyphenolic compounds, and micronutrients. Oat grain has a unique protein composition, with globulins serving as the primary storage protein, in contrast to other cereals, where prolamins are the main storage proteins. Oats have the highest fat content of any cereal, with low saturated fatty acids and high essential unsaturated fatty acid content, which can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Oats are a good source of soluble dietary fiber, particularly β-glucan, which has outstanding functional properties and is extremely important in human nutrition. β-Glucan has been shown to lower blood cholesterol and glucose absorption in the intestine, thereby preventing diseases such as cardiovascular injury, dyslipidemia, hypertension, inflammatory state, and type 2 diabetes. Oats also contain high concentration of antioxidant compounds. Avenanthramides, which are unique to oats, are powerful antioxidants with high antioxidative activity in humans. Recognizing the nutritional benefits of oats, oat-based fermented food products are gaining popularity as functional foods with high probiotic potential.
... When vegetables, meat, or seafood are prepared at higher temperatures, water-soluble nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, are frequently lost because of evaporation and as exudates depart the food. This contains phytochemicals and antioxidants, which are crucial for the health of immunity (Puertollano et al., 2011). Some proteins that are water-soluble may also be lost during the cooking process. ...
As customer preferences shift, innovative food processing procedures that have little influence on food quality
(prevent loss of nutrients, volatiles, and moisture content) and ensure microbiological safety are being developed. A recent innovation called Sous vide (SV) evenly distributes heat by cooking food in vacuum packaging at
precise temperatures. An overview of the state of the science for using SV methods for food processing and
preservation is provided below. In contrast to traditional thermal food processing methods, the SV method
increases the quality of the food, nutritional content, and storage life while destroying microorganisms
(Salmonella, Clostridium, and many more). The majority of the time, SV cooks food at the range of 60–100 °C
generally for 1–7 h. Microbiological pathogens such as parasites and vegetative and spore types of bacteria
cannot be completely erased even though it works well for processing and preparing food. The nutritional, and
sensory characteristics of food are only minimally impacted by integrating the process with other non-thermal
methods (High-pressure processing and microwave cooking,), and spore-forming microbe inactivation can be
improved. In addition to investigating the method of operation of SV technology, the difficulties associated with
its adoption in the food business are examined. This review looks at the possibilities, applications, and effects of
the SV technique on spore-forming microorganisms and spore inactivation. The discussion and debate presented
may serve as a starting point for additional study and actual applications of this food manufacturing system.
... On occasion, the extracellular surrounding is exposed to hazardous oxygen as a result of increased synthesis and concentration of free radical oxygen. As an outcome, there are negative repercussions and an aggravation of the damage (Manea, 2010;Puertollano et al., 2011). The intracellular redox state is the target of contemporary natural or synthetic medications. ...
The fruits of citrus family are rich in flavonoids with superior antioxidant properties; citrus bioactive components are potentially beneficial without adverse effects or cytotoxicity in healthy individuals. Citrus fruit peel contains ample amount of hesperidin which is flavanone glycoside and has showed effective role in biological systems as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory bioactive compound. Different studies have investigated such roles of hesperidin. Due to superior antioxidant potential of hesperidin and its derivatives, these compounds have been intensively studied for their anti-cancer and cardio protective perspective. This review article is a collection of updated data covering different aspects of hesperidin and its derivatives, like occurrence, physical and chemical composition, pharmacokinetics and safety of these compounds. Moreover, effective role of these compounds against different lifestyle-related metabolic syndromes in mechanistic perspective has also been extensively discussed in this article. © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
... In his opinion, aging and the degenerative diseases that accompany it were primarily attributable to free radical attacks on cell constituents and connective tissues [1]. Natural antioxidants, on the other hand, are molecules that protect cells against free radicals' damage; they are critical for maintaining optimum health in both animals and humans [2]. The right balance between the two assures a good equilibrium for the body, shielding from damage to the tissues and organs. ...
We are surrounded by factors called free radicals (FR), which attach to the molecules our body is made of, first among them the endothelium. Even though FR are to a certain extent a normal factor, nowadays we face an escalating increase in these biologically aggressive molecules. The escalating formation of FR is linked to the increased usage of man-made chemicals for personal care (toothpaste, shampoo, bubble bath, etc.), domestic laundry and dish-washer detergents, and also an ever wider usage of drugs (both prescription and over the counter), especially if they are to be used long-term (years). In addition, tobacco smoking, processed foods, pesticides, various chronic infectious microbes, nutritional deficiencies, lack of sun exposure, and, finally, with a markedly increasing impact, electromagnetic pollution (a terribly destructive factor), can increase the risk of cancer, as well as endothelial dysfunction, owing to the increased production of FR that they cause. All these factors create endothelial damage, but the organism may be able to repair such damage thanks to the intervention of the immune system supported by antioxidants. However, one other factor can perpetuate the state of inflammation, namely obesity and metabolic syndrome with associated hyperinsulinemia. In this review, the role of FR, with a special emphasis on their origin, and of antioxidants, is explored from the perspective of their role in causing atherosclerosis, in particular at the coronary level.
Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) or broad beans is a grain legume crop with the
potential to be grown as multi-purpose crop in regions with short growing
season. Faba bean is grown in many regions throughout the world due to its
high nutritional value, medicinal effect, and effective biological nitrogen
fixation. Faba beans have high protein content; they are also a good source of
mineral nutrients, vitamins, and numerous bioactive compounds. Equally
important is the contribution of faba bean in maintaining the sustainability of
agricultural systems, as it is highly efficient in the symbiotic fixation of
atmospheric nitrogen. Under current breeding programs emphasis is to the
importance of using new high-yielding cultivars that are characterized by a
high protein content, low antinutritional compound content, and resistance to
biotic and abiotic stresses. New cultivars should combine several of these
characteristics if an increased and more stable production of faba bean in
specific agroecological zones is to be achieved. Considering that climate
change is also gradually affecting the crop growth, it is imperative to breed
elite cultivars that feature a higher abiotic–biotic stress resistance and
nutritional value than currently used cultivars.
We conducted a pilot, open-label study to assess the effect of short-term β-carotene administration (180 mg/d with meals for 4 weeks) on the plasma human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) RNA levels and
CD4+ lymphocyte counts in 21 HIV-infected patients. We found that plasma HIV RNA levels and CD4+ lymphocyte counts did not change following this short course of β-carotene supplementation. Patients with lower serum concentrations of β-carotene before supplementation were no more likely to have an increase in their CD4+ lymphocyte count or plasma HIV RNA copy number than were those with higher concentrations. No correlation was found between
pre- or postsupplementation β-carotene or vitamin A concentrations and pre- or postsupplementation CD4+ lymphocyte counts or plasma HIV RNA titers. This study provides no support for β-carotene supplementation for HIV-infected subjects with normal baseline serum levels of β-carotene and vitamin A.
Background
Antioxidant supplementation is thought to improve immunity and thereby reduce infectious morbidity. However, few large trials in elderly people have been conducted that include end points for clinical variables.Objective
To determine the effects of long-term daily supplementation with trace elements (zinc sulfate and selenium sulfide) or vitamins (beta carotene, ascorbic acid, and vitamin E) on immunity and the incidence of infections in institutionalized elderly people.Methods
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention study included 725 institutionalized elderly patients (>65 years) from 25 geriatric centers in France. Patients received an oral daily supplement of nutritional doses of trace elements (zinc and selenium sulfide) or vitamins (beta carotene, ascorbic acid, and vitamin E) or a placebo within a 2×2 factorial design for 2 years.Main Outcome Measures
Delayed-type hypersensitivity skin response, humoral response to influenza vaccine, and infectious morbidity and mortality.Results
Correction of specific nutrient deficiencies was observed after 6 months of supplementation and was maintained for the first year, during which there was no effect of any treatment on delayed-type hypersensitivity skin response. Antibody titers after influenza vaccine were higher in groups that received trace elements alone or associated with vitamins, whereas the vitamin group had significantly lower antibody titers (P<.05). The number of patients without respiratory tract infections during the study was higher in groups that received trace elements (P=.06). Supplementation with neither trace elements nor vitamins significantly reduced the incidence of urogenital infections. Survival analysis for the 2 years did not show any differences between the 4 groups.Conclusions
Low-dose supplementation of zinc and selenium provides significant improvement in elderly patients by increasing the humoral response after vaccination and could have considerable public health importance by reducing morbidity from respiratory tract infections.
Rats fed iron deficient and adequate diets were infected by intraperitoneal injection of Streptococcus pneumoniae 6302 to study the effect of iron deficiency on susceptibility. The rats were inoculated with an 0.5 ml dose of various inoculum dilutions and mortality was recorded over four days. At each dilution of inoculum, the control rats showed greater resistance to infection than the iron deficient rats. The results, based on the calculated LD50 rate, showed that iron deficient rats were 1,000 times more susceptible to the infection than control rats.
Different epidemiological, experimental or clinical studies have intensely examined the fundamental role of different dietary lipids in the regulation of immune system functions. Biochemical or metabolic activities have classically been attributed to fatty acids, which are important for the cell biological functions, because they serve as a main source of metabolic energy; as the substrates for cell membrane biogenesis, contributing to the physical and biological properties; as covalent modifiers of protein structure; as precursors for synthesis of many intracellular signalling molecules (biological lipids mediators like prostaglandins (PG), leukotrienes (LT), resolvins and lipoxins); and as regulators of gene expression. However, fatty acids are also important mediators of immune system functions. This chapter reviews the studies reporting the impact of dietary lipids on the immune response, which have allowed a better understanding of the influence of olive oil on the host natural resistance to pathogenic agents. Although the effects of olive oil on the immune functions are less known, currently, there is enough evidence for corroborating the protective and beneficial effects of olives on human health and particularly on the immune response.
AIM: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of vitamin E in children with chronic hepatitis B.
METHODS: We randomly assigned patients with chronic hepatitis B, positive for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), to receive either vitamin E or placebo once daily for 6 mo in a 3:1 ratio and double-blind manner. The primary end point was HBeAg seroconversion, defined as the loss of HBeAg, undetectable levels of serum hepatitis B virus DNA, and the appearance of antibodies against HBeAg 12 mo after therapy.
RESULTS: At baseline visit, 49 patients had normal and 43 had increased serum aminotransferase levels. Twenty-nine patients did not respond to previous treatment with interferon-α or lamivudine. Seventy-six children completed the study; 16 were non-compliant (n = 7), lost to follow-up (n = 7), or started another antiviral treatment (n = 3). Intention-to-treat analysis showed HBeAg seroconversion in 16 children (23.2%) treated with vitamin E and two (8.7%) in the placebo group (P = 0.13). Vitamin E was well tolerated.
CONCLUSION: There is only a tendency that vitamin E may promote HBeAg seroconversion. Therefore larger studies are needed to clarify the role of antioxidants in the therapy of chronic hepatitis B.
Several small short-term intervention studies have suggested that beta-carotene supplementation in HIV-infected patients can increase the number of various immune cells including CD4 cells. This prospective double-blinded study was designed to investigate whether beta-carotene supplementation would result in this immuno-enhancement in a larger number of patients over a longer time period.
HIV-positive patients were randomly assigned to receive either 60 mg beta-carotene orally three times daily or a matched placebo. In addition, all patients received a multivitamin supplement. Patients were evaluated at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months for T-cell quantitative subsets, natural killer cells, HIV p24 antigen, beta-carotene levels, complete blood counts and chemistry batteries. Body weights and Karnofsky scores were evaluated at each visit.
Seventy-two patients signed informed consent forms and entered the study. Except for serum beta-carotene concentration, there were no statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) between the treatment (60 mg beta-carotene three times daily and multivitamins) and placebo (placebo and multivitamins) groups at baseline or after either 1 or 3 months of treatment.
Earlier studies suggesting that beta-carotene supplementation increased levels of immune cells in HIV-infected patients were not replicated in this study. The addition of a multivitamin supplement to both arms of this study may have masked any difference between the two groups. However, on the basis of the results of this study, we would not recommend supplementation with high doses of beta-carotene for HIV-infected patients.
Nutritional deficiency of zinc is widespread throughout the developing world. Zinc deficient subjects experience increased susceptibility to a variety of infections. Zinc deficiency in an experimental human model caused an imbalance between Th1 and Th2 functions. Production of IFN- and IL-2 (products of TH1) were decreased, whereas production of IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 (products of Th2) were not affected due to zinc deficiency. Zinc deficiency decreased NK cell lytic activity and percentage of precursors of cytolytic T cells. In HUT-78, a Th0 cell line, zinc deficiency decreased gene expression of deoxythymidine kinase (TK), delayed cell cycle and decreased cell growth. Gene expression of IL-2 and IL-2 receptors (both and β) and binding of NF-kB to DNA were decreased by zinc deficiency in HUT-78. In HL-60, a monocytic-macrophage cell line, zinc deficiency increased production and gene expression of TNF-, IL-1β and IL-8. These cytotoxic cytokines are known to produce increased free radicals. Thus zinc may function as an important anti-oxidant. In conclusion, decreased production of IL-2 in zinc deficiency may be due to decreased activation of NF-kB and subsequent decreased gene expression of IL-2 and IL-2 receptor . Our studies show that zinc deficiency affects cell-mediated immunity and leads to activation of monocytes-macrophages and may play an important role as an antioxidant. J. Trace Elem. Exp. Med. 13:1–20, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The immune system is extremely sensitive to oxidative damage. Many immune cells produce reactive oxygen species as part of the body’s defence against infection and depend on adequate protection by antioxidants for optimal function. Many antioxidants can be obtained directly from the diet (e.g. vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids and polyphenolic flavonoids) or require micronutrients as integral components of protective enzymes (e.g. selenium, copper and zinc). Whilst a balanced diet should provide sufficient protection, periods of infection, inflammatory conditions or cigarette smoking may tip the balance in favour of oxidative stress. This review summarises some of the mechanisms by which antioxidants may affect immune status.
