THE INTEGRATED ANTIOXIDANT SYSTEM

Authors
Citation
Ra. Jacob, THE INTEGRATED ANTIOXIDANT SYSTEM, Nutrition research, 15(5), 1995, pp. 755-766
Citations number
43
Categorie Soggetti
Nutrition & Dietetics
Journal title
ISSN journal
02715317
Volume
15
Issue
5
Year of publication
1995
Pages
755 - 766
Database
ISI
SICI code
0271-5317(1995)15:5<755:TIAS>2.0.ZU;2-B
Abstract
The diversity and depth of the body's antioxidant protection system is reviewed. Components of both endogenous and exogenous origins contrib ute protection, and new data suggests that some components interact to spare or replace each other. Evidence from both animal and human stud ies shows that glutathione and vitamin C can act in concert to allevia te a variety of oxidant stresses. results from in vitro and animal stu dies indicate that vitamin C regenerates tocopherol in the lipid phase , but this interaction has not yet been shown to be important to human nutrition and metabolism. Newer evidence suggests that beta-carotene and tocopherol may act synergistically against lipid peroxidation, and the polyphenols, such as flavonoids provide antioxidant protection wh ich is enhanced by vitamin C. The diverse roles of iron and copper in redox biochemistry is illustrated by their incorporation in protective metalloenzymes and by some proposed interactions with vitamins. The e merging picture of synergisms and interactions suggests that antioxida nt protection may be more flexible and efficient than indicated by stu dies of single nutrient effects. The apparent versatility of the oxida nt defense system implys that it is capable of taking advantage of div erse antioxidants provided by the diet, as well as excesses of a parti cular antioxidant nutrient.