An evaluation of the antioxidant activity of a standardized grape seed extract, Leucoselect (R)

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) remains the major cause of mortality and morb idity in the Western World. The oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs ) by free radicals is associated with initiation of atherosclerosis and the refore, development of CAD. LDLs are protected from oxidation by antioxidan ts and in times of antioxidant deficiency are more likely to be oxidized. H ypercholesterolaemic patients are at a higher cardiovascular risk and may, therefore, require more antioxidant protection. Increased consumption of re d wine containing antioxidants is thought to account for the lower incidenc e of CAD in Mediterranean countries. Red wine, although rich in antioxidant s, is not suitable as routine therapy for prevention of CAD. Objective: To evaluate the effects of a capsule formulation of an antioxida nt polyphenolic extract of grapes on serum total antioxidant activity and v itamin C and E levels. Method: A single-blinded randomised, placebo-controlled cross-over study wa s undertaken in 20 young volunteers. Subjects were given two capsules conta ining 300 mg of grape procyanidin extracts (Leusoselec(TM)-phytosomel(R)) o r placebo daily for 5 days. Blood samples were taken at the start of the st udy and end of the study and assayed for antioxidant activity and vitamins C and E levels. After a washout period of at least 2 weeks, the study was r epeated with the second treatment Results: The extract had no Effect on serum vitamins C and E levels but inc reased serum total antioxidant activity (TAC). On day 5, TAC increased from 408.1 +/- 22.9 to 453.3 +/- 453.3 mu mol/l trolox Equivalents 1 hour postd ose. Conclusion: The capsules increased serum antioxidant activity but the longe r-term clinical implications need to be assessed in further randomised clin ical trials.