Regular ingestion of opuntia robusta lowers oxidation injury

The influence of opuntia robusta (prickly pear), a traditionally used dieta ry nutrient against diabetes mellitus among the American Indian population, was examined in 15 young patients suffering from familial heterozygous iso lated hypercholesterolemia. Oxidation injury was determined via 8-epi-PGF(2 alpha) in plasma, serum and urine. Daily consumption of 250 g broiled edib le pulp of prickly pear had no influence on body weight and body fat compos ition. Total cholesterol was lowered (P < 0.01) as was LDL-cholesterol (P < 0.04). No significant changes were observed either in triglycerides or in HDL. Prickly pear induced a significant decrease in plasma (27.9 +/- 3.3 -- > 25.6 +/- 3.2; P < 0.03), serum (302.0 +/- 11.4 --> 283.2 +/- 14.5; P < 0. 0003) and urinary (355.9 +/- 18.4 --> 323.9 +/- 16; P < 0.00002) 8-epi-PGF( 2 alpha) values. The findings on a decrease of 8-epi-PGF(2 alpha) were more pronounced in females than in males, the highest significance being found in urine, while, in contrast, the effects on total- and LDL-cholesterol wer e more pronounced in males. A prerunning 4 weeks period of dietary counseli ng had no significant effect on either of the parameters examined. These fi ndings indicate that the regular ingestion of opuntia robusta is able to si gnificantly reduce in-vivo oxidation injury in a group of patients sufferin g from familial hypercholesterolemia. This traditional food of the American Indians thus may have a significant cardiovascular benefit. (C) 2001 Harco urt Publishers Ltd.