Related Experiment Videos
Effect of increased vegetable and fruit consumption on markers of oxidative cellular damage
H J Thompson1, J Heimendinger, A Haegele
1Center for Nutrition in the Prevention of Disease, AMC Cancer Research Center, Lakewood, CO 80214, USA. thompsonh@amc.org
Abstract:
The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that increased consumption of vegetables and fruit would reduce markers of oxidative cellular damage that can be assessed in blood or urine. Twenty-eight women participated in a 14 day dietary intervention. The primary end-points assessed were: 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in DNA isolated from peripheral lymphocytes, determined by HPLC with electrochemical detection; 8-OHdG excreted in urine, measured by ELISA; malondialdehyde (MDA) in urine, measured by fluorimetric detection following derivatization with thiobarituric acid and separation via HPLC; urinary 8-isoprostane F-2alpha (8-EPG) detected by ELISA. Pre- and post-intervention plasma levels of selected carotenoids were determined by HPLC. Subjects were free living and consumed a completely defined recipe-based diet that increased their average daily consumption of vegetables and fruit from 5.8 servings at baseline to 12.0 servings throughout the intervention. Overall, the level of 8-OHdG in DNA isolated from lymphocytes and in urine and the level of 8-EPG in urine were reduced by the intervention, whereas urine concentrations of MDA were minimally affected. The reduction in lymphocyte 8-OHdG was greater in magnitude (32 versus 5%) in individuals with lower average pre-intervention levels of plasma alpha-carotene (56 ng/ml) than in individuals with higher average pre-intervention plasma levels of alpha-carotene (148 ng/ml). The results of this study indicate that consumption of a diet that significantly increased vegetable and fruit intake from a diverse number of botanical families resulted in significant reductions in markers of oxidative cellular damage to DNA and lipids.
Insights
Increased fruit and vegetable intake significantly reduces oxidative DNA and lipid damage markers. This dietary intervention shows promising results for mitigating cellular damage, particularly in individuals with lower baseline alpha-carotene levels.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Biochemistry
- Oxidative Stress Research
Background:
- Oxidative cellular damage contributes to various chronic diseases.
- Dietary antioxidants from fruits and vegetables are hypothesized to counteract oxidative stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of increased fruit and vegetable consumption on key biomarkers of oxidative damage.
- To assess changes in 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), malondialdehyde (MDA), and 8-isoprostane F-2alpha (8-EPG) following dietary intervention.
Main Methods:
- A 14-day dietary intervention with 28 women.
- Defined recipe-based diet increasing daily fruit and vegetable servings from 5.8 to 12.0.
- Measurement of 8-OHdG (DNA and urine), urinary MDA, and urinary 8-EPG using HPLC and ELISA.
- Analysis of plasma carotenoid levels pre- and post-intervention.
Main Results:
- Significant reductions observed in lymphocyte 8-OHdG, urinary 8-OHdG, and urinary 8-EPG.
- Urinary MDA levels showed minimal change.
- Greater reduction in lymphocyte 8-OHdG was noted in participants with lower baseline alpha-carotene levels.
Conclusions:
- A diet rich in diverse fruits and vegetables effectively reduces markers of oxidative DNA and lipid damage.
- Dietary intake of fruits and vegetables plays a crucial role in combating cellular oxidative stress.