Microbial and host cells acquire enhanced oxidant-scavenging abilities by binding polyphenols

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Biochemistry
• Oxidative Stress Research
• Pharmacokinetics

Background:

• Oxidative stress poses health risks, and dietary antioxidants are explored for prevention.
• Current methods for measuring antioxidant capacity, like oxidant scavenging ability (OSA), face limitations.
• The absorption, distribution, and metabolism of dietary polyphenols remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss the role of dietary antioxidants in preventing oxidative stress.
• To address the limitations in analytical methods for quantifying antioxidant levels.
• To explore the fate and biological activity of polyphenols and their metabolites.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and critical analysis of existing studies on antioxidant supplementation.
• Discussion of analytical methodologies for oxidant scavenging ability (OSA) assessment.
• Examination of polyphenol distribution and metabolic fate in the body.

Main Results:

• Polyphenols exert antioxidant effects in the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract.
• Metabolized polyphenols can counteract oxidant toxicity and inflammatory sequelae.
• Even at micromolar concentrations, circulating polyphenols are potent scavengers, synergizing with plasma antioxidants and albumin.
• Polyphenols enhance the OSA of microorganisms and blood cells.

Conclusions:

• Accurate antioxidant level quantification requires using catalase-rich whole blood, not just plasma.
• Polyphenols possess antioxidant, metal-chelating, and signaling properties impacting various physiological processes.
• Dietary antioxidants hold potential for managing metabolic, inflammatory, autoimmune, carcinogenic, and aging-related conditions.