Juana Mulero

Antioxidant Activity and Phenolic Compounds in Organic Red Wine Using Different Winemaking Techniques

Wine phenolic composition depends on the grapes used to make wine and on vinification conditions. The occurrence of these biological compounds has stimulated numerous studies focused on understanding the mechanisms that influence their concentrations in wine. This article studied the effect of different vinification techniques on the antioxidant activity and on the phenolic compounds of red wine made from the variety of Monastrell grapes obtained by organic culture. To this purpose, 3 different vinification procedures were carried out: vinification after prolonged maceration, vinification with the addition of enological enzymes, and traditional vinification procedures (used as control).The results showed similar values of antioxidant activity in all 3 types of wine elaborated and found no differences in the concentrations of the different types of phenolic compounds in wine made with the 3 different methods. The evolution of antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds tested in wines during 3 mo of storage showed a similar pattern. Organic wine has acquired an important role in the economic world and its important, working in oenology to research in this field.

Phenolic Composition, Antioxidant Activity, and In Vitro Availability of Four Different Berries

Polyphenols from berries have proved healthy effects after “in vitro” and “in vivo” studies, such as preventing tumor growing and neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. We compared four different kinds of berries—strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, and blueberry—with the aim to distinguish their phenolic composition, concerning their antioxidant capacity along with their “in vitro” availability. Folin-Ciocalteu method was used for the determination of phenolic compounds, and the antioxidant capacity was measured by ORAC method. Moreover, the determination of anthocyanins was accomplished with an HPLC-DAD. Finally, we carried out an “in vitro” digestion to simulate the gastrointestinal digestion. All berries showed good antioxidant capacity with significant differences, besides high total phenolic compounds. Content of anthocyanins measured by HPLC-DAD varied between the different berries, namely, blackberries and strawberries which showed higher anthocyanin concentration. After “in vitro” digestion, berries showed poor bioavailability of the analysis of anthocyanins (9.9%–31.7%). Availability of total phenolic compounds was higher than anthocyanins (33%–73%). Moreover, strawberries and blackberries presented the less availability grade. Decrease in antioxidant activity measured by ORAC method was about 90% in all berries studied. Therefore, bioavailability of phenolic compounds remains unclear and more correlation between “in vitro” and “in vivo” studies seems to be necessary.

Biomarkers of oxidative stress in patients with wet age related macular degeneration

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to analyze biomarkers of oxidative stress in patients with wet age related macular degeneration (AMD).Participants and MeasurementsCase-control study that includes 163 patients with wet AMD (age group of 55–82 years with the mean age of 71 years and 170 age-matched healthy controls in the age group of 55–78 years with the mean age of 71 years. The following parameters were determined: reduced and oxidized Glutathione (GSH/GSSH), protein carbonyl groups, total antioxidant activity in plasma and the activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes, such as, gluthatione peroxidase, gluthatione reductase and superoxide dismutase.ResultsWe observed total antioxidant activity higher in control group (CG) compared with patients with wet AMD (7.1 ± 1.2 μM Trolox vs 5.8 ± 1.1 μM Trolox). Values of superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), gluthatione reductase (GR) and gluthatione peroxidase (GPx) are higher in control group than in patients with wet AMD. According to the GSH/GSSH results, average values were higher in the CG than in patients with wet AMD and data were not significantly different.. Values of protein carbonyl groups were higher in patients with wet AMD than in CG and significant differences were found.ConclusionsThe finding of the present study suggests that the patients with wet AMD are an altered metabolic state of oxidation-reduction and that it is convenient to give therapeutic interventions with antioxidants. We have demonstrated that systematic oxidative stress, measured by different biomarkers is closely associated with the wet AMD.

Dependency of Phytoprostane Fingerprints of Must and Wine on Viticulture and Enological Processes.

Wine is one of the most consumed alcoholic beverages around the world. Red wine has demonstrated several benefits for health maintenance. One group of potential anti-inflammatory compounds is the phytoprostanes, oxidative degradation products of linolenic acid. The aim of the present study was to measure, for the first time, the phytoprostane content in wine and must by an UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS method after solid-phase extraction. The data showed two predominant classes of phytoprostanes: F1- and D1-phytoprostane series. In wines, the total phytoprostane concentration ranged from 134.1 ± 2.3 to 216.2 ± 3.06 ng/mL. Musts showed concentrations between 21.4 ± 0.8 and 447.1 ± 15.8 ng/mL. The vinification and aging procedures for the production of wine seem to influence the final phytoprostane levels in red wine and to modify the phytoprostane profile. The high concentrations observed and previous reports on anti-inflammatory effects of phytoprostanes make further research on the benefits of phytoprostanes more important.

Antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds in conventional and organic red grapes (var. Monastrell).

Growing conditions appear to influence the nutritional composition of different types of fruit. Grape contains a large amount of phenolic compounds in the skin, pulp, and seeds. In this research work, a comparison of the phenolic composition and antioxidant activity between red grapes (Vitis vinifera) var “Monastrell” obtained from organic and conventional cultures has been studied. The identification and quantification of phenolic compounds (anthocyanins, flavonols, and hidroxycinnamic acids) have been realized by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and analysis of antioxidant activity using the DPPH· radical. No differences were found in the total phenolic composition as well as in the antioxidant activity in both types of grapes (organic and conventional). Las condiciones de cultivo parecen influir en la composición nutricional de diferentes tipos de fruta. La uva contiene una gran cantidad de compuestos fenólicos en la piel, la pulpa y las semillas. En el presente trabajo se ha realizado la identificación y cuantificación de compuestos fenólicos (antocianos, derivados hidroxicinámicos y flavonoles) por cromatografía de alta presión (HPLC) y el análisis de la actividad antioxidante utilizando el radical DPPH· en uva tinta de la variedad Monastell obtenida por técnicas de cultivo ecológico y tradicional. No se han encontrado diferencias en la composición fenólica total en ambos tipos de uva (ecológica y tradicional), así como tampoco en la actividad antioxidante de las mismas.

EFFECT OF PEGAPTANIB AND RANIBIZUMAB ON PLASMA AND VITREOUS HOMOCYSTEINE IN PATIENTS WITH EXUDATIVE AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION.

Purpose: To investigate homocysteine (Hcy) concentration in the blood plasma and the vitreous in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration receiving intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. Methods: Plasma Hcy and vitreous Hcy levels were analyzed in 73 exudative age-related macular degeneration patients (50.7% received pegaptanib 0.3 mg and 50.3% received ranibizumab 0.5 mg) and compared with 80 controls and 40 patients with idiopathic epiretinal membranes, respectively. Homocysteine concentration was measured by immunonephelometric particle test, and it was determined before and after antiangiogenic therapy. Results: The mean Hcy concentrations (±SD) of blood plasma and vitreous were 13.0 ± 4.2 &mgr;mol/L and 1.00 ± 0.3 &mgr;mol/L in patients treated with pegaptanib; in ranibizumab group, they were 12.8 ± 2.5 &mgr;mol/L and 1.4 ± 0.6 &mgr;mol/L, respectively. The results of plasma and vitreous Hcy indicated statistically significant differences between exudative age-related macular degeneration patients and control groups (P = 0.03 and P = 0.02). After 6 months with both intravitreal therapies, the plasma and vitreous Hcy concentrations did not change significantly (P = 0.1). Conclusion: Pegaptanib and ranibizumab did not increase the plasma or vitreous Hcy concentrations.

A comparison of fatty acid profiles and lipolysis during ripening of dry-cured loins obtained from a native pig breed (ChatoMurciano) and from a modern crossbreed pig

The fatty acid composition of neutral lipids (NL), polar lipids (PL) and free fatty acids (FFA) was analysed in dry-cured loins obtained from the native pig breed Chato Murciano (CM) and from a modern crossbreed pig genotype (CG) during the ripening stage (between the 30 and 60 days of processing). Fatty acid concentrations from neutral lipids, polar lipids and free fatty acid fractions were affected by breed. With respect to ripening time, lipolysis was more intense in the CG than in CM product, resulting in a decrease in the concentrations of fatty acids in the NL and PL fractions, accompanied by a corresponding increase in FFA. Results for lipid determination provided evidence that the concentrations of the different groups of fatty acids within the lipid fractions depend on the breed. In order of abundance, the groups of fatty acids in the neutral lipid fraction were monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) > saturated fatty acids (SFA) > polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (59%, 37% and 4% in CM; 58%, 35% and 6% in CG) at 60 days of processing. In the polar lipid fraction, the order was SFA > PUFA > MUFA (44%, 29% and 27% in CM; 42%, 38% and 20% in CG), and in free fatty acid fraction, the order was MUFA > PUFA > SFA (40%, 30%, and 30% in CM; 39%, 32%, and 29% in CG) at 60 days of processing.

Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Syndrome Metabolic Patients, a CaseControl Study

Abstract Background: Owing to the proposal of the increase of oxidative stress (OxS) as an early event in the development of the metabolic syndrome (MetS), the aim of the present study was to evaluate certain OxS biomarkers in patients with MetS compared to healthy people age-matched and younger to assess the relevance of aging in OxS and MetS. Methods: A total of 72 patients, 32 who fulfilled the Adult Treatment Panel III criteria for the MetS and 40 individuals without MetS, 20 age-matched to the MetS patients (Control I) and 20 younger subjects (Control II) were studied. We measured several anthropometric and serum parameters and two kinds of molecules related to OxS: modified molecules by reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as oxidized LDL (oxLDLc), and consumed or inducted molecules (enzymes or antioxidants such as Glutathione reductase GR,) associated with ROS metabolism. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v18.0. Results: Only significant differences were observed in the values of GR between the MetS patients and Control I (50.31 ± 8.15 U/L vs 59.50 ± 9.98 U/L). We found significantly higher levels in the MetS patients compared to Control II of oxLDLc (96.77 ± 23.05 U/L vs 60.17 ± 16.28 U/L), F2 -isoprostanes (3.17 ± 1.78 µg/g creatinine vs 2.04 ± 0.80 µg/g creatinine) and protein cabonils (PC) (0.56 ± 0.26 nmol/mg vs 0.29 ± 0.13 nmol/mg). Conclusions: Results have shown that MetS patients don’t present a superior OxS in comparison to age-related healthy individuals. Finally, aging is more relevant to OxS than MetS per se.

Changes in Antioxidant Enzymes in Metabolic Syndrome Patients afterConsumption a Citrus-Based Juice Enriched with Aronia Melanocarpa

Increased oxidative stress has been suggested as an early event in the development of the metabolic syndrome and, as such, might contribute to disease progression. The aim of de present study was to evaluate Total Antioxidant Status and endogenous antioxidant enzymes in metabolic syndrome patients after consumption of a citrus-based juice compared with control groups. Before, and at sixth month after treatment the following parameters were determined: Total Antioxidant Status, Superoxide Dismutase, Glutathione Peroxidase and Glutathione Reductases. After six months of citrus-based juice consuming, there was no significant differences at 95% confidence in Total Antioxidant Status between three groups, although it was found significant differences between groups in values of three antioxidant enzymes analysed. As a conclusion, the intake of a citrus-based juice increases the levels of antioxidant enzymes, despite do not increase the Total Antioxidant Status after its intake during 6 months.

Influence of anti-VEGF about cardiovascular biomarkers in age related macular degeneration.

Systemic VEGF inhibition disrupts endothelial homeostasis and accelerates the atherogenesis, suggesting that these events contribute to the clinical cardiovascular adverse events of VEGF-inhibiting therapies. The objective of the current study was to analyze the effect of anti-VEGF therapy on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with exudative age related macular degeneration. A total of 73 patients with exudative age related macular degeneration (without previous anti-VEGF therapy) were treated with two anti-VEGF: Ranibizumab and Pegaptanib sodium. The follow up was 6 months. The following parameters were determined before and after treatment: homocysteine, lipids (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-c, LDL-c), C-Reactive Protein and fibrinogen. There were not statistically significant differences in parameters studied before and after treatment with both Pegaptanib sodium and Ranibizumab, except C-Reactive Protein. Of all patients analyzed, only 3 of them have initially C-Reactive Protein levels above normal levels and after antiangiogenic therapy, there was a significant increase in C-Reactive Protein. We have not found results in our study who to suspect that treatment with anti-VEGF in the patients with exudative age related macular degeneration increases cardiovascular risk predictors. However, after therapy was increased the CRP and fibrinogen may mean that anti-VEGF contribute an alteration of endothelial homeostasis in exudative AMD.