Preventive effectiveness of flavonoids/polyphenols in patients with increases oxidative stress compared to healthy probands

• Applicant: Dr. Matthias Baum
• Subject Area: Gynaecology and Obstetrics
• Term: from 2003 to 2006
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5401196

Oxidative cell damage is associated with the pathogenesis of degenerative diseases, such as atherosclerosis, diabetes and cancer. An imbalance between pro- and antioxidative processes has also been described in the course of severe chronic diseases such as renal failure. The hemodialysis (HD) treatment required for these patients induces additional oxidative stress resulting from bioincompatibility of the HD membrane, insufficient uptake of antioxidants as well as their enhanced elimination. Increased consumption of antioxidants via fruit juice with particularly high flavonoid/polyphenol content, appears as a promising preventive/therapeutic intervention. The aim of the study is to characterize the potential protective antioxidative effects of this juice in vitro and in vivo: - In vitro studies: structure/activity relationships of major isolated juice constituents will be studied individually and in combination with respect to anti(pro)oxidative effectiveness, using appropriate markers. - In human studies with healthy volunteers: the antioxidative, preventive effectiveness of the juice will be investigated in blood samples. - In HD patients, characterized by significantly increased oxidative stress: With a similar intervention design the protective effectiveness of juice will be studied. Since different cellular constituents vary in their sensitivity towards oxidative stress, a spectrum of biomarkers is required to assess oxidative status, oxidative cell damage and cellular response.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Person: Dr. Christine Janzowski