Daily nutritional dose supplementation with antioxidant nutrients and phytochemicals improves DNA and LDL stability: a double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled trial

Nutrients. 2013 Dec 18;5(12):5218-32. doi: 10.3390/nu5125218.

Abstract

Reactive oxygen species are important risk factors for age-related diseases, but they also act as signaling factors for endogenous antioxidative defense. The hypothesis that a multi-micronutrient supplement with nutritional doses of antioxidant nutrients and phytochemicals (MP) may provide protection against oxidative damage and maintain the endogenous antioxidant defense capacity was assessed in subjects with a habitually low intake of fruits and vegetables. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, and parallel designed trial, 89 eligible subjects were assigned to either placebo or MP for eight weeks. Eighty subjects have completed the protocol and included for the analysis. MP treatment was superior at increasing serum folate (p < 0.0001) and resistance to DNA damage (p = 0.006, tail intensity; p = 0.030, tail moment by comet assay), and LDL oxidation (p = 0.009) compared with the placebo. Moreover, the endogenous oxidative defense capacity was not weakened after MP supplementation, as determined by the levels of glutathione peroxidase (p = 0.442), catalase (p = 0.686), and superoxide dismutase (p = 0.804). The serum folate level was negatively correlated with DNA damage (r = -0.376, p = 0.001 for tail density; r = -0.329, p = 0.003 for tail moment), but no correlation was found with LDL oxidation (r = -0.123, p = 0.275). These results suggest that MP use in healthy subjects with habitually low dietary fruit and vegetable intake may be beneficial in providing resistance to oxidative damage to DNA and LDL without suppressing the endogenous defense mechanisms.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antioxidants / administration & dosage*
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Body Mass Index
  • Catalase / blood
  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood*
  • Comet Assay
  • DNA Damage*
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Fruit
  • Glutathione Peroxidase / blood
  • Humans
  • Lipoproteins, LDL / blood*
  • Male
  • Micronutrients / administration & dosage
  • Middle Aged
  • Phytochemicals / administration & dosage*
  • Superoxide Dismutase / blood
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Triglycerides / blood
  • Vegetables

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Lipoproteins, LDL
  • Micronutrients
  • Phytochemicals
  • Triglycerides
  • oxidized low density lipoprotein
  • Catalase
  • Glutathione Peroxidase
  • Superoxide Dismutase