[Effects of kakisu (persimmon vinegar) on plasma antioxidant power and urinary 8-isoprostane level].
OBJECTIVE
To clarify the antioxidative effects of kakisu (persimmon vinegar), plasma antioxidant power and urinary oxidative stress level in healthy subjects were measured using enzyme immunological assays.


METHODS
Eighty-one subjects (age 30-69, 58.4 +/- 0.8) were randomly divided into two groups using a crossover design. Group A drank kakisu for 56 days starting in March, whereas group B drank kakisu for 54 days starting in June. Copper reducing equivalent level in plasma was measured as antioxidant power, and urinary 8-isoprostane (8-iso-prostaglandin F2alpha) level was measured as oxidative stress marker.


RESULTS
Baseline plasma antioxidant power and urinary 8-isoprostane level showed no significant correlation among the subjects in this study. By drinking kakisu for 8 weeks, total antioxidant power significantly increased, and urinary 8-isoprostane level decreased. Total antioxidant power increased more markedly in group A than in group B. In contrast, urinary oxidative stress level decreased more markedly in group B than in group A. Smoking habits significantly correlated with urinary 8-isoprostane level. Males were more sensitive to the antioxidative effects of kakisu than females.


CONCLUSIONS
Kakisu has antioxidative effects that increase plasma antioxidant power and reduce urinary 8-isoprostane level. Further study is needed to clarify the influence of season and gender on such antioxidative effects.
Mure
Kanae
K
Department of Public Health, Wakayama Medical University School of Medicine, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama City, Wakayama 641-8509, Japan. kana@wakayama-med.ac.jp
Takeshita
Tatsuya
T
Morioka
Ikuharu
I
Arita
Mikio
M
D019342:Acetic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D003300:Copper / Q000378:metabolism*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D015237:Dinoprost / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000652:urine; D029788:Diospyros; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D012621:Seasons; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; C075750:8-epi-prostaglandin F2alpha; D003300:Copper; D015237:Dinoprost; D019342:Acetic Acid