Food selection based on total antioxidant capacity can modify antioxidant intake, systemic inflammation, and liver function without altering markers of oxidative stress.
BACKGROUND
It is unknown whether diets with a high dietary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) can modify oxidative stress, low-grade inflammation, or liver dysfunction, all of which are risk factors for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.


OBJECTIVE
We studied the effect of high- and low-TAC (HT and LT, respectively) diets on markers of antioxidant status, systemic inflammation, and liver dysfunction.


METHODS
In a crossover intervention, 33 healthy adults (19 men, 14 women) received the HT and LT diets for 2 wk each. Dietary habits were checked with a 3-d food record during both diet periods and the washout period.


RESULTS
Fruit and vegetable, macronutrient, dietary fiber, and alcohol intakes did not differ significantly between the 2 diets, whereas dietary TAC, alpha-tocopherol, and ascorbic acid were significantly (P < 0.001) higher during the HT diet. Plasma alpha-tocopherol rose during the HT and decreased during the LT diet (P < 0.02 for difference) without changes in markers of oxidative stress except plasma malondialdehyde, which decreased unexpectedly during the LT diet (P < 0.05). Plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, and alkaline phosphatase concentrations decreased during the HT compared with the LT diet (mean +/- SEM for pre-post changes: -0.72 +/- 0.37 compared with 1.05 +/- 0.60 mg/L, P < 0.01; -1.73 +/- 1.02 compared with 2.33 +/- 2.58 U/L, P < 0.01; -2.12 +/- 1.45 compared with 5.15 +/- 2.98 U/L, P < 0.05; and 1.36 +/- 1.34 compared with 5.06 +/- 2.00 U/L, P < 0.01, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Selecting foods according to their TAC markedly affects antioxidant intake and modulates hepatic contribution to systemic inflammation without affecting traditional markers of antioxidant status.
Valtueña
Silvia
S
Department of Internal Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
Pellegrini
Nicoletta
N
Franzini
Laura
L
Bianchi
Marta A
MA
Ardigò
Diego
D
Del Rio
Daniele
D
Piatti
PierMarco
P
Scazzina
Francesca
F
Zavaroni
Ivana
I
Brighenti
Furio
F
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004032:Diet; D015930:Diet Records; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
D000975:Antioxidants; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol; D001205:Ascorbic Acid