title: Açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) pulp dietary intake improves cellular antioxidant enzymes and biomarkers of serum in healthy women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of açai pulp (Euterpe oleracea Martius) intake on the prevention of oxidative damage by measuring the activity of antioxidant enzymes and biomarkers of protein oxidation in women.
  
  
  METHODS
  A nutritional intervention study was conducted with thirty-five healthy women who were asked to consume 200 g/d of açai pulp for 4 wk. Blood samples were collected, and blood pressure and anthropometric parameters were measured before and after the experimental period. Antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, production of reactive oxygen species, and total antioxidant capacity were evaluated in polymorphonuclear cells. Serum concentration of protein carbonyl and sulfhydryl groups were also determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The açai intake increased catalase activity, total antioxidant capacity, and reduced the production of reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, it reduced serum concentration of protein carbonyl and increased total serum sulfhydryl groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results show the antioxidant benefit of dietary açai for the healthy women included in the present study, and may increase understanding of the beneficial health properties of this fruit.
authors.affiliation: Research Nucleus on Biological Sciences-NUPEB, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Morro do Cruzeiro Campus, Bauxita, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Priscila Oliveira
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.affiliation: Research Nucleus on Biological Sciences-NUPEB, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Morro do Cruzeiro Campus, Bauxita, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pala
authors.affiliation: Research Nucleus on Biological Sciences-NUPEB, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Morro do Cruzeiro Campus, Bauxita, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carla Teixeira
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Research Nucleus on Biological Sciences-NUPEB, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Morro do Cruzeiro Campus, Bauxita, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Melina Oliveira
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: de Souza
authors.affiliation: School of Nutrition, Federal University of Ouro Preto. Morro do Cruzeiro Campus, Bauxita, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Joana Ferreira
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: do Amaral
authors.affiliation: School of Nutrition, Federal University of Ouro Preto. Morro do Cruzeiro Campus, Bauxita, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Renata Adrielle Lima
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.affiliation: School of Nutrition, Federal University of Ouro Preto. Morro do Cruzeiro Campus, Bauxita, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gilce Andrezza de Freitas
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Folly
authors.affiliation: School of Nutrition, Federal University of Ouro Preto. Morro do Cruzeiro Campus, Bauxita, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Carolina Pinheiro
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Volp
authors.affiliation: Research Nucleus on Biological Sciences-NUPEB, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Morro do Cruzeiro Campus, Bauxita, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil; School of Nutrition, Federal University of Ouro Preto. Morro do Cruzeiro Campus, Bauxita, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil. Electronic address: renata@enut.ufop.br.
authors.forename: Renata Nascimento
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: de Freitas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004032:Diet / Q000379:methods*; D065748:Euterpe; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase
keywords: Antioxidants; Açai; Euterpe oleracea martius; Intervention study; Redox metabolism