Bioavailability of catechins from guaraná (Paullinia cupana) and its effect on antioxidant enzymes and other oxidative stress markers in healthy human subjects.
We assessed the effects of guaraná (Paullinia cupana) consumption on plasma catechins, erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activity (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) and biomarkers of oxidative stress (ex vivo LDL oxidation, plasma total antioxidant status and ORAC, and lymphocyte single cell gel electrophoresis) in healthy overweight subjects. Twelve participants completed a 15-day run-in period followed by a 15-day intervention with a daily intake of 3 g guaraná seed powder containing 90 mg (+)-catechin and 60 mg (-)-epicatechin. Blood samples were taken on the first and last day of the intervention period, fasting and 1 h post-dose. The administration of guaraná increased plasma ORAC, while reducing ex vivo LDL oxidation (only in the first study day) and hydrogen peroxide-induced DNA damage in lymphocytes, at 1 h post-dose. Plasma catechin (0.38 ± 0.12 and 0.44 ± 0.18 nmol mL(-1)), epicatechin (0.59 ± 0.18 and 0.64 ± 0.25 nmol mL(-1)) and their methylated metabolites were observed at 1 h post-dose but were almost negligible after overnight fasting. The activities of catalase (in both study days) and glutathione peroxidase (in the last intervention day) increased at 1 h post-dose. Furthermore, the activity of both enzymes remained higher than the basal levels in overnight-fasting individuals on the last intervention day, suggesting a prolonged effect of guaraná that continues even after plasma catechin clearance. In conclusion, guaraná catechins are bioavailable and contribute to reduce the oxidative stress of clinically healthy individuals, by direct antioxidant action of the absorbed phytochemicals and up-regulation of antioxidant/detoxifying enzymes.
School of Public Health - University of São Paulo, São Paulo-SP, Brazil. lina.yonekura@ag.kagawa-u.ac.jp.
Lina
L
Yonekura
School of Public Health - University of São Paulo, São Paulo-SP, Brazil. lina.yonekura@ag.kagawa-u.ac.jp.
Carolina Aguiar
CA
Martins
School of Public Health - University of São Paulo, São Paulo-SP, Brazil. lina.yonekura@ag.kagawa-u.ac.jp.
Geni Rodrigues
GR
Sampaio
School of Public Health - University of São Paulo, São Paulo-SP, Brazil. lina.yonekura@ag.kagawa-u.ac.jp.
Marcela Piedade
MP
Monteiro
Heart Institute (InCor) - University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo-SP, Brazil.
Luiz Antônio Machado
LA
César
Heart Institute (InCor) - University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo-SP, Brazil.
Bruno Mahler
BM
Mioto
School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science - University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo-SP, Brazil.
Clara Satsuki
CS
Mori
School of Public Health - University of São Paulo, São Paulo-SP, Brazil. lina.yonekura@ag.kagawa-u.ac.jp.
Thaíse Maria Nogueira
TM
Mendes
Universidade São Francisco, Bragança Paulista-SP, Brazil.
Marcelo Lima
ML
Ribeiro
Universidade São Francisco, Bragança Paulista-SP, Brazil.
Demetrius Paiva
DP
Arçari
School of Public Health - University of São Paulo, São Paulo-SP, Brazil. lina.yonekura@ag.kagawa-u.ac.jp.
Elizabeth Aparecida Ferraz da Silva
EA
Torres
D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D002374:Catalase / Q000097:blood; D002392:Catechin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D032126:Paullinia / Q000737:chemistry*; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D014280:Triglycerides; D002392:Catechin; D002784:Cholesterol; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase