Ageing is defined as an age-related increase in susceptibility to diseases and death and is a complex process that affects every major system at the molecular, cellular and organ level. Although the exact cause of ageing is unknown, there is significant evidence that oxidative stress plays a major role in the ageing process. Skeletal muscle produces oxidants from a variety of different sources with nitric oxide and superoxide being the primary radical species. Nitric oxide is regulated by the activity of nitric oxide synthases, however the sites that modulate changes in superoxide remain unclear. Skeletal muscle ageing is associated with a reduction in muscle mass and strength and leads to a significant vulnerability that opposes healthy ageing. Reports have indicated a positive correlation between tissue concentrations of oxidised macromolecules in skeletal muscle of old individuals, which implies the possible involvement of reactive species in the processes of skeletal muscle ageing. The role of oxidants in skeletal muscle ageing has also been extensively examined in different model organisms, which have undergone genetic manipulations and reports have shown that absence of Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) in homozygotic SOD1 knockout

which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Interest in relationship between diet and ageing is growing. Research has shown that dietary calorie restriction and some antioxidants extend lifespan in various ageing models. On the one hand, oxygen is essential to aerobic organisms because it is a final electron acceptor inmitochondria. On the other hand, oxygen is harmful because it can continuously generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are believed to be the factors causing ageing of an organism. To remove these ROS in cells, aerobic organisms possess an antioxidant defense system which consists of a series of enzymes, namely, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR). In addition, dietary antioxidants including ascorbic acid, vitamin A, vitamin C,

Copyright © 2014 Sedigheh Asgary et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Background. Impaired endothelial function is a predictor of cardiovascular events. Orange juice (OJ) is rich in dietary flavonoids and could inhibit oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. We examined the effects of commercial (COJ) and fresh orange juice (FOJ) on endothelial function and physiological characteristics in healthy humans. Materials and Methods. Twenty-two healthy volunteers years were enrolled in a single blind randomized crossover controlled trial. The two groups consumed either COJ for the first 4 weeks and then FOJ (CFOJ, 4 weeks), or FOJ for the first 4 weeks and then COJ (FCOJ, 4weeks). We assessed endothelial function by measuring flow-mediated dilation, serum concentrations of lipids, apolipoproteins A and B (apo A-1 and apo B), and inflammatory markers such as vascular endothelial adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), E-selectin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and interleukin-6. Results. Consumption of both juices decreased VCAM, hs-CRP, and E-selectin but increased apo A-1.

progenitor cells

Purple sweet potato tubers found in Bali are rich in anthocyanins and has been studied as an antioxidant in experimental animals. Aqueous extract of purple sweet potato tubers has been shown to lower blood pressure through increased expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in hypertensive rats. Research on the antihypertensive and antioxidative effects of aqueous extract of purple sweet potato tubers in hypertensive patients has not been done. The purpose of this study was to prove that the aqueous extract of purple sweet potato tubers could lower blood pressure and prevent oxidative stress in hypertensive patients especially in the elderly ones. This study was a limited clinical trial with one group pre- and post-test design, involving the elderly population in Nyuhkuning Village, Mas, Ubud, Bali as subjects of study. Seventeen subjects were included in this study with baseline characteristics such as 60-69 years of age, blood pressure above 140/95 mmHg, and does not suffer from certain diseases. After being given aqueous extract of purple sweet potato for one month, they showed a decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly (p < 0.05), a decrease in MDA level accompanied by an increase in blood superoxide dismutase (SOD) level significantly (p < 0.05). From these results, it can be concluded that the aqueous extract of purple sweet potato tuber can lower blood pressure and prevent oxidative stress in hypertensive elderly patient.

License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Optimized nutrition through supplementation of diet with plant derived phytochemicals has attracted significant attention to prevent the onset of many chronic diseases including cardiovascular impairments, cancer, and metabolic disorder. These phytonutrients alone or in combination with others are believed to impart beneficial effects and play pivotal role in metabolic abnormalities such as dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, hypertension, glucose intolerance, systemic inflammation, and oxidative stress. Epidemiological and preclinical studies demonstrated that fruits, vegetables, and beverages rich in carotenoids, isoflavones, phytoestrogens, and phytosterols delay the onset of atherosclerosis or act as a chemoprotective agent by interacting with the underlying pathomechanisms. Phytochemicals exert their beneficial effects either by reducing the circulating levels of cholesterol or by inhibiting lipid oxidation, while others exhibit anti-inflammatory and antiplatelet activities. Additionally, they reduce neointimal thickening by inhibiting proliferation of smooth muscle cells and also improve endothelium dependent vasorelaxation bymodulating bioavailability of nitric-oxide and voltage-gated ion channels. However, detailed and profound knowledge on specific molecular targets of each phytochemical is very important to ensure safe use of these active compounds as a therapeutic agent.Thus, this paper reviews the active antioxidative, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, or antiangiogenesis role of various phytochemicals for prevention of chronic diseases. 1.

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