Lifestyle, Oxidative Stress, and Antioxidants: Back and Forth in the Pathophysiology of Chronic Diseases

Abstract

Oxidative stress plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. Long term exposure to increased levels of pro-oxidant factors can cause structural defects at a mitochondrial DNA level, as well as functional alteration of several enzymes and cellular structures leading to aberrations in gene expression. The modern lifestyle associated with processed food, exposure to a wide range of chemicals and lack of exercise plays an important role in oxidative stress induction. However, the use of medicinal plants with antioxidant properties has been exploited for their ability to treat or prevent several human pathologies in which oxidative stress seems to be one of the causes. In this review we discuss the diseases in which oxidative stress is one of the triggers and the plant-derived antioxidant compounds with their mechanisms of antioxidant defenses that can help in the prevention of these diseases. Finally, both the beneficial and detrimental effects of antioxidant molecules that are used to reduce oxidative stress in several human conditions are discussed.

Polyphenol Bioavailability and Plasma Antiradical Capacity in Healthy Subjects after Acute Intake of Pigmented Rice: A Crossover Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

“…Finally, although the conclusions to be drawn from these results in relation to the direct health effects of pigmented rice in healthy individuals need to be further investigated, the increase in plasma antioxidant activity is here demonstrated and could have some pathophysiological significance, oxidative stress being involved in the etiopathogenesis of important chronic-degenerative diseases [ 2 , 3 ]. The limitations of this trial include the short-term intake of rice, not enough to evaluate long-term health effects, and the enrollment of university students as volunteers (selection bias).…”

“…Polyphenols are a large group of bioactive phytochemicals arising from the aromatic amino acid phenylalanine and consisting of flavonoids, stilbenes and proanthocyanidins [ 1 ]. In the last few decades, foods rich in these plant secondary metabolites, including pigmented cereals, have been extensively investigated for their preclinical biological and pharmacological activities, with many studies focusing on the antioxidant capacity [ 2 , 3 ]. In addition, as recently reported, pigmented cereal extracts exhibited anti-inflammatory activity and inhibited pancreatic α-amylase and intestinal α-glucosidase in vitro in a dose-dependent manner [ 4 ].…”

“…Both observational and interventional studies have also emphasized the health-promoting effects of dietary styles rich in plant-based foods, in terms of longevity, healthy ageing and morbidity [ 2 , 3 ]. Acute consumption of pigmented rice varieties increased plasma antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in 24 healthy subjects [ 5 ].…”

In Vitro Antioxidant, Cytotoxic Activities, and Phenolic Profile of Senecio glaucus from Saudi Arabia

“…These compounds have been widely studied due to their enormous beneficial properties and biological activities [ 2 ]. Additionally, several plants rich in phenolic compounds have shown promising results for reducing or preventing various chronic diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular diseases [ 3 ]. Furthermore, the phenolic content in these plants allows them to have several beneficial properties, including antioxidant and anticancer properties [ 4 ].…”

Alterations in telomere length and mitochondrial DNA copy number in human lymphocytes on short-term exposure to moderate hypoxia

“…In addition to aging, telomere shortening is affected by the stress that cells are subjected to because of factors like disease conditions, imbalance in oxidative stress, noxious stimuli, energy limitations [ [10] , [11] , [12] , [13] ]; and the disturbance in telomere homeostasis is an etiological factor for many human diseases [ 14 ]. The oxidative stress pathway was disturbed in many diseases while approaching a balanced diet, lifestyle, and melatonin supplementation can reduce oxidative stress [ [15] , [16] , [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] ]. Studies have also shown an association with TL and infertility [ 21 ].…”