Nutrigenetics and Modulation of Oxidative Stress

Abstract

Oxidative stress develops as a result of an imbalance between the production and accumulation of reactive species and the body’s ability to manage them using exogenous and endogenous antioxidants. Exogenous antioxidants obtained from the diet, including vitamin C, vitamin E, and carotenoids, have important roles in preventing and reducing oxidative stress. Individual genetic variation affecting proteins involved in the uptake, utilization and metabolism of these antioxidants may alter their serum levels, exposure to target cells and subsequent contribution to the extent of oxidative stress. Endogenous antioxidants include the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, paraoxanase, and glutathione S-transferase. These enzymes metabolize reactive species and their by-products, reducing oxidative stress. Variation in the genes coding these enzymes may impact their enzymatic antioxidant activity and, thus, the levels of reactive species, oxidative stress, and risk of disease development. Oxidative stress may contribute to the development of chronic disease, including osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Indeed, polymorphisms in most of the genes that code for antioxidant enzymes have been associated with several types of cancer, although inconsistent findings between studies have been reported. These inconsistencies may, in part, be explained by interactions with the environment, such as modification by diet. In this review, we highlight some of the recent studies in the field of nutrigenetics, which have examined interactions between diet, genetic variation in antioxidant enzymes, and oxidative stress.

Editorial

“…Based on these studies, an optimal supply of exogenous antioxidants was postulated, such as vitamin C, E or carotenoids, to reduce disease risk. In their present work, based on rather contradictory studies, Da Costa et al [3] demonstrate that the uptake of exogenous antioxidants is dependent on several mechanisms; different polymorphisms were reported for key enzymes in these steps, explaining why identical exogenous supply does not yield in identical effects between different individuals. In addition, a complex endogenous antioxidant system contributes to detoxify these metabolites.…”

“…The third article of Da Costa et al [3] focuses on the impact of nutrigenetics on the modulation of oxidative stress. It is well established that chronic oxidative stress is implicated in the development of various chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative diseases.…”

Dietary Antioxidant and Oxidative Stress: Interaction between Vitamins and Genetics

“…This association was supported by several studies showing that diets rich in fruits and vegetables, so rich in dietary antioxidants are associated with reduced risk for chronic diseases [3,4,13].…”

“…Antioxidants comprise a group of enzymes and components obtained from the diet, which protect against oxidative stress by neutralizing and preventing the formation of reactive species as well as repairing biological molecules [7,4]. The ability to protect against oxidative stress, therefore, depends on the integrity of endogenous and exogenous systems, and both can be influenced by genetic variations.…”

“…The ability to protect against oxidative stress, therefore, depends on the integrity of endogenous and exogenous systems, and both can be influenced by genetic variations. Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding antioxidant enzymes or proteins involved in the uptake and utilization of dietary antioxidants may have a direct impact on the ability to handle oxidative stress [4]. In addition, endogenous and exogenous antioxidant systems interact, making it even more complex diet-gene interactions that result in the individual's ability to maintain "redox homeostasis" (Figure 1) [7].…”