Women’s Special Issue Series: Antioxidants in Human Health

A special issue of Antioxidants (ISSN 2076-3921). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Outcomes of Antioxidants and Oxidative Stress".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 August 2024) | Viewed by 16311

Special Issue Editors

Dalton Cumbrian Facility, The University of Manchester, Westlakes Science and Technology Park, Moor Row, Cumbria CA24 3HA, UK
Interests: principal research interests involve free radical research in radiation and photochemistry, in particular, studying the spectroscopy and kinetics of free radicals and excited states in chemistry, biology and medicine; main area of interest is the radical and excited state mechanisms of dietary carotenoids and other antioxidants, in order to understand the photo and radio protective properties of the carotenoids and gain insights into how these compounds affect the progress of a wide range of diseases; other interests include the damage radicals inflict on the basic biological building blocks of proteins, DNA and RNA and how antioxidants can inhibit this damage
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Guest Editor
School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Wales, UK
Interests: light-induced damage to the retina; oxidative stress in the ageing retina; age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

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Guest Editor
Department of Toxicogenomics, GROW-School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Center, P.O. Box 616, 6200 Maastricht, The Netherlands
Interests: bioactive compounds; Chronic diseases; personalized nutrition; complex mixtures; food synergy; gene expression

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Oxidative stress, the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), is considered to be one of the main contributing factors for the onset and progression of many human diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases including various heritable retinal degenerations and age-related macular degeneration, for example, as well as aging in general.

A diverse range of contributing factors can cause oxidative stress and ROS production, such as mitochondrial function, inflammation, ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, smoking, pollution and even emotional stress.

Dietary antioxidants, such as vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals, which are abundant in a variety of human foods, can react with ROS and other reactive species, and thus, help to prevent the onset of such diseases and may even slow the aging process. A number of molecules have been identified, that can exert antioxidant effects by modulating the gene expression leading to the upregulation of cellular antioxidant and detoxification pathways.

This Special Issue “Antioxidants in Human Health” is part of the “Women’s Special Issue Series” and aims to promote, support and encourage the contributions of women in research into antioxidants in human health and related fields.

Both original articles and reviews into all aspects of antioxidants in human health are welcome, from the physico-chemical molecular mechanisms of the initial radical reactions, effects on gene expression and subsequent biochemical and cellular pathways, as well as reactions with other nutrients, proteins and DNA, to the biological/clinical outcomes of consuming specific antioxidant-rich foods or dietary supplementation with antioxidants.

We welcome submissions from all authors, irrespective of gender.

Dr. Ruth Edge
Dr. Malgorzata Rozanowska
Dr. Simone Van Breda
Guest Editors

Women’s Special Issue Series

This Special Issue is part of Antioxidants's Women’s Special Issue Series, hosted by women editors for women researchers. The Series advocates the advancement of women in science. We invite contributions to the Special Issue whose lead authors identify as women. The submission of articles with all-women authorship is especially encouraged. However, we do welcome articles from all authors, irrespective of gender.

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antioxidants is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • oxidative stress
  • Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)
  • antioxidants
  • women in science
  • vitamins
  • phytochemicals
  • DNA damage
  • cancer
  • human health
  • ageing

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 1234 KiB  
Article
Effect of Alpha Lipoic Acid Supplementation on Oxidative Stress and Lipid Parameters in Women Diagnosed with Low-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions (LSILs): A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial
by Anja Divković, Zinaida Karasalihović, Ivana Rumora Samarin, Damir Sabitović, Kristina Radić, Nikolina Golub, Lovorka Vujić, Marija Grdić Rajković and Dubravka Vitali Čepo
Antioxidants 2023, 12(9), 1670; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12091670 - 25 Aug 2023
Viewed by 1465
Abstract
Limited scientific evidence shows that alpha lipoic acid (ALA) can induce regression rates of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSILs), but the mechanisms of these effects have not been elucidated. To gain a broader insight into its therapeutic potential and mechanisms of action, the [...] Read more.
Limited scientific evidence shows that alpha lipoic acid (ALA) can induce regression rates of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSILs), but the mechanisms of these effects have not been elucidated. To gain a broader insight into its therapeutic potential and mechanisms of action, the effects of 3 months of supplementation with 600 mg of ALA on antioxidant and lipid status parameters in 100 patients with LSILs were investigated in a randomized, placebo-controlled study. The obtained results are discussed in terms of patients’ initial metabolic status and diet quality (particularly nutritional intake of antioxidants). The obtained results showed that oxidative status biomarkers were not significantly affected by ALA supplementation. However, serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was positively affected in the subgroup of patients with higher dietary antioxidant intake. Surprisingly, ALA supplementation resulted in a small but statistically significant increase in serum low density lipoprotein (LDL), and the observed effect was significantly affected by the initial lipid status of the participants. Larger studies are necessary to gain additional insights on the clinical significance of ALA as an antioxidant and hypolipemic agent and to optimize its potential application in LSIL treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women’s Special Issue Series: Antioxidants in Human Health)
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15 pages, 2425 KiB  
Article
Structural Characterization of Polysaccharides from Coriandrum sativum Seeds: Hepatoprotective Effect against Cadmium Toxicity In Vivo
by Manel Sfar, Ghada Souid, Fahad M. Alminderej, Zeineb Mzoughi, Yassine El-Ghoul, Christophe Rihouey, Didier Le Cerf and Hatem Majdoub
Antioxidants 2023, 12(2), 455; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12020455 - 10 Feb 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2531
Abstract
Coriandrum sativum is one of the most widespread curative plants in the world, being vastly cultivated in arid and semi-arid regions as one of the oldest spice plants. The present study explored the extraction of polysaccharides from Coriandrum sativum seeds and the evaluation [...] Read more.
Coriandrum sativum is one of the most widespread curative plants in the world, being vastly cultivated in arid and semi-arid regions as one of the oldest spice plants. The present study explored the extraction of polysaccharides from Coriandrum sativum seeds and the evaluation of their antioxidant potential and hepatoprotective effects in vivo. The polysaccharide from coriander seeds was extracted, and the structural characterization was performed by FT-IR, UV–vis, DSC, NMR (1D and 2D), GC-MS, and SEC analysis. The polysaccharide extracted from Coriandrum sativum (CPS) seeds was characterized to evaluate its antioxidant and hepatoprotective capacities in rats. Results showed that CPS was composed of arabinose, rhamnose, xylose, mannose, fructose, galactose, and glucose in molar percentages of 6.2%, 3.6%, 8.8%, 17.7%, 5.2%, 32.9%, and 25.6%, respectively. Further, CPS significantly hindered cadmium-induced oxidation damage and exercised a protective effect against Cd hepatocytotoxicity, with a considerable reduction in MDA production and interesting CAT and SOD enzyme levels. Results suggest that CPS might be employed as a natural antioxidant source. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women’s Special Issue Series: Antioxidants in Human Health)
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12 pages, 451 KiB  
Article
Insulin Requirement for Gestational Diabetes Control Is Related to Higher Vitamin D Levels up to 1 Year Postpartum: A Prospective Cohort Study
by María Molina-Vega, María José Picón-César, Fuensanta Lima-Rubio, Carolina Gutiérrez-Repiso, Teresa María Linares-Pineda, María Suárez-Arana, Ana María Fernández-Ramos, Francisco J. Tinahones and Sonsoles Morcillo
Antioxidants 2022, 11(11), 2230; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11112230 - 11 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1825
Abstract
Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in pregnant women and has been related to a higher risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The aim of this study is to analyze vitamin D status evolution in a population of pregnant women with and without [...] Read more.
Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in pregnant women and has been related to a higher risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The aim of this study is to analyze vitamin D status evolution in a population of pregnant women with and without GDM. Two-hundred women were included from January 2019 to February 2022 as follows: Control group -CG-, Lifestyle group -LG- (GDM not requiring insulin), and Insulin group -IG- (GDM requiring insulin). Visits were carried out at baseline, antenatal, postpartum, and 1 year after birth. Vitamin D levels, weight, and insulin resistance were measured at every visit. Data about the season, vitamin D supplementation, Mediterranean diet adherence, and physical activity were included. In the three groups, 134 women were included in the CG, 43 in the LG, and 23 in the IG. Vitamin D levels were similar among the groups at baseline, but they were significantly higher in the LG and IG in comparison with the CG at the antenatal visit and significantly higher in the IG vs. CG and LG at the postpartum and 1 year after birth visits. Vitamin D levels were independently related to vitamin D supplementation and the season at baseline, to the season and belonging to the LG or IG at the antenatal visit, and were only independently associated with belonging to the IG at postpartum and 1 year after birth visits. In conclusion, in our population, women with GDM requiring insulin had higher levels of vitamin D in comparison with those not requiring insulin and healthy controls at postpartum and 1 year after pregnancy. Requiring insulin during pregnancy seems to be a factor that independently determines the levels of vitamin D until 1 year after birth. More studies are required to reproduce these data in other populations and to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these findings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women’s Special Issue Series: Antioxidants in Human Health)
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Review

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85 pages, 4277 KiB  
Review
Lipofuscin, Its Origin, Properties, and Contribution to Retinal Fluorescence as a Potential Biomarker of Oxidative Damage to the Retina
by Małgorzata B. Różanowska
Antioxidants 2023, 12(12), 2111; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12122111 - 13 Dec 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3690
Abstract
Lipofuscin accumulates with age as intracellular fluorescent granules originating from incomplete lysosomal digestion of phagocytosed and autophagocytosed material. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on the current understanding of the role of oxidative stress and/or lysosomal dysfunction in lipofuscin [...] Read more.
Lipofuscin accumulates with age as intracellular fluorescent granules originating from incomplete lysosomal digestion of phagocytosed and autophagocytosed material. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on the current understanding of the role of oxidative stress and/or lysosomal dysfunction in lipofuscin accumulation and its consequences, particularly for retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Next, the fluorescence of lipofuscin, spectral changes induced by oxidation, and its contribution to retinal fluorescence are discussed. This is followed by reviewing recent developments in fluorescence imaging of the retina and the current evidence on the prognostic value of retinal fluorescence for the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the major blinding disease affecting elderly people in developed countries. The evidence of lipofuscin oxidation in vivo and the evidence of increased oxidative damage in AMD retina ex vivo lead to the conclusion that imaging of spectral characteristics of lipofuscin fluorescence may serve as a useful biomarker of oxidative damage, which can be helpful in assessing the efficacy of potential antioxidant therapies in retinal degenerations associated with accumulation of lipofuscin and increased oxidative stress. Finally, amendments to currently used fluorescence imaging instruments are suggested to be more sensitive and specific for imaging spectral characteristics of lipofuscin fluorescence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women’s Special Issue Series: Antioxidants in Human Health)
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26 pages, 1183 KiB  
Review
Astaxanthin as a Potent Antioxidant for Promoting Bone Health: An Up-to-Date Review
by Iswari Davan, Sharida Fakurazi, Ekram Alias, Nurul ‘Izzah Ibrahim, Ng Min Hwei and Haniza Hassan
Antioxidants 2023, 12(7), 1480; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12071480 - 24 Jul 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5424
Abstract
In recent years, bone loss and its associated diseases have become a significant public health concern due to increased disability, morbidity, and mortality. Oxidative stress and bone loss are correlated, where oxidative stress suppresses osteoblast activity, resulting in compromised homeostasis between bone formation [...] Read more.
In recent years, bone loss and its associated diseases have become a significant public health concern due to increased disability, morbidity, and mortality. Oxidative stress and bone loss are correlated, where oxidative stress suppresses osteoblast activity, resulting in compromised homeostasis between bone formation and resorption. This event causes upregulation of bone remodeling turnover rate with an increased risk of fractures and bone loss. Therefore, supplementation of antioxidants can be proposed to reduce oxidative stress, facilitate the bone remodeling process, suppress the initiation of bone diseases, and improve bone health. Astaxanthin (3,3′-dihydroxy-4-4′-diketo-β-β carotene), a potent antioxidant belonging to the xanthophylls family, is a potential ROS scavenger and could be a promising therapeutic nutraceutical possessing various pharmacological properties. In bone, astaxanthin enhances osteoblast differentiation, osteocytes numbers, and/or differentiation, inhibits osteoclast differentiation, cartilage degradation markers, and increases bone mineral density, expression of osteogenic markers, while reducing bone loss. In this review, we presented the up-to-date findings of the potential anabolic effects of astaxanthin on bone health in vitro, animal, and human studies by providing comprehensive evidence for its future clinical application, especially in treating bone diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women’s Special Issue Series: Antioxidants in Human Health)
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