Polyphenols in disease: from diet to supplements.

Polyphenols are a structural class of natural and synthetic, organic chemicals characterized mainly by the presence of phenol structural units. Numerous epidemiological and experimental studies have strongly suggested their beneficial effects for human health. This view is supported by their biological activities, which are associated with chemical and biochemical properties, including the ability to act as antioxidants, their antineoplastic effect and the regulation of gene expression in chronic degenerative diseases. These mechanisms of action could account for their preventive and therapeutic uses in human subjects. Moreover, in some therapeutic uses, such as antineoplastic effect, a prooxidant therapeutic action has been suggested. In the diet, numerous compounds could participate in the beneficial properties, and this likely could result in synergistic effects because the whole effect is better than the separately action of each compound. However, the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of these bioactive micronutrients are yet to be further characterized. More research is required to fully establish the therapeutic use of polyphenols against human disease. Based on biological and pharmacological properties of polyphenols both as diet components and supplements, the objective of this work is to show an updated version about the role that polyphenols could play in several chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.

Oxidative stress-related biomarkers in essential hypertension and ischemia-reperfusion myocardial damage.

Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, with hypertension being a major risk factor. Numerous studies support the contribution of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in the pathogenesis of hypertension, as well as other pathologies associated with ischemia/reperfusion. However, the validation of oxidative stress-related biomarkers in these settings is still lacking and novel association of these biomarkers and other biomarkers such as endothelial progenitor cells, endothelial microparticles, and ischemia modified albumin, is just emerging. Oxidative stress has been suggested as a pathogenic factor and therapeutic target in early stages of essential hypertension. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure correlated positively with plasma F2-isoprostane levels and negatively with total antioxidant capacity of plasma in hypertensive and normotensive patients. Cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation causes an ischemia/reperfusion event associated with increased lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation, two biomarkers associated with oxidative damage of cardiac tissue. An enhancement of the antioxidant defense system should contribute to ameliorating functional and structural abnormalities derived from this metabolic impairment. However, data have to be validated with the analysis of the appropriate oxidative stress and/or nitrosative stress biomarkers.

Molecular basis of cardioprotective effect of antioxidant vitamins in myocardial infarction.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Major advances in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes and myocardial infarction, using cardiologic interventions, such as thrombolysis or percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PCA) have improved the clinical outcome of patients. Nevertheless, as a consequence of these procedures, the ischemic zone is reperfused, giving rise to a lethal reperfusion event accompanied by increased production of reactive oxygen species (oxidative stress). These reactive species attack biomolecules such as lipids, DNA, and proteins enhancing the previously established tissue damage, as well as triggering cell death pathways. Studies on animal models of AMI suggest that lethal reperfusion accounts for up to 50% of the final size of a myocardial infarct, a part of the damage likely to be prevented. Although a number of strategies have been aimed at to ameliorate lethal reperfusion injury, up to date the beneficial effects in clinical settings have been disappointing. The use of antioxidant vitamins could be a suitable strategy with this purpose. In this review, we propose a systematic approach to the molecular basis of the cardioprotective effect of antioxidant vitamins in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury that could offer a novel therapeutic opportunity against this oxidative tissue damage.

Prevalencia de infecciones de transmisión sexual en mujeres embarazadas atendidas en un hospital público de Chile / Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections in pregnant women attending a public hospital in Chile

Introduction: The epidemiologic rates of gonorrhea have declined steadily in Chile, while the incidence of infections with Trichomonas vaginalis and Chlamydia trachomatis is not well known. Aim: Since these sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and perinatal infections, this study aimed to update their prevalence in a public hospital in the Metropolitan Region of Chile. Patients and Methods: Between April and October 2010 and April and October 2011, pregnant women attending the antenatal Service, Hospital San Borja Arriarán, were randomly selected for detection of T. vaginalis, N. gonorrhoeae and C. tra-chomatis by culture in modified Diamond's broth, Thayer-Martin agar, and by omp1 gene amplification by nested PCR, respectively. We excluded pregnant women who received antibiotics within the past 30 days. Results: Two hundred and fifty five cervicovaginal samples were analyzed. C. trachomatis was detected in 15 (5.9%) and T. vaginalis in 6 (2.4%). N. gonorrhoeae was not found. Conclusion: The results show low prevalence of C. tracho-matis and T. vaginalis and absence of N. gonorrhoeae. These rates have remained stable at this medical center since the 1990s, with a slight increase in C. trachomatis.

Introducción: Las tasas epidemiológicas de gonorrea han disminuido constantemente en Chile, mientras que la incidencia de infecciones por Trichomonas vaginalis y Chlamydia trachomatis no es bien conocida. Estas infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITSs) están asociadas con resultados adversos del embarazo e infecciones peri-natales. Objetivo: Actualizar su prevalencia en un hospital público de la Región Metropolitana de Chile. Pacientes y Métodos: Entre abril y octubre de 2010 y desde abril a octubre de 2011, fueron seleccionadas al azar mujeres embarazadas atendidas en el Servicio de atención prenatal del Hospital San Borja Arriarán para detección de T. vaginalis, N. gonorrhoeae y C. trachomatis, por cultivo en caldo Diamond modificado, cultivo en Thayer-Martin y mediante amplificación del gen omp1, por RPC anidada, respectivamente. Se excluyeron mujeres embarazadas que recibieron antimicrobianos los 30 días previos. Resultados: Se analizaron 255 muestras cérvico-vaginales. C. trachomatis fue detectada en 15 (5,9%) de las mujeres embarazadas. T. vaginalis se aisló en 6 (2,4%) de ellas, mientras que N. gonorrhoeae no se encontró en las gestantes. Conclusión: Los resultados muestran prevalencia baja de C. trachomatis y de T. vaginalis y ausencia de N. gonorrhoeae, proporción que se mantiene estable en este establecimiento desde la década de 1990s, con leve aumento de C. trachomatis.

[Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections in pregnant women attending a public hospital in Chile]. / Prevalencia de infecciones de transmisión sexual en mujeres embarazadas atendidas en un hospital público de Chile.

INTRODUCTION: The epidemiologic rates of gonorrhea have declined steadily in Chile, while the incidence of infections with Trichomonas vaginalis and Chlamydia trachomatis is not well known. AIM: Since these sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and perinatal infections, this study aimed to update their prevalence in a public hospital in the Metropolitan Region of Chile. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between April and October 2010 and April and October 2011, pregnant women attending the antenatal Service, Hospital San Borja Arriarán, were randomly selected for detection of T. vaginalis, N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis by culture in modified Diamond's broth, Thayer-Martin agar, and by omp1 gene amplification by nested PCR, respectively. We excluded pregnant women who received antibiotics within the past 30 days. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty five cervicovaginal samples were analyzed. C. trachomatis was detected in 15 (5.9%) and T. vaginalis in 6 (2.4%). N. gonorrhoeae was not found. CONCLUSION: The results show low prevalence of C. trachomatis and T. vaginalis and absence of N. gonorrhoeae. These rates have remained stable at this medical center since the 1990s, with a slight increase in C. trachomatis.