Dietary vitamin E and tocopherol isoforms and incident chronic kidney disease: A 30-y follow-up study from young adulthood to midlife.

BACKGROUND: The relationship of dietary vitamin E intake with incident chronic kidney disease (CKD) was not clear as yet. We aimed to examine the associations of dietary total vitamin E and tocopherol isoforms intakes with incident CKD in a 30-year follow-up study from young adulthood to midlife. METHODS: A total of 4038 American adults aged 18-30 years and without reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were enrolled from Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study. Diet was evaluated by a validated dietary-history questionnaire at baseline, and after 7 and 20 years later. The study outcome was incident CKD, defined as an eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or a urinary albumin to creatinine ratio ≥30 mg/g. RESULTS: During a 30-year follow-up, 642 (15.9%) participants developed incident CKD. Overall, there was a L-shaped relationship between dietary total vitamin E intake and incident CKD (P for non-linearity<0.001). When total vitamin E intake was assessed as quartiles, compared with those in the first quartile (<4.35 mg α-TE/1000 kcal), the adjusted HRs (95%CI) of incident CKD for participants in the fourth quartile (≥9.61 mg α-TE/1000 kcal) was 0.55 (0.40, 0.75). Moreover, higher intakes of beta-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol were significantly associated with a lower incident CKD. Higher intake of delta-tocopherol was significantly related to a higher incident CKD. And there was no obvious association of alpha-tocopherol intake with incident CKD. CONCLUSIONS: There were inverse associations of total vitamin E, beta-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol intakes, a positive association of delta-tocopherol intake, and no obvious association of alpha-tocopherol intake, with incident CKD among American adults.

Interaction of Bioactive Compounds of Moringa oleifera Leaves with SARS-CoV-2 Proteins to Combat COVID-19 Pathogenesis: a Phytochemical and In Silico Analysis.

Novel SARS-CoV-2 claimed a large number of human lives. The main proteins for viral entry into host cells are SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein (PDB ID: 6VYB) and spike receptor-binding domain bound with ACE2 (spike RBD-ACE2; PDB ID: 6M0J). Currently, specific therapies are lacking globally. This study was designed to investigate the bioactive components from Moringa oleifera leaf (MOL) extract by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and their binding interactions with spike glycoprotein and spike RBD-ACE2 protein through computational analysis. GC-MS-based analysis unveiled the presence of thirty-seven bioactive components in MOL extract, viz. polyphenols, fatty acids, terpenes/triterpenes, phytosterols/steroids, and aliphatic hydrocarbons. These bioactive phytoconstituents showed potential binding with SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein and spike RBD-ACE2 protein through the AutoDock 4.2 tool. Further by using AutoDock 4.2 and AutoDock Vina, the top sixteen hits (binding energy ≥ - 6.0 kcal/mol) were selected, and these might be considered as active biomolecules. Moreover, molecular dynamics simulation was determined by the Desmond module. Interestingly two biomolecules, namely ß-tocopherol with spike glycoprotein and ß-sitosterol with spike RBD-ACE2, displayed the best interacting complexes and low deviations during 100-ns simulation, implying their strong stability and compactness. Remarkably, both ß-tocopherol and ß-sitosterol also showed the drug- likeness with no predicted toxicity. In conclusion, these findings suggested that both compounds ß-tocopherol and ß-sitosterol may be developed as anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs. The current findings of in silico approach need to be optimized using in vitro and clinical studies to prove the effectiveness of phytomolecules against SARS-CoV-2.

Deep eutectic solvent-based liquid-phase microextraction coupled with reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography for determination of α-, ß-, γ-, and δ-tocopherol in edible oils.

For simultaneous analysis of four fat-soluble tocopherols (α-, ß-, γ-, and δ-) in edible oils, an efficient and green method using deep eutectic solvent-based liquid-phase microextraction (DES-LPME) coupled with reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) was developed. The DESs formed by different quaternary ammonium salts and ethanol were used as the extractants. Tetrabutylammonium chloride (TBAC)-ethanol DES at a molar ratio of 1:2 achieved the best extraction efficiency. Under the optimized conditions, the detection limits were in the range of 2.1-3.0 ng mL-1. The intra-day and inter-day repeatability were in the ranges of 3.9-5.3% and 4.8-7.1%, respectively, and the recoveries for the real samples varied from 80.7% to 105.4%. The developed method was successfully employed for the determination of all four tocopherol homologues with an RP-HPLC system containing a COSMOSIL π-NAP column in five edible oils collected locally. Graphical abstract.

Performance of antioxidative compounds under frying conditions: A review.

Although much study has been done assessing activity of antioxidants at ambient and accelerated storage temperatures, the results cannot correctly depict their performance under frying conditions. Due to the stringent conditions imposed, most conventional antioxidative compounds failed under frying conditions, suggesting the need for a continuous modification to improve their effectiveness. Although syntheses and performance evaluation of over a hundred (semi)synthetic antioxidants have been reported in literature, only a small fraction have been specifically designed and/or evaluated under frying conditions. Here, the performance under frying conditions of major natural and synthetic antioxidants is reviewed. The recent trend in the designing of antioxidants for frying applications is also reviewed with the view of stimulating further study in this direction.

Involvement of metabolites in early defense mechanism of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) against Ganoderma disease.

Understanding the mechanism of interaction between the oil palm and its key pathogen, Ganoderma spp. is crucial as the disease caused by this fungal pathogen leads to a major loss of revenue in leading palm oil producing countries in Southeast Asia. Here in this study, we assess the morphological and biochemical changes in Ganoderma disease infected oil palm seedling roots in both resistant and susceptible progenies. Rubber woodblocks fully colonized by G. boninense were applied as a source of inoculum to artificially infect the roots of resistant and susceptible oil palm progenies. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to measure an array of plant metabolites in 100 resistant and susceptible oil palm seedling roots treated with pathogenic Ganoderma boninense fungus. Statistical effects, univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify key-Ganoderma disease associated metabolic agitations in both resistant and susceptible oil palm root tissues. Ganoderma disease related defense shifts were characterized based on (i) increased antifungal activity in crude extracts, (ii) increased lipid levels, beta- and gamma-sitosterol particularly in the resistant progeny, (iii) detection of heterocyclic aromatic organic compounds, benzo [h] quinoline, pyridine, pyrimidine (iv) elevation in antioxidants, alpha- and beta-tocopherol (iv) degraded cortical cell wall layers, possibly resulting from fungal hydrolytic enzyme activity needed for initial penetration. The present study suggested that plant metabolites mainly lipids and heterocyclic aromatic organic metabolites could be potentially involved in early oil palm defense mechanism against G. boninense infection, which may also highlight biomarkers for disease detection, treatment, development of resistant variety and monitoring.

Chemical and Antioxidant Properties of Wild Edible Mushrooms from Native Nothofagus spp. Forest, Argentina.

This study addresses issues regarding chemical and bioactive properties of nine wild edible mushrooms from native Nothofagus forest from Patagonia, Argentina. Macronutrients, sugars, fatty acids, tocopherols, organic acids, phenolic compounds and antioxidant properties were determined. Protein was found in high levels and varied between 3.35 g/100 g dw in Cyttaria hariotii and 22.29 g/100 g dw in Lepista nuda. All of them presented mannitol and trehalose as main sugars. Mannitol was significantly higher in Ramaria patagonica, although absent in Fistulina endoxantha, whereas trehalose predominated in Aleurodiscus vitellinus, Hydropus dusenii, Cortinarius magellanicus, C. hariotii, Grifola gargal and L. nuda, ranging from 1.15 to 10.26 g/100 g dw; it was absent in R. patagonica. The major fatty acid found was linoleic acid, followed by oleic acid and palmitic acid. All species presented oxalic and fumaric acids, while some also had malic, quinic and citric acids. Tocopherols composition was variable. Cortinarius magellanicus presented significantly higher contents of both α-tocopherol and ß-tocopherol. R. patagonica presented the best results in all the antioxidant activity assays (EC50 values ≤ 1 mg/mL) and the highest content of phenolic compounds presenting gallic, p-hydroxybenzoic, p-coumaric and cinnamic acids. This study constitutes the first report on chemical composition and nutritional value of most of these edible mushroom species. Furthermore, it provides important information necessary to characterize and define the use of these species as gastronomic delicacies, functional foods and sources of bioactive compounds.

Some rape/canola seed oils: fatty acid composition and tocopherols.

Seed samples of some rape and canola cultivars were analysed for oil content, fatty acid and tocopherol profiles. Gas liquid chromotography and high performance liquid chromotography were used for fatty acid and tocopherol analysis, respectively. The oil contents of rape and canola seeds varied between 30.6% and 48.3% of the dry weight (p<0.05). The oil contents of rapeseeds were found to be high compared with canola seed oils. The main fatty acids in the oils are oleic (56.80-64.92%), linoleic (17.11-20.92%) and palmitic (4.18-5.01%) acids. A few types of tocopherols were found in rape and canola oils in various amounts: α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, δ-tocopherol, ß-tocopherol and α-tocotrienol. The major tocopherol in the seed oils of rape and canola cultivars were α-tocopherol (13.22-40.01%) and γ-tocopherol (33.64-51.53%) accompanied by α-T3 (0.0-1.34%) and δ-tocopherol (0.25-1.86%) (p<0.05). As a result, the present study shows that oil, fatty acid and tocopherol contents differ significantly among the cultivars.

Nutritional and Biochemical Profiling of Leucopaxillus candidus (Bres.) Singer Wild Mushroom.

The wild mushroom Leucopaxillus candidus (Bres.) Singer was studied for the first time to obtain information about its chemical composition, nutritional value and bioactivity. Free sugars, fatty acids, tocopherols, organic and phenolic acids were analysed by chromatographic techniques coupled to different detectors. L. candidus methanolic extract was tested regarding antioxidant potential (reducing power, radical scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation inhibition). L. candidus was shown to be an interesting species in terms of nutritional value, with high content in proteins and carbohydrates, but low fat levels, with the prevalence of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Mannitol was the most abundant free sugar and ß-tocopherol was the main tocopherol isoform. Other compounds detected were oxalic and fumaric acids, p-hydroxybenzoic and cinnamic acids. The methanolic extract revealed antioxidant activity and did not show hepatoxicity in porcine liver primary cells. The present study provides new information about L. candidus.

Circulating Alpha-Tocopherol and Insulin Sensitivity Among Older Men With Chronic Kidney Disease.

OBJECTIVE: Insulin resistance is common in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and may be partly explained by modifiable risk factors. In the general population, vitamin E supplementation has been suggested to improve both insulin sensitivity and secretion. We here explore the potential role of vitamin E as a modifiable risk factor for insulin resistance among individuals with CKD. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: A total of 273 nondiabetic men aged 70 to 71 years with CKD defined as either cystatin C estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/minute/1.73 m(2) or urinary albumin excretion rate ≥ 20 mg/minute from the third examination cycle of Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men. SUBJECTS: A total of 273 nondiabetic men aged 70 to 71 years with CKD defined as either cystatin C estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/minute/1.73 m(2) or urinary albumin excretion rate ≥ 20 µg/minute. METHODS: Serum α-, ß-, and γ-tocopherol concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography and expressed as µmol/total serum cholesterol and triglycerides (in mmol). Dietary vitamin E intake was estimated from 7-day food records. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Insulin sensitivity index (M/I ratio) was measured by hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic glucose clamps. Univariate and multivariate regression models were fitted to assess the association between M/I and circulating concentrations of tocopherols. RESULTS: The mean serum concentration of α-, ß-, and γ- was 37.4 ± 6.58, 0.89 ± 0.23, and 4.32 ± 1.69 µmol/mmol, respectively. Median dietary vitamin E intake was 6.14 (interquartile range, 5.48-6.82) mg/day. In crude and fully-adjusted multivariate regression analyses, serum α-tocopherol levels were directly and strongly associated with M/I (standard ß = 0.17, P = .003). No such association was observed for dietary vitamin E, serum ß-, and γ-tocopherol concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Serum α-tocopherol concentration associates with insulin sensitivity in nondiabetic older men with CKD.

Subcritical extraction of flaxseed oil with n-propane: Composition and purity.

Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) oil was obtained via subcritical n-propane fluid extraction (SubFE) under different temperatures and pressures with an average yield of 28% and its composition, purity and oxidative stability were compared to oils obtained via conventional solvent extraction methods (SEMs). When the oxidative stability was measured by differential scanning calorimetry, the oil was found to be up to 5 times more resistant to lipid oxidation as compared to the SEM oils. Direct infusion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) analysis showed characteristic and similar TAG profiles for SubFE and SEMs oils but higher purity for the SubFE oil. The flaxseed oil content of ß-tocopherol, campesterol, stigmasterol and sitosterol were quantified via GC-MS. SubFE showed to be a promising alternative to conventional SEM since SubFE provides an oil with higher purity and higher oxidation stability and with comparable levels of biologically active components.

Tocopherol and tocotrienol contents of different varieties of rice in Malaysia.

BACKGROUND: The present study examined the contents of tocopherols and tocotrienols and their distribution in 58 different varieties of whole rice cultivated in Malaysia. The analytical method used was saponification of samples followed by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction and reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: The total vitamin E contents of different varieties of whole rice ranged between 19.36 and 63.29 mg kg⁻¹. Contents of vitamin E isomers varied among rice varieties both within and between grain color groups. Black-pigmented rice showed significantly higher mean contents of α-tocopherol, ß-tocopherol and α-tocotrienol than non-pigmented rice and red-pigmented rice. Red-pigmented rice had significantly lower mean contents of γ-tocotrienol and total vitamin E than non-pigmented rice. The mean contents of δ-tocotrienol and total vitamin E in non-pigmented rice, however, were similar to those in black-pigmented rice. γ-Tocotrienol was the predominant form of vitamin E isomer in all analyzed varieties. The Pearson correlations among vitamin E isomers and total vitamin E content of whole rice were also studied. CONCLUSION: This study provides information on vitamin E content of different rice varieties that would be beneficial for decision making in genetic breeding of bioactive compound-rich rice varieties.

The effect of ß-carotene on lumbar osteophyte formation.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional cohort study of elderly people. OBJECTIVE: The relationships of osteophyte formation on plain lumbar radiographs with serum levels of antioxidants (carotenoids, vitamin A, vitamin E) and other factors were investigated to examine whether antioxidants are involved in lumbar spine degeneration. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Antioxidants have inhibitory effects on the onset of many diseases. However, the association of lumbar osteophyte formation with antioxidant levels in the general population has not been investigated. METHODS: The subjects were 286 people (103 men and 183 women; mean age = 68 years) who underwent resident health screening. Osteophyte formation on lumbar lateral radiographs (Nathan classification), lumbar lordosis angles, sacral inclination angles, serum levels of antioxidants, triglyceride levels, body mass index, osteoporosis, back muscle strength, history of alcohol intake, and smoking history were studied in these subjects. RESULTS: Lumbar osteophyte formation was detected in 48 subjects (17%). Osteophyte formation was significantly more common in elderly persons, men, and subjects with a history of alcohol intake; and had a significant correlation with sacral inclination angle. The levels of α-tocopherol, ß-tocopherol, zeaxanthin/lutein, cryptoxanthin, lycopene, α-carotene, and ß-carotene were significantly lower in subjects with osteophytes. Logistic regression analysis adjusted for all factors showed that a higher age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02-1.16; P = 0.02) and a low ß-carotene level (OR = 6.7, 95% CI = 1.39-32.6; P = 0.02) were risk factors for osteophyte formation. CONCLUSION: The serum levels of carotenoids and vitamin E were significantly lower in subjects with lumbar osteophyte formation, and a low ß-carotene level was the strongest risk factor for lumbar osteophytes. This is the first evidence of an association between carotenoids and lumbar osteophyte formation. This finding suggests that appropriate dietary intake of antioxidants is important for inhibition of lumbar spine degeneration in a rapidly aging society.

Comparative study of lipophilic and hydrophilic antioxidants from in vivo and in vitro grown Coriandrum sativum.

Coriander is commonly used for medicinal purposes, food applications, cosmetics and perfumes. Herein, the production of antioxidants in vegetative parts (leaves and stems) of in vivo and in vitro grown samples was compared. In vitro samples were clone A- with notorious purple pigmentation in stems and leaves and clone B- green. Seeds were also studied as they are used to obtain in vivo and in vitro vegetative parts. Lipophilic (tocopherols, carotenoids and chlorophylls) and hydrophilic (sugars, ascorbic acid, phenolics, flavonols and anthocyanins) compounds were quantified. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by radical scavenging activity, reducing power and lipid peroxidation inhibition. The in vivo sample showed the highest antioxidant activity mainly due to its highest levels of hydrophilic compounds. Otherwise, in vitro samples, mainly clone A, gave the highest concentration in lipophilic compounds but a different profile when compared to the in vivo sample. Clones A and B revealed a lack of ß-carotene, ß- and δ-tocopherols, a decrease in α-tocopherol, and an increase in γ-tocopherol and clorophylls in comparison to the in vivo sample. In vitro culture might be useful to explore the plants potentialities for industrial applications, controlling environmental conditions to produce higher amounts of some bioactive products.

Temperature dependence of autoxidation of perilla oil and tocopherol degradation.

Temperature dependence of the autoxidation of perilla oil and tocopherol degradation was studied with corn oil as a reference. The oils were oxidized in the dark at 20, 40, 60, and 80 degrees C. Oil oxidation was determined by peroxide and conjugated dienoic acid values. Tocopherols in the oils were quantified by HPLC. The oxidation of both oils increased with oxidation time and temperature. Induction periods for oil autoxidation decreased with temperature, and were longer in corn oil than in perilla oil, indicating higher sensitivity of perilla oil to oxidation. However, time lag for tocopherol degradation was longer in perilla oil, indicating higher stability of tocopherols in perilla oil than in corn oil. Activation energies for oil autoxidation and tocopherol degradation were higher in perilla oil (23.9 to 24.2, 9.8 kcal/mol, respectively) than in corn oil (12.5 to 15.8, 8.8 kcal/mol, respectively) indicating higher temperature-dependence in perilla oil. Higher stability of tocopherols in perilla oil was highly related with polyphenols. The study suggests that more careful temperature control is required to decrease the autoxidation of perilla oil than that of corn oil, and polyphenols contributed to the oxidative stability of perilla oil by protecting tocopherols from degradation, especially at the early stage of oil autoxidation.

Characterization of a potential nutraceutical ingredient: pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) seed oil unsaponifiable fraction.

The chemical fingerprinting of the unsaponifiable fraction of different Punica granatum seed oils was performed in order to evaluate their potential as a functional food ingredient. Qualitative and quantitative determinations of tocopherol, aliphatic alcohol (including policosanol), squalene, phytosterols and triterpene contents were performed by GC-MS. A high yield (3.1-4.2%) of unsaponifiable matter was obtained and consistent levels of squalene (up to 800 mg/kg) and policosanol (118-185 mg/kg) were noticed. ß-sitosterol (up to 8069 mg/kg) and cycloartenol (5916-7766 mg/kg) were predominant in phytosterol and triterpene fractions, while ß- and δ-tocopherol were the most abundant vitamin E forms. Some minor variations were noticed between samples. From the results obtained, it can be suggested that the seed oil of P. granatum can be considered an interesting alimentary source of substances of nutraceutical value involved in the modulation of cholesterol metabolism.

The comparison of black currant juice and vitamin E for the prevention of oxidative stress.

Black currant is known as a fruit with a very strong in vitro antioxidative capacity, but its in vivo antioxidant efficacy has not yet been characterized. The aim of the experiment was to determine the potency of black currant juice in comparison to vitamin E, for decreasing oxidative stress. Oxidative stress was induced by high intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in pigs as a model for humans. Twenty-four growing pigs were divided into four groups. All groups received isocaloric daily rations composed of an equal amount of basal diet that was supplemented with starch (CONT), linseed oil (OIL), linseed oil and black currant juice (OIL+BCJ), or linseed oil and vitamin E (OIL+VIT E). The experiment confirmed that the high proportion of PUFAs in the OIL group increased oxidative stress. In comparison with the OIL group, vitamin E supplementation significantly lowered plasma malondiadehyde (MDA) and the 24-hour urine MDA excretion rate, and reduced the degree of DNA damage in leukocytes to the level of the CONT group. The black currant juice intake failed to significantly decrease plasma MDA and 24-hour urine MDA excretion rate, but did reduce the degree of DNA damage in leukocytes to the level of the CONT group, as well as increase plasma beta+gamma-tocopherol concentrations. Although black currant juice did not reduce the formation of MDA, it efficiently prevented DNA damage induced by the high intake of PUFAs. It could be concluded that under these experimental conditions vitamin E was more efficient as an antioxidant that black currant juice.

Replacement of alpha-tocopherol by beta-tocopherol enhances resistance to photooxidative stress in a xanthophyll-deficient strain of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

Tocopherols (vitamin E) comprise a class of lipid-soluble antioxidants synthesized only in plants, algae, and some cyanobacteria. The majority of tocopherols in photosynthetic cells is in the alpha form, which has the highest vitamin E activity in humans, whereas the beta, gamma, and delta forms normally account for a small percentage of total tocopherols. The antioxidant activities of these forms of tocopherol differ depending on the experimental system, and their relative activities in vivo are unclear. In a screen for suppressors of the xanthophyll-deficient npq1 lor1 double mutant of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, we isolated a vte3 mutant lacking alpha-tocopherol but instead accumulating beta-tocopherol. The vte3 mutant contains a mutation in the homolog of a 2-methyl-6-phytyl-1,4-benzoquinone methyltransferase gene found in plants. The vte3 npq1 lor1 triple mutant with beta-tocopherol survived better under photooxidative stress than did the npq1 lor1 mutant, but the vte3 mutant on its own did not have an obvious phenotype. Following transfer from low light to high light, the triple mutant showed a higher efficiency of photosystem II, a higher level of cell viability, and a lower level of lipid peroxide, a marker for oxidative stress, than did the npq1 lor1 mutant. After high-light transfer, the level of the photosystem II reaction center protein, D1, was also higher in the vte3 npq1 lor1 mutant, but the rate of D1 photodamage was not significantly different from that of the npq1 lor1 mutant. Taken together, these results suggest that the replacement of alpha-tocopherol by beta-tocopherol in a xanthophyll-deficient strain of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii contributes to better survival under conditions of photooxidative stress.

Antioxidants and periodontitis in 60-70-year-old men.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to investigate the association between periodontal health and the serum levels of various antioxidants including carotenoids, retinol and vitamin E in a homogenous group of Western European men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A representative sample of 1258 men aged 60-70 years, drawn from the population of Northern Ireland, was examined between 2001 and 2003. Each participant had six or more teeth, completed a questionnaire and underwent a clinical periodontal examination. Serum lipid-soluble antioxidant levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. Multivariable analysis was carried out using logistic regression with adjustment for possible confounders. Models were constructed using two measures of periodontal status (low- and high-threshold periodontitis) as dependent variables and the fifths of each antioxidant as a predictor variable. RESULTS: The levels of alpha- and beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin were highly significantly lower in the men with low-threshold periodontitis (p<0.001). These carotenoids were also significantly lower in high-threshold periodontitis. There were no significant differences in the levels of lutein, lycopene, alpha- and gamma-tocopherol or retinol in relation to periodontitis. In fully adjusted models, there was an inverse relationship between a number of carotenoids (alpha- and beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin) and low-threshold periodontitis. beta-Carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin were the only antioxidants that were associated with an increased risk of high-threshold severe periodontitis. The adjusted odds ratio for high-threshold periodontitis in the lowest fifth relative to the highest fifth of beta-cryptoxanthin was 4.02 (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: It is concluded that low serum levels of a number of carotenoids, in particular beta-cryptoxanthin and beta-carotene, were associated with an increased prevalence of periodontitis in this homogenous group of 60-70-year-old Western European men.

Dietary beta-tocopherol and linoleic acid, serum insulin, and waist circumference predict circulating sex hormone-binding globulin in premenopausal women.

Reduced levels of circulating sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) are implicated in the etiology of sex steroid-related pathologies and the metabolic syndrome. Dietary correlates of serum SHBG remain unclear and were studied in a convenient cross-sectional sample of healthy 30- to 40-y-old women (n = 255). By univariate analyses, serum SHBG correlated negatively with several indices of the metabolic syndrome, such as BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference (r = -0.36 to -0.44; P < 0.0001), fasting serum insulin (r = -0.41; P < 0.0001), serum triglycerides (r = -0.27; P < 0.0001), serum glucose (r = -0.23; P < 0.001), and plasma testosterone (r = -0.19; P = 0.002). Serum SHBG correlated positively with serum HDL-cholesterol (r = 0.33; P < 0.0001), plasma progesterone (r = 0.17; P = 0.007), and dietary intake of beta-tocopherol (r = 0.17; P = 0.006), and negatively with that of fructose (r = -0.13; P = 0.04). Principal component analysis (PCA) extracted 12 nutrient factors with eigenvalues > 1.0 from 54 nutrients and vitamins in food records. Multivariate regression analyses showed that the PCA-extracted nutrient factor most heavily loaded with beta-tocopherol and linoleic acid (P = 0.03) was an independent positive predictor of serum SHBG. When individual nutrients were the predictor variables, beta-tocopherol (P = 0.002), but not other tocopherols or fatty acids (including linoleic acid), was an independent positive predictor of serum SHBG. Circulating insulin (P = 0.02) and waist circumference (P = 0.002), but not serum lipids, were negative independent predictors of SHBG in all regression models. Additional studies are needed in women of other age groups and men to determine whether consumption of foods rich in beta-tocopherol and/or linoleic acid may increase serum SHBG concentrations and may thereby decrease the risk for metabolic syndrome and reproductive organ cancer.