Resveratrol inhibits copper ion-induced and azo compound-initiated oxidative modification of human low density lipoprotein.

To investigate whether resveratrol, a polyphenolic compound in red wine, affects the oxidation of human low density lipoprotein (LDL), LDL purified from normolipidemic subjects was subjected to Cu(2+)-induce and azo compound-initiated oxidative modification, with and without the addition of varying concentrations of resveratrol. Modification of LDL was assessed by the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and changes in the relative electrophoretic mobility (REM) of LDL on agarose gels. Resveratrol (50 microM) reduced TBARS and REM of LDL during Cu(2+)-induced oxidation by 70.5% and 42.3%, respectively (p < 0.01), and prolonged the lag phase associated with the oxidative modification of LDL by copper ion or azo compound. These in vitro results suggest that resveratrol may afford protection of LDL against oxidative damage resulting from exposure to various environmental challenges, possibly by acting as a free radical scavenger.

The precursors of young fatherhood and its effect on delinquency of teenage males.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship of young fatherhood to delinquency, in terms of precursors and impact of becoming a father on delinquency. METHODS: The sample consisted of 506 inner-city adolescent males from public schools who were part of a longitudinal study. The independent variables included participants' behaviors, attitudes, demographics, family, peers, and school performance. Young fathers were defined as having become fathers before age 19 years. Two measures of delinquency were used. Odds ratios were calculated, followed by two stepwise logistic regressions. For comparison with matched controls, fathers (n = 62) were matched with nonfathers on age, race, and neighborhood. RESULTS: The prevalence of young fatherhood was 12.3%. Fathers were more than twice as likely to be delinquent than nonfathers. The factors related to young fatherhood were a subset of those for delinquency. In the stepwise logistic regressions, several factors were uniquely related to either delinquency or young fatherhood. Delinquency did not decrease after becoming a father. Young fathers tended to commit more covert-type delinquent acts than their controls. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that a single theory of problem behavior cannot adequately account for the association between young fatherhood and delinquency.