Food & Beverages

Biography

Biography: Angel Gil-Izquierdo

Abstract

In humans and mammals, oxidative stress has been associated to the pathogenesis of several chronic diseases. High levels of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species (RNOS) overwhelm the antioxidant defenses in the organism and conduct to the oxidative damage of lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Besides, lipid peroxidation products have been investigated in order to determine their use as biomarkers of oxidative status in the human body. Arachidonic acid (ALA), adrenic acid (AdA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA) are commonly studied fatty acids which result in isoprostanes (IsoPs) F2-dihomo-isoprostanes (F2-dihomo-IsoPs), and neuroprostanes (NeuroPs), respectively. In our laboratory, nutritional and clinical trials including physical exercise, and the intake of plant foods (i.e. citrus-based functional foods, broccoli sprouts, and wine (D.O. Rioja, Spain)) has delivered positive effects against the generation of these biomarkers of oxidative stress (oxidative stress-based-lipidomics). On the other hand, these types of RNOS are also generated in secondary plants. Particularly, one of the free radical attacks take place against fatty acids. When the oxidative reaction of RNOS is against alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) -the predominant polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) in plants-, new compounds named phytoprostanes emerge in plant tissues. These compounds could be used as control quality of the plant foods processing techniques and from a nutritional point of view; the phytoprostanes are absorbed by the human body and show a mimic structure like prostanoids and isoprostanes. Therefore, the intake of plant foods rich in phytoprostanes may have effects on neurodegenerative, vascular and inflammation disorders linked to F2-dihomo-IsoPs and NeuroPs, and IsoPs markers, respectively.