IBIMOL   23987
INSTITUTO DE BIOQUIMICA Y MEDICINA MOLECULAR PROFESOR ALBERTO BOVERIS
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
Flavonoids: antioxidant mechanisms and inflammation
Autor/es:
C. G. FRAGA
Lugar:
Flavonoids: antioxidant mechanisms and inflammation
Reunión:
Congreso; VI Meeting of Society for Free Radical Biology and Medicine South American Group; 2009
Institución organizadora:
Society for Free Radical Biology and Medicine South American
Resumen:
Flavonoids: antioxidant mechanisms and inflammation Cesar G. Fraga, Physical Chemistry-PRALIB, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, CONICET-University of Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, California, USA. cfraga@ffyb.uba.ar Epidemiological evidence demonstrates that diets rich in fruit and vegetables promote health, and attenuate, or delay, the onset of various diseases associated to inflammation, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and diabetes. The chemical components involved, and the physiological and molecular mechanisms by which fruit and vegetables reduce the risk of disease, are matters of intensive investigation. Flavanols are polyphenols that are gaining acceptance as responsible for the health benefits offered by fruits and vegetables. Because of their chemical structure, plant flavonoids can interact with a number of molecules and species of biological relevance. The association of these chemical properties to a physiological antioxidant action is the engine for extensive and thriving research. In this regard, the understanding of the factors governing polyphenols absorption and metabolism, has reduced the enthusiasm for mol to mol antioxidant reactions (free radical termination or metal chelating reactions), and has prompted the consideration of biological events that can occur at physiologically relevant concentrations of polyphenols. As an example of these biological events we have observed that oxidant- and inflammation-relate events, as the activation of NF-kB and intracellular calcium regulation, can be modulated by flavanols by mechanisms that do not necessarily involve an upstream antioxidant action. The occurrence of "silent" inflammation secondary to several chronic disease conditions stresses the relevance for a dietary control of inflammation, as could be provided by flavanoid-rich foods. Supported by NIH AT2966, UCDavis CHNR (State of California Vitamin Price Fixing Consumer Settlement fund), and UBACyT B081. CGF is member of the CIC, CONICET.