Abstract
Natural antioxidants may be defined as molecules that prevent cell damage against free radicals and are critical for maintaining optimum health in both animals and humans. In all living systems, cells require adequate levels of antioxidant defenses in order to avoid the harmful effect of an excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and to prevent damage to the immune cells. During the inflammatory processes, the activation of phagocytes and/or the action of bacterial products with specific receptors are capable of promoting the assembly of the multicomponent flavoprotein NADPH oxidase, which catalyzes the production of high amounts of the superoxide anion radical (O2-). Under these particular circumstances, neutrophils and macrophages are recognized to produce superoxide free radicals and H2O2, which are essential for defence against phagocytized or invading microbes. In this state, antioxidants are absolutely necessary to regulate the reactions that release free radicals. Antioxidant nutrients commonly included in the diet such as vitamin E, vitamin C, β-carotene, selenium, copper, iron and zinc improve different immune function exhibiting an important protective role in infections caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites. As a result, dietary antioxidants have been related to modulate the host susceptibility or resistance to infectious pathogens. Overall, numerous studies have suggested that the development of tolerance, and control of inflammation are strongly correlated with specific immune mechanisms that may be altered by an inadequate supply of either macronutrients or micronutrients. Therefore, the present paper will review the effects of dietary antioxidants on immune cell function and the impact on protection against infectious microorganisms.
Keywords: Dietary antioxidants, immune system, infection, vitamins, trace elements, reactive oxygen species, superoxide free radicals, resistance to infectious pathogens, tolerance, inflammation, phagocytized or invading microbes, multicomponent flavoprotein
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Dietary Antioxidants: Immunity and Host Defense
Volume: 11 Issue: 14
Author(s): Maria A. Puertollano, Elena Puertollano, Gerardo Alvarez de Cienfuegos and Manuel A. de Pablo
Affiliation:
Keywords: Dietary antioxidants, immune system, infection, vitamins, trace elements, reactive oxygen species, superoxide free radicals, resistance to infectious pathogens, tolerance, inflammation, phagocytized or invading microbes, multicomponent flavoprotein
Abstract: Natural antioxidants may be defined as molecules that prevent cell damage against free radicals and are critical for maintaining optimum health in both animals and humans. In all living systems, cells require adequate levels of antioxidant defenses in order to avoid the harmful effect of an excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and to prevent damage to the immune cells. During the inflammatory processes, the activation of phagocytes and/or the action of bacterial products with specific receptors are capable of promoting the assembly of the multicomponent flavoprotein NADPH oxidase, which catalyzes the production of high amounts of the superoxide anion radical (O2-). Under these particular circumstances, neutrophils and macrophages are recognized to produce superoxide free radicals and H2O2, which are essential for defence against phagocytized or invading microbes. In this state, antioxidants are absolutely necessary to regulate the reactions that release free radicals. Antioxidant nutrients commonly included in the diet such as vitamin E, vitamin C, β-carotene, selenium, copper, iron and zinc improve different immune function exhibiting an important protective role in infections caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites. As a result, dietary antioxidants have been related to modulate the host susceptibility or resistance to infectious pathogens. Overall, numerous studies have suggested that the development of tolerance, and control of inflammation are strongly correlated with specific immune mechanisms that may be altered by an inadequate supply of either macronutrients or micronutrients. Therefore, the present paper will review the effects of dietary antioxidants on immune cell function and the impact on protection against infectious microorganisms.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
A. Puertollano Maria, Puertollano Elena, Alvarez de Cienfuegos Gerardo and A. de Pablo Manuel, Dietary Antioxidants: Immunity and Host Defense, Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry 2011; 11 (14) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156802611796235107
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156802611796235107 |
Print ISSN 1568-0266 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4294 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
AlphaFold in Medicinal Chemistry: Opportunities and Challenges
AlphaFold, a groundbreaking AI tool for protein structure prediction, is revolutionizing drug discovery. Its near-atomic accuracy unlocks new avenues for designing targeted drugs and performing efficient virtual screening. However, AlphaFold's static predictions lack the dynamic nature of proteins, crucial for understanding drug action. This is especially true for multi-domain proteins, ...read more
Artificial intelligence for Natural Products Discovery and Development
Our approach involves using computational methods to predict the potential therapeutic benefits of natural products by considering factors such as drug structure, targets, and interactions. We also employ multitarget analysis to understand the role of drug targets in disease pathways. We advocate for the use of artificial intelligence in predicting ...read more
Chemistry Based on Natural Products for Therapeutic Purposes
The development of new pharmaceuticals for a wide range of medical conditions has long relied on the identification of promising natural products (NPs). There are over sixty percent of cancer, infectious illness, and CNS disease medications that include an NP pharmacophore, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Since NP ...read more
Current Trends in Drug Discovery Based on Artificial Intelligence and Computer-Aided Drug Design
Drug development discovery has faced several challenges over the years. In fact, the evolution of classical approaches to modern methods using computational methods, or Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD), has shown promising and essential results in any drug discovery campaign. Among these methods, molecular docking is one of the most notable ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
TRP Channels as A Newly Emerging Non-Voltage-Gated Ca2+ Entry Channel Superfamily
Current Pharmaceutical Design Bridging Innate Immunity and Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury: The Search for Therapeutic Targets
Current Pharmaceutical Design ALDH2---The Genetic Polymorphism and Enzymatic Activity Regulation: Their Epidemiologic and Clinical Implications
Current Drug Targets Advanced Glycation End Products in Chinese Medicine Mediated Aging Diseases: A Review
Current Vascular Pharmacology Experimental Antiarrhythmic Targets: CaMKII Inhibition – Ready for Clinical Evaluation?
Current Medicinal Chemistry Hypothyroidism and Endothelial Function: A Marker of Early Atherosclerosis?
Recent Patents on Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Drug Discovery Tissue Doppler Imaging in Coronary Heart Diseases and Heart Failure: An Up to Date
Recent Patents on Medical Imaging Pleiotropic Effects of Fenofibrate
Current Pharmaceutical Design Context-Dependency of Relations Between Cardiovascular Phenotypes and Genes Involved in Sodium Homeostasis: Findings from the European Project on Genes in Hypertension
Current Hypertension Reviews Mitochondrial genome sequencing in atherosclerosis: what's next?
Current Pharmaceutical Design Cellular Therapy for Myocardial Repair
Current Cardiology Reviews Cardiac Chamber Volumetric Assessment Using 3D Ultrasound - A Review
Current Pharmaceutical Design Editorial: (Thematic Issue: Novel Strategies for Cardiac Repair Post-Myocardial Infarction)
Current Pharmaceutical Design High-Density Lipoprotein-Mediated Anti-Atherosclerotic and Endothelial-Protective Effects: A Potential Novel Therapeutic Target in Cardiovascular Disease
Current Pharmaceutical Design Editorial: Look for Changes in 2016
Current Molecular Medicine Pompe Disease: From New Views on Pathophysiology to Innovative Therapeutic Strategies
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Pharmacokinetic Considerations of Perinatal Antiretroviral Therapy
Current Drug Metabolism Natriuretic Peptide Testing in Primary Care
Current Cardiology Reviews Mn-SOD and Chronic Inflammation of Gastric Mucosa
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy: The Interplay Between Liver and Cardiac Muscle. How Does the Cardiovascular System React When the Liver is Diseased?
Current Cardiology Reviews