Antiapoptotic Capacity Among Flavonoids

Apoptosis is a normal form of cell death in the process of the life cycle of cells, with new cells developing without DNA disruption. Think of rubbing your hands. You will rub off up to a thousand cells. New ones will appear almost immediately.

"Defects in apoptosis 'on the other hand,] have been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases 'as Alzheimer's,] cancer, and autoimmune diseases 'allergies, arthritis, lupus, etc.,] Oxidative injury after diverse stimuli including ischemia 'a reduction of blood supply which may cause a heart attack,]...and inflammation can induce cardiac and endothelial cell 'lining the vessels of the heart, blood vessels, unwanted] apoptosis...The severity of cellular damage by an oxidant injury determines which mechanism of cell death dominates.

"Accordingly, agents or antioxidants that can inhibit production of reactive oxygen species 'ROS] can prevent 'unwanted] apoptosis.

"Epidemiologic studies 'studies of how people live] have shown that a high consumption of...polyphenolics is inversely related to the risk of cardiovascular diseases, and this phenomenon appears to be associated with their antioxidant capacity. Flavonoids constitute one of these groups and are found in a large number of fruits and vegetables. These flavonoids are natural antioxidants that scavenge various types of 'ROS] ...'green tea, oranges and tangerines are among the richest in flavonoids]...

"Agents that inhibit production of 'ROS] or enhance cellular antioxidant defenses can prevent 'unwanted] apoptosis and prevent cells from the damaging effects of oxygen radicals. 'The report also mentioned quercetin, found particularly in onions but widely dispersed throughout the plant kingdom.]...

"In summary, 'our studies demonstrate] that there are differences in antiapoptotic capacity among flavonoids, which appears to stem from their disparate chemical structures. ...the flavenols (-)epigallocatechin gallate 'in green tea] and quercetin protected the endothelium from oxidant-induced apoptosis." All emphases were added.

In The Journal of Nutrition, vol. 133, 2003. By Choi, Kang, Park, et al., Div. of Life Sciences and Silver Biotech. Res. Ctr., Hallym U., (S.) Korea, and Food & Nutrition, Cheju U., Cheju, (S.) Korea. The Journal of Nutrition is the Official Publication of the American Society for Nutritional Sciences, which accredits Nutritionists.