Korean J Nutr.  2009 Jul;42(5):442-452. 10.4163/kjn.2009.42.5.442.

Changes in Lymphocyte DNA Damage and Antioxidant Status after Supplementing Propolis to Korean Smokers: A Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Cross-Over Trial

• Kang MH
• Lee HJ
• Kim MK
• Sung MK
• Kwon O
• Park YK

• KMID: 2267326
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4163/kjn.2009.42.5.442

Abstract

Smoking has been known to exacerbate the initiation and propagation of oxidative stresses. Efforts have been made to reduce the smoking-induced oxidative stresses using commercial dietary supplements. Propolis is the resinous substance collected by bees from the leaf buds and bark of trees, especially poplar and conifer trees. In this trial, we examined whether a daily supplementation of 800 mg propolis can protect endogenous lymphocytic DNA damage and modulate antioxidative enzyme activities and the level of antioxidant vitamin in smokers using a placebo-controlled, double-blinded cross-over trial. After two weeks of running-in period, 29 smokers (mean age 34.38 +/- 1.73) received 6 tablets/day of either propolis or placebo pills for 4 weeks. After 2 weeks of washout period the subjects switched they pills for cross-over study. The degree of DNA damage (assessed by tail DNA, tail length and tail moment) was not significantly changed with propolis intake or placebo intake. Similarly, total antioxidant status (TAS) remained at the same level regardless of the treatment. Erythrocyte catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), plasma vitamin C and tocopherol level did not differ before and after propolis treatment, and did not differ between treatments. Putting all these results together, we would suggest that it is still too early to claim that propolis possess antioxidative activities.

Keyword

propolis; DNA damage; smokers; cross-over; total antioxidant status (TAS); catalase; glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px); superoxide dismutase (SOD)

MeSH Terms

Ascorbic Acid
Bees
Catalase
Coniferophyta
Cross-Over Studies
Dietary Supplements
DNA
DNA Damage
Erythrocytes
Glutathione Peroxidase
Lymphocytes
Oxidative Stress
Plasma
Propolis
Smoke
Smoking
Superoxide Dismutase
Tocopherols
Trees
Vitamins
Ascorbic Acid
Catalase
DNA
Glutathione Peroxidase
Propolis
Smoke
Superoxide Dismutase
Tocopherols
Vitamins

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Flow chart phase of study.

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