Search

D-galactose (d-gal) is an important physiological nutrient. According to the widely accepted aging metabolic theory d-gal at high levels can be converted into aldose and hydroperoxide, resulting in the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Increased ROS levels may subsequently cause oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis which are hallmarks of natural senescence as well as various pathological conditions. We investigated the effects of chronic oral d-gal intake (200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg for 6 weeks) on physiological, neurological and toxicity parameters in 3 months old male Wistar rats. The obtained results indicate that body weight, food intake, serum glucose, neurological and toxicity status remained unaffected while urine proteins were significantly increased in d-gal treated rats. Although there was no effect on the general health status of the animals, our findings suggest that chronic oral d-gal administration may lead to renal dysfunction.

Flaxseed oil, extracted from ripened flaxseeds, is functional food source that is associated with health benefits in many diseases, including cardiovascular, cancer, osteoporosis, etc. Besides saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids, it also contains easily oxidized polyunsaturated fatty acids of the n-3 family. In current study, we tested the effects of commercial flaxseed oil in rat liver by measuring parameters related to free radical challenge (pro/antioxidant balance (PAB), lipid peroxidation (LPO) products and glutathione (GSH) level). Overall, applied treatment maintains general prooxidant load and antioxidant capacity since the level of PAB was unchanged. However, it exerts significant modulatory effect on particular redox parameters by increasing the amount of LPO products and consequently the susceptibility of tissue to free radical oxidative damage, which challenges the antioxidant defence system that in return elevates GSH concentration.