Antioxidant Effects of Polyphenols in Experimental Hypobaric Hypoxia

摘要

Hypoxia/ischemia and reperfusion is associated to increased production of reactive oxygen species, hence the attempts to use antioxidants compounds in order to combat their deleterious effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant effects of a red grape seed extract in experimental hypobaric hypoxia. Rats were divided in 4 groups: 1 control group and 3 groups exposed for 24 hours to hypobaric hypoxia 5500 m simulated altitude. One of these groups was given grape seed extract before exposure and one group was given immediately after exposure. Oxidative stress parameters and antioxidant enzymes were measured in both plasma and brain homogenate. We found that hypobaric hypoxia exposure inhibits the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase in brain and increases oxidative stress parameters. Polyphenols do not seem to influence the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the brain.