Dietary fats significantly influence the survival of penumbral neurons in a rat model of chronic ischemic by modifying lipid mediators, inflammatory biomarkers, NOS production, and redox-dependent apoptotic signals.

Objective: Brain stroke is the third most important cause of death in developed countries. We studied the effect of different dietary lipids on the outcome of a permanent ischemic stroke rat model.

Methods: Wistar rats were fed diets containing 7% commercial oils (S, soybean; O, olive; C, coconut; G, grape seed) for 35 d.

Cytotoxic effects of copper overload on human-derived lung and liver cells in culture.

Background: Copper (Cu) is an essential trace metal used as a catalytic cofactor for many enzymes. However, it can have nocive effects when it participates in the Fenton reaction, producing reactive oxygen species (ROS). Excess Cu is present in the plasma of patients with diseases in which cell survival is crucial.

Natural polyphenols may ameliorate damage induced by copper overload.

The effect of the simultaneous exposure to transition metals and natural antioxidants frequently present in food is a question that needs further investigation. We aimed to explore the possible use of the natural polyphenols caffeic acid (CA), resveratrol (RES) and curcumin (CUR) to prevent damages induced by copper-overload on cellular molecules in HepG2 and A-549 human cells in culture. Exposure to 100μM/24h copper (Cu) caused extensive pro-oxidative damage evidenced by increased TBARS, protein carbonyls and nitrite productions in both cell types.