The Effect of Pomegranate Juice Supplementation on Oxidative Stress in Young Healthy Males

Abstract

Background & Objectives: The intake of antioxidant supplementations can have key role in prevention of oxidative stress in healthy individuals. Pomegranate has antioxidant effects and may play a role in reduction of oxidative stress in healthy males. Therefore, this study examined the effect of pomegranate juice supplementation on oxidative stress in young healthy males. Methods : In semi-experimental study, 14 healthy students living in Dormitories of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences were included. Subjects were given one cup of pomegranate juice supplementation per day for two weeks . Fasting blood samples were taken both at the start and the end of 2-week period to measure the antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase , glutathione peroxidase , paraoxonase - 1, aryl esterase , and the values ​​of serum total antioxidant capacity , glutathione, and lipid profiles . Data were analyzed using descriptive and paired t - test s. Results: T he level of serum total antioxidant capacity and activities of enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, arylesterase, and standardized arylesterase activity were significantly increased at the end of two weeks (p<0.05). The serum level of malondialdehyde was significantly decreased after intervention (p<0.05). Changes were not significant, although the serum levels of glutathione and HDL- cholesterol increased and LDL- cholesterol decreased at the end of two weeks period. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the pomegranate juice supplementation had beneficial effects in helping body's antioxidant defense system and reduction of oxidative stress in young healthy males . This study suggests that the pomegranate juice supplementation can be useful against oxidative stress included in dietaries of young healthy males.

Keywords

• Pomegranate Juice; Oxidative Stress; Antioxidant Enzymes; Young Males