Altered Redox Status in Erythrocytes From Hypertensive Subjects： Effect of （-）Epicatechin

Hypertension is a major problem worldwide. There is much evidence to suggest that reactive oxygen species (ROS) radical may play a role in the development of organ damage associated with cardiovascular disease and hypertension. ( － )Epicatechin, a member of tea catechins belonging to flavonoid group, is known to be a potent anti-oxidant. The study has been undertaken to evaluate the effect of ( － )epicatechin on markers of oxidative stress: reduced glutathione (GSH) and membrane sulfhydryl ( — SH) groups in erythrocytes from hypertensive patients. The effect of ( － )epicatechin was also compared with a known anti-oxidant L-ascorbic acid. The erythrocyte intracellular GSH content and membrane — SH group content were significantly (P<0.01) decreased in hypertensive subjects. In vitro incubation with ( － )epicatechin caused an increase in GSH and — SH content, the effect was more pronounced in hypertensive erythrocytes. Similar results were obtained with L-ascorbic acid. The observed decrease in the level of GSH and — SH groups in hypertension is an indicator of oxidative stress condition. Observation of an increase in red cell GSH content and the protection of membrane — SH group oxidation by ( － )epicatechin in hypertensive subjects is a convincing reason to suggest that high dietary intake of foods rich in catechins may help to reduce oxidative stress and concomitant free radical damage in hypertensive patients.

Altered Redox Status in Erythrocytes From Hypertensive Subjects: Effect of(-)Epicatechin

Hypertension is a major problem worldwide. There is much evidence to suggest that reactive oxygen species (ROS) radical may play a role in the development of organ damage associated with cardiovascular disease and hypertension. (-)Epicatechin, a member of tea catechins belonging to flavonoid group, is known to be a potent anti-oxidant. The study has been undertaken to evaluate the effect of (-)epicatechin on markers of oxidative stress: reduced glutathione (GSH) and membrane sulfhydryl (-SH) groups in erythrocytes from hypertensive patients. The effect of (-)epicatechin was also compared with a known anti-oxidant L-ascorbic acid. The erythrocyte intracellular GSH content and membrane -SH group content were significantly (P<0.01) decreased in hypertensive subjects. In vitro incubation with (-)epicatechin caused an increase in GSH and -SH content, the effect was more pronounced in hypertensive erythrocytes. Similar results were obtained with L-ascorbic acid. The observed decrease in the level of GSH and -SH groups in hypertension is an indicator of oxidative stress condition. Observation of an increase in red cell GSH content and the protection of membrane -SH group oxidation by (-)epicatechin in hypertensive subjects is a convincing reason to suggest that high dietary intake of foods rich in catechins may help to reduce oxidative stress and concomitant free radical damage in hypertensive patients.