Liver Conditions Archives

to GregD - free radicals/antioxidants questions

Follow Ups:

• Re: to GregD - free radicals/antioxidants questions GregD 07:09:50 4/27/02 (1)
  • Re: to GregD - free radicals/antioxidants questions (Archive in liver.) Walt Stoll 07:35:21 4/27/02 (0)

In Reply to: to GregD - free radicals/antioxidants questions posted by dfs on April 26, 2002 at 10:03:14:

Hi there,

First a disclaimer..I am not a MD but a PhD!! So I do not and cannot give medical advice, but I am willing to answer your questions…the rest is entirely up to you.

1. Hydroxyl activity measurements are difficult to perform. I cannot imagine that a clinical lab is able to do that, since it takes an Electron Spin Resonance machine to detect these species, which are highly unstable, and generally clinical labs neither have the equipment nor the expertise. Probably they concluded this based on a colorimetric kit and these are highly inaccurate.

2. The fact that they detected products of lipid peroxidation in the urine MIGHT be an indication that excessive oxidative stress is present in the liver ..it depends on what they detected. The only truly good marker for lipid peroxidation in urine is: F2-Isoprostanes (the epi-pg2alpha form).

3. Lets assume that they are right .. what can you do about it. What I would suggest (use at your own risk) is a protocol that is used when a patient is on DHEA replacement therapy. The DHEA hormone induces free radical formation in the liver, therefore these patients are supplemented with antioxidants, specifically targeted at increasing the liver's resistance. Alpha lipoic acid, vitamin E, Vitamin C and N-acetyl- cysteine (NAC) are antioxidants that have been shown to be especially effective in suppressing free radicals in the liver. Alpha lipoic acid has been called the “universal” antioxidant and it boosts glutathione levels in cells.

Daily supplementation:

Vit E (d-alpha-tocopherol) 800-1000 IU

Alpha lipoic acid 500-1000 mg, in combination with 6000-12000 microgram biotin

NAC 600-1200 mg

When taking N-acetyl-cysteine it is recommended that two to three times as much vitamin C be taken at the same time. Failure to do so may result in more harm than good from taking this product because of the prolonged presence of the oxidized form of L-cysteine. Furthermore, vitamin C recycles both the oxidized forms of lipoic acid and vitamin E returning them to the reduced form. So be certain to take enough vitamin C daily (you cannot overdose on vitamin C, any excess is secreted from the body by the kidneys).

Hope this helps

GregD
(Biochemist/Cell Biologist)

Follow Ups:

• Re: to GregD - free radicals/antioxidants questions (Archive in liver.) Walt Stoll 07:35:21 4/27/02 (0)

In Reply to: Re: to GregD - free radicals/antioxidants questions posted by GregD on April 27, 2002 at 07:09:50:

Thanks, GregD.

Walt