Effects of young barley leaf extract and antioxidative vitamins on LDL oxidation and free radical scavenging activities in type 2 diabetes

Diabetes Metab. 2002 Apr;28(2):107-14.

Abstract

Background: The effects of supplementation of young barley leaf extract (BL) and/or antioxidative vitamins C and E on different low-density lipoprotein (LDL) subfractions susceptibility to oxidation and free radical scavenging activities in patients with type 2 diabetes were evaluated.

Methods: Thirty-six type 2 diabetic patients were enrolled in this study. The subjects received one of the following supplements daily for 4 weeks: 15 g BL, 200 mg vitamin C and 200 mg vitamin E (CE), or BL plus CE (BL + CE).

Results: The lucigenin-chemiluminescence (CL) and luminol-CL levels in blood were significantly reduced in all groups. Vitamin E content of LDL subfractions increased significantly following supplements, especially for BL + CE group. The percent increase of lag times in the BL + CE was significantly higher than those in the BL or CE group. The antioxidative effect of BL + CE was the greatest for small, dense LDL (Sd-LDL) with further increases in percentage of lag times 4 folds compared to BL alone.

Conclusion: Our results indicate that supplementation with BL may help to scavenge oxygen free radicals, save the LDL-vitamin E content, and inhibit LDL oxidation. Furthermore, the addition of vitamins C and E to BL can inhibit the Sd-LDL oxidation more effectively, which may protect against vascular diseases in type 2 diabetic patients.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antioxidants / metabolism*
  • Ascorbic Acid / blood
  • Ascorbic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Free Radical Scavengers / blood*
  • Glycated Hemoglobin / metabolism
  • Hordeum*
  • Humans
  • Lipoproteins, LDL / blood*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*
  • Plant Leaves*
  • Vitamin E / blood
  • Vitamin E / therapeutic use
  • Vitamins / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Blood Glucose
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Glycated Hemoglobin A
  • Lipoproteins, LDL
  • Plant Extracts
  • Vitamins
  • Vitamin E
  • Ascorbic Acid