Elena-Cătălina Lupușoru *, Manuela Ciocoiu **, Cristina Mihaela Ghiciuc ***
* Conf. Dr. Cătălina Elena Lupușoru – Catedra de Farmacologi, UMF “Gr. T. Popa” Iași
** Șef lucrări Dr. Manuela Ciocoiu – Catedra de Fiziopatologie, UMF “Gr. T. Popa” Iași
*** Asist. Dr. Cristina Ghiciuc – Catedra de Farmacologie, UMF “Gr. T. Popa” Iași
Abstract
In 1956 Daniel Gilbert and Rebeca Gerschman demonstrated that oxygen toxicity was due to free radicals. Oxygen-derived free radical species are deeply implied in redox regulation of cell function. There is a complex relationship between diet, constitutive and inducible antioxidants and the genetically controlled body. The manipulation of this relationship in our advantage will allow us to treat and to prevent some diseases. Vitamin A is an antioxidant stronger than b-caroten. b-csroten and caroten associated csrotenolds (Csnthsxsnthln and Astsxsnthln) present immunomodulating effects: enhance the release of IL-1a and TNFa implied in the regulation of B cells differentiation, enhance antibody production, cellular immunity mediated response, phagocytic activity of macrophages, induce prostag landin synthesis, increase the expression of receptors for IL-2, the number of TIL and LAK cells, Th lymphocites and NK cells. Retinoids present antioxidant effect and are scavengers of oxygen-derived free radicals. Retinoi ds may have antitumoral effect by inducing apoptosis, present anti-inflammatory effects similar to corticosteroids by direct inhibition of phospholipase A2, determine dose-dependent inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2. Their efficiency increases in association with anticancer drugs. Vitamin E (Tocophero)l has immunomodulating effects by enhancing LyTh activity. It was noticed that HIV-infected persons present low levels of vitamin E. Vitamin C (ascorbicacid) has immunomodulatingeffects by: regulation of antibody synthesis, IFN production and phagocytosis, and reduce remodeling during oxidative reactions inducing indirect antioxidant effects. It is indicated as adjuvant for antiretroviral therapy and cancer chemotherpay. Vitamin A and b-caroten, vitamin E and vitamin C are known as antioxidants and are implied in immunomodulation both by this way and other mechanisms.