The oxidative stress is frequently related to alterations in serum glucose and lipids concentrations. The aim of this study was to verify if antioxidant properties are associated with the serum biochemical alterations, induced by dietary supplementation with the flavonoid rutin (60 mg/kg/week) during 15 days. No changes were observed in fasting blood glucose and glucose tolerance test and in triacylglycerols, LDL cholesterol, total proteins and lipoperoxides concentrations, through dietary supplementation with rutin. However, rutin showed an important effect on atherosclerosis prevention, since it increased significantly the HDL cholesterol concentrations (from 44.40 ± 3.11mg/dL to 35.82 ± 2.31mg/dL). As no alterations were observed in glutathione peroxidase, while superoxide dismutase activities were significantly increased by rutin intake, it was concluded that the antioxidant effects of this flavonoid, increasing HDL cholesterol concentrations, are associated with an increased superoxide dismutase activity. The antioxidant properties of rutin may be associated with superoxide radical (O2-) destruction.
rutin; HDL-cholesterol; antioxidant; nutritional supplementany
