This improved DMAC method provides a simple, robust and relatively specific spectrophotometric assay for total PACs in cranberry samples using commercially available procyanidin A2 dimer as a standard. DMAC is most useful within a given type of food such as cranberries, but may not be appropriate for comparing concentrations across different food types, particularly in those cases where large differences exist among the relative amounts of each oligomer and polymer.

Purpose To evaluate whether psychological stress, as well as changes in hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and sympathetic nervous system (SNS) at different time points during a first in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle, correlates with the reproductive outcome. Methods A prospective study was conducted in 264 women undergoing IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment between January 2009 and March 2010. Standardized psychological questionnaires were used to assess anxiety and depression. Norepinephrine and cortisol in serum were measured with specific assays. Results The non-pregnant women reported higher anxiety and depression scores at the pregnancy detection day compared with the pregnant group. Lower levels of norepinephrine and cortisol at the time of oocyte retrieval and lower levels of cortisol at the time of pregnancy test were found in women with successful treatment. Significant increases in serum norepinephrine and cortisol values were observed during ovarian stimulation. State Anxiety scores were negatively correlated with live birth rate, and positively associated with serum norepinephrine and cortisol values. Conclusions State anxiety is associated with both pregnancy rate and live birth rate in IVF patients, an effect that is partly mediated by activities in the HPA and SNS.

Oxidative damage is involved in many chronic diseases including those cited as the major causes of death in Western societies such as cardiovascular disorders and cancer. Antioxidants may prevent these degenerative processes by various mechanisms including the scavenging of free radicals. Intake of antioxidant supplements is associated with preventing oxidative damages. This study investigated the absorption and antioxidant effects of a xanthone-rich mangosteen liquid in healthy human volunteers after the acute consumption of 59 mL of the supplement. The liquid contained mangosteen, aloe vera, green tea, and multivitamins. Results indicated that R-mangostin and vitamins B 2 and B 5 were bioavailable, with observed C max at t max of around 1 h. The antioxidant capacity measured with the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay was increased with a maximum effect of 18% after 2 h, and the increased antioxidant level lasted at least 4 h. Overall, this study demonstrated the bioavailability of antioxidants from a xanthone-rich mangosteen product and its in vivo antioxidant effects.

A simple, specific, high-throughput colorimetric method based on the reaction of 4-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde (DMAC) with flavan-3-ols was developed to determine total procyanidins in selected cacao-based products. Extracts of defatted samples were dispensed into a 96-well plate and reacted with DMAC. The absorbance of the reaction products was measured at 640 nm and compared to commercially available procyanidin B2 as a standard. The use of the 96-well plates and a plate reader dramatically improved sample throughput. A standard protocol was established and used for further studies. The calibration was found to be linear from 1100 ppm. The DMAC reagent reacted relatively specifically to (–)-epicatechin, (+)-catechin, epigallocatechin, gallocatechin, the gallates of catechin, epicatechin, gallocatechin, and epigallocatechin, oligomeric procyanidins of cocoa up to n = 4, and A-type procyanidins. Little or no reaction occurred with cyanidins and representative compounds of phenolic acids, flavones, flavanones, flavonols, anthocyanidins, isoflavones, and stilbenes. Sample precision studies were carried out on 10 different test materials over several weeks, and yielded RSD values of 4.0 to 9.5%. The method was ring-tested in three laboratories using blinded test materials including cocoa beans, cocoa powder, chocolate liquor, dark chocolate, and milk chocolate. There was excellent agreement of the results between laboratories.

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