Abstract

The effect of dietary cyanidin 3-O-beta-D-glucoside (C3G), a typical anthocyanin pigment, on the generation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) during serum formation ex vivo and susceptibility of serum to further lipid peroxidation was studied in rats. Rats were fed a diet containing C3G (2 g/kg) for 14 d. Feeding C3G resulted in a significant decrease in generation of TBARS during serum formation. The serum from the C3G-fed group showed a significantly lower susceptibility to further lipid peroxidation provoked by 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane)hydrochloride or Cu2+ than that of the control group. No significant differences were observed in serum phospholipid, triglyceride, esterified cholesterol, and free fatty acid concentrations between the control and the C3G-fed groups. Concentrations of endogenous antioxidants remaining in the serum after blood coagulation were not affected by the C3G feeding. These results demonstrate that feeding C3G increases the ex vivo oxidation resistance of the serum without affecting serum endogenous antioxidant levels, and reduces the TBARS generated during serum formation without changing the concentrations of serum lipids.