Effect of grape juice consumption on antioxidant activity and interleukin-6 concentration in lactating rats.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effect of grape juice consumption on the antioxidant capacity and the interleukin-6 blood level of lactating rats.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: Eighteen Wistar rats, lactating females adult, were divided into two groups: control group (CG) and grape juice group (GJG). The antioxidant activity was determined by the method of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)-kidnapping of free radicals (DPPH) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and the interleukin-6 was determined by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. The data were presented as mean and standard deviation.

RESULTS: The antioxidant capacity was higher (p < 0.05) in the GJG (25.00 ± 3.08 µmol eq. Trolox/g) than in the CG (10.00 ± 3.11 µmol eq. Trolox/g), by the ORAC method. The interleukin-6 (pg/ml) level was lower in the grape juice group than in CG.

CONCLUSION: The consumption of grape juice during lactation improves the antioxidant capacity in lactating rats and seems capable to decrease the inflammatory activity.