ironjustice

<<snip>>
antioxidants even at low concentrations found in these foods bind to
iron and copper and prevent DNA damage
<<snip>>

Public release date: 19-Aug-2007
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Contact: Julia Brumaghim
brumagh@clemson.edu
864-656-0481
Clemson University

Clemson chemists discover new way antioxidants fight debilitating
diseases
Findings presented at American Chemical Society Meeting
CLEMSON- Cancer, cardiovascular diseases, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's
are often linked to DNA damage that occurs when metal ions in the body
such as iron and copper produce reactive oxygen compounds that damage
human cells. Studies have shown antioxidants that neutralize this
activity and that occur naturally in fruits, vegetables, green tea,
garlic and onions can be effective at preventing DNA damage.

A Clemson team of chemists, presenting its research at the 234th
annual American Chemical Society national meeting in Boston Aug.
19-24, has found a new mechanism for antioxidant activity: the
antioxidants bind to naturally present iron and copper in the body to
prevent formation of reactive oxygen compounds that damage DNA.

"Our studies have shown that antioxidants even at low concentrations
found in these foods bind to iron and copper and prevent DNA damage,"
said lead investigator and chemist Julia Brumaghim. "This goes a long
way in understanding how antioxidant supplements might help treat or
even prevent these debilitating illnesses."

The group is now testing its findings in bacterial cells and will test
human cells next. Clemson graduate students on the project include
Erin E. Battin, Nathan R. Perron and Ria R. Ramoutar. Research is
funded through a grant from the American Heart Association.

###
Clemson University chemists are presenting 40 papers at the society
meeting on a wide range of subjects. Other topics include detection
and quantification of uranium in groundwater, convertion of lipid
feedstocks such as poultry fat to biodiesel and conjugated polymer dot
nanoparticles.

The Clemson University Department of Chemistry offers undergraduate
and graduate programs. With a tenure/tenure-track faculty of 24,
research activities include projects in the traditional sub-
disciplines of analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry
as well as in a broad range of interdisciplinary and nontraditional
areas - polymer and materials chemistry, solid-state chemistry,
bioanalytical chemistry, bioorganic and medicinal chemistry,
computational chemistry, chemical physics, chemical education and
other areas. For more information go to www.clemson.edu

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