JP2007000750A - Active oxygen dissipating agent, and method for producing active oxygen dissipating agent - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique effective for dissipation (disappearance) of ROS (reactive oxygen species) and free radicals, and particularly, a technique effective for the dissipation (disappearance) of ROS produced in a living body, particularly. <P>SOLUTION: The active oxygen dissipating agent is composed of water having a redox potential of -1,000 to -200 mV, and whose pH is 3 to 7. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an active oxygen scavenger that exhibits an effective action for improving lifestyle diseases, improving skin characteristics, or recovering fatigue, and a method for producing the active oxygen scavenger, for example.

Many aerobic organisms gain energy in the mitochondria by a four-electron reduction reaction (see equation (1)) that produces water from oxygen molecules taken in by respiration and hydrogen and electrons generated by food intake. ing.
O ₂ + 4H ⁺ + 4e ⁻ → 2H ₂ O (1)

Now, if all the O ₂ taken up by respiration is converted to H ₂ O, no problem arises.

However, as shown in the formula (2), electrons may be directly transferred to some oxygen, and oxygen molecules may be reduced by one electron.
O ₂ +4 ⁻ → O ₂ ⁻ (2)

The generated O ₂ ⁻ is so-called superoxide anion. O ₂ ⁻ is a kind of radical having an unpaired electron. Since this O ₂ ⁻ is a radical, it tends to take electrons from other substances and stabilize it. Therefore, the oxidizing power is high.

Various oxides are produced from the superoxide anion. A substance having an oxidizing power among the produced products is called active oxygen. Examples of the active oxygen include superoxide anion (O ₂ ⁻ ), singlet oxygen ( ¹ O ₂ ), hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂ ), hydroxyl radical (.OH), and the like. Furthermore, an alkoxy radical, a hydroperoxy radical, a peroxy radical, and the like are also included. These active oxygens are extremely reactive. And it is said that active oxygen causes various obstacles for human beings. For these reasons, attention is being focused on the relationship between active oxygen and disease.

  By the way, lipids are more susceptible to oxidation than nucleic acids and proteins. Active oxygen, particularly hydroperoxy radical (LOOH), is generated by oxidation of lipids constituting the cell membrane. Lipid peroxidation is a reaction in which active oxygen is added to an unsaturated fatty acid portion of a phospholipid that is a component of a cell membrane. It is said that macrophages take up LDL in which the lipid portion is oxidized and atherosclerosis is caused by foam cell formation. Arteriosclerosis is one of the well-known diseases. From the hydroperoxide radical, an aldehyde compound, which is a secondary product further decomposed, is produced. These substances react with the nucleophilic site of the protein to form a complex modification, causing protein degradation. In particular, hydroperoxide radicals that are produced in large amounts in the early stages of lipid peroxidation have recently attracted interest as oxidative stress markers. In the field of clinical examination, it is used to estimate active oxygen production in vivo, oxygen damage to organs, reduction of defense mechanisms, and the like.

  Damage caused by these reactive oxygen species (ROS) occurs on a daily basis in cells. By the way, the living body is established on the basis of three balances of “(1) ROS generation”, “(2) Deletion by antioxidant substance”, and “(3) Damage repair”. And it has been pointed out that ROS and oxidative stress are involved in aging. In particular, it is argued that the increase in hydroperoxide radicals and lipid peroxides caused by ROS is the cause of aging.

  Therefore, it is important to reduce ROS and radicals in order to prevent aging.

In addition, it is said that aging and lifestyle-related diseases are caused when the ability to erase ROS and radicals is reduced. For example, it is said that when the active oxygen level increases, the following aging phenomena (1) to (4) appear. Furthermore, it is said to be involved in the expression of lifestyle-related diseases (5) to (7).
(1) Skin wrinkles (2) Cataracts (3) Arthritis (4) Dementia (5) Arteriosclerosis There are three types of arteriosclerosis: atherosclerosis (atherosclerosis), media sclerosis, and arteriole sclerosis. . Free radicals and ROS are said to promote the most dangerous atherosclerosis. As arteriosclerosis progresses, there is a high possibility that diseases such as hypertension, stroke, angina pectoris, and myocardial infarction will develop.
(6) Diabetes If insulin secretion worsens, blood sugar cannot be controlled. For this reason, it will be in the state of hyperglycemia. This is diabetes (insulin dependent). It is said that free radicals and ROS are related from the onset of diabetes to the progress of complications.
(7) Carcinogenesis It is said that ROS damages DNA. The possibility of carcinogenesis has been pointed out when DNA is damaged.

Now,
It is said that the body has a function of eliminating the toxicity of the generated ROS. It is said that enzymes and vitamins have such a function.

  Examples of the enzyme include superoxide dismutase (decomposition of superoxide), glutathione peroxidase (decomposition of hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxide), catalase (decomposition of hydrogen peroxide), and peroxidase (decomposition of hydrogen peroxide). .

  Examples of vitamins include vitamin E (supplement of fat-soluble radicals and lipid peroxides), vitamin C (decomposition of superoxide and lipid peroxide), β-carotene (elimination of singlet oxygen), glutathione (superoxide and Lipid peroxide decomposition), flavonoids (decomposition of superoxide and lipid peroxide), CoQ (capture of fat-soluble radicals and lipid peroxide), metallothionein (decomposition of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide).

  In particular, the enzyme is a body-specific substance and may be very important.

  However, the function of these enzymes decreases with age. For example, it is said that after 40 years of age, enzyme activity declines rapidly. And as the age goes by, the enzyme activity decreases. As a method for supplementing this ability to scavenge active oxygen, it is so-called taking antioxidant vitamins and the like. Indeed, these materials are believed to eliminate ROS in vitro.

  The problem is whether ROS can be erased even in the blood of the human body. That is, when ingested by the body, it is a problem whether these substances enter blood vessels and can eliminate ROS. Furthermore, even if it is absorbed into the blood vessel, it is a problem whether it will spread throughout the body. In particular, it is important whether or not the production of hydroperoxide radicals can be suppressed.

  By the way, it is said that electrolyzed water has high permeability and is effective as a cleaning agent. For these reasons, application to the human body is considered. And it is beginning to be said that ROS is reduced by drinking electrolyzed water such as alkaline ionized water. Incidentally, alkaline ionized water by electrolysis is called active hydrogen water and is sold.

  However, the lifetime of active hydrogen is less than μ seconds. And it will be impossible for active hydrogen to exist stably in water for a long time. Therefore, it is doubtful whether active hydrogen contributes to the reduction of ROS in the body.

Now, the alkaline ionized water by electrolysis is generally weak alkaline reduced water in which hydrogen molecules are dissolved. In this reduced water, platinum fine particles are eluted from the cathode electrode made of Pt, and it is considered that H in which H ₂ adhering to the platinum fine particles is dissociated is called active hydrogen. However, the dissociation rate of H ₂ is small. Therefore, when using of H ₂ would must done by increasing the dissociation kinetics.

  So far, no technology has been proposed that makes alkaline ionized water effective for erasing ROS.

  Accordingly, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an effective technique for erasing (extinguishing) ROS and free radicals. In particular, it is to provide an effective technique for erasing (disappearing) ROS generated in the body.

  In particular, it is to provide an agent for improving lifestyle-related diseases.

  In particular, it is to provide an agent that improves skin properties.

  Another object is to provide a fatigue recovery agent.

Now, the following items can be considered as a method for evaluating the characteristics of electrolytic reduced water.
(1) pH
(2) ORP (redox potential)
(3) 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) reducing ability

  pH and ORP are based on electrochemical measurement methods. And reduction | restoration evaluation can be performed simply.

  Generally, the more the potential is shifted in the negative direction, the higher the ability to give electrons to the object. That is, the reducibility is high.

Further, as shown in the formula (3), hydrogen ions are accompanied when the oxide dissolved in water and added with oxygen is reduced.
H ₂ O ₂ + 2H ⁺ + 2e ⁻ → 2H ₂ O (3)
From formula (3), it is understood that an acidic pH is more favorable than alkaline in order to facilitate the reduction reaction.

  That is, it can be understood that acidic and negative ORP is effective in reducing active oxygen.

  Now, an important point is whether or not reduced water is effective for elimination (extinction) of ROS and free radicals in the body. In general, active oxygen is unstable. When evaluating the ability of the reduced water to eliminate active oxygen, it is conceivable to use the reduction reaction of DPPH. DPPH has one unpaired electron and is a kind of free radical.

  The present invention has been made based on the above findings.

That is, the above-mentioned problem is solved by an active oxygen scavenger characterized by water having an oxidation-reduction potential of -1000 mV to -200 mV and a pH of 3 to 7.

In particular, the problem is solved by an active oxygen scavenger characterized by water having an oxidation-reduction potential of -700 mV to -400 mV and a pH of 3 to 6.

Furthermore, the problem is solved by an active oxygen scavenger characterized by water having a redox potential of −600 mV to −450 mV and a pH of 4.0 to 5.5.

  The active oxygen scavenger (electrolytically reduced acidic water) preferably contains 0.001 millimol / L or more of a component that eliminates DPPH. In particular, it is preferable that 0.01 millimol / L or more is contained. Furthermore, it is preferable that 0.1 millimol / L or more is contained. The upper limit is usually 10 mol / L, although there is no particular restriction.

  For the purpose of reducing active oxygen, it is preferable that the amount of oxygen contained is small. That is, the dissolved oxygen concentration is preferably 2 ppm or less. Of course, it is needless to say that 0 (substantially 0) is preferable. In order to reduce dissolved oxygen, deaeration treatment is performed on the electrolyzed water. This can reduce dissolved oxygen. In addition, degassing treatment is also performed in advance on the raw water used for electrolysis. This also reduces the dissolved oxygen in the resulting electrolyzed water. Of course, if the deaeration process is performed both before and after electrolysis, the dissolved oxygen decreases accordingly.

  Now, the active oxygen scavenger (electrolytic reduction acidic water) having the above characteristics can be used to improve lifestyle-related diseases. That is, by drinking, it can be expected as an improving agent for lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes.

  The active oxygen scavenger (electrolytically reduced acidic water) having the above characteristics can be used for improving skin characteristics. That is, by drinking, for example, the elasticity of the skin is increased and the color of the skin is lightened. In addition, the elasticity of the blood vessels increases. Therefore, a decrease in blood pressure can be expected.

  The active oxygen scavenger having the above characteristics (electrolytically reduced acidic water) can be used for recovery from fatigue. That is, by drinking, for example, by drinking before and after exercise, the load on the body is reduced.

The active oxygen scavenger having the above characteristics (electrolytically reduced acidic water) is a method for producing an active oxygen scavenger characterized by electrolytic reduction of water having an electric conductivity of 50 μS / cm or less and a dissolved oxygen concentration of 2 ppm or less. Obtained by.

  The active oxygen scavenger (electrolytically reduced acidic water) according to the present invention is extremely effective for eliminating (disappearing) ROS in the body.

  And when drunk, an effect can be expected for lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes.

  Also, for example, the elasticity of the skin increases and the color of the skin becomes brighter.

  In addition, the elasticity of the blood vessels increases. Therefore, a decrease in blood pressure can be expected.

  Further, for example, recovery from fatigue can be expected by drinking before and after exercise.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of a main part (three-chamber electrolytic cell) of an active oxygen scavenger (electrolytic reduction acidic water) production apparatus according to the present invention.

  In the figure, 1 is an anode chamber, 2 is an anode chamber inlet, 3 is an anode chamber outlet, 4 is an anode electrode, 5 and 6 are diaphragms, 7 is a cathode electrode, 8 is a cathode chamber outlet, 9 is a cathode chamber, 10 is The cathode chamber inlet, 11 is an intermediate chamber, 12 is an intermediate chamber inlet, and 13 is an intermediate chamber outlet. The electrolyzer provided with this three-chamber electrolytic cell is also known, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-96275 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-191076, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, a fluorine-based cation exchange membrane Nafion 117 (manufactured by DuPont) is used as the diaphragm 5 that separates the anode chamber 1 and the intermediate chamber 11 and the diaphragm 6 that separates the cathode chamber 9 and the intermediate chamber 11. Using. The intermediate chamber 11 was filled with a fluorine ion exchange resin NR50 (manufactured by DuPont). As the electrodes 4 and 7, platinum-plated 80 × 60 mm ² titanium electrodes were used. As the water supplied to the electrolytic cell, pure water having an electrical conductivity of 1 μS / cm and a dissolved oxygen concentration of 1 ppm or less was used. The electrolysis current was 3A. The flow rate of the cathode electrolyzed water was 0.25 L / min.

  And electrolytic reduction water was obtained on the said conditions. The pH of this electrolytic reduction water was about 4.6. The ORP was -580 mV.

  The stability over time of this electrolytically reduced acidic water was evaluated. For comparison, weak alkaline reduced water produced by adding a small amount of NaCl to the intermediate chamber was used. The pH of the weak alkaline reducing water was about 9, and the ORP was -780 mV. The result is shown in FIG.

Next, the DPPH reduction effect of the electrolytically reduced acidic water was examined. Since DPPH is hardly soluble, an ethanol solution of 10 ⁻³ mmol / L was prepared. A spectrum specific to DPPH was measured by ESR in which this solution was mixed with the electrolytically reduced acidic water. The results are shown in FIGS. According to this, the spectrum peculiar to DPPH has disappeared by electrolytic reduction acidic water. That is, it is clear that free radicals originating from unpaired electrons of DPPH were reduced and disappeared.

  When the weak alkaline reduced water used for comparison was used, the signal specific to DPPH was not lost.

  Next, a test was conducted to determine whether or not the active oxygen produced in the body could be removed (disappeared) when the electrolytically reduced acidic water having the above characteristics was drunk.

  For the measurement, a free radical analysis system FRAS sold by Wismer Co., Ltd. was used. By using this analyzer, it is possible to analyze hydroperoxide, which is a representative active oxygen as oxidative stress in blood, and reducing power from trivalent iron to divalent iron as an index of antioxidant stress. Hydroperoxy radical (LOOH) is a substance produced by oxidation of lipids.

  By the way, oxidative stress in the blood of the body constantly fluctuates. Therefore, it is difficult to evaluate the effect of drinking electrolytically reduced acidic water. Therefore, by deliberately raising the body's oxidative stress by exercising, the effect of drinking electrolytically reduced acid water was evaluated in this state. That is, it was measured how oxidative stress and antioxidant stress change between when drinking mineral water during exercise and when drinking the electrolytically reduced acidic water.

First, athletes in their early 20s were exercised 20 cycles on an exercise bike, and blood oxidative stress and antioxidant stress were measured. The measurement was performed at three points before exercise, immediately after exercise, and one hour after exercise. During exercise, 500 ml of electrolytically reduced acidic water (pH: 4.5, ORP: -560 mV, concentration of DPPH elimination active species was 2 × 10 ⁻⁴ mol / L) was drunk. For comparison, mineral water was drunk instead of electrolytically reduced acidic water.

  FIG. 5 shows the level of oxidative stress in blood. The antioxidant stress level in blood is shown in FIG. From FIG. 5, it can be seen that, when exercising, the level of oxidative stress in the blood increases. With exercise, the oxidative stress level increases as shown in FIG. Along with this, the antioxidant stress level increases and the function of eliminating active oxygen increases. However, when electroreduced acidic water was consumed during exercise, oxidative stress did not increase, but conversely decreased slightly. Therefore, the effect of the electrolytically reduced acidic water of the present invention is obvious.

Further, in order to examine the elasticity of the skin, a skin measuring sensor manufactured by Japan Gals Co., Ltd. was used. This sensor can measure water content, oil content, elasticity, and brightness. In addition, a measured value is represented by the numerical value between 0-100. Here, elasticity and brightness were examined. That is, after drinking electrolytically reduced acidic water (pH: 4.5, ORP: -560 mV, concentration of DPPH elimination active species is 2 × 10 ⁻⁴ mol / L) for 2 months, the elasticity and lightness are increased. Examined. The results are shown in Table 1.

Table 1

  According to this, it is found that when the electrolytically reduced acidic water according to the present invention is drunk, the elasticity of the skin is improved and the brightness is improved. Therefore, the electrolytically reduced acidic water of the present invention is effective in preventing aging, that is, making young.

In order to examine the flexibility of blood vessels, BC checker manufactured by Future Wave Co., Ltd. was used. In this method, a waveform obtained by second-order differentiation of the pulse wave of the peripheral blood vessel is used. A to G are classified according to the waveform, the correlation between the age and the waveform is summarized, and the blood vessel age is determined from the measured value. FIG. 7 shows the correlation between the waveform for the BC checker and the age. Then, 1 to 2 liters of electrolytic reduction acidic water (pH: 4.5, ORP: -560 mV, concentration of DPPH elimination active species of 2 × 10 ⁻⁴ mol / L) according to the present invention was drunk daily, and one month passed. The blood vessel age in each case was examined, and the results are shown in Table 2.

Table 2

  According to this, it turns out that the blood vessel age is rejuvenated by the drinking of the electrolytically reduced acidic water according to the present invention.

Moreover, the electrolytic reduction acidic water (pH: 4.5, ORP: -560 mV, concentration of DPPH elimination active species of 2 × 10 ⁻⁴ mol / L) according to the present invention was drunk daily by 1 to 2 L, and 4 months passed. The blood pressure in each case was examined, and the results are shown in Table 3.

Table 3

  According to this, it turns out that blood pressure has fallen by drinking of electrolytic reduction acidic water which becomes this invention.

In the above, pH was 4.5, ORP was −560 mV, and the concentration of DPPH elimination active species was 2 × 10 ⁻⁴ mol / L, but the pH was 3 to 7 In the case of ORP of -1000 mV to -200 mV, a considerable effect was observed.

  However, it was more effective when the pH was 3-6. And when pH was 4.0-5.5, the effect similar to the case of the said embodiment was show | played.

  Moreover, when ORP was -700 mV to -400 mV, it was more effective. When the ORP is -600 mV to -450 mV, almost the same effect as in the above embodiment is achieved.

Explanatory drawing of the principal part of the active oxygen scavenger manufacturing apparatus which becomes this invention Graph showing stability over time of electrolytically reduced acidic water ESR spectrum ESR spectrum Graph showing the level of oxidative stress in blood Graph showing antioxidant stress level in blood Explanatory diagram of correlation between waveform for BC checker and age

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Anode chamber 4 Anode electrode 5, 6 Diaphragm 7 Cathode electrode 9 Cathode chamber 11 Intermediate chamber

Representative Katsumi Udaka

Claims (8)

An active oxygen scavenger having a redox potential of -1000 mV to -200 mV and water having a pH of 3 to 7.   The active oxygen scavenger according to claim 1, wherein a component for eliminating DPPH is contained in an amount of 0.001 millimol / L or more.   The active oxygen scavenger according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the dissolved oxygen concentration is 2 ppm or less.   The active oxygen scavenger according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is an agent for improving lifestyle-related diseases.   4. The active oxygen scavenger according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is an agent for improving skin characteristics.   4. The active oxygen scavenger according to claim 1, wherein the active oxygen scavenger is a fatigue recovery agent. A method for producing an agent used for eliminating active oxygen,
A method for producing an active oxygen scavenger, characterized by electrolytically reducing water having an electric conductivity of 50 μS / cm or less and a dissolved oxygen concentration of 2 ppm or less. It is a manufacturing method of the active oxygen scavenger in any one of Claims 1-6,
A method for producing an active oxygen scavenger, characterized by electrolytically reducing water having an electric conductivity of 50 μS / cm or less and a dissolved oxygen concentration of 2 ppm or less.

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