Has anyone found any research literature in which catalase is added in vitro or supplemented in vivo, specifically to measure the effects on oxidative stress? Surprisingly, the research literature seems very very sparse on this topic.
Superoxide radicals are produced in the mitochondria as a byproduct of aerobic metabolism and the electron transport chain. Superoxide dismutase converts the superoxide radicals to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Catalase is one of two enzymes to neutralize H2O2. Catalase specifically will neutralize H2O2 to O2 and water. So catalase performs a key role in the antioxidant system at neutralizing a very toxic chemical.
When scientists genetically engineer mice to overexpress catalase, those mice live longer:
http://www.ncbi.nlm....les/PMC2464724/
But genetic engineering isn't an option for most humans, so these studies are suggestive rather than directly helpful for supplementation.
Direct supplementation I guess is more problematic, because apparently the supplements are destroyed in digestion. I don't see any reason why we could not design a liposomal catalase. People are creating their own Vitamin C liposomes, so you could certain brew some liposomes that get catalase past digestion and deliver catalase intracellular.
But I was imagining that some scientists would at least attempt some kind of supplementation, maybe intravenously, and maybe through liposomal delivery. I cannot find any good in vivo studies.
There are some studies - and I cannot find many - that suggest supplemental catalase does improve exercise recovery:
http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/11003786
There are also some suggestions that pseudocatalase formulas may help to lessen grey hair:
http://www.medicalne...cles/260089.php
Aside from wanting to understand catalase research and supplementation options, one reason I want to know about this topic is that the new C60+olive oil supplementation people are trying appears to create more H2O2, while simultaneously acting as an anti oxidant against the added H2O2. To the extent that C60+OO might behave like an SOD mimic without lowering endogenous levels of SOD in the body, it's worth considering how can we elevate the levels of catalase through supplementation in order to deal with higher effective conversion rates of superoxide to H2O2.
Edited by pone11, 14 February 2015 - 04:44 AM.