Oxidants and Antioxidants in Biology

"Oxidants and Antioxidants in Biology" was the theme of the recent conference organized by the Oxygen Club of California (OCC) and co-sponsored by the Linus Pauling Institute. Over 50 speakers from around the world gave presentations over three days in Santa Barbara, California. The conference was divided into eight sessions: mitochondria, aging, and neurodegeneration; vitamin E; flavonoids and phytoestrogens; micronutrients; coenzyme Q; redox signaling and gene expression; and two sessions on carotenoids and retinoids. Six LPI scientists gave presentations or scientific posters. The keynote lecture was delivered by Dr. Bruce Ames, winner of the LPI Prize for Health Research in 2001 (see the article by Dr. Ames in this issue).

Several LPI scientists were honored with awards at the conference. Dr. Joe Beckman won the Osato Research Institute Science & Humanity Prize. Dr. Maret Traber's former mentor and founding president of the OCC, Dr. Lester Packer, presented her with an honorary lifetime membership in the OCC for her work on the bioavailability, biokinetics, and metabolism of vitamin E. Dr. Jung Suh, the first graduate student to earn a Ph.D. under the auspices of LPI, won the Dekker Foundation Young Investigator Award.

Dr. Alex Sevanian presents the Osato Prize to Dr. Joe Beckman (right)	Dr. Maret Traber and Dr. Lester Packer	Dr. Norman Krinsky presents the Young Investigator Award to Dr. Jung Suh (left)	Conference participants

Healthcare Cost Savings from Multivitamin Supplements

A recent study by The Lewin Group, commissioned by Wyeth Consumer Healthcare, estimated the potential economic savings to the Medicare system that may be afforded by the use of daily multivitamin supplements among seniors (65 years and older) in the United States. For a five-year period (2004-2008), the figure may be as much as $1.6 billion. Based on an analysis of various types of studies, including randomized clinical trials, cohort studies, case control studies, and cross-sectional studies, and using Congressional Budget Office accounting methods, The Lewin Group found that multivitamin use may considerably decrease hospitalizations and nursing home care for heart disease and infections.