scholarly journals The Nutraceutical Dehydrozingerone and Its Dimer Counteract Inflammation- and Oxidative Stress-Induced Dysfunction ofIn VitroCultured Human Endothelial Cells: A Novel Perspective for the Prevention and Therapy of Atherosclerosis

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabetta Profumo ◽  
Brigitta Buttari ◽  
Daniela D’Arcangelo ◽  
Lavinia Tinaburri ◽  
Maria Antonietta Dettori ◽  
...  

Atherosclerosis is characterized by endothelial dysfunction, mainly induced by inflammation and oxidative stress. Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production together with increased adhesion molecules and thrombogenic tissue factor (TF) expression on endothelial cells has a key role in proatherogenic mechanisms. Therefore downmodulation of these molecules could be useful for reducing the severity of inflammation and atherosclerosis progression. Dehydrozingerone (DHZ) is a nutraceutical compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. In this study we evaluated the ability of DHZ and its symmetric dimer to modulate hydrogen peroxide- (H2O2-) induced ROS production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). We also evaluated intercellular adhesion molecule- (ICAM-) 1, vascular cell adhesion molecule- (VCAM-) 1, and TF expression in HUVEC activated by tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-)α. HUVEC pretreatment with DHZ and DHZ dimer reduced H2O2-induced ROS production and inhibited adhesion molecule expression and secretion. Of note, only DHZ dimer was able to reduce TF expression. DHZ effects were in part mediated by the inhibition of the nuclear factor- (NF-)κB activation. Overall, our findings demonstrate that the DHZ dimer exerts a potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antithrombotic activity on endothelial cells and suggest potential usefulness of this compound to contrast the pathogenic mechanisms involved in atherosclerosis progression.

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 2210
Author(s):  
Maria Pompea Antonia Baldassarre ◽  
Pamela Di Tomo ◽  
Giorgia Centorame ◽  
Assunta Pandolfi ◽  
Natalia Di Pietro ◽  
...  

Myo-inositol (Myo) improves insulin resistance, glucose metabolism, and helps gestational diabetes (GDM) management. GDM is associated with a pro-inflammatory state and increased oxidative stress, which are both involved in vascular damage in diabetes. Our aim was to study Myo anti-inflammatory/antioxidant potential effects on an in vitro model of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). To this end, monocyte cell adhesion to HUVECs, adhesion molecule membrane exposure, and oxidative stress levels were determined in cells from control (C-) and GDM women treated during pregnancy either with diet only (GD-) or with diet plus Myo (GD+Myo). To deeply study the vascular effects of Myo, the same evaluations were performed in C- and GD-HUVECs following 48 h in vitro stimulation with Myo. Notably, we first observed that GD-HUVECs obtained from women assuming Myo supplementation exhibited a significantly decreased number of monocytes that adhered to endothelial cells, less adhesion molecule exposure, and lower intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the basal state as compared to GD-HUVECs obtained from women treated by diet only. This Myo anti-inflammatory/antioxidant effect was confirmed by 48 h in vitro stimulation of GD-HUVECs as compared to controls. Altogether, these results strongly suggest that Myo may exert protective actions against chronic inflammation induced by endothelial dysfunction in diabetes.


1996 ◽  
Vol 270 (2) ◽  
pp. C522-C529 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. G. Bouma ◽  
F. A. van den Wildenberg ◽  
W. A. Buurman

Ischemia induces excessive ATP catabolism with subsequent local release of its metabolite adenosine, an autacoid with anti-inflammatory properties. Because activation of the vascular endothelium is critical to the inflammatory host response during ischemia and reperfusion, the effects of adenosine on two major determinants of endothelial cell activation (i.e., the release of proinflammatory cytokines and the expression of adhesion molecules) were studied. Adenosine dose dependently inhibited the release of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 by stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Expression of E-selectin and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), but not intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), by activated HUVEC was also reduced by adenosine. Inhibition of endogenous adenosine deaminase activity by erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine or 2'-deoxycoformycin strongly enhanced the inhibitory effects of exogenous adenosine on cytokine release and expression of E-selectin and VCAM-1. However, a clear role for specific adenosine receptors in the described inhibitory events could not be established. Together, these data imply that the vascular endothelium constitutes an important target for the anti-inflammatory actions of adenosine.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (19) ◽  
pp. 4930 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Vieceli Dalla Sega ◽  
Raffaella Mastrocola ◽  
Giorgio Aquila ◽  
Francesca Fortini ◽  
Claudia Fornelli ◽  
...  

Loss-of-function mutations of the gene encoding Krev interaction trapped protein 1 (KRIT1) are associated with the pathogenesis of Cerebral Cavernous Malformation (CCM), a major cerebrovascular disease characterized by abnormally enlarged and leaky capillaries and affecting 0.5% of the human population. However, growing evidence demonstrates that KRIT1 is implicated in the modulation of major redox-sensitive signaling pathways and mechanisms involved in adaptive responses to oxidative stress and inflammation, suggesting that its loss-of-function mutations may have pathological effects not limited to CCM disease. The aim of this study was to address whether KRIT1 loss-of-function predisposes to the development of pathological conditions associated with enhanced endothelial cell susceptibility to oxidative stress and inflammation, such as arterial endothelial dysfunction (ED) and atherosclerosis. Silencing of KRIT1 in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs), coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs), and umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) resulted in increased expression of endothelial proinflammatory adhesion molecules vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and in enhanced susceptibility to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)-induced apoptosis. These effects were associated with a downregulation of Notch1 activation that could be rescued by antioxidant treatment, suggesting that they are consequent to altered intracellular redox homeostasis induced by KRIT1 loss-of-function. Furthermore, analysis of the aorta of heterozygous KRIT1+/− mice fed a high-fructose diet to induce systemic oxidative stress and inflammation demonstrated a 1.6-fold increased expression of VCAM-1 and an approximately 2-fold enhanced fat accumulation (7.5% vs 3.6%) in atherosclerosis-prone regions, including the aortic arch and aortic root, as compared to corresponding wild-type littermates. In conclusion, we found that KRIT1 deficiency promotes ED, suggesting that, besides CCM, KRIT1 may be implicated in genetic susceptibility to the development of atherosclerotic lesions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeon-A. Son ◽  
Chung-Mu Park ◽  
Youngsun Song

AbstractLuteolin is a naturally occurring flavone that reportedly has anti-inflammatory effect. Flavones in plants are usually present in the form of glucosides, although occasionally they are found as aglycones. The bioavailability of flavones may differ when consumed as either aglycones or glucosides. Nonetheless, numerous studies focused on the biological activity of flavonoid aglycones or that in vitro. These findings are supporting reason to compare the anti-atherogenic effect of aglycone and glucoside forms of flavones in vivo. Male ApoE knockout mice (n = 28, 6-week-old) were divided randomly into 4 groups of 7 mice: negative control group, homocysteine control group, luteolin and luteolin7-O-glucoside groups with homocysteine. All animals were fed by a high-fat diet, modified by AIN-93, containing 0.5% of cholesterol and 45% of fat. Luteolin and luteolin-7-O-glycoside were given daily by gavage for 5 weeks (50 mg/kg BW, respectively). To induce hyperhomocysteinemia, homocysteine was provided as a drinking water (0.9g/L). Administration of homocysteine did not affect body weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency ratio among groups. Homocysteine feeding sharply increased serum concentrations of homocysteine and triglyceride as well as adhesion molecules including monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, which were attenuated by the administration of luteolin and luteolin-7-O-glucoside (p < 0.05). Homocysteine administration produced development of atherosclerotic process by the induction of hepatic inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 as well as aortic intercellular adhesion molecule expressions along with diminished expressions of antioxidative enzymes, such as hepatic glutathione reductase (GR), aortic GR and glutathione peroxidase (p < 0.05). Administration of both flavones down-regulated expressions of inflammatory mediators and adhesion molecules as well as up-regulated expressions of antioxidative enzymes (p < 0.05). These data were in accordance with the histopathological observations which were analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain and immunohistochemistry. In a comparison of both agents, luteolin more potently attenuated inflammation and oxidative stress than luteolin-7-O-glucoside. These results exhibit that luteolin and luteolin-7-O-glycoside ameliorated atherogenic processes through the regulation of inflammation and oxidative stress in ApoE knockout mice with hyperhomocysteinemia. This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government of MOE (No 201704340001).


1997 ◽  
Vol 272 (3) ◽  
pp. L418-L425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Suzuki ◽  
T. Aoki ◽  
O. Takeuchi ◽  
K. Nishio ◽  
K. Suzuki ◽  
...  

To investigate the pathogenesis of pulmonary oxygen toxicity, we examined the effect of hyperoxia on adhesion molecule expression in cultured human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (HPAEC) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Endothelial cell monolayers were exposed to either hyperoxic (90% O(2)-5% CO(2)) or normoxic (21% O(2)-5% CO(2)) conditions for various periods. The level of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 expression had increased in hyperoxia-exposed HPAEC and HUVEC at 48 h (194 +/- 38 and 233 +/- 56%, respectively; P < 0.001) and at 72 h (200 +/- 43 and 223 +/- 52%, respectively; P < 0.001) compared with normoxic conditions. These hyperoxia-induced ICAM-1 expressions were dose dependently attenuated by a protein kinase C inhibitor (H-7). In contrast, the levels of P-selectin and E-selectin expression in HPAEC and HUVEC were unchanged. The levels of ICAM-1 mRNA and the numbers of adherent neutrophils were increased in HPAEC and HUVEC at 48 and 72 h of hyperoxia. On the other hand, hyperoxia caused neutrophil H(2)O(2) production without affecting the level of CD11/CD18 expression. These results suggest that increased ICAM-1 expression in endothelial cells plays an important role in neutrophil accumulation during hyperoxia.


2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 313-324
Author(s):  
Li-Hua Cao ◽  
Ho Sub Lee ◽  
Zhe-Shan Quan ◽  
Yun Jung Lee ◽  
Yu Jin

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> Xanthotoxin (XAT) is a linear furanocoumarin mainly extracted from the plants <i>Ammi majus</i> L. XAT has been reported the apoptosis of tumor cells, anti-convulsant, neuroprotective effect, antioxidative activity, and vasorelaxant effects. This study aimed to investigate the vascular protective effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of XAT. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> XAT’s activity was studied in rat thoracic aortas, isolated with aortic rings, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). <b><i>Results:</i></b> XAT induced endothelium-dependent vasodilation in a concentration-dependent manner in the isolated rat thoracic aortas. Removal of endothelium or pretreatment of aortic rings with L-NAME, 1<i>H</i>-[1,2,4]-oxadiazolo-[4,3-<i>a</i>]-quinoxalin-1-one, and wortmannin significantly inhibited XAT-induced relaxation. In addition, treatment with thapsigargin, 2-aminoethyl diphenylborinate, Gd<sup>3+</sup>, and 4-aminopyridine markedly attenuated the XAT-induced vasorelaxation. XAT increased nitric oxide production and Akt- endothelial NOS (eNOS) phosphorylation in HUVECs. Moreover, XAT attenuated the expression of TNF-α-induced cell adhesion molecules such as intercellular adhesion molecule, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and E-selectin. However, this effect was attenuated by the eNOS inhibitors L-NAME and asymmetric dimethylarginine. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> This study suggests that XAT induces vasorelaxation through the Akt-eNOS-cGMP pathway by activating the K<sub>V</sub> channel and inhibiting the L-type Ca<sup>2+</sup> channel. Furthermore, XAT exerts an inhibitory effect on vascular inflammation, which is correlated with the observed vascular protective effects.


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