Uticaj antocijana i njihovih metabolita na funkciju endotelnih ćelija i trombocita čoveka in vitro

Increasing number of scientific evidence suggests the beneficial role of dietary anthocyanins, phytochemicals mainly present in berries and derived products, in cardiovascular health. These anthocyanin health benefits may be attributed to their effect on endothelial cells or platelets that represent the key players in the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However, the exact molecular mechanisms underlying anthocyanin cardioprotective effects are not fully understood. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the effect of anthocyanins and their metabolites in vitro on endothelial and platelet function and identify the underlying mechanisms of their action using physiologically relevant conditions. Results from this thesis showed that the pretreatment of endothelial cells with physiologically relevant concentrations of circulating anthocyanins and their metabolites attenuated monocyte adhesion to activated endothelial cells as well as their transendothelial migration, which are the initial steps in the development of atherosclerosis that precede CVD. In agreement with these results, gene expression analysis revealed that the treatment of endothelial cells with these compounds modulated the expression of genes involved in regulation of cell-cell adhesion, actin cytoskeleton reorganisation, focal adhesion and leukocyte transmigration. Bioinformatics analyses of gene expression data allowed the identification of potential transcription factors involved in the observed nutrigenomic effects and cell signalling proteins regulating their activity. Molecular docking analyses further revealed cell signalling proteins to which these bioactives may bind to and potentially affect their activity and the activation of downstream signalling proteins and transcription factors, effects that were in agreement with the results of Western blot analyses. Anthocyanins and their metabolites also modulated the expression of microRNAs, especially those involved in regulation of endothelial cell permeability, contributing to the observed changes in endothelial cell function...Kardiovaskularne bolesti predstavljaju oboljenja koja zahvataju srce i krvne sudove i najčešći su uzrok obolevanja i umiranja u svetu. Prema mestu javljanja mogu se podeliti na bolesti srca, cerebrovaskularne bolesti i bolesti perifernih krvnih sudova. Osnovni uzročnik kardiovaskularnih bolesti je ateroskleroza, hronično zapaljensko oboljenje velikih i srednje velikih arterijskih krvnih sudova koje se karakteriše aterosklerotičnim lezijama koje nastaju nakupljanjem lipida, ćelija i proteina vezivnog tkiva unutar zida krvnog suda. Ove patološke promene krvnih sudova ometaju normalan protok krvi, a u kasnijim stadijumima bolesti mogu dovesti i do pucanja plaka i aterotromboze, što za posledicu može imati infarkt miokarda ili šlog. Sam nastanak ateroskleroze povezan je sa poremećenom funkcijom endotela krvnog suda koja podstiče adheziju leukocita za aktivirane endotelne ćelije i njihovu transendotelnu migraciju. Unutar zida krvnog suda monociti se diferenciraju u makrofage, vrše ingestiju oksidovanog LDL holesterola i formiraju penušave ćelije čije nakupljanje vremenom dovodi do formiranja aterosklerotičnih lezija. Važnu ulogu u nastanku ateroskleroze imaju i trombociti. Interakcija aktiviranih trombocita sa leukocitima i endotelnim ćelijama podstiče adheziju leukocita i njihovu transendotelnu migraciju i time dodatno podstiče zapaljenski proces i razvoj ateroskleroze. Stoga, ispitivanje uzajamnog delovanja endotelnih ćelija, leukocita i trombocita predstavlja značajno područje istraživanja u cilju prevencije i kontrole kardiovaskularnih bolesti. Ishrana ima važnu ulogu, kako u nastanku i razvoju kardiovaskularnih bolest, tako i u njihovoj prevenciji i lečenju. Rezultati brojnih epidemioloških i kliničkih studija pokazuju povoljno delovanje ishrane bogate voćem i povrćem na kardiovaskularno zdravlje. Ovo pozitivno delovanje namirnica biljnog porekla pripisuje se delom njihovom niskom energetskom vrednošću, visokom sadržaju vlakana i esencijalnih mikronutrijenata, ali pre svega nenutritivnim, biološki aktivnim sastojcima, poput polifenola..

Dietary patterns, caloric restrictions for management of cardiovascular disease and cancer; a brief review

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancers are overall still identified as the two most prevalent non-communicable diseases globally. Their prevention and potential reversal (in particular CVD risk) was seen effective with the modification of dietary intake that was applied in several different populations. Although the findings from epidemiological studies provide support that adhering to dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean diet can reduce incidence and prevalence of CVD and some forms of cancer, the mechanistic aspects of disease modulation associated with both diseases can be seen in dietary management. Several studies have already explored the potential modes of action of certain nutrients in well controlled large clinical trials. However, the clinical trials designed to determine the effects of adhering to a particular diet are relatively hard to conduct and these studies are faced with several obstacles particularly in the populations that are identified with a high risk of CVD or different cancers. Therefore, it is important to understand potential underlying and shared mechanisms of action and to explore how healthy dietary patterns may modulate the occurrence, initiation, and progression of such diseases. The aim of this review is to summarise and conceptualize the current understanding relating to healthy dietary patterns, and briefly discuss the opportunities that epigenetic research may bring and how it may assist to further interpret epidemiological and clinical evidence

Nutrigenomic modification induced by anthocyanin-rich bilberry extract in the hippocampus of ApoE-/- mice

Dietary anthocyanins may slow cognitive decline, improve cognitive performance and exert neuroprotective effects against neurodegenerative disorders. However, the underlying mechanisms of their action are not fully understood. This study investigated the effects of 12-week anthocyanin-rich bilberry extract supplementation (0.02%) on global gene expression in the hippocampus of ApoE-/- mice to help the understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying anthocyanin neuroprotective effects. Gene expression analysis identified 1698 differently expressed genes, with 611 downregulated and 1087 upregulated genes. Bioinformatics revealed that these genes regulate different biological processes, including neurogenesis, inflammation, metabolism, cell to cell adhesion, cytoskeleton organization, and Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease pathology. The bioinformatic analysis also proposed potential miRNAs and transcription factors that could be involved in the mediation of these nutrigenomic effects. Results from molecular docking also suggested that anthocyanins could bind to top transcription factors with, as potential consequence, an impact on their gene expression regulation. Taken together, integrated analysis revealed a multi-target mode of action of anthocyanin-rich bilberry extract in the hippocampus underlying their neuroprotective properties

Walnut Supplementation Restores the SIRT1-FoxO3a-MnSOD/Catalase Axis in the Heart, Promotes an Anti-Inflammatory Fatty Acid Profile in Plasma, and Lowers Blood Pressure on Fructose-Rich Diet

The benefits of walnut (Juglans regia) consumption for metabolic health are known, but the molecular background underlying their putative antioxidant and anti-inflammatory/immunomodulatory effects is underexplored. We assessed that walnut supplementation (6 weeks) reverted unfavorable changes of the SIRT1/FoxO3a/MnSOD/catalase axis in the heart induced by fructose-rich diet (FRD). Intriguingly, Nox4 was increased by both FRD and walnut supplementation. FRD increased the cytosolic fraction and decreased the nuclear fraction of the uniquely elucidated ChREBP in the heart. The ChREBP nuclear fraction was decreased in control rats subjected to walnuts. In addition, walnut consumption was associated with a reduction in systolic BP in FRD and a decrease in fatty acid AA/EPA and AA/DHA ratios in plasma. In summary, the protective effect of walnut supplementation was detected in male rats following the fructose-induced decrease in antioxidative/anti-inflammatory capacity of cardiac tissue and increase in plasma predictors of low-grade inflammation. The current results provide a novel insight into the relationship between nutrients, cellular energy homeostasis, and the modulators of inflammatory/immune response in metabolic syndrome, emphasizing the heart and highlighting a track for translation into nutrition and dietary therapeutic approaches against metabolic disease

Otpornost korovskih populacija u voćnjacima na glifosat

Nowadays, both worldwide and in Serbia, for weed eradication in orchards mostly herbicides based on glyphosate, glufosinate-ammonium, diquat and others are used. Intensive glyphosate application has led to the development of resistant weed species, which has consequently resulted in a decrease in its effectiveness. In our country, areas under orchards amount to 224.000 hectares, which certainly points to a significant herbicide use and a possibility that weed resistant populations have developed. For this reason, seeds of several weed species from areas where glyphosate has been intensively used for years were collected (localities: Inđija, Brestovac, Šabac, Vršac, Sombor, Glogonjski Rit, Padinska Skela and Surčin). Plants were grown in controlled conditions and in the open field. Plant material was then crushed using liquid nitrogen, and the extraction of shikimic acid was performed using hydrochloric acid (1 g of plant material + 5 ml 1M HCl). 24 hours later the amount of shikimic acid was detected using high-pressure liquid chromatography. The analysis of the obtained results showed that species Amaranthus retroflexus (loc. Šabac), Abutilon teophrasti (loc. Brestovac) and wild Helianthus annuus (loc. G. Rit) have developed a certain degree of glyphosate resistance.Danas, u Svetu i kod nas, za suzbijanje korova u voćnjacima najviše se koriste herbicidi na bazi glifosata, glufosinat-amonijuma, dikvata i drugi. Intenzivna primena glifosata uticala je na pojavu rezistentnih korovskih vrsta što za posledicu ima smanjenu efikasnost. U našoj zemlji površine pod voćnim zasadima iznose 224 hiljade hektara što svakako ukazuje na veliku upotrebu herbicida i mogućnost da je došlo do razvoja rezistentnih populacija korova. Zbog toga su sakupljana semena nekoliko korovskih vrsta sa površina gde je bila višegodišnja intenzivna primena glifosata u voćnjacima (Inđija, Brestovac, Šabac, Vršac, Sombor, Glogonjski Rit, Padinska Skela, Kosančić i Surčin). Biljke su gajene u kontrolisanim uslovima i na otvorenom polju. Biljni materijal je nakon uzorkovanja usitnjen u tečnom azotu i ekstrakcija šikiminske kiseline je urađena pomoću hlorovodonične kiseline (1 g biljnog materijala + 5 ml 1M HCL). Nakon 24 h očitavan je sadržaj šikiminske kiseline na tečnom hromatografu (HPLC). Analiza dobijenih rezultata je pokazala da su vrste Amaranthus retroflexus (lok. Šabac), Abutilon theophrasti (lok. Brestovac) i korovski Helianthus annuus (lok. G. Rit) razvile određeni stepen rezistentnosti prema glifosatu

Is There a FADS2-Modulated Link between Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Plasma Phospholipids and Polyphenol Intake in Adult Subjects Who Are Overweight?

Dietary polyphenols promote cardiometabolic health and are linked with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in plasma phospholipids (LC-PUFA). The FADS2 polymorphisms are associated with LC-PUFA metabolism and overweight/obesity. This 4-week study examined the link between polyphenol intake, FADS2 variants (rs174593, rs174616, rs174576) and obesity in 62 overweight adults (BMI gt = 25), allocated to consume 100 mL daily of either: Aronia juice, a rich source of polyphenols, with 1177.11 mg polyphenols (expressed as gallic acid equivalents)/100 mL (AJ, n = 22), Aronia juice with 294.28 mg polyphenols/100 mL (MJ, n = 20), or nutritionally matched polyphenol-lacking placebo as a control (PLB, n = 20). We analyzed LC-PUFA (% of total pool) by gas chromatography and FADS2 variants by real-time PCR. Four-week changes in LC-PUFA, BMI, and body weight were included in statistical models, controlling for gender and PUFA intake. Only upon AJ and MJ, the presence of FADS2 variant alleles affected changes in linoleic, arachidonic, and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Upon MJ treatment, changes in EPA were inversely linked with changes in BMI (beta= -0.73, p = 0.029) and weight gain (beta= -2.17, p = 0.024). Only in subjects drinking AJ, the link between changes in EPA and anthropometric indices was modified by the rs174576 variant allele. Our results indicate the interaction between FADS2, fatty acid metabolism, and polyphenol intake in overweight subjects

Effects of anthocyanins and their gut metabolites on adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet activation and their aggregation with monocytes and neutrophils

Accumulating evidence suggests that anthocyanins play an important role in the cardioprotective effects associated with consumption of anthocyanin-rich foods. These benefits may partly be attributed to their effects on platelets, significant contributors to cardiovascular disease development. This study aimed to investigate the impact of physiologically relevant concentrations of anthocyanins and their metabolites on platelet activation and platelet-leukocyte aggregation. Whole blood from seven healthy volunteers was treated with anthocyanins: cyanidin-3-arabinoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-galactoside, delphinidin-3-glucoside and peonidin-3-glucoside at 0.1 mu M concentration or gut metabolites: 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, protocatechuic, vanillic, ferulic and hippuric acids at 0.5 mu M, 0.2 mu M, 2 mu M, 1 mu M, 2 mu M concentration, respectively. Markers of adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet activation (P-selectin and GPIIb-IIIa expression) and platelet-monocyte and platelet-neutrophil aggregation were analyzed using flow cytometry. Cyanidin-3-arabinoside, delphinidin-3-glucoside, and peonidin-3-glucoside decreased agonist-induced P-selectin expression, while cyanidin-3-galactoside and cyanidin-3-arabinoside reduced platelet-neutrophil aggregation. Hippuric and protocatechuic acids inhibited P-selectin expression, ferulic acid reduced platelet-monocyte aggregation, while 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde affected P-selectin expression, platelet-neutrophil and monocyte aggregation. Only cyanidin-3-glucoside and protocatechuic acid decreased GPIIb-IIIa expression. These results demonstrate the bioactivity of anthocyanins and their gut metabolites at physiologically relevant concentrations on platelet function and interaction with leukocytes, presenting mechanisms by which they contribute to the beneficial effects of habitual consumption of anthocyanin-rich foods on cardiovascular health

Walnut Consumption Induces Tissue-Specific Omega-6/Omega-3 Decrease in High-Fructose-Fed Wistar Rats

Increased dietary, blood, and tissue n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratios are associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome. Due to Westernized dietary patterns, the increasing n-6/n-3 ratio is of growing concern worldwide, and dietary strategies aimed at its lowering are of public health importance. Walnuts are rich in dietary fats, and their consumption promotes cardiometabolic health. This study aimed to examine the effect of 6-week walnut consumption on tissue-specific n-6/n-3 ratio and fatty acid metabolic conversion in fructose-fed rats with a cluster of metabolic disorders. Male Wistar rats were fed a standard diet with or without 10% fructose in drinking water for 9 weeks. Diets of half of the animals were then supplemented with walnuts (2.4 g/day) for 6 weeks, upon which fatty acid profiles were determined in plasma, liver, adipose tissue, and kidney total lipids. Results showed that walnuts induced significant decreases in the n-6/n-3 content of total lipid pool in plasma and examined tissues, irrespective of metabolic burden. Walnut intervention decreased plasma and liver palmitoleic/palmitic, arachidonic/linoleic, and docosahexaenoic/alpha-linolenic acid ratios. It also modulated individual fatty acid levels by reducing arachidonic and palmitic acid and increasing alpha-linolenic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosapentaenoic acid in plasma and most tissues. Our study demonstrated that 6-week consumption of walnuts favorably modulated n-6/n-3 plasma and tissue ratio in male Wistar rats regardless of high-fructose feeding, underscoring the promising potential of walnuts in both prevention and treatment of the metabolic syndrome