Anthocyanins and metabolites resolve TNF-α-mediated production of E-selectin and adhesion of monocytes to endothelial cells

This study investigated the capacity of an anthocyanin-rich fraction (ACN-RF) from blueberry, single anthocyanins (cyanidin, delphinidin and malvidin-3-glucoside; Cy, Dp and Mv-3-glc) and related metabolites (protocatechuic, gallic and syringic acid; PrA, GA and SA) to resolve an inflammation-driven adhesion of monocytes (THP-1) on endothelial cell (HUVECs) and secretion of cell adhesion molecules E-selectin and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1). The adhesion of THP-1 to HUVECs was induced by tumour necrosis factor \u3b1 (TNF-\u3b1, 100\u202fng\u202fmL-1). Subsequently, ACN-RF, single ACNs and metabolites (from 0.01 to 10\u202f\u3bcg\u202fmL-1) were incubated for 24\u202fh. The adhesion was measured in a fluorescence spectrophotometer. E-selectin and VCAM-1 were quantified by ELISA. No toxicological effects were observed for the compounds and the doses tested. ACN-RF and Mv-3-glc reducedTHP-1 adhesion at all the concentrations with the maximum effect at 10 \u3bcg/ml (-60.2% for ACNs and-33.9% for Mv-3-glc). Cy-3-glc decreased the adhesion by about 41.8% at 10\u202f\u3bcg\u202fmL-1, while PrA and GA reduced the adhesion of THP-1 to HUVECs both at 1 and at 10\u202f\u3bcg\u202fmL-1 (-29.5% and -44.3% for PrA, respectively, and -18.0%and -59.3% for GA, respectively). At the same concentrations a significant reduction of E-selectin, but notVCAM-1 levels, was documented. No effect was observed following Dp-3-glc and SA supplementation. Overall, ACNs and metabolites seem to resolve, in a dose-dependent manner, the inflammation-driven adhesion of THP-1 to HUVECs by decreasing E-selectin concentrations. Interestingly, Mv-3-glc was active at physiologically relevant concentrations

Different effects of anthocyanins and phenolic acids from wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) on monocytes adhesion to endothelial cells in a TNF-alpha stimulated proinflammatory environment

SCOPE: Monocyte adhesion to the vascular endothelium is a crucial step in the early stages of atherogenesis. This study aims to investigate the capacity of an anthocyanin (ACN) and phenolic acid (PA)-rich fraction (RF) of a wild blueberry, single ACNs (cyanidin, malvidin, delphinidin) and related metabolites (protocatechuic, syringic and gallic acid) to counteract monocytes (THP-1) adhesion to endothelial cells (HUVECs) in a tumor necrosis \u3b1 (TNF-\u3b1) mediated pro-inflammatory environment. METHODS AND RESULTS: HUVECs were incubated with different concentrations (from 0.01 to 10 \u3bcg mL-1 ) of the compounds for 24 h. Labelled monocytic THP-1 cells were added to HUVECs and their adhesion was induced by TNF-\u3b1 (100 ng mL-1 ). ACN-RF reduced THP-1 adhesion to HUVECs with a maximum effect at 10 \u3bcg mL-1 (-33%). PA-RF counteracted THP-1 adhesion at 0.01, 0.1 and 1 \u3bcg mL-1 (-45%, -48.7% and -27.6%, respectively), but not at maximum concentration. Supplementation with gallic acid reduced THP-1 adhesion to HUVECs with a maximum effect at 1 \u3bcg mL-1 (-29.9%), while malvidin-3-glucoside and syringic acid increased the adhesion. No effect was observed for the other compounds. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that ACNs/PA-RF may prevent atherogenesis while the effects of the single ACNs and metabolites are controversial and merit further exploration

Effect of fiber and protein-enriched pasta formulations on satiety-related sensations and afternoon snacking in Italian healthy female subjects

The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of consuming different fiber and protein-enriched pasta formulations on satiety response and on mid-afternoon energy intake. Twenty Italian young healthy female subjects participated to a randomized repeated measure study design developed to evaluate the effect on satiety and energy intake of five different pasta formulations, i.e. high fiber, high fiber and high protein, high protein from soy, high protein from egg white, and standard commercial pasta consumed at lunch. The formulations together with a portion of fruit were consumed on five different occasions followed by an ad libitum snack meal proposed 2 h later. Before, immediately after the lunch consumption, and every 30 min until snack time, satiety sensations were assessed by visual analogue scales. In addition, mid-afternoon energy and macronutrient intake consumed with the snacks were calculated. Compared to the control pasta, all the formulations significantly affected satiety-related sensations. Palatability-related attributes of pasta were positively correlated to snack energy intake, whereas fullness sensation was negatively correlated. Among the formulations tested only the fiber and protein-enriched pasta significantly reduced energy intake following the ad libitum snack consumption (p < 0.05). Overall, these findings suggest that pasta enriched with a combination of fiber and protein, might be effective in the modulation of appetite sensations, thus suggesting a new concept-pasta formulation for the modulation of eating behavior. These results are interesting considering that pasta is a staple food in different target groups of the population

Role of polyphenols and polyphenol-rich foods in the modulation of PON1 activity and expression

Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is a high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-associated enzyme involved in the protection of low-density lipoprotein and HDLs against lipid peroxidation. Several studies documented the capacity of polyphenols to stimulate PON1 transcription activation. The objective of the present review is to provide the main evidence about the role and the potential mechanism of action of polyphenols and polyphenol-rich foods in the modulation of PON1 gene expression and activity. A total of 76 in vitro and in vivo studies were included in the review. Overall, while evidence obtained in vitro is limited to quercetin and resveratrol, those deriving from animal models seem more convincing for a wide range of polyphenols but only at pharmacological doses. Evidence from human studies is promising but deserves more substantiation about the role of polyphenol-rich foods in the regulation of PON1 activity and expression. Research focused on the understanding of the structure\u2013activity relationship of polyphenols with PON1 and on the mechanisms at the base of PON1 modulation is warranted. Well-designed human intervention studies are encouraged to corroborate the findings of polyphenols also at physiological doses

Modulation of Adhesion Process, E-Selectin and VEGF Production by Anthocyanins and Their Metabolites in an In-Vitro Model of Atherosclerosis

The present study aims to evaluate the ability of peonidin and petunidin-3-glucoside (Peo-3-glc and Pet-3-glc) and their metabolites (vanillic acid; VA and methyl-gallic acid; MetGA), to prevent monocyte (THP-1) adhesion to endothelial cells (HUVECs), and to reduce the production of vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, E-selectin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in a stimulated pro-inflammatory environment, a pivotal step of atherogenesis. Tumor necrosis factor-\u3b1 (TNF-\u3b1; 100 ng mL 121) was used to stimulate the adhesion of labelled monocytes (THP-1) to endothelial cells (HUVECs). Successively, different concentrations of Peo-3-glc and Pet-3-glc (0.02 \ub5M, 0.2 \ub5M, 2 \ub5M and 20 \ub5M), VA and MetGA (0.05 \ub5M, 0.5 \ub5M, 5 \ub5M and 50 \ub5M) were tested. After 24 h, VCAM-1, E-selectin and VEGF were quantified by ELISA, while the adhesion process was measured spectrophotometrically. Peo-3-glc and Pet-3-glc (from 0.02 \ub5M to 20 \ub5M) significantly (p &lt; 0.0001) decreased THP-1 adhesion to HUVECs at all concentrations ( 1237%, 1224%, 1230% and 1247% for Peo-3-glc; 1237%, 1233%, 1233% and 1245% for Pet-3-glc). VA, but not MetGA, reduced the adhesion process at 50 \ub5M ( 1221%; p &lt; 0.001). At the same concentrations, a significant (p &lt; 0.0001) reduction of E-selectin, but not VCAM-1, was documented. In addition, anthocyanins and their metabolites significantly decreased (p &lt; 0.001) VEGF production. The present findings suggest that while Peo-3-glc and Pet-3-glc (but not their metabolites) reduced monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells through suppression of E-selectin production, VEGF production was reduced by both anthocyanins and their metabolites, suggesting a role in the regulation of angiogenesis

Intra and inter-day repeatability of peripheral arterial function: suitability and potential limitations

The present study aimed to investigate the inter- and intraday repeatability of reactive hyperemia index (RHI) measured by Endo-PAT in healthy volunteers. Interday RHI repeatability was tested in two consecutive days in a group of thirty-one male subjects. Intraday repeatability was investigated at baseline and after 2 and 4 h in a group of sixteen volunteers. Data were evaluated by analysis of variance. Bland-Altman plot, coefficient of variation (CV), coefficient of repeatability (CR) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were measured. While interday RHI repeatability was found to be reliable (CV: 6.0%; CR: 0.51; ICC: 0.77), multiple evaluations within the same day significantly (p<0.001) affected RHI (repeatability of the measurement - CV: 18.8%; CR: 1.26; ICC: 0.48). In particular, a significant increase in RHI occurred at 4 h compared to 2 h (+16.8%; p<0.05) and to baseline (+30.1%; p<0.05). In conclusion, RHI showed good interday but poor intraday repeatability. Multiple evaluations increased RHI especially in subjects with endothelial dysfunction who improved or reversed their impairment. These results show the potential limitations of multiple Endo-PAT measurements within the same day and the importance of standardizing the protocols before RHI evaluations

The central role of iron in human nutrition : from folk to contemporary medicine

Iron is a fundamental element in human history, from the dawn of civilization to contemporary days. The ancients used the metal to shape tools, to forge weapons, and even as a dietary supplement. This last indication has been handed down until today, when martial therapy is considered fundamental to correct deficiency states of anemia. The improvement of the martial status is mainly targeted with dietary supplements that often couple diverse co-factors, but other methods are available, such as parenteral preparations, dietary interventions, or real-world approaches. The oral absorption of this metal occurs in the duodenum and is highly dependent upon its oxidation state, with many absorption influencers possibly interfering with the intestinal uptake. Bone marrow and spleen represent the initial and ultimate step of iron metabolism, respectively, and the most part of body iron circulates bound to specific proteins and mainly serves to synthesize hemoglobin for new red blood cells. Whatever the martial status is, today\u2019s knowledge about iron biochemistry allows us to embrace exceedingly personalized interventions, which however owe their success to the mythical and historical events that always accompanied this metal