María José Zarzuelo

Quercetin inhibits vascular superoxide production induced by endothelin-1: Role of NADPH oxidase, uncoupled eNOS and PKC

Chronic administration of the most abundant dietary flavonoid quercetin exerts antihypertensive effects and improves endothelial function. We have investigated the effects of quercetin and its methylated metabolite isorhamnetin (1-10microM) on endothelial dysfunction and superoxide (O(2*)(-)) production induced by endothelin-1 (ET-1, 10nM). ET-1 increased the contractile response induced by phenylephrine and reduced the relaxant responses to acetylcholine in phenylephrine contracted intact aorta, and these effects were prevented by co-incubation with quercetin, isorhamnetin or chelerythrine (protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor). This endothelial dysfunction was also improved by superoxide dismutase (SOD), apocynin (NADPH oxidase inhibitor) and sepiapterin (tetrahydrobiopterin synthesis substrate). Furthermore, ET-1 increased intracellular O(2*)(-) production in all layers of the vessel, protein expression of NADPH oxidase subunit p47(phox) without affecting p22(phox) expression and lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence signal stimulated by calcium ionophore A23187. All these changes were prevented by both quercetin and isorhamnetin. Moreover, apocynin, endothelium denudation and N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methylester (l-NAME, nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) suppressed the ET-1-induced increase in A23187-stimulated O(2*)(-) generation. Moreover, quercetin but not isorhamnetin, inhibited the increased PKC activity induced by ET-1. Taken together these results indicate that ET-1-induced NADPH oxidase up-regulation and eNOS uncoupling via PKC leading to endothelial dysfunction and these effects were prevented by quercetin and isorhamnetin.

Wine Polyphenols Improve Endothelial Function in Large Vessels of Female Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Red wine polyphenols (RWPs) have been reported to prevent hypertension and endothelial dysfunction. Several individual RWPs exert estrogenic effects. We analyzed the possible in vivo protective effects on blood pressure and endothelial function of RWPs in female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and its relationship with ovarian function. RWPs (40 mg/kg by gavage) were orally administered for 5 weeks. Ovariectomized rats showed both increased isoprostaglandin F2&agr; excretion and aortic superoxide production and reduced relaxant response to acetylcholine and contraction to the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) inhibitor l-NAME measured in the aorta but similar blood pressure, as compared with sham-operated rats. Moreover, in ovariectomized rats aortic eNOS expression was unchanged, whereas caveolin-1, angiotensin II receptor (AT)-1, and the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase subunits p22phox and p47phox expression was increased compared with sham-operated rats. In both ovariectomized and sham-operated SHR, RWPs reduced systolic blood pressure, urinary isoprostaglandin F2&agr; excretion, and aortic O2− production, improving the endothelium-dependent relaxant response to acetylcholine in SHR. These changes were associated with unchanged aortic eNOS expression, whereas caveolin-1 was increased and the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase subunits p22phox and p47phox expression was reduced. RWPs had no effect on the AT-1 overexpression found in ovariectomized animals. All these results suggest that a chronic treatment with RWPs reduces hypertension and vascular dysfunction through reduction in vascular oxidative stress in female SHR in a manner independent of the ovarian function.

Epicatechin lowers blood pressure, restores endothelial function, and decreases oxidative stress and endothelin-1 and NADPH oxidase activity in DOCA-salt hypertension.

Flavanol-rich diets have been reported to exert beneficial effects in preventing cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension. We studied the effects of chronic treatment with epicatechin on blood pressure, endothelial function, and oxidative status in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt-induced hypertension. Rats were treated for 5 weeks with (-)-epicatechin at 2 or 10 mg kg(-1)day(-1). The high dose of epicatechin prevented both the increase in systolic blood pressure and the proteinuria induced by DOCA-salt. Plasma endothelin-1 and malondialdehyde levels and urinary iso-prostaglandin F(2α) excretion were increased in animals of the DOCA-salt group and reduced by the epicatechin 10 mg kg(-1) treatment. Aortic superoxide levels were enhanced in the DOCA-salt group and abolished by both doses of epicatechin. However, only epicatechin at 10 mg kg(-1) reduced the rise in aortic nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase activity and p47(phox) and p22(phox) gene overexpression found in DOCA-salt animals. Epicatechin increased the transcription of nuclear factor-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) and Nrf2 target genes in aortas from control rats. Epicatechin also improved the impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation response to acetylcholine and increased the phosphorylation of both Akt and eNOS in aortic rings. In conclusion, epicatechin prevents hypertension, proteinuria, and vascular dysfunction. Epicatechin also induced a reduction in ET-1 release, systemic and vascular oxidative stress, and inhibition of NADPH oxidase activity.

SIRT1 inhibits NADPH oxidase activation and protects endothelial function in the rat aorta: Implications for vascular aging

Vascular aging is characterized by up-regulation of NADPH oxidase, oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction. Previous studies demonstrate that the activity of the evolutionarily conserved NAD(+)-dependent deacetylase SIRT1 declines with age and that pharmacological activators of SIRT1 confer significant anti-aging cardiovascular effects. To determine whether dysregulation of SIRT1 promotes NADPH oxidase-dependent production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and impairs endothelial function we assessed the effects of three structurally different inhibitors of SIRT1 (nicotinamide, sirtinol, EX527) in aorta segments isolated from young Wistar rats. Inhibition of SIRT1 induced endothelial dysfunction, as shown by the significantly reduced relaxation to the endothelium-dependent vasodilators acetylcholine and the calcium ionophore A23187. Endothelial dysfunction induced by SIRT1 inhibition was prevented by treatment of the vessels with the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin or superoxide dismutase. Inhibition of SIRT1 significantly increased vascular superoxide production, enhanced NADPH oxidase activity, and mRNA expression of its subunits p22(phox) and NOX4, which were prevented by resveratrol. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) activation mimicked the effects of resveratrol while PPARα inhibition prevented the effects of this SIRT1 activator. SIRT1 co-precipitated with PPARα and nicotinamide increased the acetylation of the PPARα coactivator PGC-1α, which was suppressed by resveratrol. In conclusion, impaired activity of SIRT1 induces endothelial dysfunction and up-regulates NADPH oxidase-derived ROS production in the vascular wall, mimicking the vascular aging phenotype. Moreover, a new mechanism for controlling endothelial function after SIRT1 activation involves a decreased PGC-1α acetylation and the subsequent PPARα activation, resulting in both decreased NADPH oxidase-driven ROS production and NO inactivation.

Vascular deconjugation of quercetin glucuronide: The flavonoid paradox revealed?

SCOPE The dietary flavonoid quercetin exerts protective cardiovascular effects. Because quercetin is rapidly metabolized into less active or inactive glucuronidated metabolites and the plasma concentrations of free quercetin are very low, a huge amount of scientific data generated along decades with the unconjugated compounds in vitro has been questioned. We aimed to determine whether glucuronidated quercetin can deconjugate in situ and whether deconjugation leads to a biological effect. METHODS AND RESULTS Quercetin and quercetin-3-O-glucuronide (Q3GA) were perfused through the isolated rat mesenteric vascular bed. Quercetin was rapidly metabolized in the mesentery. In contrast, the decay of Q3GA was slower and was accompanied by a progressive increase of quercetin in the perfusate and in the tissue over 6 h, which was prevented by the β-glucuronidase inhibitor saccharolactone. Incubation of mesenteric arterial rings mounted in a wire myograph with Q3GA for ≥1 h resulted in a significant inhibition of the contractile response which was also prevented by saccharolactone. Moreover, the intravenous administration of Q3GA resulted in a slow onset and sustained blood pressure lowering effect, demonstrating for the first time that Q3GA has effects in vivo. CONCLUSION We propose that Q3GA behaves as a quercetin carrier in plasma, which deconjugates in situ releasing the aglycone which is the final effector.

Antihypertensive Effects of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-β Activation in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Activation of nuclear hormone receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor &bgr;/&dgr; (PPAR&bgr;) has been shown to improve insulin resistance and plasma high-density lipoprotein levels, but nothing is known about its effects in genetic hypertension. We studied whether the PPAR&bgr; agonist GW0742 might exert antihypertensive effects in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). The rats were divided into 4 groups, Wistar Kyoto rat-control, Wistar Kyoto rat-treated (GW0742, 5 mg · kg−1 · day−1 by oral gavage), SHR-control, and SHR-treated, and followed for 5 weeks. GW0742 induced a progressive reduction in systolic arterial blood pressure and heart rate in SHRs and reduced the mesenteric arterial remodeling, the increased aortic vasoconstriction to angiotensin II, and the endothelial dysfunction characteristic of SHRs. These effects were accompanied by a significant increase in endothelial NO synthase activity attributed to upregulated endothelial NO synthase and downregulated caveolin 1 protein expression. Moreover, GW0742 inhibited vascular superoxide production, downregulated p22phox and p47phox proteins, decreased both basal and angiotensin II–stimulated NADPH oxidase activity, inhibited extracellular-regulated kinase 1/2 activation, and reduced the expression of the proinflammatory and proatherogenic genes, interleukin 1&bgr;, interleukin 6, or intercellular adhesion molecule 1. None of these effects were observed in Wistar Kyoto rats. PPAR&bgr; activation, both in vitro and in vivo, increased the expression of the regulators of G protein–coupled signaling proteins RGS4 and RGS5, which negatively modulated the vascular actions of angiotensin II. PPAR&bgr; activation exerted antihypertensive effects, restored the vascular structure and function, and reduced the oxidative, proinflammatory, and proatherogenic status of SHRs. We propose PPAR&bgr; as a new therapeutic target in hypertension.

Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-β/-δ (PPARβ/δ) prevents endothelial dysfunction in type 1 diabetic rats.

Endothelial dysfunction plays a key role in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular disease. Herein, we have analyzed if the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-β/-δ (PPARβ/δ) agonist GW0742 exerts protective effects on endothelial function in type 1 diabetic rats. The rats were divided into 4 groups: control, control-treated (GW0742, 5 mg kg(-1)day(-1) for 5 weeks), diabetic (streptozotocin injection), and diabetic-treated. GW0742 administration in diabetic rats did not alter plasma glucose, systolic blood pressure, or heart rate, but reduced plasma triglyceride levels. The vasodilatation induced by acetylcholine was decreased in aortas from diabetic rats. GW0742 restored endothelial function, increasing eNOS phosphorylation. Superoxide production, NADPH oxidase activity, and mRNA expression of prepro endothelin-1, p22(phox), p47(phox), and NOX-1 were significantly higher in diabetic aortas, and GW0742 treatment prevented these changes. In addition, GW0742 prevented the endothelial dysfunction and the upregulation of prepro endothelin-1 and p47(phox) after the in vitro incubation of aortic rings with high glucose and these effects were prevented by the PPARβ/δ antagonist GSK0660. PPARβ/δ activation restores endothelial function in type 1 diabetic rats. This effect seems to be related to an increase in nitric oxide bioavailability as a result of reduced NADPH oxidase-driven superoxide production and downregulation of prepro endothelin-1.

Endothelium-Dependent Vasodilator Effects of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor β Agonists via the Phosphatidyl-Inositol-3 Kinase-Akt Pathway

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor β/δ (PPAR-β) is a ligand-activated transcription factor belonging to the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily that regulates the transcription of many target genes. More recently, acute, nongenomic effects of PPAR-β agonists have also been described. In the present study, we hypothesized that PPAR-β agonists might exert acute nongenomic effects on vascular tone. Here, we report that the structurally unrelated PPAR-β ligands [4-[3-(4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-propylphenoxy)propoxy]phenoxy]acetic acid (L-165041) and 4-[[[2-[3-fluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4-methyl-5-thiazolyl] methyl]thio]-2-methylphenoxy]acetic acid (GW0742) induced vascular relaxation in phenylephrine-precontracted endothelium-intact rat aortic rings, which was significantly inhibited by endothelial denudation or nitric-oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition with NG-nitro-l-arginine methylester. These relaxant effects reached steady state within 15 min. The relaxation induced by L-165041 and GW0742 in aortic rings precontracted with the thromboxane A2 analog 9,11-dideoxy-11α,9α-epoxymethanoprostaglandin F2α (U-46619) was unaffected either by removal of extracellular calcium or by incubation with calcium-free solution containing the intracellular calcium chelator 1,2-bis-(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid tetra(acetoxymethyl) ester. However, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-1(4H)-benzopyran-4-one hydrochloride (LY-294002) inhibited the endothelium-dependent relaxant responses induced by both PPAR-β agonists. Blockade of PPAR-β with 3-[[[2-methoxy-4-(phenylamino)phenyl]amino]sulfonyl]-2-thiophenecarboxylic acid methyl ester (GSK0660) also partially inhibited these relaxant responses, although PPAR-γ blockade with 2-chloro-5-nitro-N-phenylbenzamide (GW9662) had no effect. In human umbilical vein endothelial cells, L-165041 and GW0742 increased nitric oxide (NO) production and Akt and endothelial NOS (eNOS) phosphorylation, which were sensitive to PI3K inhibition and PPAR-β blockade. In conclusion, the PPAR-β agonists acutely caused vasodilatation, which was partially dependent on endothelial-derived NO. The eNOS activation is calcium-independent and seems to be related to activation of the PI3K-Akt-eNOS pathway.

Antihypertensive effects of probiotics Lactobacillus strains in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

SCOPE The cardiovascular effects of probiotics Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 (LC40), or L. coryniformis CECT5711 (K8) plus L. gasseri CECT5714 (LC9) (1:1) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were evaluated. METHODS AND RESULTS Ten Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) and 30 SHR were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 10): a control WKY group, a control SHR groups, an SHR group treated with LC40, and an SHR treated with K8/LC9 group for 5 weeks (at a dose of 3.3 × 10(10) colony-forming units/day in drinking water). Long-term administration of probiotics reduced systolic blood pressure. The consumption of K8/LC9 mixture significantly reduced the cardiac and renal hypertrophy. Both groups of probiotics reversed the impaired aortic endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine observed in SHR. They also abolished the increased aortic superoxide levels by reducing the increased toll-like receptor-4 mRNA levels and NADPH oxidase activity found in SHR. K8/LC9 consumption also increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase phosphorylation. Probiotic treatments induced a change in the cecum microbiota of SHR, with higher counts of the Lactobacillus spp. cluster, and lower counts of Bacteriodes spp. and Clostridium spp. CONCLUSION Probiotics exert cardiovascular protective effects in genetic hypertension related to the improvement of vascular pro-oxidative and pro-inflammatory status.

Chronic Hydroxychloroquine Improves Endothelial Dysfunction and Protects Kidney in a Mouse Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Hydroxychloroquine has been shown to be efficacious in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus. Hydroxychloroquine-treated lupus patients showed a lower incidence of thromboembolic disease. Endothelial dysfunction, the earliest indicator of the development of cardiovascular disease, is present in lupus. Whether hydroxychloroquine improves endothelial function in lupus is not clear. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of hydroxychloroquine on hypertension, endothelial dysfunction, and renal injury in a female mouse model of lupus. NZBWF1 (lupus) and NZW/LacJ (control) mice were treated with hydroxychloroquine 10 mg/kg per day by oral gavage, or with tempol and apocynin in the drinking water, for 5 weeks. Hydroxychloroquine treatment did not alter lupus disease activity (assessed by plasma double-stranded DNA autoantibodies) but prevented hypertension, cardiac and renal hypertrophy, proteinuria, and renal injury in lupus mice. Aortae from lupus mice showed reduced endothelium-dependent vasodilator responses to acetylcholine and enhanced contraction to phenylephrine, which were normalized by hydroxychloroquine or antioxidant treatments. No differences among all experimental groups were found in both the relaxant responses to acetylcholine and the contractile responses to phenylephrine in rings incubated with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. Vascular reactive oxygen species content and mRNA levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase subunits NOX-1 and p47phox were increased in lupus mice and reduced by hydroxychloroquine or antioxidants. Chronic hydroxychloroquine treatment reduced hypertension, endothelial dysfunction, and organ damage in severe lupus mice, despite the persistent elevation of anti–double-stranded DNA, suggesting the involvement of new additional mechanisms to improve cardiovascular complications.