Protective effect of grape seed and skin extract on cerebral ischemia in rat: implication of transition metals

Chrysin protects against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in hippocampus via restraining oxidative stress and transition elements

Chrysin is a natural flavonoid compound that has antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. Cerebral ischemia reperfusion (CIR) is closely connected with increased oxidative stress in the hippocampal CA1 region and homeostasis disorder of transition elements such as iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn). This exploration was conducted to elucidate the antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of chrysin based on transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) in rats. Experimentally, sham group, model group, chrysin (50.0 mg/kg) group, Ginaton (21.6 mg/kg) group, Dimethyloxallyl Glycine (DMOG, 20.0 mg/kg) + chrysin group and DMOG group were devised. The rats in each group were performed to behavioral evaluation, histological staining, biochemical kit detection, and molecular biological detection. The results indicated that chrysin restrained oxidative stress and the rise of transition element levels, and regulated transition element transporter levels in tMCAO rats. DMOG activated hypoxia-inducible factor-1 subunit alpha (HIF-1α), reversed the antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of chrysin, and increased transition element levels. In a word, our findings emphasize that chrysin plays a critical role in protecting CIR injury via inhibiting HIF-1α against enhancive oxidative stress and raised transition metal levels.

Polyphenols: Natural food grade biomolecules for treating neurodegenerative diseases from a multi-target perspective

As natural functional bioactive ingredients found in foods and plants, polyphenols play various antioxidant and anti-inflammatory roles to prevent the development of disease and restore human health. The multi-target modulation of polyphenols provides a novel practical therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases that are difficult to treat with traditional drugs like glutathione and cholinesterase inhibitors. This review mainly focuses on the efficacy of polyphenols on ischemic stroke, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, including in vivo and in vitro experimental studies. It is further emphasized that polyphenols exert neuroprotective effects primarily through inhibiting production of oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines, which may be the underlying mechanism. However, polyphenols are still rarely used as medicines to treat neurodegenerative diseases. Due to the lack of clinical trials, the mechanism of polyphenols is still in the stage of insufficient exploration. Future large-scale multi-center randomized controlled trials and in-depth mechanism studies are still needed to fully assess the safety, efficacy and side effects of polyphenols.

Antioxidant effect of grape seed extract corrects experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis behavioral dysfunctions, demyelination, and glial activation

Background and purpose

Multiple sclerosis (MS), a multifactorial autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS), is characterized by demyelination and chronic inflammation, as well as axonal and neuronal loss. There is no cure for MS, and despite a significant improvement in the therapeutic management of patients during the last 20 years, some symptoms are still resistant to treatment, and the evolution of the disease to progressive form seems still ineluctable. The etiology of MS is complex and still not fully understood. However, inflammation is a major driver of physiopathology and oxidative stress contributes to CNS lesions and promotes existing inflammatory response. Plant polyphenols are endowed with many therapeutic benefits through alleviating oxidative stress and inflammation, thus providing neuroprotection in MS. We presently evaluated the curative effect of grape seed extract (GSE) in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model of MS.

Experimental approach

Six-week-old C57Bl/6J females were subjected to the EAE paradigm (using myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide fragment (35-55), complete Freund’s adjuvant, and pertussis toxin) and then chronically treated with GSE from day 10 to day 30 post-induction. Clinical score and body weight were monitored daily, while evaluation of sensitive, motor, cognitive, and anxiety-related behaviors was performed weekly. Then, the GSE effect was evaluated on whole brain and spinal cord samples through the evaluation of oxidative stress damage, antioxidant capacities, myelin alteration, astroglial and microglial proliferation, and sirtuin expression.

Key results

Grape seed extract curative chronic treatment corrected the clinical course of EAE, as well as the mechanical hypersensitivity, and avoided the development of EAE mouse thermal cold allodynia. The neuropathological evaluation showed that GSE reduced oxidative stress in the brain and spinal cord by decreasing the lipid and protein oxidation through correction of the three main antioxidant enzyme activities, namely, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, as well as restoring normal myelin protein expression and correcting microglial and astroglial protein overexpression and sirtuin downregulation.

Conclusion and implications

These data strongly support GSE as an effective therapeutic approach in MS treatment.

Promising Nutritional Fruits Against Cardiovascular Diseases: An Overview of Experimental Evidence and Understanding Their Mechanisms of Action

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in both developed and developing countries, affecting millions of individuals each year. Despite the fact that successful therapeutic drugs for the management and treatment of CVDs are available on the market, nutritional fruits appear to offer the greatest benefits to the heart and have been proved to alleviate CVDs. Experimental studies have also demonstrated that nutritional fruits have potential protective effects against CVDs. The aim of the review was to provide a comprehensive summary of scientific evidence on the effect of 10 of the most commonly available nutritional fruits reported against CVDs and describe the associated mechanisms of action. Relevant literatures were searched and collected from several scientific databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar and Scopus. In the context of CVDs, 10 commonly consumed nutritious fruits including apple, avocado, grapes, mango, orange, kiwi, pomegranate, papaya, pineapple, and watermelon were analysed and addressed. The cardioprotective mechanisms of the 10 nutritional fruits were also compiled and highlighted. Overall, the present review found that the nutritious fruits and their constituents have significant benefits for the management and treatment of CVDs such as myocardial infarction, hypertension, peripheral artery disease, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies, dyslipidemias, ischemic stroke, aortic aneurysm, atherosclerosis, cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure, diabetic cardiovascular complications, drug-induced cardiotoxicity and cardiomyopathy. Among the 10 nutritional fruits, pomegranate and grapes have been well explored, and the mechanisms of action are well documented against CVDs. All of the nutritional fruits mentioned are edible and readily accessible on the market. Consuming these fruits, which may contain varying amounts of active constituents depending on the food source and season, the development of nutritious fruits-based health supplements would be more realistic for consistent CVD protection.

Protective effect of grape seed extract and orlistat co-treatment against stroke: Effect on oxidative stress and energy failure

Ischemic stroke is a major health concern and a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Oxidative stress is an early event in the course of stroke inducing neuro-inflammation and cell death. Grape seed extract (GSE) is a natural phytochemical mixture exhibiting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. Orlistat (ORL) is an anti-obesity agent and a gastro-intestinal lipase inhibitor which showed recently beneficial effects on brain lipotoxicity. Recent studies reported the increase of lipase activity upon stroke which led us to investigate the neuroprotective effect of ORL on rat brain I/R injury as well as the putative synergism with GSE. I/R insult infarcted the brain parenchyma as assessed by TTC staining, induced an oxidative stress as revealed by increased lipoperoxidation along with alteration of antioxidant enzymes activities which was corrected using the cotreatment of ORL + GSE. I/R also disturbed the main metabolic pathways involved in brain fueling as glycolysis, neoglucogenesis, glycogenolysis, TCA cycle and electron transfer chain (ETC) complexes. These disturbances were also corrected with the cotreatment ORL + GSE which maintained energetic activities near to the control level. I/R also disrupted transition metals distribution, along with associated enzymes as tyrosinase, LDH or glutamine synthetase activities and induced hippocampal inflammation as revealed by glycogen depletion from dentate gyrus area along with depressed anti-inflammatory IL1β cytokine and increased pro-inflammatory CD68 antigen. Interestingly almost all I/R-induced disturbances were corrected either partially upon ORL and GSE on their own and the best neuroprotection was obtained in the presence of both drugs (ORL + GSE) enabling robust neuroprotection of the sub granular zone within hippocampal dentate gyrus area.

Hepatocyte growth factor protects PC12 cells against OGD/R-induced injury by reducing iron

In the light of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) the inhibiting role on the expression of hepcidin, we hypothesized that HGF might be able to reduce cell and tissue iron by increasing ferroportin 1 (Fpn1) content and Fpn1-mediated iron release from cells and tissues. The hypothesized ability of HGF to reduce iron might be one of the mechanisms associated with its neuroprotective action under the conditions of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Here, we investigated the effects of HGF on the expression of hepcidin as well as transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1), divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1), Fpn1, ferritin and iron regulatory proteins (IRPs) in oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R)-treated PC12 cells by real-time PCR and Western blot analysis. We demonstrated that HGF could completely reverse the OGD/R-induced reduction in Fpn1 and IRP1 expression and increase in ferritin light chain protein and hepcidin mRNA levels in PC12 cells. It was concluded that HGF protects PC12 cells against OGD/R-induced injury mainly by reducing cell iron contents via the up-regulation of Fpn1 and increased Fpn1-mediated iron export from cells. Our findings suggested that HGF may also be able to ameliorate OGD/R or I/R-induced overloading of brain iron by promoting Fpn1 expression.

Protective effects of grape seed procyanidin on isoflurane-induced cognitive impairment in mice

Context: Oxidative imbalance-induced cognitive impairment is among the most urgent clinical concerns. Isoflurane has been demonstrated to impair cognitive function via an increase in oxidative stress. GSP has strong antioxidant capacities, suggesting potential cognitive benefits.Objective: This study investigates whether GSP pre-treatment can alleviate isoflurane-induced cognitive dysfunction in mice.Materials and methods: C57BL/6J mice were pre-treated with either GSP 25-100 mg/kg/d for seven days or GSP 100-400 mg/kg as a single dose before the 6 h isoflurane anaesthesia. Cognitive functioning was examined using the fear conditioning tests. The levels of SOD, p-NR2B and p-CREB in the hippocampus were also analysed.Results: Pre-treatment with either a dose of GSP 50 mg/kg/d for seven days or a single dose of GSP 200 mg/kg significantly increased the % freezing time in contextual tests on the 1st (72.18 ± 12.39% vs. 37.60 ± 8.93%; 78.27 ± 8.46% vs. 52.72 ± 2.64%), 3rd (93.80 ± 7.62% vs. 52.94 ± 14.10%; 87.65 ± 10.86% vs. 52.89 ± 1.73%) and 7th (91.36 ± 5.31% vs. 64.09 ± 14.46%; 93.78 ± 3.92% vs. 79.17 ± 1.79%) day after anaesthesia. In the hippocampus of mice exposed to isoflurane, GSP 200 mg/kg increased the total SOD activity on the 1st and 3rd day and reversed the decreased activity of the NR2B/CREB pathway.Discussion and conclusions: These findings suggest that GSP improves isoflurane-induced cognitive dysfunction by protecting against perturbing antioxidant enzyme activities and NR2B/CREB pathway. Therefore, GSP may possess a potential prophylactic role in isoflurane-induced and other oxidative stress-related cognitive decline.

Protective effect of (Xenical+GSF) against I/R-induced blood brain barrier disruption, ionic edema, lipid deregulation and neuroinflammation

Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of mortality worldwide that occurs following the reduction or interruption of blood brain supply, characterized by a cascade of early events as oxidative stress and ensuing neuro-inflammation, energy failure and the burst of intracellular Ca++ resulting in activation of phospholipases and large increase in FFA including arachidonic acid, ultimately leading to nervous cell death. Grape Seed Flour (GSF) is a complex polyphenolic mixture harboring antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. Orlistat (Xenical ™,Xe) is a gastro-intestinal lipase inhibitor and an anti-obesity agent. In an earlier study we reported the higher efficiency in neuroprotection against HFD-induced brain lipotoxicity when combining the two drugs (GSF + Xe). As a result repurposing Xe as an adjunct to GSF therapy against stroke appeared relevant and worthy of investigation. I/R insult disrupted the blood brain barrier (BBB) as assessed by EB dye extravasation, increased water and Na⁺ within the brain. Ultrastructurally I/R altered the brain blood capillaries at the vicinity of hippocampus dentate gyrus area as assessed by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. I/R altered lipid metabolism as revealed by LDL/HDL ratio, lipase activity, and FFA profiles. Moreover, I/R induced neuro-inflammation as assessed by down-regulation of anti-inflammatory CD 56 and up-regulation of pro-inflammatory CD 68 antigen. Importantly almost all I/R-induced disturbances were retrieved partially upon Xe or GSF on their own, and optimally when combining the two drugs. Xe per se is protective against I/R injury and the best neuroprotection was obtained when associating low dosage Xe with high dosage GSF, enabling neuroprevention and cell survival within hippocampus dentate gyrus area as revealed by increased staining of Ki 67 proliferation biomarker.

Preventive and curative effects of grape seed powder on stroke using in vitro and in vivo models of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion

Stroke is a worldwide concern. Many studies pointed out relevant preventive effect of grape seed powder (GSP) against deleterious brain ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, but curative effect has been scarcely approached. The present work aimed at studying the preventive and curative effect of GSP against stroke using in-vitro and in-vivo models. Primary neuron-astrocyte cocultures were used to evaluate in-vitro GSP protective and curative effect on oxygen-glucose-deprivation (OGD). A murine I/R model, in which GSP was administered as delayed post stroke drug, to evaluate its potential clinically translatable therapy was used and behavioral tests were conducted after 15 days. Ultra-structure of hippocampus dentate gyrus using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) was also undertaken. GSP prevented OGD-induced toxicity and cell death in a dose dependent manner and was neuroprotective as assessed by sustained cell viability (70 % ±1 for OGD + GSP and 37 % ±2 for OGD) and modulated cytokines and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression. GSP also promoted behavioral outcomes by increasing step-down inhibitory time from 17s±4 to 50s±11 and rat overall activities by improving scores in open field test to near control level. Furthermore, GSP protected hippocampus dentate gyrus area from I/R-induced drastic alterations as assessed by reduced autophagic vacuoles.

Pretreatment of Populus tomentiglandulosa protects hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons from ischemia-reperfusion injury in gerbils via increasing SODs expressions and maintaining BDNF and IGF-I expressions

To examine the effects of Populus tomentiglandulosa (PT) extract on the expressions of antioxidant enzymes and neurotrophic factors in the cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) region of the hippocampus at 5 min after inducing transient global cerebral ischemia (TGCI) in gerbils, TGCI was induced by occlusion of common carotid arteries for 5 min. Before ischemic surgery, 200 mg·kg^-1 PT extract was orally administrated once daily for 7 d. We performed neuronal nuclear antigen immunohistochemistry and Fluoro-Jade B staining. Furthermore, we determined in situ production of superoxide anion radical, expression levels of SOD1 and SOD2 as antioxidant enzymes and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) as neurotrophic factors. Pretreatment with 200 mg·kg^-1 PT extract prevented neuronal death (loss). Furthermore, pretreatment with 200 mg·kg^-1 PT extract significantly inhibited the production of superoxide anion radical, increased expressions of SODs and maintained expressions of BDNF and IGF-I. Such increased expressions of SODs were maintained in the neurons after IRI. In summary, pretreated PT extract can significantly increase levels of SODs and protect the neurons against TGCI, suggesting that PT can be a useful natural agent to protect against TGCI.

Neuroprotective effect of grape seed extract on brain ischemia: a proteomic approach

Stroke is one of the leading causes of long-lasting disability in human and oxidative stress an important underlying cause. Molecular insights into pathophysiology of ischemic stroke are still obscure, and the present study investigated the protective effect of high dosage Grape Seed Extract (GSE 2.5 g/kg) on brain ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury using a proteomic approach. Ischemia was realized by occlusion of the common carotid arteries for 30 min followed by 1 h reperfusion on control or GSE pre-treated rats, and a label-free quantification followed by mass spectrometry analysis used to evaluate I/R induced alterations in protein abundance and metabolic pathways as well as the protection afforded by GSE. I/R-induced whole brain ionogram dyshomeostasis, ultrastructural alterations, as well as inflammation into hippocampal dentate gyrus area, which were evaluated using ICP-OES, transmission electron microscopy and immuno-histochemistry respectively. I/R altered the whole brain proteome abundance among which 108 proteins were significantly modified (35 up and 73 down-regulated proteins). Eighty-four proteins were protected upon GSE treatment among which 27 were up and 57 down-regulated proteins, suggesting a potent protective effect of GSE close to 78%of the disturbed proteome. Furthermore, GSE efficiently prevented the brain from I/R-induced ion dyshomeostasis, ultrastructural alterations, inflammatory biomarkers as CD56 or CD68 and calcium burst within the hippocampus. To conclude, a potent protective effect of GSE on brain ischemia is evidenced and clinical trials using high dosage GSE should be envisaged on people at high risk for stroke.

Neuroprotective benefits of grape seed and skin extract in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, and it involves oxidative stress. Our goal was to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of Vitis vinifera red grape seed and skin extract (GSSE) in a model of Parkinson's disease. GSSE is very rich in phenolic compounds, such as flavonoids, anthocyanins, catechins and stilbenes, which are present in the pulp, seeds, and leaves of the fruit. GSSE is known for its antioxidant properties and has shown beneficial effects against oxidative injury in different organs, such as the kidneys, liver, heart and brain. In this study, we revealed the neuroprotective effect of GSSE on midbrain dopaminergic neurons both in vitro and in vivo. We used the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), which induces oxidative damage and mimics the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons observed in Parkinson's disease. We found that GSSE was effective in protecting dopamine neurons from 6-OHDA toxicity by reducing apoptosis, the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammation. Furthermore, we found that GSSE treatment efficiently protected against neuronal loss and improved motor function in an in vivo 6-OHDA model of Parkinson's disease (PD). Altogether, our results show that GSSE acts at multiple levels to protect dopamine neurons from degeneration in a model of PD.

Utilization of Grape Seed Flour for Antimicrobial Lipopeptide Production by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens C5 Strain

An endophytic Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain called C5, able to produce biosurfactant lipopeptides with a broad antibacterial activity spectrum, has been isolated from the roots of olive tree. Optimization of antibacterial activity was undertaken using grape seed flour (GSF) substrate at 0.02, 0.2, and 2% (w/v) in M9 medium. Strain C5 exhibited optimal growth and antimicrobial activity (MIC value of 60 μg/ml) when incubated in the presence of 0.2% GSF while lipopeptide production culminated at 2% GSF. Thin layer chromatography analysis of lipopeptide extract revealed the presence of at least three active spots at Rf 0.35, 0.59, and 0.72 at 0.2% GSF. Data were similar to those obtained in LB-rich medium. MALDI-TOF/MS analysis of lipopeptide extract obtained from 0.2% GSF substrate revealed the presence of surfactin and bacillomycin D. These results show that GSF could be used as a low-cost culture medium supplement for optimizing the production of biosurfactants by strain C5.

Preventing childhood and lifelong disability: Maternal dietary supplementation for perinatal brain injury

The majority of brain injuries that lead to cerebral palsy, developmental disability, and mental health disorders have their onset in utero. These lifelong conditions come with great economic and emotional burden as they impact function in nearly all domains of affected individuals' lives. Unfortunately, current therapeutic options are limited. There remains a focus on rescue, rehabilitation, and regeneration after the injury has occurred, rather than aiming to prevent the initial injury. Prevention would imply treating the mother during pregnancy to alter the fetal environment and in turn, treat the fetus. Fear of harming the developing fetus remains as a result of errors of the past such as the release of thalidomide. In this review, we outline evidence from animal studies and clinical trials that have explored maternal dietary supplementation with natural health products (including nutraceuticals and functional foods) for perinatal brain injury prevention. Namely, we discuss magnesium sulphate, creatine, choline, melatonin, resveratrol and broccoli sprouts/sulforaphane. Although clinical trials have only been completed in this realm for magnesium sulphate, results in animal models have been promising, suggesting that this is a productive avenue for further research. Natural health products may provide safe, effective, affordable, and easily accessible prevention of fetal brain injury and resulting lifelong disabilities.

Supplementation of grape seed and skin extract to orlistat therapy prevents high-fat diet-induced murine spleen lipotoxicity

Spleen is the largest lymphoid organ and obesity is related to an elevated risk of immunity dysfunction. The mechanism whereby fat adversely affects the spleen is poorly understood. This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of grape seed and skin extract (GSSE) and orlistat (Xenical, Xe) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced spleen lipotoxicity. Obese rats were treated either with GSSE (4 g/kg body weight) or Xe (2 mg/kg body weight) or GSSE+Xe and monitored for weight loss for 3 months. Animals were then sacrificed and their spleen used for the evaluation of lipotoxicity-induced oxidative stress and inflammation as well as the putative protection afforded by GSSE and Xe treatment. HFD induced body weight gain and glycogen accumulation into the spleen; ectopic deposition of cholesterol and triglycerides and an oxidative stress characterized by increased lipoperoxidation and carbonylation; inhibition of antioxidant enzyme activities, such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase; depletion of zinc and copper; and a concomitant increase in calcium. HFD also increased plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17A, tumour necrosis factor alpha, and C-reactive protein, and decreased plasma IL-10 and adiponectin. Importantly, GSSE counteracted all the deleterious effects of HFD on spleen (i.e., lipotoxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammation) and the best protection was obtained when combining Xe+GSSE. Combining GSSE with Xe prevented against fat-induced spleen lipotoxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammation; this combination may be beneficial in other diseases related to the spleen.

Protective effects of grape seed and skin extract against high-fat-diet-induced lipotoxicity in rat lung

BACKGROUND

Obesity is a public health problem characterized by increased fat accumulation in different tissues. Obesity is directly linked to breathing problems and medical complications with lung, including obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, obesity hypoventilation syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma….In the present work, we aimed to investigate the effect of high fat diet (HFD) on lung lipotoxicity, oxidative stress, fatty acid composition and proportions in lung and implication in asthma development. The likely protection provided by grape seed extract (GSSE) was also investigated.

METHODS

In order to assess HFD effect on lung and GSSE protection we used a rat model. We analyzed the lipid plasma profile, lung peroxidation and antioxidant activities (SOD, CAT and POD). We also analyzed transition metals (Ca2+, Mg2+, Zn2+ and iron) and lung free fatty acids using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

RESULTS

HFD induced lipid profile imbalance increasing cholesterol and VLDL-C. HFD also induced an oxidative stress assessed by elevated MDA level and the drop of antioxidant activities such as SOD, CAT and POD. Moreover, HFD induced mineral disturbances by decreasing magnesium level and increasing Calcium and iron levels. HFD induced also disturbances in lung fatty acid composition by increasing oleic, stearic and arachidonic acids. Interestingly, GSSE alleviated all these deleterious effects of HFD treatment.

CONCLUSION

As a whole, GSSE had a significant preventive effect against HFD-induced obesity, and hence may be used as an anti-obesity agent, and a benefic agent with potential applications against damages in lung tissue.

Fruits for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are leading global health problems. Accumulating epidemiological studies have indicated that consuming fruits was inversely related to the risk of CVDs. Moreover, substantial experimental studies have supported the protective role of fruits against CVDs, and several fruits (grape, blueberry, pomegranate, apple, hawthorn, and avocado) have been widely studied and have shown potent cardiovascular protective action. Fruits can prevent CVDs or facilitate the restoration of morphology and functions of heart and vessels after injury. The involved mechanisms included protecting vascular endothelial function, regulating lipids metabolism, modulating blood pressure, inhibiting platelets function, alleviating ischemia/reperfusion injury, suppressing thrombosis, reducing oxidative stress, and attenuating inflammation. The present review summarizes recent discoveries about the effects of fruits on CVDs and discusses potential mechanisms of actions based on evidence from epidemiological, experimental, and clinical studies.

Etidronate rescues cognitive deficits through improving synaptic transmission and suppressing apoptosis in 2-vessel occlusion model rats

Vascular dementia is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the reduction of cerebral blood flow. It shows a progressive cognitive impairment. In our previous study, we found that etidronate (ET) showed neuroprotective effects against glutamate-injured PC12 cells. Thus, in this study, we aimed to observe the effects of ET on learning and memory impairment and the related mechanism in 2-vessel occlusion (2VO) model rats. Rats were administered a permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion to induce vascular dementia model. Two weeks later, 2VO model rats were treated with ET (20 mg/kg/day i.p.) for 1 week. Results showed that ET improved the spatial learning and memory function in 2VO rats detected by Morris water maze experiment. A reduced long-term potentiation was also rescued by ET treatment in 2VO rats. Moreover, the long-term potentiation-related proteins, calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), NMDAR 2B and PSD95 were up-regulated after treatment with ET. By testing the levels of malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase in 2VO rats, we discovered that ET lowered oxidative stress. Furthermore, ET displayed a better anti-apoptosis ability through detecting the levels of Bcl-2 and Bax protein and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling-positive cells. In conclusion, ET shows neuroprotective effects on 2VO rats through rescuing spatial working memory deficits, and a possible mechanism may be related to the increased synaptic transmission and the inhibition of oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Grape seed powder improves renal failure of chronic kidney disease patients

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a syndrome characterized by progressive and irreversible deterioration of renal function linked to slow destruction of renal parenchyma, eventually terminating in death when sufficient number of nephrons are damaged. Oxidative stress is commonly observed in CKD patients resulting from an imbalance between overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and impairment of defence mechanisms. Grape seed extract (GSE) is a polyphenolic mixture exhibiting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. We conducted an interventional pilot study of supplementation with GSE capsules (GSE group, n = 23) or placebo (control group, n = 10) on CKD patients. Blood and urine samples were collected at baseline and after a six-month-long supplementation period to determine some renal function biomarkers, as well as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and haematological parameters. GSE improved glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and proteinuria, increased the anti-oxidant status as assessed by high plasma catalase and superoxide dismutase and also lowered lipoperoxidation and carbonylation. GSE ameliorated inflammation by decreasing CRP, triglyceridemia and counteracted anemia and thrombocytopenia. Supplementation with 2 g GSE/day for six months improved some kidney function parameters of CKD patients and this beneficial effect of GSE seems to be mediated at least partly by its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Oenanthe Javanica Extract Protects Against Experimentally Induced Ischemic Neuronal Damage via its Antioxidant Effects

BACKGROUND

Water dropwort (Oenanthe javanica) as a popular traditional medicine in Asia shows various biological properties including antioxidant activity. In this study, we firstly examined the neuroprotective effect of Oenanthe javanica extract (OJE) in the hippocampal cornus ammonis 1 region (CA1 region) of the gerbil subjected to transient cerebral ischemia.

METHODS

Gerbils were established by the occlusion of common carotid arteries for 5 min. The neuroprotective effect of OJE was estimated by cresyl violet staining. In addition, 4 antioxidants (copper, zinc superoxide dismutase [SOD], manganese SOD, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) immunoreactivities were investigated by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Pyramidal neurons in the CA1 region showed neuronal death at 5 days postischemia; at this point in time, all antioxidants immunoreactivities disappeared in CA1 pyramidal neurons and showed in many nonpyramidal cells. Treatment with 200 mg/kg, not 100 mg/kg, OJE protected CA1 pyramidal neurons from ischemic damage. In addition, 200 mg/kg OJE treatment increased or maintained antioxidants immunoreactivities. Especially, among the antioxidants, glutathione peroxidase immunoreactivity was effectively increased in the CA1 pyramidal neurons of the OJE-treated sham-operated and ischemia-operated groups.

CONCLUSION

Our present results indicate that treatment with OJE can protect neurons from transient ischemic damage and that the neuroprotective effect may be closely associated with increased or maintained intracellular antioxidant enzymes by OJE.

Neuroprotective Effects of Pregabalin on Cerebral Ischemia and Reperfusion

BACKGROUND

Stroke is one of the most common causes of death and the leading cause of disability in adults. Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury causes cerebral edema, hemorrhage, and neuronal death.

AIMS

In post-ischemic reperfusion, free radical production causes brain tissue damage by oxidative stress. Pregabalin, an antiepileptic agent was shown to have antioxidant effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective and antioxidant effects of pregabalin on ischemia and reperfusion in rat brain injury.

STUDY DESIGN

Animal experimentation.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats weighing (250-300 g) were randomly divided into six groups, each consisting of 6 rats: control (C), pregabalin (P), ischemia (I), pregabalin + ischemia (PI), ischemia + reperfusion (IR) and ischemia + reperfusion + pregabalin (PIR). Rats were initially pre-treated with 50 mg/kg/d pregabalin orally for two days. Then, animals that applied ischemia in I, PI, IR and PIR groups were exposed to carotid clamping for 30 minutes and 20 minutes reperfusion was performed in the relevant reperfusion groups.

RESULTS

NR2B receptor levels were significantly lower in the PIR group in comparison to the IR group. In the PIR group, Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) level had statistically significant decrease compared with IR group. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) levels were also significantly increased in the PIR group compared with I, IR and control groups. In the PI and PIR groups, catalase (CAT) levels were also significantly increased compared with I and IR groups (p=0.03 and p=0.07, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Pregabalin may protect the damage of oxidative stress after ischemia + reperfusion. This result would illuminate clinical studies in the future.

Glutamine Synthetase: Role in Neurological Disorders

Glutamine synthetase (GS) is an ATP-dependent enzyme found in most species that synthesizes glutamine from glutamate and ammonia. In brain, GS is exclusively located in astrocytes where it serves to maintain the glutamate-glutamine cycle, as well as nitrogen metabolism. Changes in the activity of GS, as well as its gene expression, along with excitotoxicity, have been identified in a number of neurological conditions. The literature describing alterations in the activation and gene expression of GS, as well as its involvement in different neurological disorders, however, is incomplete. This review summarizes changes in GS gene expression/activity and its potential contribution to the pathogenesis of several neurological disorders, including hepatic encephalopathy, ischemia, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease, and astroglial neoplasms. This review also explores the possibility of targeting GS in the therapy of these conditions.

Human neutrophils ROS inhibition and protective effects of Myrtus communis leaves essential oils against intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury

The aim of the present work was to investigate the mechanism implicated in the protective effects ofMyrtus communisleaves essential oils (MCEO) on human neutrophils reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.

Poststroke depression as a factor adversely affecting the level of oxidative damage to plasma proteins during a brain stroke

Poststroke depression, the second most serious psychosomatic complication after brain stroke, leads to delay of the rehabilitation process and is associated with an increased disability and cognitive impairment along with increase in term mortality. Research into the biochemical changes in depression is still insufficiently described. The aim of our study was therefore to evaluate the possible association between plasma protein oxidative/nitrative damages and the development of poststroke depression. We evaluated oxidative/nitrative modifications of specific proteins by measurement of 3-nitrotyrosine and carbonyl groups levels using ELISA test. Additionally, we checked differences in proteins thiol groups by spectrophotometric assay based on reaction between DTNB and thiols. We also evaluated catalase activity in erythrocytes measured as ability to decompose H₂O₂. Correlation analysis was performed using Spearman's rank. We observed significant (P < 0.001) differences in all oxidative/nitrative stress parameters in brain stroke patients compared to healthy group. Our research shows that oxidative damage of proteins is correlated with the degree of poststroke depression, while nitrative changes do not show any relationship. We demonstrate a positive correlation between the concentration of carbonyl groups and the Geriatric Depression Scale and a negative correlation between the degree of depression and the concentration of -SH groups or catalase activity.