Effects of Chronic Red Wine Consumption on the Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Angiopoietin 1, Angiopoietin 2, and Its Receptors in Rat Erectile Tissue

Red Wine and Sexual Function in Men: An Original Point of View

Red wine is a rich source of nutrients whose biological properties have inspired numerous scientific studies. Indeed, it has been widely reported that there is a correlation between the positive health effects of moderate consumption of red wine and its phenolic content, which, due to its antioxidant activity, has proved to be useful in the improvement of various diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, cognitive disorders, depression, and cancer. It is a common opinion that the antioxidant activity of red wine is to be ascribed to its entire content of polyphenols, which act synergistically and not as a single component. Furthermore, this health-promoting effect of red wine can also be linked to its ethanol content, which has shown a wide array of biological properties. Beyond this evidence, very little is known about a possible correlation between moderate consumption of red wine and male sexual function. This brief review aimed to evaluate the effects of moderate consumption of red wine on erectile function. To accomplish this, Pubmed and Google Scholar databases were searched to retrieve the most relevant studies on this topic. The evidence so far collected has shown that red wine, if consumed in moderation, can be potentially beneficial for patients with erectile dysfunction as well as can positively influence reproductive function through mechanisms that depend on the vasorelaxant properties of red wine and its antioxidant properties.

Melatonin Reduces Angiogenesis in Serous Papillary Ovarian Carcinoma of Ethanol-Preferring Rats

Angiogenesis is a hallmark of ovarian cancer (OC); the ingrowth of blood vessels promotes rapid cell growth and the associated metastasis. Melatonin is a well-characterized indoleamine that possesses important anti-angiogenic properties in a set of aggressive solid tumors. Herein, we evaluated the role of melatonin therapy on the angiogenic signaling pathway in OC of an ethanol-preferring rat model that mimics the same pathophysiological conditions occurring in women. OC was chemically induced with a single injection of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) under the ovarian bursa. After the rats developed serous papillary OC, half of the animals received intraperitoneal injections of melatonin (200 µg/100 g body weight/day) for 60 days. Melatonin-treated animals showed a significant reduction in OC size and microvessel density. Serum levels of melatonin were higher following therapy, and the expression of its receptor MT1 was significantly increased in OC-bearing rats, regardless of ethanol intake. TGFβ1, a transforming growth factor-beta1, was reduced only after melatonin treatment. Importantly, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was severely reduced after melatonin therapy in animals given or not given ethanol. Conversely, the levels of VEGF receptor 1 (VEGFR1) was diminished after ethanol consumption, regardless of melatonin therapy, and VEGFR2 was only reduced following melatonin. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α was augmented with ethanol consumption, and, notably, melatonin significantly reduced their levels. Collectively, our results suggest that melatonin attenuates angiogenesis in OC in an animal model of ethanol consumption; this provides a possible complementary therapeutic opportunity for concurrent OC chemotherapy.

New insights into the antiangiogenic and proangiogenic properties of dietary polyphenols

Polyphenols can be found in natural products of plant origin, including vegetables, fruits, and beverages. A large number of these plant origin compounds are an integral part of the human diet and in the past decade evidence has shown their beneficial properties in human health, by acting in several cell signaling pathways. Among other beneficial effects, polyphenols have been associated with angiogenesis. Increasing evidence highlighting the ability of dietary polyphenols to influence angiogenesis by interfering with multiple signaling pathways is debated. Particular emphasis is given to the mechanisms that ultimately may induce the formation of capillary-like structures (by increasing endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and invasion) or, conversely, may inhibit the steps of angiogenesis leading to the inhibition/regress of vascular development. Dietary polyphenols can, therefore, be viewed as promising nutraceuticals but important aspects have still to be further investigated, to deep knowledge concerning their concentration-mediated effects, effect of specific polyphenols, and respective metabolites, to ensure their appropriate and effective usefulness as proangiogenic or antiangiogenic nutraceuticals.

Effects of prolonged ingestion of epigallocatechin gallate on diabetes type 1-induced vascular modifications in the erectile tissue of rats

Diabetes Mellitus type 1 is a metabolic disease that predisposes to erectile dysfunction, partly owing to structural and molecular changes in the corpus cavernosum (CC) vessels. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of early treatment with the antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in cavernous diabetes-induced vascular modifications. Diabetes was induced in two groups of young Wistar rats; one group was treated with EGCG for 10 weeks. A reduction in smooth muscle content was observed in the CC of diabetic rats, which was significantly attenuated with EGCG consumption. No differences were observed among groups, neither in the expression of VEGF assayed by western blotting nor in the immunofluorescent labeling of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors (VEGFR1 and VEGFR2). VEGFR2 was restricted to the endothelium, whereas VEGF and VEGFR1 co-localized in the smooth muscle layer. With regard to the Angiopoietin/Tie-2 system, no quantitative differences in Angiopoietin 1 were observed among the experimental groups. Ang1 localization was restricted to the smooth muscle layer, and receptor Tie2 and Angiopoietin 2 were both expressed in the endothelium. In brief, our results suggest that EGCG consumption prevented diabetes-induced loss of cavernous smooth muscle but does not affect vascular growth factor expression in young rats.

Effects of natural mineral-rich water consumption on the expression of sirtuin 1 and angiogenic factors in the erectile tissue of rats with fructose-induced metabolic syndrome

Consuming a high-fructose diet induces metabolic syndrome (MS)-like features, including endothelial dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction is an early manifestation of endothelial dysfunction and systemic vascular disease. Because mineral deficiency intensifies the deleterious effects of fructose consumption and mineral ingestion is protective against MS, we aimed to characterize the effects of 8 weeks of natural mineral-rich water consumption on the structural organization and expression of vascular growth factors and receptors on the corpus cavernosum (CC) in 10% fructose-fed Sprague-Dawley rats (FRUCT). Differences were not observed in the organization of the CC either on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or the components of the angiopoietins/Tie2 system. However, opposing expression patterns were observed for VEGF receptors (an increase and a decrease for VEGFR1 and VEGFR2, respectively) in FRUCT animals, with these patterns being strengthened by mineral-rich water ingestion. Mineral-rich water ingestion (FRUCTMIN) increased the proportion of smooth muscle cells compared with FRUCT rats and induced an upregulatory tendency of sirtuin 1 expression compared with the control and FRUCT groups. Western blot results were consistent with the dual immunofluorescence evaluation. Plasma oxidized low-density lipoprotein and plasma testosterone levels were similar among the experimental groups, although a tendency for an increase in the former was observed in the FRUCTMIN group. The mineral-rich water-treated rats presented changes similar to those observed in rats treated with MS-protective polyphenol-rich beverages or subjected to energy restriction, which led us to hypothesize that the effects of mineral-rich water consumption may be more vast than those directly observed in this study.

The Old Made New: Natural Compounds against Erectile Dysfunction

The interest toward sex-related diseases keeps growing through the years. In this review, we focus our attention on erectile dysfunction (ED), a condition that caught much attention especially after the introduction on the market of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors such as the well-known sildenafil. Here, we briefly describe both the etiology of ED and the available treatments, examining then extensively some natural derivatives that, coming from traditional medicine, could represent promising starting points for the development of alternative remedies. In fact, herbal remedies from several parts of the world have been traditionally known for long, and were recently reconsidered and are now being studied to demonstrate their eventual potential in the treatment of ED. Among the various examples reported in the literature and reviewed here, plants and extracts containing polyphenols—especially a class of compounds called kraussianones—appear to be particularly effective and promising against ED.

Flk-1/KDR mediates ethanol-stimulated endothelial cell Notch signaling and angiogenic activity

We previously reported that ethanol (EtOH) stimulates endothelial angiogenic activity mediated via a notch- and angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) pathway. As crosstalk exists between notch and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling, we examined whether the VEGF receptor (VEGFR) Flk-1 (fetal liver kinase 1) mediates EtOH-stimulated notch signaling and angiogenic activity.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Treatment of human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) with EtOH (1-50 mM, 24 h) dose-dependently increased Flk-1 expression with a maximum increase observed at 25 mM EtOH. Ethanol treatment activated both Flk-1 and Flt-1 (FMS-like tyrosine kinase 1) as indicated by their phosphorylation, and subsequent stimulation of Akt. EtOH activation of Flk-1 was inhibited by the VEGFR inhibitor SU5416. Gene silencing of Flk-1 using small interfering RNA inhibited the EtOH-induced increase in notch receptors 1 and 4 and notch target gene (hairy enhancer of split-related transcription factor 1) mRNA. Knockdown of Flk-1 inhibited EtOH-induced Ang-1/Tie-2 mRNA expression and blocked EtOH-induced HCAEC network formation on Matrigel, a response that was restored by notch ligand, notch ligand delta-like ligand 4, treatment. In vivo, moderate alcohol feeding increased vascular remodeling in mouse ischemic hindlimbs.

CONCLUSIONS

These data demonstrate that EtOH activates Flk-1 and Flt-1 receptors in HCAECs and promotes angiogenic activity via an Flk-1/notch pathway. These effects of EtOH may be relevant to the influence of moderate alcohol consumption on cardiovascular health.

Treatment of erectile dysfunction: new targets and strategies from recent research

In recent years, research on penile erection has increasingly been centered on the molecular mechanisms involved. Major progress has been made in the field and at present a whole number of neurotransmitters, chemical effectors, growth factors, second-messenger molecules, ions, intercellular proteins, and hormones have been characterized as components of the complex process of erection. This knowledge has led to the discovery of several new therapeutic targets and multiple medical approaches for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). This review focuses on the progress made in this field within the last few years.

Isoxanthohumol modulates angiogenesis and inflammation via vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, tumor necrosis factor alpha and nuclear factor kappa B pathways

Angiogenesis and inflammation are becoming distinguished players in the pathogenesis of many heterogeneous diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Therefore, it is crucial to study new compounds that are able to modulate these events. Isoxanthohumol (IXN) is a polyphenol with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiangiogenic properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of IXN on blood vessel proliferation and maturation and describe underlying molecular mechanisms in endothelial cells (ECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Angiogenic profile of IXN was analyzed by retinal angiogenesis at different time points. IXN modulation of angiogenic and inflammatory signaling pathways was evaluated by Western blotting on EC and VSMC cultures. IXN inhibited by 20% sprouting angiogenesis and decreased vascular coverage by mural cells up to 39%. IXN of 10 µM also decreased inflammatory signals, namely tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (26 and 40%) and factor nuclear kappa B (24 and 42%) in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Angiogenic regulators, including vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (HUVEC, 55%), angiopoietins 1 (HUVEC, 39%; HASMC, 35%), angiopoietin 2 (HUVEC, 38%), and Tie2 (HUVEC, 56%) were also inhibited by 10 µM of IXN treatments. Akt activation was reduced by 47% in HUVEC-treated cells and Erk activation was also reduced by 52 and 69% upon IXN treatment of HUVEC and HASMC. IXN seems to regulate in vivo vascular proliferation and stabilization and the EC-VSMC-inflammatory crosstalk, leaving this molecule as an interesting nutritional player for angiogenesis and inflammation-related diseases.

Advanced glycation end-products: a common pathway in diabetes and age-related erectile dysfunction

Reactive derivatives of non-enzymatic glucose-protein condensation reactions integrate a heterogeneous group of irreversible adducts called advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). Numerous studies have investigated the role of the AGEs in cardiovascular system; however, its contribution to erectile dysfunction (ED) that is an early manifestation of cardiovascular disease has been less intensively investigated. This review summarizes the most recent advances concerning AGEs effects in the cavernous tissue of the penis and in ED onset, particularly on diabetes and aging, conditions that not only favor AGEs formation, but also increase risk of developing ED. The specific contribution of AGE on intra- and extracellular deposition of insoluble complexes, interference in activity of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase, NO bioavailability, endothelial-dependent vasodilatation, as well as molecular pathways activated by receptor of AGEs are presented. Finally, the interventional actions that prevent AGEs formation, accumulation or activity in the cavernous tissue and that include nutritional pattern modulation, nutraceuticals, exercise, therapeutic strategies (statins, anti-diabetics, inhibitors of phosphodiesterase-5, anti-hypertensive drugs) and inhibitors of AGEs formation and crosslink breakers, are discussed. From this review, we conclude that despite the experiments conducted in animal models pointing to the AGE/RAGE axis as a potential interventional target with respect to ED associated with diabetes and aging, the clinical data have been very disappointing and, until now, did not provide evidence of benefits of treatments directed to AGE inactivation.

Energy restriction ameliorates metabolic syndrome-induced cavernous tissue structural modifications in aged rats

High-fat (HF) diet regular intake along life highly contributes to vascular dysfunction and to an increment in prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and erectile dysfunction (ED), a surrogate symptom of occult vascular disease, in the elderly. However, little is known about the effects of energy restriction (ER) alone/or after an HF-feeding period. We show here that in male Sprague-Dawley rats, 16 months of HF-diet consumption led to an increase in body adiposity, blood pressure, lipidemia, C-reactive protein, and insulin resistance and to hypoadiponectinemia, conditions that cluster in MetS. In addition, this treatment strongly favored collagen deposition in cavernous tissue and myocardium. Conversely, for the same time period, the ingestion of 75 % of ad libitum energy intake by controls (ER) extensively counteracted these outcomes. The impact of 6-month ER after 10-month HF period was also analyzed, and despite the decrease in body weight, adiposity, blood pressure, lipidemia, and C-reactive protein and improvement of insulin sensitivity, no differences were observed either in adiponectin blood levels or in retroperitoneal fat pad mass. Moreover, this treatment led to a reduction in cavernous tissue collagen deposition, but not in the myocardium, and evidenced differential mobilization of adipose tissue accretions. The data show the ability of HF diet to cause MetS and produce unwanted effects on myocardium and corpora vascular structure. They also indicate that these consequences are preventable upon ER diet starting early, but not later, in life.