Effects of a cantaloupe melon extract/wheat gliadin biopolymer during aortic cross-clamping.
OBJECTIVE
We previously reported in healthy volunteers that a cantaloupe melon extract chemically combined with wheat gliadin (melon extract/gliadin) and containing SOD, catalase and residual glutathione peroxidase (GPx), protected against DNA strand-break damage induced by hyperbaric oxygen (HBO), a well-established model of DNA damage resulting from oxidative stress. Aortic cross-clamping is a typical example of ischemia/reperfusion injury-related oxidative stress, and therefore we investigated whether this melon extract/gliadin would also reduce DNA damage after aortic cross-clamping and reperfusion.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized, controlled experimental study.


METHODS
Animal laboratory.


METHODS
18 anesthetized, mechanically ventilated and instrumented pigs.


METHODS
After 14 days of oral administration of 1250 mg of the melon extract/gliadin (n=9) or vehicle (n=9), animals underwent 30 min of thoracic aortic cross-clamping and 4 h of reperfusion.


RESULTS
Before clamping, immediately before declamping, and at 2 and 4 h of reperfusion, we measured blood isoprostane (immunoassay) and malondialdehyde concentrations (fluorimetric thiobarbituric acid test), SOD, catalase and GPx activities (spectrophotometric kits), NO formation (nitrate+nitrite; chemoluminescence), DNA damage in whole blood samples and isolated lymphocytes exposed to hyperbaric oxygen (comet assay). Organ function was also evaluated. Kidney and spinal cord specimen were analysed for apoptosis (TUNEL assay). The melon extract/gliadin blunted the DNA damage, reduced spinal cord apoptosis and attenuated NO release, however, without any effect on lipid peroxidation and organ function.


CONCLUSIONS
Pre-treatment with the oral melon extract/gliadin may be a therapeutic option to reduce oxidative cell injury affiliated with aortic cross-clamping.
Kick
Jochen
J
Abteilung Thorax- und Gefässchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Steinhövelstrasse 9, 89075, Ulm, Germany.
Hauser
Balázs
B
Bracht
Hendrik
H
Albicini
Maura
M
Oter
Sükrü
S
Simon
Florian
F
Ehrmann
Ulrich
U
Garrel
Catherine
C
Sträter
Jörn
J
Brückner
Uwe B
UB
Leverve
Xavier M
XM
Schelzig
Hubert
H
Speit
Günter
G
Radermacher
Peter
P
Muth
Claus-Martin
CM
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D020552:Comet Assay; D028463:Cucumis melo; D004249:DNA Damage; D005260:Female; D005903:Gliadin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation / Q000009:adverse effects; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013552:Swine
D010936:Plant Extracts; D005903:Gliadin