title: Effects of equol on oxidized low-density lipoprotein-induced apoptosis in endothelial cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Equol is the main active product of daidzein metabolism, produced via specific microflora in the gut. This study aimed to clarify the effects of equol on oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OX-LDL)-stimulated apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).
  
  
  METHODS
  HUVECs were cultured in the presence of OX-LDL, and cell apoptosis was monitored by evaluating of DNA fragmentation and the production of cytoplasmic histone-associated DNA fragments. We simultaneously evaluated the level of cellular superoxide and nitric oxide (NO) and the effects of the anti-oxidant activity of equol on apoptosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that equol inhibited the induction of apoptosis in response to exposure of HUVECs to OX-LDL. Treatment of cells with equol led to a significant reduction in superoxide production by NAD(P)H oxidase and also to a significant increase in NO production. We further observed an effect of equol on the suppression of OX-LDL uptake.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggested that equol might contribute to a reduced level of OX-LDL-stimulated apoptosis linked to the reduced generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS).
authors.affiliation: Food Processing Technology Division, Department of Food Technology, Nagano Prefecture General Industrial Technology Center, Nagano City, Nagano 380-0921, Japan. kamiyama-masumi-r@pref.nagano.jp
authors.forename: Masumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kamiyama
authors.forename: Yoshimi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kishimoto
authors.forename: Mariko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tani
authors.forename: Kazunori
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Utsunomiya
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kondo
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D042783:Endothelial Cells; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology; D060754:Equol; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000502:physiology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000032:analysis; D013481:Superoxides / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: C007610:4',7-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydroisoflavone; D007529:Isoflavones; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein; D013481:Superoxides; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D060754:Equol