Grape seed extract enhances eNOS expression and NO production through regulating calcium-mediated AKT phosphorylation in H2O2-treated endothelium.
GSE (grape seed extract) has been shown to exhibit protective effects against cardiovascular events and atherosclerosis, although the underlying molecular mechanisms of action are unknown. Herein, we assessed the ability of GSE to enhance eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase) expression and NO (nitric oxide) production in H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide)-treated HUVECs (human umbilical vein endothelial cells). GSE enhanced eNOS expression and NO release in H2O2-treated cells in a dose-dependent manner. GSE inhibited intracellular ROS (reactive oxygen species) and reduced intracellular calcium in a dose-dependent manner in H2O2-treated cells, as shown by confocal microscopy. ROS was inhibited in cells pretreated with 5.0 microM GSE, 2.0 microM TG (thapsigargin) and 20.0 microM 2-APB (2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate) instead of 0.25 microM extracellular calcium. In addition, GSE enhanced eNOS expression and reduced ROS production via increasing p-AKT (AKT phosphorylation) with high extracellular calcium (13 mM). In conclusion, GSE protected against endothelial injury by up-regulation of eNOS and NO expression via inhibiting InsP3Rs (inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors)-mediated intracellular excessive calcium release and by activating p-AKT in endothelial cells.
Department of Nephrology, Kidney Center and Key Lab of PLA, Chinese General Hospital of PLA, Fuxing Road 28, Beijing, Peoples Republic of China.
Zhe
Z
Feng
Ri-Bao
RB
Wei
Quan
Q
Hong
Shao-Yuan
SY
Cui
Xiang-Mei
XM
Chen
D044946:Biflavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D001896:Boron Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002392:Catechin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D056604:Grape Seed Extract / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015544:Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D053496:Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D044945:Proanthocyanidins / Q000494:pharmacology; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D019284:Thapsigargin / Q000494:pharmacology; D014471:Umbilical Veins; D015854:Up-Regulation
D044946:Biflavonoids; D001896:Boron Compounds; D056604:Grape Seed Extract; D053496:Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors; D044945:Proanthocyanidins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C013221:proanthocyanidin; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C017674:procyanidin; D019284:Thapsigargin; D015544:Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate; D002392:Catechin; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; C109986:2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D002118:Calcium