title: Effects of natto extract on endothelial injury in a rat model.
abstract: Vascular endothelial damage has been found to be associated with thrombus formation, which is considered to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. A diet of natto leads to a low prevalence of cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of natto extract on vascular endothelia damage with exposure to laser irradiation. Endothelial damage both in vitro and in vivo was induced by irradiation of rose bengal using a DPSS green laser. Cell viability was determined by MTS assay, and the intimal thickening was verified by a histological approach. The antioxidant content of natto extract was determined for the free radical scavenging activity. Endothelial cells were injured in the presence of rose bengal irradiated in a dose-dependent manner. Natto extract exhibits high levels of antioxidant activity compared with purified natto kinase. Apoptosis of laser-injured endothelial cells was significantly reduced in the presence of natto extract. Both the natto extract and natto kinase suppressed intimal thickening in rats with endothelial injury. The present findings suggest that natto extract suppresses vessel thickening as a synergic effect attributed to its antioxidant and anti-apoptosis properties.
authors.affiliation: Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chin-Hsien
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Kuo-Ti
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Tsong-Hai
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Chao-Hung
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yi-Wen
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: Ya-Huang
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Ching-Liang
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Chang-Jer
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Yen-Lin
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051381:Rats; D011921:Rats, Inbred WKY; D045730:Soy Foods
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts