title: Prune melanoidins protect against oxidative stress and endothelial cell death.
abstract: The health-promoting effects of fruit and vegetable consumption are thought to be due to phytochemicals contained in fresh plant material. Whether processed plant foods provide the same benefits as unprocessed ones is an open question. Melanoidins from heat-processed plums (prunes) were isolated and their presence confirmed by hydroxymethylfurfural content and browning index. Oxidative-induced endothelial cell (EC) damage is the trigger for the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD); therefore the potential protective effect of prune melanoidins on hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative cell damage was investigated on human endothelial ECV304 cells. Cytoplasmic and mitochondrial redox status was assessed by using the novel, redox-sensitive, ratiometric fluorescent protein sensor (roGFP), while mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was investigated with the fluorescent dye, JC-1. Treatment of ECV304 cells with hydrogen peroxide dose-dependently induced both mitochondrial and cytoplasmic oxidation, in addition to MMP dissipation, with ensuing cell death. Pretreatment of ECV304 with prune melanoidins, significantly counteracted and ultimately abolished hydrogen peroxide elicited phenomena, clearly indicating that these polymers protect human EC against oxidative stress.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Posadino
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cossu
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piga
authors.forename: Monica Assunta
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Madrau
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Del Caro
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colombino
authors.forename: Bianca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Paglietti
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rubino
authors.forename: Ciro
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Iaccarino
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Crosio
authors.forename: Bastiano
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sanna
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pintus
mesh_terms: D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects*; D002460:Cell Line; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D011108:Polymers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D027861:Prunus / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; C011908:melanoidin polymers