title: Red grape skin and seeds polyphenols: Evidence of their protective effects on endothelial progenitor cells and improvement of their intestinal absorption.
abstract: METHODS
  To evaluate the ability of grape skin and seeds to protect endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) from oxidative stress induced by hyperglycemia (HG) compared to red wine (RW) and prepare innovative pharmaceutical systems for the oral administration of red grape extract allowing the overcoming of its poor intestinal absorption.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Human EPC were characterized by expression of cell surface markers. Cells were incubated with different concentrations of total polyphenols from grape components or RW in the presence or absence of HG. Cell viability, migration, adhesion, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were assayed. Intestinal permeation of polyphenols was studied in the absence or presence of a quaternary ammonium-chitosan conjugate (N⁺(60)-Ch). Grape components and RW increased EPC viability, adhesion and migration, and prevented the HG effect (P < 0.01). ROS production induced by HG was significantly reduced only by grape seed extract and RW (P < 0.01). N⁺(60)-Ch acted as an effective enhancer of polyphenol permeability across the excised rat intestine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Red grape components are a source of antioxidant compounds that ameliorate EPC viability and function, while preventing endothelial dysfunction. The use of polycationic chitosan derivatives can promote the absorption of polyphenols across intestinal epithelium, thus increasing their bioavailability and potential therapeutic value in atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Cardiothoracic and Vascular Department, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Felice
authors.forename: Ylenia
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zambito
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Colo
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: D'Onofrio
authors.forename: Catia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fausto
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Balbarini
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Di Stefano
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D001682:Biological Availability; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D048271:Chitosan; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010539:Permeability; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D027843:Vitis / Q000737:chemistry*; D014920:Wine
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D059808:Polyphenols; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D048271:Chitosan