title: Apricot melanoidins prevent oxidative endothelial cell death by counteracting mitochondrial oxidation and membrane depolarization.
abstract: The cardiovascular benefits associated with diets rich in fruit and vegetables are thought to be due to phytochemicals contained in fresh plant material. However, whether processed plant foods provide the same benefits as unprocessed ones is an open question. Melanoidins from heat-processed apricots were isolated and their presence confirmed by colorimetric analysis and browning index. Oxidative injury of endothelial cells (ECs) is the key step for the onset and progression of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), therefore the potential protective effect of apricot melanoidins on hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative mitochondrial damage and cell death was explored in human ECs. The redox state of cytoplasmic and mitochondrial compartments was detected by using the redox-sensitive, fluorescent protein (roGFP), while the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was assessed with the fluorescent dye, JC-1. ECs exposure to hydrogen peroxide, dose-dependently induced mitochondrial and cytoplasmic oxidation. Additionally detected hydrogen peroxide-induced phenomena were MMP dissipation and ECs death. Pretreatment of ECs with apricot melanoidins, significantly counteracted and ultimately abolished hydrogen peroxide-induced intracellular oxidation, mitochondrial depolarization and cell death. In this regard, our current results clearly indicate that melanoidins derived from heat-processed apricots, protect human ECs against oxidative stress.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cossu
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Posadino
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Giordo
authors.forename: Costanza
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Emanueli
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sanguinetti
authors.forename: Amalia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piscopo
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Poiana
authors.forename: Giampiero
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Capobianco
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piga
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pintus
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D011108:Polymers / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D027861:Prunus / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D020011:Protective Agents; C011908:melanoidin polymers; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide