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Physiological concentrations of dietary polyphenols regulate vascular endothelial cell expression of genes important in cardiovascular health

Abstract

Previous cell culture-based studies have shown potential health beneficial effects on gene expression of dietary polyphenols, including those found in red wine and green tea. However, these studies have tended to use higher concentrations (2–100 μm) than those observed in blood (0·1–1 μm) after consuming polyphenol-rich foods or beverages. The present study investigated effects of physiological concentrations of different classes of dietary polyphenol on the expression of genes important in cardiovascular health (endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)) by cultured vascular endothelial cells (human umbilical vein endothelial cells) in the absence or presence of H₂O₂. Resveratrol and quercetin (0·1–1 μm) increased eNOS and VEGF mRNA expression particularly in the absence of H₂O₂ (50 μm) and decreased H₂O₂-induced ET-1 mRNA expression (P < 0·001 for polyphenol × H₂O₂ interactions). Similarly, resveratrol and quercetin decreased endothelin secretion into the media, blocking the stimulatory effect of 50 μm-H₂O₂ (P < 0·001 for polyphenol × H₂O₂ interaction). Of the nine other polyphenols tested, only epigallocatechin gallate had similar effects on both the eNOS and ET-1 mRNA expression, but to a lesser extent than resveratrol at an equimolar concentration (0·1 μm). The observed effects on gene expression would be expected to result in vasodilation and thereby reduced blood pressure. Since only three of the eleven polyphenols tested had biological activity, it is unclear whether particular structures are important or whether the effects might relate to the relatively high antioxidant capacities of the three active polyphenols.

(Received August 12 2009)

(Revised November 02 2009)

(Accepted November 17 2009)

(Online publication December 21 2009)

Key Words:Dietary polyphenols; Endothelial cells; Endothelial NO synthase; Endothelin-1; Gene expression

Correspondence:

^c1 Corresponding author: Dr John M. Brameld, fax +44 115 9516122, email john.brameld@nottingham.ac.uk

Footnotes

Abbreviations: ECG, epicatechin gallate; EGCG, epigallocatechin gallate; eNOS, endothelial NO synthase; ET-1, endothelin-1; HUVEC, human umbilical vein endothelial cells; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor