Potential role of cyanidin 3-glucoside (C3G) in diabetic cardiomyopathy in diabetic rats: An in vivo approach

The present study aimed to evaluate the importance of cyanidin 3-glucoside (C3G) of diabetic cardiomyopathy in diabetic rats. The rats were induced with diabetic using streptozotocin and total triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) were determined. The range of myocardial enzymes such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LD) were also estimated, further, the Immuno histochemical analysis and western blot investigation were determined for the actual activity of C3G. Results indicated that the marker enzymes such as CK, LD and AST were significantly (P < 0.05) increased in STZ administered rats (DM group), while the levels of these elevated marker enzymes of cardiac injury significantly (P < 0.05) declined in the DM + C3G group, as compared to the diabetic group of rats. Additionally, a decrease in the level of TNF-alpha and interleukin-6, was noticed in the C3G treated group as compared to diabetic group. Finally, blotting analysis clearly confirmed that theC3G treatment resulted to higher level response of Bcl-2 and lower level response of caspase-3 and BAX. In conclusion, C3G a natural antioxidant may prevent cardiovascular complications by ameliorating oxidative damage, inflammation, metabolic dysfunctions and apoptosis pathways in type 2 diabetes.     

A tetra-acylated cyanidin 3-sophoroside-5-glucoside from the purple-violet flowers of Moricandia arvensis (L.) DC. (Brassicaceae)

A novel tetra-acylated cyanidin 3-sophoroside-5-glucoside was isolated from the purple-violet flowers of Moricandia arvensis (L.) DC. (Family: Brassicaceae), and determined to be cyanidin 3-O-[2-O-(2-O-(4-O-(6-O-(4-O-(β-glucopyranosyl)-trans-caffeoyl)-β-glucopyranosyl)-trans-caffeoyl)-β-glucopyranosyl)-6-O-(trans-caffeoyl)-β-glucopyranoside]-5-O-[6-O-(malonyl)-β-glucopyranoside] by chemical and spectroscopic methods.     

Nanomechanics of vascular endothelium

The mechanical characteristics of endothelial cells reveal four distinct compartments, namely glycocalyx, cell cortex, cytoplasm and nucleus. There is accumulating evidence that endothelial nanomechanics of these individual compartments control vascular physiology. Depending on protein composition, filament formation and interaction with cross-linker proteins, these four compartments determine endothelial stiffness. Structural organization and mechanical properties directly influence physiological processes such as endothelial barrier function, nitric oxide release and gene expression. This review will focus on endothelial nanomechanics and its impact on vascular function.     

Cytochemical studies of the vascular endothelium

Cytochemical methods have been used to examine the vascular endothelium. With hemeproteins and immunocytochemistry, investigators have demonstrated the pathways that blood-borne molecules can take to gain access to the extravascular space (Ghitescu et al. 1986; Milici et al. 1987; Schneeberger and Karnovsky 1971; Simionescu et al. 1975). These same cytochemical methods have also provided evidence that morphologically similar endothelia may have different permeability properties (Hart and Pino 1985b, 1986; Pino 1985; Pino and Essner 1980, 1981). Differences in the location and chemical composition of cell surface moieties have been ascertained with enzyme digestion methods, lectins, and cationic ferritin (De Bruyn and Michelson 1978; Pino 1984c, 1986a, b; Simionescu et al. 1981a). The author hopes that he has provided the reader with representative examples of how investigators have used these cytochemical methods for their studies. As new methods are developed and applications are found for existing techniques such as ultracryomicrotomy (Milici et al. 1987) and colloidal gold markers (Pino 1987b), cytochemistry will remain a fundamental tool for the study of the structure and function of the vascular endothelium.     

Secretory functions of the vascular endothelium.

The endothelial cells which line the blood vessels as a monolayer exert a remarkable control over the vascular system. Indeed, the endothelium can be regarded as a highly active metabolic and endocrine organ in its own right. On the hand, vasoactive substances such as serotonin and bradykinin are inactivated and on the other the cells can enzymatically produce the vasoconstrictor, angiotensin II and secrete endothelin-1 ((ET-1). Perhaps more importantly, the cells also produce two unstable vasodilator substances, which potently inhibit platelet clumping: prostacyclin and endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) which has been identified as nitric oxide (NO; 1). Both substances seem well designated as local hormones, released to influence adjacent cells. The endothelial cell, therefore, exerts control over the cardiovascular system by elaborating dilator substances as well as vasconstrictors.     

In vitro cytoprotective activity of cyanidin 3-glucoside extracts from Haematocarpus validus pomace on streptozotocin induced oxidative damage in pancreatic β-cells

Cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3Ghv) compounds were purified and isolated from the anthocyanins extract of Haematocarpus validus. C3Ghv were studied for antioxidant and cytoprotective properties on pancreatic β-cells of rat insulinoma cells (RINm5F) against the oxidative stress induced by streptozotocin (STZ). The exposure of RINm5F cells to C3Ghv at concentration of 100 and 200 μg/mL for 24 h reduced 10% and 23% cell viability, respectively, as compared to control cells. The pre-treatment of RINm5F cells with C3Ghv (50 µg/mL) increased the cell viability by 29% as compared to control, on being treated with STZ (10 mM) for 24 h. The pre-treatment of RINm5F cells with C3Ghv (50 µg/mL) for 24 h followed by exposure to STZ (10 mM) for 1 h decreased the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by 57%, generation of nitric oxide by 22.8%, generation of malondialdehyde (MDA) by 32%, the production of p-ERK ½ by 83%, p-JNK by 82.6%, p-MEK by 57%, and p-p38 MAPK by 64%. The C3Ghv treatment also decreased the ratio of apoptotic proteins Bax to Bcl-2 by 61%, and improved the M2 phase of cell cycle by 75% as compared to STZ treated cells. The overall results suggest that C3Ghv protects pancreatic β-cells against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis, thereby implicating the significant role of C3Ghv as an antidiabetic agent.     

Absorption and metabolism of cyanidin 3-O-beta-D-glucoside in rats.

We have clarified for the first time how cyanidin 3-O-beta-D-glucoside (C3G), which is a potent antioxidant anthocyanin, is absorbed and metabolized in vivo. Rats were orally administered C3G (0.9 mmol/kg body weight), and C3G rapidly appeared in the plasma. However, the aglycon of C3G (cyanidin; Cy) was not detected, although it was present in the jejunum. Protocatechuic acid (PC), which may be produced by degradation of Cy, was present in the plasma and the concentration was 8-fold higher than that of C3G. These results suggest that plasma PC and C3G may contribute to the antioxidant activity of the plasma. In the liver and kidney, C3G was metabolized to methylated C3G (methyl-C3G), suggesting that C3G and/or methyl-C3G act as antioxidants in the tissues.     

Molecular physiology of the endothelium and mechanisms of vascular permeability

Endothelium of microvessels acts as selective barrier between blood and tissues and regulates transport of substances across vascular wall. In stressful situations permeability of microvessels increases acutely and leads to edema and the loss of organ function. This review describes molecular mechanisms of maintenance, loss and recovery of endothelial barrier as well as modern approaches to pharmacologic correction of vascular hyperpermeability.     

Labeling of developing vascular endothelium after injections of rhodamine-dextran into blastomeres of Xenopus laevis.

The goal of this work has been to label endothelial cells with fluorescent marker and to record their behavior during angiogenesis in vivo. Single blastomeres in 16-128-cell-stage embryos of pigment-deficient Xenopus laevis were injected intracellularly with 5% tetramethyl-rhodamine dextran. Subsequently, the embryos and tadpoles were examined with an epifluorescence microscope, a silicon-intensified target (SIT) camera, and video recordings. Clones that would include endothelium could be selected as early as stages 33-36 on the basis of heavy labeling in the ventral mesodermal core of the tail. Strands of fluorescent cells and early vessels appeared in the tail at stages 39-41. Subsequently, groups of endothelial cells were followed in case histories in the tail and in the aortic arches and gills of tadpoles. Two main results were that the patterns of fluorescent endothelial cells were stable in established arteries, veins, and capillaries for at least 2-12 days, and that labeled endothelial cells migrated distally in elongating sprouts. In addition, it was inferred that endothelium was derived from multiple blastomeres, probably in the ventral vegetal regions. Only small fractions of total endothelium were labeled from any single blastomere. None of the early blastomeres produced exclusive clones of vascular endothelium; other labeled cell types in various clones included muscle fibers, lymphatics, mesodermal stellate cells, blood cells, gut, proctodeum, and some epidermis, in addition to endothelial cells. The method of intracellular marking of blastomeres is recognized as a direct approach for charting lineage and fate tables in embryos of Xenopus and other species. The present study extends the period of observation in vivo for up to 2 weeks in the growing tadpole and focuses on endothelial cells during angiogenesis. Even though fluorescent dextran was apparently packaged in vesicles and metabolized, individual cells and small groups could be identified and followed with time. This method provides excellent opportunities for addressing problems in vascular development in the living animal.     

Malonated cyanidin 3-glucosides in Zea mays and other grasses

Re-examination of the anthocyanin pigments ofZea mays leaf showed the presence of cyanidin 3-(6″-malonyiglucoside) and cyanidin 3-dimalonylglucoside. The same two pigments are probably present in the seed coat. This represents the first complete identification of malonated anthocyanins in the Gramineae.     

Blood-forming potential of vascular endothelium in the human embryo

Hematopoietic cells arise first in the third week of human ontogeny inside yolk sac developing blood vessels, then, one week later and independently, from the wall of the embryonic aorta and vitelline artery. To address the suggested derivation of emerging hematopoietic stem cells from the vessel endothelium, endothelial cells have been sorted by flow cytometry from the yolk sac and aorta and cultured in the presence of stromal cells that support human multilineage hematopoiesis. Embryonic endothelial cells were most accurately selected on CD34 or CD31 surface expression and absence of CD45, which guaranteed the absence of contaminating hematopoietic cells. Yet, rigorously selected endothelial cells yielded a progeny of myelo-lymphoid cells in culture. The frequency of hemogenic endothelial cells in the yolk sac and aorta reflected the actual blood-forming activity of these tissues, as a function of developmental age. Even less expected, a subset of endothelial cells sorted similarly from the embryonic liver and fetal bone marrow also exhibited blood-forming potential. These results suggest that a part at least of emerging hematopoietic cells in the human embryo and fetus originate in vascular walls.     

Atherogenesis: hemodynamics, vascular geometry, and the endothelium

The evidence for a hemodynamic involvement and possible mechanisms by which hemodynamic-related events could influence the arterial wall, and in particular the vascular endothelium, are reviewed and used to speculate on the role of fluid mechanics in atherogenesis and specifically in lesion localization. The evidence presented suggests that it is vascular geometry, and the way it influences the local detailed flow properties, which is the primary determinant of a hemodynamic effect on the arterial wall and in the initiation of atherosclerosis.     

Augmentation of antioxidant enzymes in vascular endothelium

The endothelium is a key site of injury from reactive oxygen species that can potentially be protected by the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase. Large proteins, such as superoxide dismutase and catalase, do not readily penetrate cell membranes, which limits their efficacy in protecting cells from cellular reactions involving both intracellularly and extracellularly generated reactive oxygen species. Two methods are described that promote enzyme delivery to cultured endothelial cells and confer increased resistance to oxidative stress. The first method is to entrap the antioxidant enzymes within liposomes, which then become incorporated by endothelial cells and can increase enzyme specific activities by as much as 44-fold within 2 h. The second method involves covalent conjugation of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to superoxide dismutase and catalase, a technique that increases circulatory half-life and reduces protein immunogenicity. Conjugation of PEG to superoxide dismutase and catalase increased cellular-specific activities of these enzymes in cultured endothelial cells (but at a slower rate than for liposome entrapped enzymes) and rendered these cells more resistant to oxidative stress. Both liposome-mediated delivery and PEG conjugation offer an additional benefit over native superoxide dismutase and catalase because they can increase cellular antioxidant activities in a manner that can provide protection from both intracellular and extracellular superoxide and hydrogen peroxide.