Endothelium/nitric oxide mechanism mediates vasorelaxation and counteracts vasoconstriction induced by low concentration of flavanols

Aggio, Alberto; Grassi, Davide; Onori, Eugenia; D’Alessandro, Antonio; Masedu, Francesco; Valenti, Marco; Ferri, Claudio

doi:10.1007/s00394-012-0320-x

Cited by 45 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…1). This is the first in vitro study showing this effect in human artery preparations, since until now it has been reported only in the isolated rat arteries (Aggio et al, 2013;Duarte et al, 1993;Huang et al, 2000Huang et al, , 1999Huang et al, , 1998. Potency of (-)-epicatechin reported in our study (7.4 μM and 13.8 μM) was much greater than that reported by Huang et al (2000) on the rat mesenteric arteries (199 μM and 398 μM), but with similar efficiency.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 55%

“…On the other hand, Aggio et al (2013) found that maximal relaxations produced by (-)-epicatechin on the rat aorta with and without endothelium were only 46.3% and 30.8%, with potency of 19 μM and 33.1 μM. These differences could be due to different experimental procedures used, but also indicate tissue and species selectivity of (-)-epicatechin effect.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 69%

“…However, some studies demonstrated involvement of both endothelium-dependent and -independent mechanisms in the vasorelaxant effect of (-)-epicatechin (Aggio et al, 2013;Huang et al, 2000Huang et al, , 1999. The reasons for this discrepancy could be the presence of varying degrees of endothelial dysfunction in isolated HIMA arteries, which result in a marked variability in endothelium-dependent vascular relaxations (Huraux et al, 1999).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…In vitro, (-)-epicatechin induces endothelium-independent and endothelium-dependent nitric oxide (NO)-mediated vasodilation in resistance and conduit arteries (Aggio et al, 2013;Huang et al, 1999Huang et al, , 1998. Huang et al (1999) found that the vasorelaxing effects of (-)-epicatechin in rat mesenteric arteries were partially attenuated by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME, as well as by removal of the endothelium.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 55%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 69%

Section: Discussionmentioning

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“…33 Supporting the fundamental role of flavanols positively affecting endothelium/NO mechanisms involved in the control of the arterial basal tone, we recently showed that epigallocatechin-3-gallate and (−)-epicatechin induced a dose-dependent vasodilation, in phenylephrine precontracted endothelium-intact preparations of rat-isolated aortic rings. 34 Furthermore, we also reported that epigallocatechin-3-gallate and (−)-epicatechin did not significantly induce vasorelaxation in precontracted endothelium-denuded aortic rings. However, in endotheliumintact precontracted preparations, the inhibitor of eNOS activity N ω -nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) abolished the vasorelaxant effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate and (−)-epicatechin.…”

Section: Journal Of Agricultural and Food Chemistrymentioning

confidence: 92%

Cocoa, Glucose Tolerance, and Insulin Signaling: Cardiometabolic Protection

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Experimental and clinical evidence reported that some polyphenol-rich natural products may offer opportunities for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes, due to their biological properties. Natural products have been suggested to modulate carbohydrate metabolism by various mechanisms, such as restoring β-cell integrity and physiology and enhancing insulin-releasing activity and glucose uptake. Endothelium is fundamental in regulating arterial function, whereas insulin resistance plays a pivotal role in pathophysiological mechanisms of prediabetic and diabetic states. Glucose and insulin actions in the skeletal muscle are improved by insulin-dependent production of nitric oxide, favoring capillary recruitment, vasodilatation, and increased blood flow. Endothelial dysfunction, with decreased nitric oxide bioavailability, is a critical step in the development of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, insulin resistance has been described, at least in part, to negatively affect endothelial function. Consistent with this, conditions of insulin resistance are usually linked to endothelial dysfunction, and the exposure of the endothelial cells to cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia is associated with reduced nitric oxide bioavailability, resulting in impaired endothelial-dependent vasodilatation. Moreover, endothelial dysfunction has been described as an independent predictor of cardiovascular risk and events. Cocoa and cocoa flavonoids may positively affect the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction with possible benefits in the prevention of cardiometabolic diseases.

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Mechanisms of body weight reduction and metabolic syndrome alleviation by tea

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Tea, a popular beverage made from leaves of the plant Camellia sinensis, has been shown to reduce body weight, alleviate metabolic syndrome, and prevent diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in animal models and humans. Such beneficial effects have generally been observed in most human studies when the level of tea consumption was 3 to 4 cups (600–900 mg tea catechins) or more per day. Green tea is more effective than black tea. In spite of numerous studies, the fundamental mechanisms for these actions still remain unclear. From a review of the literature, we propose that the two major mechanisms are: 1) decreasing absorption of lipids and proteins by tea constituents in the intestine, thus reducing calorie intake; and 2) activating AMPK by tea polyphenols that are bioavailable in the liver, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissues. The relative importance of these two mechanisms depends on the types of tea and diet consumed by individuals. The activated AMPK would decrease gluconeogenesis and fatty acid synthesis and increase catabolism, leading to body weight reduction and MetS alleviation. Other mechanisms and the health relevance of these beneficial effects of tea consumption remain to be further investigated.

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Endothelium/nitric oxide mechanism mediates vasorelaxation and counteracts vasoconstriction induced by low concentration of flavanols

Abstract: Our findings highlight the important role played by an endothelium/NO-mechanism in the regulation of basal tone and in both mediating vasorelaxation and counteracting vasoconstriction induced by low concentrations of flavanols in rat thoracic aorta.

Cited by 45 publications

References 36 publications

Mechanisms underlying the vasorelaxation of human internal mammary artery induced by (-)-epicatechin

Mechanisms underlying the vasorelaxation of human internal mammary artery induced by (-)-epicatechin

Cocoa, Glucose Tolerance, and Insulin Signaling: Cardiometabolic Protection

Mechanisms of body weight reduction and metabolic syndrome alleviation by tea

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