Vascular Effects of the Polyphenolic Nutraceutical Supplement Taurisolo®: Focus on the Protection of the Endothelial Function

Abstract

Preservation of vascular endothelium integrity and functionality represents an unmet medical need. Indeed, endothelial dysfunction leads to decreased nitric oxide biosynthesis, which is prodromic of hypertension and hypercoagulability. In this panorama, the nutraceutical supplement Taurisolo®, a polyphenolic extract from Aglianico cultivar grape, rich in catechin and procyanidins, was evaluated as a vasoprotective, vasorelaxing, anti-hypertensive and anti-coagulant agent in: cell lines, isolated vessels, in vivo models of chronic hypertension and hypercoagulability, and in clinical tests of endothelial reactivity. Taurisolo® demonstrated to fully protect vascular cell viability from oxidative stimulus at 100 µg/mL and evoke vasorelaxing effects (Emax = 80.6% ± 1.9 and pEC50 = 1.19 ± 0.03) by activation of the Sirtuins-AMPK-pathway. Moreover, Taurisolo®, chronically administered at 20 mg/Kg/die in in vivo experiments, inhibited the onset of cardiac hypertrophy (heart weight/rat weight = 3.96 ± 0.09 vs. 4.30 ± 0.03), hypercoagulability (decrease of fibrinogen vs. control: p < 0.01) and hypertension (mean of Psys: 200 ± 2 vs. control 234 ± 2 mmHg) and improved endothelial function (Emax = 88.9% ± 1.5 vs. control 59.6% ± 3.6; flow-mediated dilation in healthy volunteers after 400 mg twice daily for 8 weeks vs. baseline: p = 0.019). In conclusion, Taurisolo® preserves the vascular function against ox-inflamm-ageing process and the consequent cardiovascular accidents.

Anti-Inflammatory Effect of the Natural H2S-Donor Erucin in Vascular Endothelium

“…Several synthetic and natural compounds have been proposed on the basis of their ability to inhibit the release of one or more cytokines or the expression/activity of some transcriptional factors. However, these results are often derived from studies which did not focus on the reduction or the prevention of the vascular inflammation as primary outcome [ 3 , 4 ]. In recent years, some evidence showed that the endogenous gasotransmitter hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) plays a role in the control of inflammation at a vascular level, suggesting a potential use of exogenous molecules able to release H 2 S (H 2 S-donors) in the management of vascular inflammation and consequent endothelial dysfunction [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”

Resveratrol-like Compounds as SIRT1 Activators

“…To corroborate the preliminary results on the cytoprotective effects of resveratrol and compound 3d against vascular oxidative damage, we then measured the intracellular levels of ROS. Indeed, the exposure of endothelial cells to oxidative stimuli not only reduces cell viability but also leads to increased ROS production [ 28 ]. In this work, we demonstrated that resveratrol and compound 3d significantly and almost concentration-dependently protect endothelial cells from H 2 O 2 -induced intracellular ROS increase, as already reported for the natural SIRT1 activator tested in a similar concentration range [ 55 ].…”

“…Moreover, the antioxidant and vasorelaxant properties of resveratrol have been largely demonstrated [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. Accordingly, nutraceutical products rich in resveratrol, such as grape pomace polyphenolic extracts, promote antioxidant and vasoactive effects in vascular cell cultures and hypertensive animals [ 28 ].…”

Taurisolo®, a Grape Pomace Polyphenol Nutraceutical Reducing the Levels of Serum Biomarkers Associated With Atherosclerosis

“…For the polyphenol extract production, grapes were extracted with water (50°C), and the solution was filtrated and concentrated and underwent a spray-drying process with maltodextrins as support (5–15%) to obtain a fine microencapsulated powder. The polyphenol profile of Taurisolo® was evaluated by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-diodearray detector (HPLC-DAD, Jasco Inc., Easton, MD, USA) analysis using the method described by Giusti et al ( 33 ): Ferulic acid 14.59 ± 0.98 μg/g, Resveratrol 12.55 ± 0.02 μg/g, Caffeic acid 35.00 ± 3.00 μg/g, p-coumaric acid 122.75 ± 2.77 μg/g, Rutin 98.81 ± 7.31 μg/g, Quercetin 135.41 ± 4.69 μg/g, Procyanidin B1 dimer 946.33 ± 55.20 μg/g, Procyanidin B2 dimer 645.89 ± 59.17 μg/g, Syringic acid 310.95 ± 0.01 μg/g, Epicatechin 1696.55 ± 109.60 μg/g, Gallic acid 199.46 ± 4.59 μg/g; Catechin 2499.04 ± 307.41 μg/g ( 34 ).…”