Modulation of Adhesion Process, E-Selectin and VEGF Production by Anthocyanins and Their Metabolites in an <i>in vitro</i> Model of Atherosclerosis

• Main Authors: Mirko Marino, Cristian Del Bo’, Massimiliano Tucci, Dorothy Klimis-Zacas, Patrizia Riso, Marisa Porrini
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-02-01
• Series: Nutrients
• Subjects: anthocyanins and metabolites; inflammation; adhesion molecules; vascular endothelial growth factor; monocytes; endothelial cells
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/3/655

<b> </b>The present study aims to evaluate the ability of peonidin and petunidin-3-glucoside (Peo-3-glc and Pet-3-glc) and their metabolites (vanillic acid; VA and methyl-gallic acid; MetGA), to prevent monocyte (THP-1) adhesion to endothelial cells (HUVECs), and to reduce the production of vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, E-selectin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in a stimulated pro-inflammatory environment, a pivotal step of atherogenesis. Tumor necrosis factor-&#945; (TNF-&#945;; 100 ng mL^&#8722;1) was used to stimulate the adhesion of labelled monocytes (THP-1) to endothelial cells (HUVECs). Successively, different concentrations of Peo-3-glc and Pet-3-glc (0.02 &#181;M, 0.2 &#181;M, 2 &#181;M and 20 &#181;M), VA and MetGA (0.05 &#181;M, 0.5 &#181;M, 5 &#181;M and 50 &#181;M) were tested. After 24 h, VCAM-1, E-selectin and VEGF were quantified by ELISA, while the adhesion process was measured spectrophotometrically. Peo-3-glc and Pet-3-glc (from 0.02 &#181;M to 20 &#181;M) significantly (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.0001) decreased THP-1 adhesion to HUVECs at all concentrations (&#8722;37%, &#8722;24%, &#8722;30% and &#8722;47% for Peo-3-glc; &#8722;37%, &#8722;33%, &#8722;33% and &#8722;45% for Pet-3-glc). VA, but not MetGA, reduced the adhesion process at 50 &#181;M (&#8722;21%; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). At the same concentrations, a significant (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.0001) reduction of E-selectin, but not VCAM-1, was documented. In addition, anthocyanins and their metabolites significantly decreased (<i>p</i><i> </i>&lt; 0.001) VEGF production. The present findings suggest that while Peo-3-glc and Pet-3-glc (but not their metabolites) reduced monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells through suppression of E-selectin production, VEGF production was reduced by both anthocyanins and their metabolites, suggesting a role in the regulation of angiogenesis.