3-nitrotyrosine and naringenin

Quinolinic acid (QUIN) excitotoxicity is mediated by elevated intracellular Ca(2+) levels, and nitric oxide-mediated oxidative stress, resulting in DNA damage, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) activation, NAD(+) depletion and cell death. We evaluated the effect of a series of polyphenolic compounds [i.e. epigallocatechin gallate (EPCG), catechin hydrate, curcumin, apigenin, naringenin and gallotannin] with antioxidant properties on QUIN-induced excitotoxicity on primary cultures of human neurons. We showed that the polyphenols, EPCG, catechin hydrate and curcumin can attenuate QUIN-induced excitotoxicity to a greater extent than apigenin, naringenin and gallotannin. Both EPCG and curcumin were able to attenuate QUIN-induced Ca(2+) influx and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) activity to a greater extent compared with apigenin, naringenin and gallotannin. Although Ca(2+) influx was not attenuated by catechin hydrate, nNOS activity was reduced, probably through direct inhibition of the enzyme. All polyphenols reduced the oxidative effects of increased nitric oxide production, thereby reducing the formation of 3-nitrotyrosine and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase activity and, hence, preventing NAD(+) depletion and cell death. In addition to the well-known antioxidant properties of these natural phytochemicals, the inhibitory effect of some of these compounds on specific excitotoxic processes, such as Ca(2+) influx, provides additional evidence for the beneficial health effects of polyphenols in excitable tissue, particularly within the central nervous system.

Topics: Apigenin; Calcium Signaling; Catechin; Cells, Cultured; Curcumin; Enzyme Activation; Flavanones; Flavonoids; Humans; Hydrolyzable Tannins; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; NAD; Neurons; Neuroprotective Agents; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; Phenols; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases; Polyphenols; Quinolinic Acid; Tyrosine

Previous studies show that naringenin promotes insulin sensitivity in fructose-fed rats. This study investigates whether naringenin prevents oxidative events and apoptotic changes triggered in the rat liver by a high fructose diet. Male Wistar rats of body weight 150-180 g were fed either diet containing starch (60% carbohydrate) or fructose (60% fructose diet). From the 16th day of feeding, rats in each dietary group were divided into two, and treated or not with naringenin (50mg/kg b.w/day). After 60 days, oxidative and nitrosative damage and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression and hepatocyte apoptosis were determined. To evaluate whether nitric oxide (NO) plays a role in naringenin action, insulin sensitivity indices, fasting plasma glucose and insulin were assessed in response to co-administration of L-nitro-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a NOS inhibitor. Fructose feeding caused oxidative damage to proteins and lipids and resulted in reduced antioxidant status, eNOS expression and nitrite level. Increased formation of 4-hydroxy nonenal (4-HNE), 2, 4-dinitrophenol (2, 4-DNP) and 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT)-modified proteins and the presence of apoptotic nuclei were observed in the liver. Treatment with naringenin attenuated all these parameters to levels not significantly different from control. Treatment with naringenin improved insulin sensitivity. However, L-NAME plus naringenin administration abolished the insulin-sensitizing effects of naringenin in fructose-fed rats. Reduced oxidative events with simultaneous increase in NO bioavailability may be involved in the insulin-sensitizing and cytoprotective effects of naringenin in fructose-fed rats.

Topics: 2,4-Dinitrophenol; Aldehydes; Animals; Antioxidants; Apoptosis; Blood Glucose; Diet; Flavanones; Fructose; Hepatocytes; Insulin; Insulin Resistance; Liver; Male; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; Nitric Oxide Synthase; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; Oxidative Stress; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Tyrosine