hercynine and ophthalmic-acid

Ergothioneine (Egt), 2-mercapto-L-histidine betaine (ESH), is a dietary component acting as antioxidant and cytoprotectant. In vitro studies demonstrated that Egt, a powerful scavenger of hydroxyl radicals, superoxide anion, hypochlorous acid and peroxynitrite, protects vascular function against oxidative damages, thus preventing endothelial dysfunction. In order to delve the peculiar oxidative behavior of Egt, firstly identified in cell free-systems, experiments were designed to identify the Egt oxidation products when endothelial cells (EC) benefit of its protection against high-glucose (hGluc). HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analyses revealed a decrease in the intracellular GSH levels and an increase in the ophthalmic acid (OPH) levels during hGluc treatment. Interestingly, in the presence of Egt, the decrease of the GSH levels was lower than in cells treated with hGluc alone, and this effect was paralleled by lower OPH levels. Egt was also effective in reducing the cytotoxicity of H

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Betaine; Cattle; Cell Death; Cell-Free System; Cells, Cultured; Endothelial Cells; Endothelium, Vascular; Ergothioneine; Glucose; Glutathione; Histidine; Hydrogen Peroxide; Hyperglycemia; Oligopeptides; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidative Stress; Sulfonic Acids; Superoxides; Tandem Mass Spectrometry