Activin, a Grape Seed-derived Proanthocyanidin Extract, Reduces Plasma Levels of Oxidative Stress and Adhesion Molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin) in Systemic Sclerosis

Abstract

This study evaluated whether a new generation antioxidant Activin derived from the grape seed proanthocyanidins, could reduce the induction of the adhesion molecules as a result of inflammatory response in the plasma of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. SSc patients were divided into two groups: one group was treated with Activin, a grape seed-derived proanthocyanidins, while the other group served as control. Patients were given Activin 100 mg/day orally for one month after which the blood samples were withdrawn from both groups of the patients. Blood was also taken from normal human volunteers. Plasma was obtained in fasting state between 8 to 9 A.M. from two groups of SSc patients and controls. Soluble adhesion molecules including ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin and P-selectin as well as malonaldehyde, a marker for oxidative stress, were measured. The results of our study demonstrated up-regulation of these soluble adhesion molecules except for P-selectin, in the plasma of the SSc patients compared to those obtained from human volunteers. Activin significantly attenuated the increased expression of these adhesion molecules. In addition, there was a significant increase in the amount of malondialdehyde formation in the plasma of the SSc patients, which was also attenuated by Activin. The results of this study demonstrated that Activin could reduce the inflammatory response and the oxidative stress developed in SSc patients.

Oxidative stress parameters in different systemic rheumatic diseases

“…This implies a possible benefit of antioxidant treatment. In scleroderma, however, only a few studies have been undertaken in this respect so far, and they yielded inconsistent outcomes (Denton et al 1999;Herrick et al 2000;Kalin et al 2002). The difficulty in assessing the benefit of antioxidant treatment lies probably in the subjectivity or insensitivity to change of most of the measures currently in use (Herrick & Matucci Cerinic 2001).…”

Proanthocyanidin in Red Rice Inhibits MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cell Invasion <i>via</i> the Expression Control of Invasive Proteins

“…Similar to our findings, Kalfin et al demonstrated that proanthocyanidin from grapeseeds reduced the level of ICAM-1 in the sclerosis patient. 43) The NF-κB transcription factor is constitutively activated in many types of cancer including in breast cancer cells. The NF-κB signaling pathway is known to regulate the expression of various genes involved in the process of tumor metastasis.…”

Antinociceptive Effects of St. John's Wort, Harpagophytum Procumbens Extract and Grape Seed Proanthocyanidins Extract in Mice

“…[29][30][31] Since GSPE also contain high amount (84%) of proanthocyanidins, antioxidant activities of proanthocyanidins might contribute to the antinociceptive effect of GSPE. In fact, this notion is supported also by the observation that Croton celtidifolius extract containing high amount of proanthocyanidins (75%) exhibited antinociceptive effect in the formalin test.…”