Myoinositol Reduces Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Human Endothelial Cells Exposed In Vivo to Chronic Hyperglycemia

Abstract

Myo-inositol (Myo) improves insulin resistance, glucose metabolism, and helps gestational diabetes (GDM) management. GDM is associated with a pro-inflammatory state and increased oxidative stress, which are both involved in vascular damage in diabetes. Our aim was to study Myo anti-inflammatory/antioxidant potential effects on an in vitro model of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). To this end, monocyte cell adhesion to HUVECs, adhesion molecule membrane exposure, and oxidative stress levels were determined in cells from control (C-) and GDM women treated during pregnancy either with diet only (GD-) or with diet plus Myo (GD+Myo). To deeply study the vascular effects of Myo, the same evaluations were performed in C- and GD-HUVECs following 48 h in vitro stimulation with Myo. Notably, we first observed that GD-HUVECs obtained from women assuming Myo supplementation exhibited a significantly decreased number of monocytes that adhered to endothelial cells, less adhesion molecule exposure, and lower intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the basal state as compared to GD-HUVECs obtained from women treated by diet only. This Myo anti-inflammatory/antioxidant effect was confirmed by 48 h in vitro stimulation of GD-HUVECs as compared to controls. Altogether, these results strongly suggest that Myo may exert protective actions against chronic inflammation induced by endothelial dysfunction in diabetes.

Beneficial In Vitro Effects of a Low Myo-Inositol Dose in the Regulation of Vascular Resistance and Protein Peroxidation under Inflammatory Conditions

“…Myo -inositol significantly reduced the carbonylation of plasma proteins and provided protection of the thiol groups. A similar decrease in ROS generation was reported in an in vitro model of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), however with a x1000-fold higher concentration of myo -inositol [ 4 ]. Moreover, we examined the selected hemostatic parameters of blood plasma and found that myo -inositol neither modified the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), the prothrombin time (PT), nor the thrombin time (TT).…”

“…Furthermore, myo -inositol may also be found in its free form or a derivative form, where it can act upon various processes including stress responses, metabolic homeostasis, the permeability of ion channels and even the regulation of mRNA. Myo -inositol has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory/antioxidant capabilities and is a possible vasodilator [ 3 , 4 ] with a good therapeutic option in the reduction of metabolically induced inflammation [ 5 ]. These properties may provide protection to the vascular system, which is the focus of this study.…”

“…Myo -inositol has also been shown to protect the kidney from various toxins, such as cadmium [ 11 ], and it is believed that the antioxidant ability of myo -inositol was the protective mechanism behind this finding. There have been other studies as well that have shown myo -inositol providing a protective effect against inflammation induced by endothelial dysfunction (ED) in diabetes [ 4 ]. Myo -inositol has been shown to provide a scavenging effect toward reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vitro [ 4 ] and has been shown to help preserve nitric oxide (NO) signaling under diabetic conditions [ 12 ].…”

“…There have been other studies as well that have shown myo -inositol providing a protective effect against inflammation induced by endothelial dysfunction (ED) in diabetes [ 4 ]. Myo -inositol has been shown to provide a scavenging effect toward reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vitro [ 4 ] and has been shown to help preserve nitric oxide (NO) signaling under diabetic conditions [ 12 ].…”

Endothelial Dysfunction in Pregnancy Complications

“…HUVECs obtained from women with GDM who were treated with myo-inositol throughout the pregnancy had a markedly reduced number of monocytes attached to their surface, less adhesion molecule exposure, and lower intracellular oxidative stress levels in comparison to those of women treated with diet only. The same effects were observed after 48h hours of stimulation with myo-inositol in in vitro conditions [ 183 ]. Another in vitro study revealed that metformin improves cell migration and stimulates angiogenesis of HUVECs.…”