The procyanidin-induced pseudo laminar shear stress response: a new concept for the reversal of endothelial dysfunction

Abstract

Reduced endothelium-dependent vasodilator responses with increased synthesis of ET-1 (endothelin-1) are characteristics of endothelial dysfunction in heart failure and are predictive of mortality. Identification of treatments that correct these abnormalities may have particular benefit for patients who become refractory to current regimens. Hawthorn preparations have a long history in the treatment of heart failure. Therefore we tested their inhibitory effects on ET-1 synthesis by cultured endothelial cells. These actions were compared with that of GSE (grape seed extract), as the vasoactive components of both these herbal remedies are mainly oligomeric flavan-3-ols called procyanidins. This showed extracts of hawthorn and grape seed were equipotent as inhibitors of ET-1 synthesis. GSE also produced a potent endothelium-dependent vasodilator response on preparations of isolated aorta. Suppression of ET-1 synthesis at the same time as induction of endothelium-dependent vasodilation is a similar response to that triggered by laminar shear stress. Based on these results and previous findings, we hypothesize that through their pharmacological properties procyanidins stimulate a pseudo laminar shear stress response in endothelial cells, which helps restore endothelial function and underlies the benefit from treatment with hawthorn extract in heart failure.

Crataegus Special Extract WS® 1442 Induces an Endothelium-Dependent, NO-mediated Vasorelaxation via eNOS-Phosphorylation at Serine 1177

“…grape seeds [18,19]. In addition, it has been shown that procyanidins obtained from hawthorn preparations stimulate a pseudolaminar stress response in endothelial cells, which helps to restore endothelial function [20]. There is also eidence for an angiostatic effect of procyanidins [21].…”

Therapeutic effectiveness of a Mimosa tenuiflora cortex extract in venous leg ulceration treatment

“…Protection of microcirculation by inhibiting endothelial activation has been reported as the mechanism of action of different flavonoidal extracts with therapeutic efficacy in chronic venous insufficiency management (Katsenis, 2005). The medical use of Hamamelis virginiana cortex extract in vascular and mucosa inflammation treatment is based on the fact that its procyanidins -ET1 inhibitorsrestore endothelian function (Corder et al, 2004). The antiinflammatory and cicatrizing activity of Echinacea pallida root extracts is reported to be related with the antihyaluronidase activity of its echinosides, a group of compounds derived from caffeic acid (Speroni et al, 2002).…”

Oligomeric procyanidins inhibit cell migration and modulate the expression of migration and proliferation associated genes in human umbilical vascular endothelial cells

“…Several in vitro and in vivo studies show that polyphenols present in red wine or green tea can inhibit key events in the angiogenic process such as the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells, and modulate the expression and activity of pro-and (or) anti-angiogenic factors [10]. The flavan-3-ol-rich extracts used in many reported studies are usually a mixture of monomers and oligomers (and also of some other polyphenols) and the observations do not provide information as to the nature of the bioactive components [11,12]. Other reports allude to the cardiovascular protective effects of purified fractions enriched in a particular flavan-3-ol.…”