Inhibition of endothelial adhesion molecule expression by Monascus purpureus-fermented rice metabolites, monacolin K, ankaflavin, and monascin.

Inflammation is an independent risk factor of cardiovascular diseases and is associated with endothelial dysfunction. Monascus purpureus-fermented rice, containing naturally occurring statins and various pigments, has lipid-modulating, anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects. The effects of monacolin K, ankaflavin and monascin, as metabolites from Monascus-fermented rice, on the expression of cell adhesion molecules (intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecular-1 (VCAM-1) and E-selectin) by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-treated human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) were investigated. Supplement of HAECs with these Monascus-fermented rice metabolites significantly suppressed cellular binding between the human monocytic cells U937 and TNF-α-stimulated HAECs. Immunoblot analysis showed that Monascus-fermented rice metabolites significantly attenuated TNF-α-induced VCAM-1 and E-selectin but not ICAM-1 protein expression. Gel shift assays showed that Monascus-fermented rice metabolites treatment reduced TNF-α-activated transcription factor nuclear factor (NF)-κB. Furthermore, Monascus-fermented rice metabolites also attenuated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in vitro and in TNF-α-treated HAECs. Supplement with an ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine gave similar results as compared with Monascus-fermented rice metabolites. Monascus-fermented rice metabolites reduced TNF-α-stimulated endothelial adhesiveness as well as downregulating intracellular ROS formation, NF-κB activation, and VCAM-1/E-selectin expression in HAECs, supporting the notion that the various metabolites from Monascus-fermented rice might have potential implications in clinical atherosclerosis disease.

Lin CP ，Lin YL ，Huang PH ，Tsai HS ，Chen YH ... -  《-》

Cholestin (Monascus purpureus rice) inhibits homocysteine-induced reactive oxygen species generation, nuclear factor-kappaB activation, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression in human aortic endothelial cells.

Lin CP ，Chen YH ，Chen JW ，Leu HB ，Liu TZ ，Liu PL ，Huang SL ... -  《-》

Chloroform extract of aged black garlic attenuates TNF-α-induced ROS generation, VCAM-1 expression, NF-κB activation and adhesiveness for monocytes in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Aged black garlic is a type of fermented garlic (Allium sativum) which has been used in Oriental countries for a long time because of various biological properties of garlic derivatives. The current study explored the potential of the chloroform extract of aged black garlic (CEABG) in attenuating the activities of adhesion molecules in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The study was performed on HUVECs that were pretreated with 30 μg/mL of CEABG before TNF-α treatment. Treatment of HUVECs with CEABG significantly inhibited TNF-α-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. HUVECs treated with CEABG showed markedly suppressed TNF-α-induced mRNA expression of VCAM-1, but little alteration in ICAM-1 and E-selectin mRNA expression. CEABG treatment also significantly decreased the TNF-α-induced cell surface and total protein expression of VCAM-1 without affecting ICAM-1 and E-selectin expression. In addition, treatment of HUVECs with CEABG markedly reduced THP-1 monocyte adhesion to TNF-α-stimulated HUVECs. Furthermore, CEABG significantly inhibited NF-κB transcription factor activation in TNF-α-stimulated HUVECs. The data provide new evidence of the antiinflammatory properties of CEABG that may have a potential therapeutic use for the prevention and treatment of vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis through mechanisms involving the inhibition of VCAM-1 expression and NF-κB activation in vascular endothelial cells.

Lee EN ，Choi YW ，Kim HK ，Park JK ，Kim HJ ，Kim MJ ，Lee HW ，Kim KH ，Bae SS ，Kim BS ，Yoon S ... -  《-》

Ginkgo biloba extract inhibits tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced reactive oxygen species generation, transcription factor activation, and cell adhesion molecule expression in human aortic endothelial cells.

Chen JW ，Chen YH ，Lin FY ，Chen YL ，Lin SJ ... -  《-》

Ankaflavin and monascin regulate endothelial adhesion molecules and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) expression induced by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Hsu WH ，Lee BH ，Lu IJ ，Pan TM ... -  《-》