Is vitamin C a booster of the effects of dietary nitrate on endothelial function? Physiologic rationale and implications for research

Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is an early marker of vascular damage linked to the loss of integrity of the endothelial lining and represents a key step in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). ED may be reversible, hence the development and testing of effective early interventions could be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of CVDs. Recent studies have demonstrated that the consumption of dietary nitrate (NO₃^-), an inorganic anion that serves as a substrate for the gas transmitter nitric oxide (NO), can lower blood pressure, improve endothelial function and, in observational studies, reduce the risk for CVD. We hypothesize that the co-consumption of NO₃^- with vitamin C, which is a potent antioxidant, could enhance the "yield" of NO produced from a given NO₃^- dose byThis could translate into greater NO-dependent effects on endothelial function (EF) and overall vascular health (than may be experienced with NO₃^- supplementation alone). This review presents evidence to suggest that the combination of vitamin C and dietary nitrate could represent a promising and effective approach to improve EF and reduce CVD risk, and discuss opportunities for future research.

Pharmacogenomic Characterization and Isobologram Analysis of the Combination of Ascorbic Acid and Curcumin-Two Main Metabolites of Curcuma longa-in Cancer Cells

Curcuma longa has long been used in China and India as anti-inflammatory agent to treat a wide variety of conditions and also as a spice for varied curry preparations. The chemoprofile of the Curcuma species exhibits the presence of varied phytochemicals with curcumin being present in all three species but AA only being shown in C. longa. This study explored the effect of a curcumin/AA combination on human cancer cell lines. The curcumin/AA combination was assessed by isobologram analysis using the Loewe additivity drug interaction model. The drug combination showed additive cytotoxicity toward CCRF-CEM and CEM/ADR5000 leukemia cell lines and HCT116p53^+/+ and HCT116p53^−/− colon cancer cell line, while the glioblastoma cell lines U87MG and U87MG.ΔEGFR showed additive to supra-additive cytotoxicity. Gene expression profiles predicting sensitivity and resistance of tumor cells to induction by curcumin and AA were determined by microarray-based mRNA expressions, COMPARE, and hierarchical cluster analyses. Numerous genes involved in transcription (TFAM, TCERG1, RGS13, C11orf31), apoptosis-regulation (CRADD, CDK7, CDK19, CD81, TOM1) signal transduction (NR1D2, HMGN1, ABCA1, DE4ND4B, TRIM27) DNA repair (TOPBP1, RPA2), mRNA metabolism (RBBP4, HNRNPR, SRSF4, NR2F2, PDK1, TGM2), and transporter genes (ABCA1) correlated with cellular responsiveness to curcumin and ascorbic acid. In conclusion, this study shows the effect of the curcumin/AA combination and identifies several candidate genes that may regulate the response of varied cancer cells to curcumin and AA.

Nitrogen dioxide absorbance capacity of flavanols quantified by a NO₂-selective fluorescent probe

Taking advantage of a nitrogen dioxide (NO2)-selective probe reported by our group previously, we have developed a fluorescent assay for quantifying NO2 absorbance capacity of flavanols and related polyphenolic compounds. A non-fluorescent Ni(II) dithiocarbamate complex containing sulforhodamine fluorophore reacted rapidly and selectively with NO2 and turned on the fluorescence of the rhodamine. In the presence of radical scavengers, such as tea catechins, the rates of the fluorescence turning on by NO2 were suppressed in a dose-dependent manner. When a simple kinetic equation of the initial reaction rates is applied, the rate constants of the antioxidant reaction with NO2 can be derived using epicatechin as a reference standard, and the value is comparable to that obtained by the pulse radiolysis method. The scavenging capacity against NO2 of nine common phenolic compounds was evaluated, and their structure-activity relationship was also established. Additionally, the mechanism behind NO2 scavenging by phenolic compounds was determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and secondary mass, using epicatechin and gallic acid as examples. Our assay serves as the first example for convenient and sensitive quantification of NO2 scavenging activity of antioxidants.

Vascular effects of dietary nitrate (as found in green leafy vegetables and beetroot) via the nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide pathway

The discovery that dietary (inorganic) nitrate has important vascular effects came from the relatively recent realization of the 'nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide (NO) pathway'. Dietary nitrate has been demonstrated to have a range of beneficial vascular effects, including reducing blood pressure, inhibiting platelet aggregation, preserving or improving endothelial dysfunction, enhancing exercise performance in healthy individuals and patients with peripheral arterial disease. Pre-clinical studies with nitrate or nitrite also show the potential to protect against ischaemia-reperfusion injury and reduce arterial stiffness, inflammation and intimal thickness. However, there is a need for good evidence for hard endpoints beyond epidemiological studies. Whilst these suggest reduction in cardiovascular risk with diets high in nitrate-rich vegetables (such as a Mediterranean diet), others have suggested possible small positive and negative associations with dietary nitrate and cancer, but these remain unproven. Interactions with other nutrients, such as vitamin C, polyphenols and fatty acids may enhance or inhibit these effects. In order to provide simple guidance on nitrate intake from different vegetables, we have developed the Nitrate 'Veg-Table' with 'Nitrate Units' [each unit being 1 mmol of nitrate (62 mg)] to achieve a nitrate intake that is likely to be sufficient to derive benefit, but also to minimize the risk of potential side effects from excessive ingestion, given the current available evidence. The lack of data concerning the long term effects of dietary nitrate is a limitation, and this will need to be addressed in future trials.

Investigation of electrocatalytic pathway for hemoglobin toward nitric oxide by electrochemical approach based on protein controllable unfolding and in-situ reaction

An electrochemical approach based on protein controllable unfolding was developed and applied in combination with in-situ reaction in order to investigate the electrocatalytic pathway for hemoglobin (Hb) toward nitric oxide (NO). Hb was entrapped in a dimethyldidodecylammonium bromide (DDAB) film modified glassy carbon electrode (DDAB/Hb/GCE). Two typical denaturants of acid and urea were synergistically utilized to control the incorporated Hb to a most unfolded state without losing heme groups. Under optimal conditions, the unfolded DDAB/Hb/GCE exhibited accelerated direct electron transfer. The sensitivities for the detection of ascorbic acid (AA), NaNO(2) and NO were improved as 3, 10 and 12 times higher than those on the native DDAB/Hb/GCE, and the limits of detection (LODs) for AA, NaNO(2) and NO were down to 0.33, 0.83 and 0.063 μM, respectively. The unfolded DDAB/Hb/GCE was further applied for the investigation of Hb-NO interaction in NaNO(2) solution. With successive additions of AA, NO was generated in situ on DDAB/Hb/GCE. A new reduction peak of the intermediate HbFe(II)-HN(2)O(2) was successfully revealed near -0.65 V. The whole electrocatalytic mechanism was proposed and verified by density functional theory. The method can be a promising platform for facile study of the interaction between NO and heme proteins.

The jejunoileal bypass provokes morphological changes in the large intestine? An experimental study in rats

PURPOSE

To analyse histopathological alterations characterized by the mitotic index in the mucosa of the large intestine in Wistar rats submitted to jejunoileal bypass operation after continued administration of sodium nitrite and vitamin C to different groups.

METHODS

Eighty male Wistar rats were employed and separated into 12 groups. In the control group (20 rats): five animals ingested only water; five animals received vitamin C; five animals received sodium nitrite and five received sodium nitrite + vitamin C. In the sham group (20 rats), the animals were anesthetized and underwent midline laparotomy and only intestinal manipulation was performed: five animals ingested only water; five animals received vitamin C; five animals received sodium nitrite and five received sodium nitrite + vitamin C. In the operated group 40 rats underwent a jejunoileal bypass surgery: ten animals ingested only water; ten animals received vitamin C; ten animals received sodium nitrite and ten received sodium nitrite + vitamin C. The mean weight of the animals was measured weekly. The large intestine was subdivided into cecum (S1), ascending colon (S(2)), transverse colon (S(3)), descending colon (S(4)) and rectum (S(5)) for histopathological analysis and mitotic counts. The statistical analysis was used to compare the mitotic indices. The level of significance was 5%.

RESULTS

The mean of all the segments indicates that the sodium nitrite+vitamin C group obtained the lowest mitotic index compared to the other treatments in the control group. The segments S(1) and S(2) showed a statistical difference with the vitamin C treatment: a higher mitotic index and better preservation of the mucosa in the operated group. In the sham group the main statistical difference occurred only in the sodium nitrite+vitamin C group between the means of the segments.

CONCLUSIONS

The comparison of all the colonic segments of the various groups revealed a lower mitotic index in the animals treated with sodium nitrite+vitamin C. In addition, it was found that vitamin C did not present a statistically significant inhibiting effect on the preservation of the mucosa and the mitotic index.