Dietary antioxidants such as phenolic phytochemicals may prevent/improve endothelial function
impairment observed in cardiovascular diseases. This study investigates the specific
protective effects of a vegetal seasoning obtained from seedless wine pomace against
hyperglycaemia-induced oxidative damage and dysfunction in human umbilical vein endothelial
cells EA.hy926. Non-cytotoxic doses of the bioactive compounds obtained following
in vitro digestion of the seasoning were used as treatments. Digested compounds, especially
colonic bacterial metabolites, restored a more balanced redox environment, prevented
lipid peroxidation and cell membrane damage, ameliorated protein oxidation, and improved
the balance between endothelial reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide production
in hyperglycaemic cells. Reduction of angiotensin I-converting enzyme activity and gene
modulation of superoxide dismutase, haem oxygenase-1, β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
phosphate oxidase-4, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase are proposed as the
mechanisms underlying this protection.These results support the potential benefits of functional
wine pomace seasonings in vascular complications associated with oxidative stress.
