Flavonoids protect against intercellular adhesion molecule-1 induction by benzo[a]pyrene
Elizabeth Oesterling Owens1, Michal Toborek, Bernhard Hennig
1Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536-0200, USA.
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
|February 14, 2009
Summary
Certain flavonoids can protect against cardiovascular disease risks linked to environmental chemicals like benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P). Specific flavonoid structures, with a 4' B-ring hydroxyl and 2-3 C-ring double bond, show protective effects against B[a]P-induced inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Environmental health
- Cardiovascular disease
- Molecular biology
Background:
- Environmental chemical exposure, such as to benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
- B[a]P exposure can increase intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in endothelial cells, potentially promoting cardiovascular disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of flavonoids against B[a]P-induced ICAM-1 expression in endothelial cells.
Main Methods:
- Evaluating the ability of various flavonoids to inhibit B[a]P-induced ICAM-1.
- Analyzing the structure-activity relationship of protective flavonoids.
Main Results:
- Only flavonoids possessing a 4' B-ring hydroxyl substitution and a 2-3 C-ring double bond demonstrated protective capabilities.
- These specific structural features are crucial for mitigating B[a]P's pro-inflammatory effects.
Conclusions:
- Selected dietary flavonoids can counteract the pro-inflammatory actions of environmental chemicals like B[a]P.
- Flavonoid structure dictates their efficacy in protecting against B[a]P-induced endothelial dysfunction.
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