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Berberine improves endothelial function by reducing endothelial microparticles-mediated oxidative stress in humans
1Department of Hypertension and Vascular Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
International Journal of Cardiology
|April 3, 2012
Summary
Berberine therapy improved endothelial function in healthy subjects by reducing oxidative stress caused by circulating endothelial microparticles (EMPs). In vitro studies confirmed berberine
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology and Endothelial Function
- Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Research
- Pharmacology and Natural Product Therapeutics
Background:
- Circulating endothelial microparticles (EMPs) are linked to endothelial dysfunction and increased oxidative stress.
- Berberine demonstrates potential benefits for endothelial health, but its effect on EMP-mediated oxidative stress is unknown.
- This study investigates berberine's impact on EMP-induced oxidative stress in human vascular endothelium.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if berberine therapy improves endothelial function in humans by inhibiting EMP-mediated oxidative stress.
- To assess the effect of berberine on circulating EMPs, oxidative stress markers, and endothelial function in healthy subjects.
- To investigate the in vitro mechanisms by which EMPs induce oxidative stress and whether berberine can counteract these effects.
Main Methods:
- A 1-month berberine therapy was administered to 12 healthy subjects, with 11 serving as controls.
- Endothelial function was assessed using flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and nitroglyceride-mediated vasodilation (NMD).
- Circulating EMPs, serum malondialdehyde (MDA), and in vitro reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) production in endothelial cells were measured.
Main Results:
- Berberine treatment significantly reduced serum MDA levels and circulating CD31+/CD42- microparticles, correlating with improved FMD.
- In vitro, EMPs increased ROS production and NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4) expression while decreasing NO synthesis in endothelial cells.
- These EMP-induced alterations were reversed by the presence of apocynin or berberine.
Conclusions:
- Berberine treatment ameliorates endothelial function in humans, partly by reducing oxidative stress induced by circulating EMPs.
- EMPs promote oxidative stress in endothelial cells via upregulation of Nox4 expression.
- Berberine demonstrates a protective effect against EMP-induced endothelial oxidative stress.
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