Adropin is involved in the protective effect of ellagic acid against high-glucose induced injury in human umbilical venous endothelial Cells

Abstract Background: There is escalating evidence suggesting the beneficial effects of ellagic acid (EA) on the cardiovascular system. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of EA in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) against high glucose (HG)- induced endothelial dysfunction and the potential roles of adropin and NO in this regard.Methods and Results: The experimental groups consisted of normal and HG (30 mM, 48 h) treated HUVECs incubated without or with 5 or 10 μM of EA (6 groups of at least 6 replicates, each). The cell count and metabolism were studied. Moreover, the markers of redox state including malondialdehyde (MDA), the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase enzymes, as well as ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were assayed. The levels of adropin and eNOS gene expression were also studied using qPCR. A high concentration of glucose reduced cell count and caused lipid peroxidation, reduced antioxidant capacity of the cells, decreased NO levels, and downregulated the expression of NOS3 (encoding eNOS) and ENHO (encoding Adropin) genes. Ellagic acid reversed all these effects.Conclusions: These results suggest a significant protective effect for EA against HG-induced injury in HUVECs. The improved redox state and upregulation of NOS3 and ENHO genes seem to play critical roles in this regard.