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Assessing the role of quercetin-metabolites in improving vascular health

Reference	BBS/E/F/00042352
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr David Hughes
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Quadram Institute Bioscience
Department	Quadram Institute Bioscience Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	61,700
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/09/2007
End date	14/12/2008
Duration	15 months

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of mortality in the EU and is likely to rise further given the increasing prevalence of obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds naturally present in fruits and vegetables as glycosylated forms and quercetin is by far the most abundant. Numerous epidemiological studies suggest that diets rich in fruit and vegetables containing flavonoids reduce the risk of long-term diseases such as CVD and cancer. Flavonoids are modified during absorption and the forms reaching the systemic circulation are glucuronidated, sulfated and methylated. The aim of the present project is to establish the physiological dose and composition of flavonoid conjugates in humans required to elicit changes in cellular function related to endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular disease. The main objectives are: 1) to define the concentrations of flavonoid metabolites required for potentially beneficial effects on cultured cells which have been activated or not with cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor-a (TNF-a). The activated state mimics the inflammatory conditions associated with the development of atherosclerosis. 2) To explore the effects of purified flavonoids, and its main metabolites/conjugates, on the function of human smooth muscle cells (SMC) alone and in co-culture with human vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs). 3) To assess whether identified metabolites (from Objective 2) are as effective when present in blood plasma obtained from individuals who have consumed varying levels of fruits and vegetables containing the parent compounds. Protein and gene expression of vasoactive compounds and adhesion molecules will be measured by ELISA assay, flow cytometry and Real-time RT-PCR. Adopting approaches such as those we have described here for in vitro studies of polyphenols will aid the more precise definition of the role of polyphenolic compounds in maintaining cardiovascular health.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
Research Topics	Diet and Health
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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