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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #177683
Title: AVENANTHRAMIDES, A POLYPHENOL FROM OATS, MODULATE SMOOTH MUSCLE CELL (SMC) PROLIFERATION AND NITRIC OXIDE (NO) PRODUCTION

Author
item NIE, LIN - TUFTS/HNRCA
item PETERSON, DAVID - ARS CEREAL CROPS RES WIS
item MEYDANI, MOHSEN - TUFTS/HNRCA

Submitted to: Journal of Free Radical Biology and Medicine
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/2004
Publication Date: 12/15/2004
Citation: Nie, L., Peterson, D., Meydani, M., 2004. Avenanthramides, a polyphenol from oats, modulate smooth muscle cell (smc) proliferation and nitric oxide (no) production. [abstract]. Journal of Free Radical Biology and Medicine. 37(Suppl.1):S40.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The proliferation of intimal vascular SMC and impaired NO production are both crucial pathophysiological processes in the initiation and development of atherosclerosis. Epidemiological data have indicated that diet rich in whole grain foods is associated with reduced risk of developing atherosclerosis and hypertension. Earlier we have shown that avenanthramides, polyphenols found exclusively in oat grain, inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokines and adhesive interaction of immune and endothelial cells. Here we report the effect of specific avenanthramide C (Av-C) prepared synthetically on human aortic SMC (HASMC) proliferation and NO production. We found that Av-C dose-dependently inhibited serum-induced HASMC proliferation as measured by [3H] thymidine incorporation and counting the cell number. The IC 50 of Av-C was around 50 microM. Incubation of cells with 120 microM Av-C for 4 days inhibited cell growth by more than 50 per cent This inhibitory effect of Av-C was associated with an increase in the expression of p21CIP1 and a decrease in the phosphorylation of pRB. In addition, Av-C treatment significantly increased the NO production and eNOS mRNA expression as measured by real time PCR. At 80 microM, the NO production and eNOS mRNA expression levels increased by 2.1 and 3.5 fold, respectively. The HASMC expression of vascular cell adhesion molecular-1 (VCAM-1) was not affected by Av-C treatment. These data suggest that the avenanthramides in oats may have great potential to prevent vascular dysfunction and development of atherosclerotic lesion by inhibiting vascular SMC proliferation and increasing NO production. Supported by USDA agreement No.58-1950-9-001.