Wild Artichoke Prevents the Age-Associated Loss of Vasomotor Function

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• 作者：Giuseppe Rossoni ; Simona Grande ; Claudio Galli ; and Francesco Visioli
• 刊名：Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
• 出版年：2005
• 出版时间：December 28, 2005
• 年：2005
• 卷：53
• 期：26
• 页码：10291 - 10296
• 全文大小：118K
• 年卷期：v.53,no.26(December 28, 2005)
• ISSN：1520-5118

文摘

Endothelial dysfunction, which is more often observed in conduit arteries such as the aorta, carotid,femoral, and brachial arteries, is largely due to alterations in cellular signal transduction initiated byan escalating cycle of damage triggered by oxidative stress. This phenomenon is exacerbated in theelderly, where a progressive loss of vascular endothelial function and concurrent loss of vasomotorcontrol is frequent. In a previous study, we demonstrated that the wild artichoke (Cynara cardunculus)is able to increase the production of the vasorelaxant factor nitric oxide by cultured aortic endothelialcells. We now extended that study to verify (1) the vasorelaxant potential of C. cardunculus on isolatedrat aortic rings and (2) whether the vasomodulating properties of C. cardunculus are maintained invivo, after administration to aged rats. The results demonstrate that the wild artichoke and its maincomponents, namely, luteolin and apigenin, improve aortic relaxation when added to the incubationbath. Moreover, the feeding of wild artichoke [10 mg (kg of polyphenols)^-1 day^-1] to aged ratssignificantly restores proper vasomotion, to a degree similar to that observed in young animals. Thisstudy provides further justification to the advice to consume wild greens as part of a balanced dietand suggests that close attention should be paid to the diet of the elderly, because it can effectivelymodulate important parameters of cardiovascular risk.Keywords: Mediterranean diet; Cynara cardunculus; vasorelaxation; antioxidants; aging