Inhibition of endothelial adhesion molecule expression by Monascus purpureus-fermented rice metabolites, monacolin K, ankaflavin, and monascin

• Published in: Journal of the science of food and agriculture 2011-08, Vol.91 (10), p.1751-1758
• Main Authors: Lin, Chih-Pei, Lin, Yun-Lian, Huang, Po-Hsun, Tsai, Hui-Szu, Chen, Yung-Hsiang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acetylcysteine - pharmacology; Activation; Adhesion; Aorta - cytology; Attenuation; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiovascular disease; Cell adhesion; Cell adhesion & migration; Cell Adhesion - drug effects; cell adhesion molecule; Cell Line; Cereal and baking product industries; Diseases; E-Selectin - metabolism; Endothelial Cells - drug effects; Endothelial Cells - metabolism; Fermentation; Flavins - pharmacology; Food industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring - pharmacology; Human; Humans; Inflammation; Lovastatin - pharmacology; Metabolites; Monascus; Monascus purpureus rice (red yeast rice); NF-kappa B - metabolism; nuclear factor-κB; Oryza - metabolism; Oryza - microbiology; oxidative stress; Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism; Rice; Risk factors; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - metabolism; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 - metabolism
• ISSN: 0022-5142; 1097-0010; 1097-0010
• DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.4371

BACKGROUND: Inflammation is an independent risk factor of cardiovascular diseases and is associated with endothelial dysfunction. Monascus purpureus‐fermented rice, containing naturally occurring statins and various pigments, has lipid‐modulating, anti‐inflammatory and antioxidative effects. RESULTS: The effects of monacolin K, ankaflavin and monascin, as metabolites from Monascus‐fermented rice, on the expression of cell adhesion molecules (intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1), vascular cell adhesion molecular‐1 (VCAM‐1) and E‐selectin) by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α‐treated human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) were investigated. Supplement of HAECs with these Monascus‐fermented rice metabolites significantly suppressed cellular binding between the human monocytic cells U937 and TNF‐α‐stimulated HAECs. Immunoblot analysis showed that Monascus‐fermented rice metabolites significantly attenuated TNF‐α‐induced VCAM‐1 and E‐selectin but not ICAM‐1 protein expression. Gel shift assays showed that Monascus‐fermented rice metabolites treatment reduced TNF‐α‐activated transcription factor nuclear factor (NF)‐κB. Furthermore, Monascus‐fermented rice metabolites also attenuated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in vitro and in TNF‐α‐treated HAECs. Supplement with an ROS scavenger N‐acetylcysteine gave similar results as compared with Monascus‐fermented rice metabolites. CONCLUSION: Monascus‐fermented rice metabolites reduced TNF‐α‐stimulated endothelial adhesiveness as well as downregulating intracellular ROS formation, NF‐κB activation, and VCAM‐1/E‐selectin expression in HAECs, supporting the notion that the various metabolites from Monascus‐fermented rice might have potential implications in clinical atherosclerosis disease. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry