Inducing gene expression of cardiac antioxidant enzymes by dietary phenolic acids in rats

J Nutr Biochem. 2009 Mar;20(3):163-71. doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2008.01.005. Epub 2008 Jun 10.

Abstract

An increase in oxidative stress is suggested to be intimately involved in the pathogenesis of heart failure. Phenolic acids are widespread in plant foods; they contain important biological and pharmacological properties. This study evaluated the role of phenolic acids on the expression of antioxidant enzymes in the heart of male Sprague-Dawley rats. Gallic acid, ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid at a dosage of 100 mg kg(-1) body weight significantly increased the activities of cardiac superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) as compared with control rats (P<.05). The changes in cardiac CuZnSOD, GPx and CAT mRNA levels induced by phenolic acids were similar to those noted in the enzyme activity levels. A significant (P<.05) increase in the GSH/GSSG ratio was observed in the heart of phenolic acid-treated rats. The heart homogenates obtained from rats that were administered phenolic acids displayed significant (P<.05) increases in capacity for oxygen radical absorbance compared with control rats. Immunoblot analysis revealed the increased cardiac total level of Nrf2 in phenolic acid-treated rats. Interestingly, phenolic acid-mediated antioxidant enzyme expression was accompanied by up-regulation of heme oxygenase-1. This study demonstrates that antioxidant enzymes in rat cardiac tissue can be significantly induced by phenolic acids following oral administration.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / metabolism*
  • Catalase / metabolism
  • Coumaric Acids / pharmacology*
  • Diet
  • Gallic Acid / pharmacology*
  • Glutathione
  • Glutathione Peroxidase / metabolism
  • Heart / drug effects
  • Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) / biosynthesis
  • Male
  • Myocardium / enzymology*
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / biosynthesis
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Propionates
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Coumaric Acids
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2
  • Nfe2l2 protein, rat
  • Propionates
  • Gallic Acid
  • ferulic acid
  • Catalase
  • Glutathione Peroxidase
  • Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing)
  • Hmox1 protein, rat
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Glutathione
  • p-coumaric acid