Abstract 443: Blackcurrant Extract Inhibits Oxidative Stress In Cultured Cardiomyocyte Cells

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) affects a large sector of the U.S. population; accounting for millions of adult men and women impacted by its high annual incidence of mortality and morbidity. An underlying cellular link to the pathophysiological process of CVD is oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance of reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species, and a deficiency in antioxidants. In particular, flavonoids found in fruits and berries have antioxidant properties that may quell oxidative stress activities at the cellular level. Mounting evidence suggests that flavonoids in the form of berry extracts may offer health benefits. Methods: Blackcurrant and various berry extracts (aronia berry, tart cherry, elderberry, cranberry, and a berry blend) were investigated in cultured cardiomyocyte (HL-1) cell line-to determine their effects on oxidative stress. Cells were maintained in Claycomb medium at 37°C in humidified 5% humidified CO 2. A menadione-induced oxidative stressor was applied to generate oxidative stress in the HL-1 cells. A CellROX TM green reagent assay was used as a detection method of oxidative stress. The effects of berry extracts on cell viability within the HL-1 cells were also investigated. Results: Blackcurrant extract was found to be superior compared to all of the other berry extracts in suppressing oxidative stress in the HL-1 cells. N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) used as a control, also had similar antioxidant effects as blackcurrant extract in the HL-1 cells under menadione-induced oxidative stress conditions. Additionally, NAC demonstrated significance for increased cell viability and cardio protection, while blackcurrant extract showed modest cellular protection. These results indicate that blackcurrant extract has potent antioxidant and modest cardioprotective properties comparable to NAC in HL-1 cells. Conclusion: Blackcurrant extract rich in flavonoids showed promising effects as an antioxidant with cardioprotective benefits. This may have significant implications for improving CV health in the human model. Further studies are warranted to determine the role of the bioactive components of blackcurrant and application to CV health.