P 240 - Anti-oxidative effects of a white grape juice extract on lymphocytic mitochondrial functions

Abstract

Due to the pivotal role of mitochondria in cell physiology and pathology, recently, a great deal of data has been acquired on mitochondrial dysfunction in aging and in age-related diseases. This stimulated the search for compounds able to promote mitochondrial functionality. Our study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant property of a white grape juice extract (WGJe). First, we assessed its potentiality in cell-free experimental models and we assayed its capability of preventing the AAPH-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HepG2 cells. Then we investigated WGJe effects in an ex vivo experimental model consisting of activated lymphocytes of both young and elder subjects, where pre-treatments of phytohemagglutinin/interleukin 2-activated lymphocytes with WGJe (0.05 and 0.1 μg/mL) for 24 and 48 h improved the mitochondrial functionality. In particular, WGJe steadily decreased the mitochondrial mass of older subjects, without a relevant effect in younger counterpart. In addition, WGJe significantly enhanced Δψm in both groups investigated. Finally, we found that WGJe reduced the endogenous mitochondrial production of H2O2, more in young subjects rather than in elders. Overall, our data indicate that WGJe may be used to improve mitochondrial functions in oxidative injured cell, and strengthen the potential use of WGJe as an anti-oxidative remedy for maintaining human health.