Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) Extract Reduce Malondialdehyde Levels and Prevent Aortic Endothelial Cell Decline in Ovariectomized Rats

Estrogen has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, but its levels decrease in postmenopausal women who can trigger oxidative stress. One of the most damaging effects of ROS is lipid peroxidation, and the end product is Malondialdehyde (MDA). Similarly, aging endothelium has increased oxidative stress and endothelial cell sensitivity to apoptosis. This study aimed to determine the effect of cowpea extract on serum MDA levels, aortic endothelial cell counts, and brain MDA levels in the ovariectomy model. Cowpea extract can be used as an alternative to prevent and overcome the effects that occur during menopause, such as cardiovascular problems, decreased bone mineral density, and dementia. The study used 15-month-old female Rattus norvegicus, divided into six groups (OVX, SHAM, OVX+estradiol, OVX+Vu 1.25; 2.5; and 5 mg/kg BW/day). Serum and brain MDA levels were examined by ELISA method, while the number of aortic endothelial cells were examined on histopathological preparations with Hematoxylin & Eosin (HE) staining. The mean value of serum and brain MDA levels decreased with an increase in the dose given (p-value 0.016). The mean value of aortic endothelial cells between the dose groups did not significantly differ. However, the mean value showed an increasing trend as the dose of cowpea extract was given. The results of this study indicate that the extract of cowpea has the potential as an antioxidant to reduce serum and brain MDA levels, prevent a decrease in the number of aortic endothelial cells. As prevention, cowpea extract can be used as an antioxidant and consumed since premenopause to minimize problems that occur during postmenopause.

Zn(ii)2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline stimulates cultured bovine aortic endothelial cell proliferation

Stimulation of vascular endothelial cell proliferation by Zn-12 can be mediated by the ERK1/2 activation independently of the FGF-2-FGFR pathway. Additionally, there may be other pathways involved in the Zn-12 stimulation.

Bovine pericardial extracellular matrix niche modulates human aortic endothelial cell phenotype and function

Xenogeneic biomaterials contain biologically relevant extracellular matrix (ECM) composition and organization, making them potentially ideal surgical grafts and tissue engineering scaffolds. Defining the effect of ECM niche (e.g., basement membrane vs. non-basement membrane) on repopulating cell phenotype and function has important implications for use of xenogeneic biomaterials, particularly in vascular applications. We aim to understand how serous (i.e., basement membrane) versus fibrous (i.e., non-basement membrane) ECM niche of antigen-removed bovine pericardium (AR-BP) scaffolds influence human aortic endothelial cell (hAEC) adhesion, growth, phenotype, inflammatory response and laminin production. At low and moderate seeding densities hAEC proliferation was significantly increased on the serous side. Similarly, ECM niche modulated cellular morphology, with serous side seeding resulting in a more rounded aspect ratio and intact endothelial layer formation. At moderate seeding densities, hAEC production of human laminin was enhanced following serous seeding. Finally, inflammatory marker and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression decreased following long-term cell growth regardless of seeding side. This work demonstrates that at low and moderate seeding densities AR-BP sidedness significantly impacts endothelial cell growth, morphology, human laminin production, and inflammatory state. These findings suggest that ECM niche has a role in modulating response of repopulating recipient cells toward AR-BP scaffolds for vascular applications.