Alleviation of plasma homocysteine level by phytoestrogen α-zearalanol might be related to the reduction of cystathionine β-synthase nitration.

Abstract

Hyperhomocysteinemia is strongly associated with cardiovascular diseases. Previous studies have shown that phytoestrogen α-zearalanol can protect cardiovascular system from hyperhomocysteinemia and ameliorate the level of plasma total homocysteine; however, the underlying mechanisms remain to be clarified. The aim of this research is to investigate the possible molecular mechanisms involved in ameliorating the level of plasma homocysteine by α-zearalanol. By the successfully established diet-induced hyperhomocysteinemia rat models, we found that, after α-zearalanol treatment, the activity of cystathionine β-synthase, the key enzyme in homocysteine metabolism, was significantly elevated and level of nitrative stress in liver was significantly reduced. In correlation with this, results also showed a decreased nitration level of cystathionine β-synthase in liver. Together data implied that alleviation of plasma homocysteine level by phytoestrogen α-zearalanol might be related to the reduction of cystathionine β-synthase nitration.

• Authors: Hui Zhang, Qi Sun, Teng Liu, Lu Ma, Panpan Zhen, Ke Wang, Lingqiao Lu, Xin Liu, Xin Zhang, Dandan Song, Xiaoyun Zuo, Huirong Liu, Wen Wang
• Journal: BioMed research international (Biomed Res Int) Vol. 2014 Pg. 143192 ( 2014) ISSN: 2314-6141 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 24783194 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Nitrates
• Phytoestrogens
• zearalenol
• Homocysteine
• 3-nitrotyrosine
• Tyrosine
• Zeranol
• Cystathionine beta-Synthase

Topics

• Animals
• Cystathionine beta-Synthase (metabolism)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Down-Regulation (drug effects)
• Enzyme Activation (drug effects)
• Female
• Homocysteine (blood)
• Hyperhomocysteinemia (drug therapy, metabolism)
• Liver (drug effects, metabolism)
• Nitrates (metabolism)
• Oxidation-Reduction (drug effects)
• Phytoestrogens (administration & dosage)
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar
• Treatment Outcome
• Tyrosine (analogs & derivatives, metabolism)
• Zeranol (administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives)