Polyphenols' Cardioprotective Potential: Review of Rat Fibroblasts as Well as Rat and Human Cardiomyocyte Cell Lines Research

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases are responsible for 31% of global deaths. A reduction in mortality can be achieved by promoting a healthy lifestyle, developing prevention strategies, and developing new therapies. Polyphenols are present in food and drinks such as tea, cocoa, fruits, berries, and vegetables. These compounds have strong antioxidative properties, which might have a cardioprotective effect. The aim of this paper is to examine the potential of polyphenols in cardioprotective use based on in vitro human and rat cardiomyocytes as well as fibroblast research. Based on the papers discussed in this review, polyphenols have the potential for cardioprotective use due to their multilevel points of action which include, among others, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antithrombotic, and vasodilatory. Polyphenols may have potential use in new and effective preventions or therapies for cardiovascular diseases, yet more clinical studies are needed.

Keywords: cardioprotective activity; human and rat cardiomyocytes; polyphenols; rat fibroblasts.

Figure 1

The classification of polyphenols based on their chemical structure.

Figure 2

The summary of cardioprotective effects of polyphenols on fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes; Akt—protein kinase B, cAMP cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate, CHOP—C/EBP homologous protein, COX-2—cyclooxygenase 2, ERK—Extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase, ET-1—endothelin 1, FAK—focal adhesion kinase, GATA4—GATA Binding Protein 4, GRP78—glucose-regulated protein 78, GSK3β—glycogen synthase kinase 3β, Hsp—Heat shock protein, ICAM-1—intercellular adhesion molecule 1, IGF1R—insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor, JNK—c-Jun N-terminal kinases, Lamp1—Lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1, LC3—microtubule-associated protein light chain 3, LDH—Lactate dehydrogenase, MAPK—mitogen-activated protein kinases, MCP-1—monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, MDA—malondialdehyde, MMP-9—matrix metallopeptidase 9, MPTP—1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, NF-κβ—nuclear factor κβ, NO—nitric oxide, PI3K—phosphoinositide 3-kinases, SIRT1—sirtuin 1, STAT—signal transducer and activator of transcription, TFEB—transcription factor EB, TNF-α—tumor necrosis factor α, VGF-β—vascular endothelial growth factor β.