Epicatechin Influence on Biochemical Modification of Human Erythrocyte Metabolism and Membrane Integrity

Overview

Journal Int J Mol Sci

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Biochemistry
Chemistry
Molecular Biology

Date 2025 Jan 8

PMID 39769244

Authors

Annamaria Russo

Giuseppe Tancredi Patane

Giuseppina Lagana

Santa Cirmi

Silvana Ficarra

Davide Barreca

Elena Giunta

Ester Tellone

Stefano Putaggio

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Red blood cells (RBCs) are the main cells of the blood, perform numerous functions within the body and are in continuous contact with endogenous and exogenous molecules. In this context, the study aims to investigate the effect of epicatechin (EC) (flavan-3-ols) on the erythrocytes, analyzing the protective effect of the molecule and the action exerted on metabolism and RBC membrane. The effect of EC on RBC viability has been evaluated through the change in hemolysis and methemoglobin, assessing caspase 3 activity and performing a cytofluorometric analysis. Next, the impact of the molecule on RBC metabolism was assessed by measuring anion flux kinetics, ATP production, and phosphatase activity. Finally, an evaluation of the potential protection against different stressors was performed. Our results show no detrimental effects of EC on RBCs (no change in hemolysis or methemoglobin and no caspase 3 activation recorded); rather, a protective effect was recorded given the reduction in hemolysis induced by hydrogen peroxide treatment and temperature increase. The increase in anion exchange and intracellular ATP values, with the inhibition of phosphatase PTP1B activity, highlights several biochemical alterations induced by EC. The present results contribute to clarifying the influence of EC on RBCs, confirming the beneficial effects of catechins.

References

Vargas F, Romecin P, Garcia-Guillen A, Wangesteen R, Vargas-Tendero P, Paredes M . Flavonoids in Kidney Health and Disease. Front Physiol. 2018; 9:394. PMC: 5928447. DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00394. View

Russo A, Patane G, Putaggio S, Lombardo G, Ficarra S, Barreca D . Mechanisms Underlying the Effects of Chloroquine on Red Blood Cells Metabolism. Int J Mol Sci. 2024; 25(12). PMC: 11203553. DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126424. View

Tellone E, De Rosa M, Pirolli D, Russo A, Giardina B, Galtieri A . Molecular interactions of hemoglobin with resveratrol: potential protective antioxidant role and metabolic adaptations of the erythrocyte. Biol Chem. 2013; 395(3):347-54. DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2013-0257. View

Galtieri A, Tellone E, Ficarra S, Russo A, Bellocco E, Barreca D . Resveratrol treatment induces redox stress in red blood cells: a possible role of caspase 3 in metabolism and anion transport. Biol Chem. 2010; 391(9):1057-65. DOI: 10.1515/BC.2010.100. View

Swarup G, Cohen S, Garbers D . Inhibition of membrane phosphotyrosyl-protein phosphatase activity by vanadate. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1982; 107(3):1104-9. DOI: 10.1016/0006-291x(82)90635-0. View

Campanella M, Chu H, Low P . Assembly and regulation of a glycolytic enzyme complex on the human erythrocyte membrane. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005; 102(7):2402-7. PMC: 549020. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0409741102. View

Al-Ishaq R, Abotaleb M, Kubatka P, Kajo K, Busselberg D . Flavonoids and Their Anti-Diabetic Effects: Cellular Mechanisms and Effects to Improve Blood Sugar Levels. Biomolecules. 2019; 9(9). PMC: 6769509. DOI: 10.3390/biom9090430. View

Williamson J, Shanahan M, Hochmuth R . The influence of temperature on red cell deformability. Blood. 1975; 46(4):611-24. View

Yamazaki K, Romero-Perez D, Barraza-Hidalgo M, Cruz M, Rivas M, Cortez-Gomez B . Short- and long-term effects of (-)-epicatechin on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2008; 295(2):H761-7. PMC: 2519218. DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00413.2008. View

10.

Noomuna P, Risinger M, Zhou S, Seu K, Man Y, An R . Inhibition of Band 3 tyrosine phosphorylation: a new mechanism for treatment of sickle cell disease. Br J Haematol. 2020; 190(4):599-609. PMC: 7606656. DOI: 10.1111/bjh.16671. View

11.

Oteiza P, Fraga C, Galleano M . Linking biomarkers of oxidative stress and disease with flavonoid consumption: From experimental models to humans. Redox Biol. 2021; 42:101914. PMC: 8113027. DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2021.101914. View

12.

Tellone E, Ficarra S, Giardina B, Scatena R, Russo A, Clementi M . Oxidative effects of gemfibrozil on anion influx and metabolism in normal and Beta-thalassemic erythrocytes: physiological implications. J Membr Biol. 2008; 224(1-3):1-8. DOI: 10.1007/s00232-008-9122-8. View

13.

Patane G, Putaggio S, Tellone E, Barreca D, Ficarra S, Maffei C . Catechins and Proanthocyanidins Involvement in Metabolic Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci. 2023; 24(11). PMC: 10252413. DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119228. View

14.

Yang Q, Noviana M, Zhao Y, Chen D, Wang X . Effect of curcumin extract against oxidative stress on both structure and deformation capability of red blood cell. J Biomech. 2019; 95:109301. DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2019.07.045. View

15.

Naparlo K, Bartosz G, Stefaniuk I, Cieniek B, Soszynski M, Sadowska-Bartosz I . Interaction of Catechins with Human Erythrocytes. Molecules. 2020; 25(6). PMC: 7145294. DOI: 10.3390/molecules25061456. View

16.

Romano L, Peritore D, Simone E, Sidoti A, Trischitta F, Romano P . Chloride-sulphate exchange chemically measured in human erythrocyte ghosts. Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 1998; 44(2):351-5. View

17.

Tellone E, Ficarra S, Scatena R, Giardina B, Kotyk A, Russo A . Influence of gemfibrozil on sulfate transport in human erythrocytes during the oxygenation-deoxygenation cycle. Physiol Res. 2007; 57(4):621-629. DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.931251. View

18.

Patane G, Lombardo L, Putaggio S, Tellone E, Ficarra S, Barreca D . Anti-Aggregative and Protective Effects of Vicenin-2 on Heat and Oxidative Stress-Induced Damage on Protein Structures. Int J Mol Sci. 2023; 24(24). PMC: 10743203. DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417222. View

19.

Lagadic-Gossmann D, Huc L, Lecureur V . Alterations of intracellular pH homeostasis in apoptosis: origins and roles. Cell Death Differ. 2004; 11(9):953-61. DOI: 10.1038/sj.cdd.4401466. View

20.

Zeng H, Liu C, Wan L, Peng L, Wen S, Fang W . (-)-Epicatechin ameliorates type 2 diabetes mellitus by reshaping the gut microbiota and Gut-Liver axis in GK rats. Food Chem. 2024; 447:138916. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.138916. View