Carotenoids Inhibit Fructose-Induced Inflammatory Response in Human Endothelial Cells and Monocytes

Figure 1

Inhibitory effects of carotenoids on adhesion of monocytes to fructose-stimulated endothelial cells. HUVECs were pretreated with the five most common carotenoids in human plasma, i.e., α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, and lycopene (0.1, 0.5, and 1 μM) or vehicle (control) for 2 h and then stimulated with fructose 2 mM for 16 h. Then, cells were cocultured with U937 monocytes labeled with calcein AM. The adherent quantity of U937 cells was monitored by a fluorescence plate reader (a) or fluorescence microscope (b). The adhesion values of monocytes are represented in comparison to monocyte adhesion to fructose-stimulated ECs, normalized at 100% (a). (b) Representative images of EC-monocyte adhesion after preincubation with β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, and lycopene (1 μM). Each experiment was conducted in triplicate. ^# vs. control; vs. fructose alone.

(a)

(b)