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

Figure 2

Dose-dependent effect of carotenoids on the expression of endothelial adhesion molecules. ECs were preincubated with β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, and lycopene (0.1, 0.5, and 1 μM) or vehicle (control) for 2 h and then treated with fructose 2 mM. VCAM-1 (a), ICAM-1 (b), and E-selectin (c) expression levels were examined with cell surface EIA. Each experiment was conducted three times. Data are shown as the percentage of expression induced by fructose (). ^# vs. control; ; vs. fructose alone. (d) During the last 30 minutes of HUVEC stimulation with fructose (2 mM, 16 h) in the presence or absence of lycopene (1 μM) and just before the monocyte adhesion test, neutralizing anti-VCAM-1, anti-E-selectin, or anti-ICAM-1 antibodies (5 μg/ml for all) were introduced. This leads to inhibition of fructose-induced adhesion (n = 3). vs. fructose-stimulated control cells; ^# vs. fructose/lycopene.

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