Biomaterial Database

Hawthorn special extract WS® 1442 increases red blood cell NO-formation without altering red blood cell deformability. 2011

Eva Rieckeheer, and Robert H G Schwinger, and Wilhelm Bloch, and Klara Brixius

Department of Molecular and Cellular Sport Medicine, Institute for Circulation Research and Sport Medicine, German Sports University Cologne, Cologne, Germany.

WS(®) 1442 is a special extract of hawthorn leaves with flowers used for the treatment of mild cardiac failure. The activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) has been shown to contribute to its vasodilating properties. Quite recently it has been demonstrated that red blood cells (RBCs) express a functional NO-synthase (rbcNOS) and rbcNOS activation has been associated with increased RBC deformability. The aim of the present study was to determine whether WS(®) 1442 is able to activate rbcNOS, to induce NO-formation in RBC and to alter RBC-deformability. Blood from healthy volunteers was incubated with WS(®) 1442 (25-100 μg/ml) for up to 30 min. RbcNOS activation was detected by immunohistochemical staining of phosphorylated rbcNOS and NO-formation was examined by diaminofluorescein (DAF) fluorescence. RBC deformability was measured by a laser assisted optical rotational cell analyzer. Serine 1177 of RbcNOS (rbcNOS Ser(1177)) was time- and concentration-dependently phosphorylated by WS(®) 1442. Rates of rbcNOS Ser(1177) phosphorylation were up to 149% higher in RBCs treated with WS(®) 1442 in comparison to control (DMSO 0.05%). WS(®) 1442 induced a time-dependent increase in NO-formation in RBCs which reached its maximum after 5 min. An increase in shear stress (0.3-50 Pa) caused an increase in RBC deformability. WS(®) 1442 did not change either basal or maximal RBC-deformability or shear stress sensitivity of RBC at normoxia. CONCLUSIONS WS(®) 1442 activates rbcNOS and causes NO-formation in RBCs. WS(®) 1442-dependent NO-formation however does not affect RBC-deformability at normoxia.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008517	Phytotherapy	Use of plants or herbs to treat diseases or to alleviate pain.	Herb Therapy,Herbal Therapy
D009569	Nitric Oxide	A free radical gas produced endogenously by a variety of mammalian cells, synthesized from ARGININE by NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE. Nitric oxide is one of the ENDOTHELIUM-DEPENDENT RELAXING FACTORS released by the vascular endothelium and mediates VASODILATION. It also inhibits platelet aggregation, induces disaggregation of aggregated platelets, and inhibits platelet adhesion to the vascular endothelium. Nitric oxide activates cytosolic GUANYLATE CYCLASE and thus elevates intracellular levels of CYCLIC GMP.	Endogenous Nitrate Vasodilator,Mononitrogen Monoxide,Nitric Oxide, Endothelium-Derived,Nitrogen Monoxide,Endothelium-Derived Nitric Oxide,Monoxide, Mononitrogen,Monoxide, Nitrogen,Nitrate Vasodilator, Endogenous,Nitric Oxide, Endothelium Derived,Oxide, Nitric,Vasodilator, Endogenous Nitrate
D010766	Phosphorylation	The introduction of a phosphoryl group into a compound through the formation of an ester bond between the compound and a phosphorus moiety.	Phosphorylations
D010936	Plant Extracts	Concentrated pharmaceutical preparations of plants obtained by removing active constituents with a suitable solvent, which is evaporated away, and adjusting the residue to a prescribed standard.	Herbal Medicines,Plant Extract,Extract, Plant,Extracts, Plant,Medicines, Herbal
D002316	Cardiotonic Agents	Agents that have a strengthening effect on the heart or that can increase cardiac output. They may be CARDIAC GLYCOSIDES; SYMPATHOMIMETICS; or other drugs. They are used after MYOCARDIAL INFARCT; CARDIAC SURGICAL PROCEDURES; in SHOCK; or in congestive heart failure (HEART FAILURE).	Cardiac Stimulant,Cardiac Stimulants,Cardioprotective Agent,Cardioprotective Agents,Cardiotonic,Cardiotonic Agent,Cardiotonic Drug,Inotropic Agents, Positive Cardiac,Myocardial Stimulant,Myocardial Stimulants,Cardiotonic Drugs,Cardiotonics,Agent, Cardioprotective,Agent, Cardiotonic,Drug, Cardiotonic,Stimulant, Cardiac,Stimulant, Myocardial
D004907	Erythrocyte Deformability	Ability of ERYTHROCYTES to change shape as they pass through narrow spaces, such as the microvasculature.	Erythrocyte Filterability,Deformability, Erythrocyte,Filterability, Erythrocyte
D004912	Erythrocytes	Red blood cells. Mature erythrocytes are non-nucleated, biconcave disks containing HEMOGLOBIN whose function is to transport OXYGEN.	Blood Cells, Red,Blood Corpuscles, Red,Red Blood Cells,Red Blood Corpuscles,Blood Cell, Red,Blood Corpuscle, Red,Erythrocyte,Red Blood Cell,Red Blood Corpuscle
D005419	Flavonoids	A group of phenyl benzopyrans named for having structures like FLAVONES.	2-Phenyl-Benzopyran,2-Phenyl-Chromene,Bioflavonoid,Bioflavonoids,Flavonoid,2-Phenyl-Benzopyrans,2-Phenyl-Chromenes,2 Phenyl Benzopyran,2 Phenyl Benzopyrans,2 Phenyl Chromene,2 Phenyl Chromenes
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012694	Serine	A non-essential amino acid occurring in natural form as the L-isomer. It is synthesized from GLYCINE or THREONINE. It is involved in the biosynthesis of PURINES; PYRIMIDINES; and other amino acids.	L-Serine,L Serine