X-Message-Number: 29665
Date: Fri, 20 Jul 2007 20:46:18 -0700 (PDT)
From: 
Subject: curcumin reduces cold storage-induced damage

[Add curcumin to the list of possible additives to cryoprotectant
solutions.]

Exp Mol Med. 2007 Apr 30;39(2):139-48.
Curcumin reduces cold storage-induced damage in human cardiac myoblasts.
    Abuarqoub H, Green CJ, Foresti R, Motterlini R. Vascular Biology
Unit, Department of Surgical Research, Northwick Park Institute for
Medical Research, Harrow, Middlesex, United Kingdom.
    Curcumin is a polyphenolic compound possessing interesting
anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and has the ability to
induce the defensive protein heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). The objective of
this study was to investigate whether curcumin protects against cold
storage-mediated damage of human adult atrial myoblast cells (Girardi
cells) and to assess the potential involvement of HO-1 in this
process. Girardi cells were exposed to either normothermic or hypothermic
conditions in Celsior preservation solution in the presence or absence of
curcumin. HO-1 protein expression and heme oxygenase activity as well as
cellular damage were assessed after cold storage or cold storage followed
by re-warming. In additional experiments, an inhibitor of heme oxygenase
activity (tin protoporphyrin IX, 10 microM) or siRNA for HO-1 were used
to investigate the participation of HO-1 as a mediator of curcumin-induced
effects. Treatment with curcumin produced a marked induction of cardiac
HO-1 in normothermic condition but cells were less responsive to the
polyphenolic compound at low temperature. Cold storage-induced damage was
markedly reduced in the presence of curcumin and HO-1 contributed to some
extent to this effect. Thus, curcumin added to Celsior preservation
solution effectively prevents the damage caused by cold-storage; this
effect involves the protective enzyme HO-1 but also other not yet
identified mechanisms.
PMID: 17464175

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