Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside protects intestinal epithelial cells from palmitate-induced lipotoxicity

Abstract

Context

Increased free fatty acids (FFAs) levels, typical in obesity condition, can contribute to systemic lipotoxicity and inflammation adversely influencing Inflammatory Bowel Disease development and progression. Anthocyanins possess health promoting properties mainly associated to the induction of Nrf2-regulated cytoprotective proteins.

Objective

Using a novel experimental model, we evaluated the in vitro intracellular mechanisms involved in FFAs modulation of intestinal epithelial lipotoxicity and the protective effects of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) in Caco-2 cells.

Results

Caco-2 exposed to palmitic acid (PA) in the serosal (basolateral) side showed a combined state of epithelial inflammation, inducing NF-κB pathway and downstream cytokines, that was reverted by C3G apical pre-treatment. In addition, PA altered intracellular redox status and induced reactive oxygen species that were reduced by C3G via the redox-sensitive Nrf2 signalling.

Discussion and conclusion

Results suggest that anti-inflammatory properties of anthocyanins, mediated by Nrf2, could represent an interesting tool for intestinal inflammatory disorders.

Keywords:

• Anthocyanins
• IBD
• intestinal inflammation
• lipotoxicity
• Nrf2

Acknowledgements

Maria Sofia Molonia was supported by a scholarship of the “Prof. Antonio Imbesi” Foundation (Messina, Italy).

Disclosure statement

The authors report no declarations of interest.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available on reasonable request from the corresponding author, AS.