Phospho Tensin Homolog in Human and Lipid Peroxides in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Following Exposure to Flavonoids

Abstract

Objectives: Studies have shown that human and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are mostly used for research purposes to study several biochemical endpoints. The effects of the flavonoids, genistein, kaempferol, and quercetin on phospho tensin homolog (PTEN) levels in cancer cells (i.e., breast [BT549], lung [A549]), human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293), and the levels of lipid peroxides (LP) in PBMCs were respectively investigated.

Materials and methods: Cancer, kidney, and PBMCs from several donors were each exposed to each of the flavonoids at concentrations of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 µM. Our hypotheses were that exposure of cancer and kidney cells to genistein, kaempferol, and quercetin can increase PTEN and decrease lipid peroxides in PBMCs levels respectively to better cope with oxidative stress.

Results: The results indicate that the flavonoids increased total PTEN levels in a dose-dependent manner. The effect of quercetin was more pronounced followed by genistein and kaempferol. Furthermore, decreases in lipid peroxides were observed in the PBMCs for the flavonoid-treated samples compared to those exposed to flavonoids and with oxidative stress as described by Fenton’s chemistry. Levels of LP in quercetin-treated samples were lower compared to kaempferol and genistein.

Conclusions: The findings suggest that the flavonoids play an important role in controlling oxidative stress in several human cells.

Keywords:

• PTEN
• PBMCs
• flavonoids
• lipid peroxidation
• Fenton
• human cells
• oxidative stress

Acknowledgments

The authors want to thank Dr. Margaret Whalen and her students, Ms. Wendy Wilburn and Ms. Tamara Martin, for their help in preparing and providing the purified PBMCs. This study did not involve the use of human subjects or experimental animals.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

About the authors

The research interests of the authors include the use of plant flavonoids and natural products in controlling oxidative damage in macromolecules such as DNA, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and in cells.

Additional information

Funding

Research Trainees Coordinating Centre.This study was supported with grant from the Evans-Allen grant to Tennessee State University from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), of the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA). The financial support of the Maximizing Access to Research Careers Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research (NIH) grant number 5T34GM007663, is greatly appreciated.