Phytoestrogen α-zearalanol inhibits homocysteine-induced endothelin-1 expression and oxidative stress in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Although estrogen replacement therapy may improve dampened endothelial function in postmenopausal women, the associated risk of breast and ovarian cancer has limited its long-term use. Identifying effective alternative remedy with less carcinogenicity is in serious demand. This study was designed to examine the effect of the phytoestrogen α-zearalanol (α-ZAL) on homocysteine-induced endothelin-1 (ET-1) induction, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and transcription pathways in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). ROS was measured by DCF fluorescent microscopy. Homocysteine-induced expression of ET-1 mRNA, ERK, pERK and c-jun/AP-1 protein was measured using RT-PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. ET-1 secretion was determined by the enzymatic immunoassay. Transcriptional factor AP-1 expression in response to α-ZAL, homocysteine or both was evaluated by transient transfection assay. Our data revealed that α-ZAL ablated homocysteine-elicited ET-1 secretion, upregulated ET-1 mRNA and homocysteine-induced ROS accumulation without any effects by itself. α-ZAL also nullified homocysteine-induced increase in c-Jun/AP-1 expression/activity without eliciting any effect by itself. Collectively, our data indicated that α-ZAL may antagonize homocysteine-induced ET-1 gene induction, ROS accumulation, activation of ERK signaling pathway and AP-1 transcriptional factor, all of which may contribute to α-ZAL-induced beneficial effect on endothelial function.