Reformulated meat products protect against ischemia-induced cardiac damage

• Published in: Food & function Vol. 7; no. 2; p. 992
• Main Authors: Asensio-Lopez, M C, Lax, A, Sanchez-Mas, J, Avellaneda, A, Planes, J, Pascual-Figal, D A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-02-2016
• Subjects: Animals; Antioxidants - pharmacology; Cell Line; Coronary Artery Disease - prevention & control; Dietary Fats - analysis; Food Handling; Lipid Peroxidation - drug effects; Meat Products - analysis; Mice; Myocytes, Cardiac - drug effects; Myocytes, Cardiac - metabolism; Oxidative Stress - drug effects; Protective Agents - pharmacology; Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism; Sodium, Dietary - analysis
• ISSN: 2042-650X
• DOI: 10.1039/c5fo01189b

The protective effects of the antioxidants present in food are of great relevance for cardiovascular health. This study evaluates whether the extracts from reformulated meat products with a reduction in fat and/or sodium content exert a cardioprotective effect against ischemia-induced oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes, compared with non-meat foods. Ischemic damage caused loss of cell viability, increased reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation and decreased the antioxidant activity. Pretreatment for 24 h with digested or non-digested extracts from reformulated meat products led to protection against ischemia-induced oxidative damage: increased cell viability, reduced oxidative stress and restored the antioxidant activity. Similar results were obtained using extracts from tuna fish, but not with the extracts of green peas, salad or white beans. These results suggest that reformulated meat products have a beneficial impact in protecting cardiac cells against ischemia, and they may represent a source of natural antioxidants with benefits for cardiovascular health.