*barbara.laddomada@ispa.cnr.it

Whole wheat is a rich source of fibers and bioactive phytochemicals with health-promoting properties showing significant protection against chronic non-communicable diseases. There is evidence that wheat polyphenols are bioactive dietary agents able to prevent, delay, or even reverse chronic inflammation while supporting tolerance and tissue repair in a variety of inflammatory diseases, including intestinal disorders [1].

In the present study we characterized the phenolic acid profile and health-promoting potential of a newly developed high-amylose durum wheat genotype, obtained by tilling from cv. Svevo [2], and of Faridur, a durum wheat cultivar with soft kernel texture also derived from cv. Svevo by introgressing the wildtype Pina and Pinb from common wheat [3]. These materials and derived products were characterized through HPLC-DAD analyses to assess the phenolic acids profile and the associate antioxidant capacity (TEAC).

The elevated content of amylose in Svevo HA induced an increase of polyphenol content and TEAC especially in semolina and bread compared to the same products derived from Svevo wild type. We also characterized the effects of Svevo high amylose phenolic extracts (Svevo-HAPE) on endothelial activation, the first obliged step of the atherosclerotic process, analyzing the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and the underlying mechanisms of action.

To this aim, human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) were treated with Svevo-HAPE (1-10 µg/mL) for 2 hr and then stimulated with the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor-α to simulate the inflammatory milieu. In HMEC-1, endothelial-leukocyte adhesion, the expression of endothelial inflammatory mediators, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-B were evaluated by multiple assays.

The results showed that under inflammatory conditions, Svevo-HAPE suppressed the adhesion of leukocytes to endothelial cells and the related expression of endothelial inflammatory markers, being mediated by a reduction of NF-B activity and intracellular ROS levels.

(1) Calabriso N. et al. 2020. Eur J Nutr 59, 2603-261.

(2) Sestili F. et al. 2015. Plant Sci 233, 127–133.

(3) Morris CF et al. 2011. Crop Sci 51, 114-122.