Uraemic toxin‐induced inflammation and oxidative stress in human endothelial cells: protective effect of polyphenol‐rich extract from açaí

New Findings What is the central question of this study? Does a polyphenol‐rich extract from açaí have a potential role in preventing uraemic toxin‐induced endothelial cell dysfunction? What is the main finding and its importance? Polyphenols from açaí prevented cell death, restored migratory capacity, protected from inflammation and contributed to the restoration of the antioxidant response in endothelial cells exposed to uraemic toxins. The protective role of açaí against toxic effects exerted by uraemic toxins presents a potential new therapeutic target in endothelial cells. In chronic kidney disease (CKD), progressive loss of kidney function results in the accumulation of protein‐bound uraemic toxins such as p‐cresyl sulfate (pCS) and indoxyl sulfate (IS). Among strategies to ameliorate the harmful actions of uraemic toxins, phenolic compounds have been extensively studied. The main goal of this work was to evaluate the antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory actions of phenolic‐rich açaí seed extract (ASE) in response to endothelial dysfunction induced by IS and pCS, in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Cells were treated with ASE (10 µg ml−1) in the presence or absence of IS (61 µg ml−1) and pCS (40 µg ml−1). Cell viability, cell death, cell migratory capacity and inflammatory biomarker expression were evaluated. Cellular antioxidant response was measured through the activity and expression of antioxidant enzymes, and oxidative damage was evaluated. IS and pCS lowered cell viability, triggered cell death and lowered the migratory capacity in endothelial cells (P