Protective Pleiotropic Effect of Flavonoids on NAD⁺ Levels in Endothelial Cells Exposed to High Glucose

Figure 4

Flavonoids can protect cells under hyperglycemic stress in several ways. First, flavonoids are able to inhibit overactivation of PARP-1, preventing a decrease in NAD⁺ levels. Furthermore, flavonoids are able to inhibit aldose reductase activity, preventing an additional decrease in NAD⁺ and NADH levels. Also, because of their antioxidant properties, flavonoids are able to prevent damaging effects of oxidative stress. By a combination of all these effects flavonoids are able to protect cells against high glucose induced damage.