Objectives: Effects of phenolic antioxidants, synthetized (trolox, pyridoindole stobadine) and plant extracts (EGb 761 and Pycnogenol) were investigated on the activity of Ca(2+)-ATPase from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of rabbit skeletal muscle to examine their potency to modulate the activity of this calcium level regulating enzyme.
Methods: SR vesicles and pure Ca(2+)-ATPase were isolated by ultracentrifugation. Ca(2+)-ATPase activity was measured spectrophotometrically by enzyme-coupled assay.
Results: Pycnogenol (Pyc) significantly decreased the activity of Ca(2+)-ATPase incorporated into SR vesicles as well as the activity of purified Ca(2+)-ATPase, the latter with respect to both enzyme substrates, Ca(2+) and ATP. Trolox, stobadine and EGb 761 did not influence significantly the activity SR- vesicle incorporated or pure Ca(2+)-ATPase, the latter with respect to either substrate, in spite of alterations of kinetic parameters in some cases.
Conclusions: The decrease of SR Ca(2+)-ATPase activity induced by Pyc may be associated with its proapoptotic and anticancerogenic properties.