Acrolein causes muscle cell death through a specific gene pathway that may be protected by asparagus extract

Acrolein exposure reduced the survival rate of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and increased apoptosis.

• Acrolein exposure raised the percentage of apoptotic VSMCs by increasing pro-apoptotic factors and decreasing anti-apoptotic factors.
• The expression of long noncoding RNA NEAT1 and circadian clock genes Bmal1 and Clock was decreased by acrolein.
• Knockdown of NEAT1, Bmal1, or Clock led to increased VSMCs apoptosis through alterations in apoptosis-related proteins.
• Overexpression of NEAT1 inhibited VSMCs apoptosis, suggesting a protective role.
• Asparagus extract (AE) mitigated the apoptotic effects and circadian disruptions induced by acrolein.

Simplified