Natural compound Fisedin has hope for preventing arteriosclerosis

New research reveals how the flavonoid found in fruits and vegetables protects blood vessels from calcium accumulation associated with aging and kidney disease

Scientists at Linz of Johannes Kepler University have found that a natural flavonoid compound found in a variety of fruits and vegetables greatly reduces vascular calcification, a blood vessel that is commonly found in aging and chronic kidney disease. The study was published in aging The diary provided compelling evidence on April 2 that this dietary compound has the potential to help maintain arterial health in vulnerable groups.

“Fisetin treatment inhibited the expression of calcification marker in VSMC and calcification of VSMC and p38 MAPK phosphorylation,” the researchers noted in their study, highlighting the ability of the compound to interfere with cellular processes, resulting in vascular sclerosis.

How vascular calcification threatens heart health

Vascular calcification is a serious health problem and as people with chronic kidney disease can accelerate dramatically. As calcium deposits accumulate on the walls of blood vessels, the arteries lose their elasticity and become stiff, increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events.

When blood vessels become hard, they cannot properly expand and contract with each heartbeat, resulting in increased pulse pressure, damaged organ perfusion and increased heart pressure. This process can be particularly dangerous for patients who are already facing renal disease with higher cardiovascular risk.

Unlocking Fisetin’s protection mechanism

A team led by first author Mehdi Razazian and correspondent writer Ioana Alesutan found that Fisetin’s protective effects work through specific cellular paths. The compound adds a protein called bispecific phosphatase 1 (DUSP1), which helps regulate inflammatory responses in the body.

This protein acts as a crucial braking on a signaling pathway called p38 MAPK, which usually promotes calcification upon activation. The researchers verified this mechanism through multiple experiments, indicating that Fisetin loses its protective effect when DUSP1 is blocked, revealing the important role of the protein in preventing arteriosclerosis.

“Mechanically, Fisetin requires the phosphatase DUSP1 to inhibit p38 MAPK to mediate its protective effect on VSMC calcification,” the researchers explained in the paper.

The main findings of the study:

• Fisetin reduces calcium accumulation in vascular smooth muscle cells exposed to hyperphosphate and calcium diseases
• This compound remains effective when cells are exposed to serum of renal dialysis patients
• Protective effect confirmed in isolated mouse arteries and live mice
• When the DUSP1 protein is blocked, the benefits of Fisetin are lost, confirming the importance of this mechanism

These findings are especially important for patients with chronic kidney disease, who often experience mineral imbalances that accelerate vascular calcification. Fisetin still provides protection when researchers exposed blood vessel cells to serum from dialysis patients, a disease known to trigger calcium deposition, suggesting potential real-world applications.

From the lab to the lifestyle: What this means for health

Although this study represents an early discovery that needs further validation before clinical application, it adds to growing evidence that filsedin may help prevent age-related vascular damage. The compound naturally occurs in strawberries, apples, persimmons, onions, and cucumbers, although the concentration is lower than the concentrations tested in the study.

Can more foods rich in Fidin in our diet as we age? Although nutritional methods alone cannot replace medical treatment for diseases such as chronic kidney disease, this study suggests that nature may provide some compounds worth further investigation.

With the continued aging of the world’s population and the growth of kidney disease, finding new ways to protect blood vessel health remains a key research focus. Natural compounds such as Fisetin may eventually complement existing treatments and may offer new options for patients at risk of cardiovascular complications.