Quercetin improves baroreflex sensitivity in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Quercetin is a well-known antioxidant. Here, we investigated the effects of treatment with quercetin on mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). SHR and their controls (WKY) were orally treated with quercetin (2, 10 or 25 mg/kg/day) or saline for seven days. On the 8th day, MAP and HR were recorded. BRS was tested using phenylephrine (8 mg/kg, i.v.) and sodium nitroprusside (25 mg/kg, i.v.). Oxidative stress was measured by tiobarbituric acid reactive species assay. The doses of 10 (n = 8) and 25 mg/kg (n = 8) were able to decrease the MAP in SHR (n = 9) (163 ± 4 and 156 ± 5 vs. 173 ± 6, respectively, p < 0.05) but not in WKY (117 ± 1 and 118 ± 2 vs. 113 ± 1, respectively, p < 0.05). The dose of 25 mg/kg/day increased the sensitivity of parasympathetic component of the baroreflex (−2.47 ± 0.31 vs. −1.25 ± 0.8 bpm/mmHg) and decreased serum oxidative stress in SHR (2.04 ± 0.17 vs. 3.22 ± 0.37 nmol/mL, n = 6). Our data suggest that treatment with quercetin reduces hypertension and improves BRS in SHR via reduction in oxidative stress.

Nitric oxide generation by the organic nitrate NDBP attenuates oxidative stress and angiotensin II-mediated hypertension.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: NO deficiency and oxidative stress are crucially involved in the development or progression of cardiovascular disease, including hypertension and stroke. We have previously demonstrated that acute treatment with the newly discovered organic nitrate, 2-nitrate-1,3-dibuthoxypropan (NDBP), is associated with NO-like effects in the vasculature. This study aimed to further characterize the mechanism(s) and to elucidate the therapeutic potential in a model of hypertension and oxidative stress. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: A combination of ex vivo, in vitro and in vivo approaches was used to assess the effects of NDBP on vascular reactivity, NO release, NADPH oxidase activity and in a model of hypertension. KEY RESULTS: Ex vivo vascular studies demonstrated NDBP-mediated vasorelaxation in mesenteric resistance arteries, which was devoid of tolerance. In vitro studies using liver and kidney homogenates revealed dose-dependent and sustained NO generation by NDBP, which was attenuated by the xanthine oxidase inhibitor febuxostat. In addition, NDBP reduced NADPH oxidase activity in the liver and prevented angiotensin II-induced activation of NADPH oxidase in the kidney. In vivo studies showed that NDBP halted the progression of hypertension in mice with chronic angiotensin II infusion. This was associated with attenuated cardiac hypertrophy, and reduced NADPH oxidase-derived oxidative stress and fibrosis in the kidney and heart. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: The novel organic nitrate NDBP halts the progression of angiotensin II-mediated hypertension. Mechanistically, our findings suggest that NDBP treatment is associated with sustained NO release and attenuated activity of NADPH oxidase, which to some extent requires functional xanthine oxidase.

Coconut oil supplementation and physical exercise improves baroreflex sensitivity and oxidative stress in hypertensive rats.

The hypothesis that oral supplementation with virgin coconut oil (Cocos nucifera L.) and exercise training would improve impaired baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and reduce oxidative stress in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) was tested. Adult male SHR and Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) were divided into 5 groups: WKY + saline (n = 8); SHR + saline (n = 8); SHR + coconut oil (2 mL·day(-1), n = 8); SHR + trained (n = 8); and SHR + trained + coconut oil (n = 8). Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was recorded and BRS was tested using phenylephrine (8 µg/kg, intravenous) and sodium nitroprusside (25 µg·kg(-1), intravenous). Oxidative stress was measured using dihydroethidium in heart and aorta. SHR + saline, SHR + coconut oil, and SHR + trained group showed higher MAP compared with WKY + saline (175 ± 6, 148 ± 6, 147 ± 7 vs. 113 ± 2 mm Hg; p < 0.05). SHR + coconut oil, SHR + trained group, and SHR + trained + coconut oil groups presented lower MAP compared with SHR + saline group (148 ± 6, 147 ± 7, 134 ± 8 vs. 175 ± 6 mm Hg; p < 0.05). Coconut oil combined with exercise training improved BRS in SHR compared with SHR + saline group (-2.47 ± 0.3 vs. -1.39 ± 0.09 beats·min(-1)·mm Hg(-1); p < 0.05). SHR + saline group showed higher superoxide levels when compared with WKY + saline (774 ± 31 vs. 634 ± 19 arbitrary units (AU), respectively; p < 0.05). SHR + trained + coconut oil group presented reduced oxidative stress compared with SHR + saline in heart (622 ± 16 vs. 774 ± 31 AU, p < 0.05). In aorta, coconut oil reduced oxidative stress in SHR compared with SHR + saline group (454 ± 33 vs. 689 ± 29 AU, p < 0.05). Oral supplementation with coconut oil combined with exercise training improved impaired BRS and reduced oxidative stress in SHR.