title: High flaxseed (linseed) diet restores endothelial function in the mesenteric arterial bed of spontaneously hypertensive rats.
abstract: The effect of high flaxseed diet (HFD) on blood pressure (BP) and mesenteric arterial bed (MAB) reactivity was studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. HFD did not affect BP in either SHR (control, 157 +/- 3; HFD, 153 +/- 3 mmHg) or WKY (control, 114 +/- 2; HFD, 117 +/- 2 mmHg) rats. Increases in perfusion pressure of the endothelium-intact MAB to phenylephrine and norepinephrine were higher (p < 0.05) in SHR than in WKY rats and the HFD failed to alter these responses. Vasorelaxant responses to acetylcholine (ACh) and bradykinin (BK) were greater (p < 0.05) in SHR maintained on HFD compared to SHR on control diet. While HFD also enhanced ACh responses in WKY, the effect was less than in SHR. Responses to sodium nitroprusside (SNP), were similar in all groups. Since ACh and BK-induced responses of the MAB were augmented in SHR on HFD, with no changes in BP, it is suggested that HFD improves endothelial vasorelaxant function through a pressure-independent mechanism.
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001920:Bradykinin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006321:Heart / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007668:Kidney / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008043:Linseed Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009929:Organ Size; D010656:Phenylephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D011921:Rats, Inbred WKY