Antihypertensive potential and mechanism of action of astaxanthin: III. Antioxidant and histopathological effects in spontaneously hypertensive rats.
We investigated the effects of a dietary astaxanthin (ASX-O) on oxidative parameters in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), by determination of the level of nitric oxide (NO) end products nitrite/nitrate (NO2-/NO3-) and lipid peroxidation in ASX-O-treated SHR. Oral administration of the ASX-O significantly reduced the plasma level of NO2-/NO3- compared to the control vehicle (p<0.05). The lipid peroxidation level, however, was reduced in both ASX-O- and olive oil-treated groups. We also analyzed the post-treatment effects of ASX-O on the vascular tissues by examining the changes in the aorta and coronary arteries and arterioles. The dietary ASX-O showed significant reduction in the elastin bands in the rat aorta (p<0.05). It also significantly decreased the [wall : lumen] aerial ratio of the coronary arteries. These results suggest that ASX-O can modulate the oxidative condition and may improve vascular elastin and arterial wall thickness in hypertension.
Hussein
Ghazi
G
International Research Center for Traditional Medicine, Toyama Prefecture, Japan. ghazihussein@hotmail.com
Goto
Hirozo
H
Oda
Shinobu
S
Sankawa
Ushio
U
Matsumoto
Kinzo
K
Watanabe
Hiroshi
H
D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000473:pathology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D004549:Elastin / Q000378:metabolism; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D024341:Xanthophylls / Q000494:pharmacology
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D024341:Xanthophylls; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C005948:astaxanthine; D004549:Elastin