Vascular and cardiac effects of grape powder in the spontaneously hypertensive rat.
BACKGROUND
We previously reported that resveratrol, a polyphenol found in red grapes, attenuated changes in small artery geometry and stiffness, as well as cardiac hypertrophy and cardiac function in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). However, in addition to resveratrol, grapes contain a variety of bioactive polyphenols such as catechins, anthocyanins, and flavonoids. Therefore, we investigated the effects of grape consumption in SHR.


METHODS
Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and SHR were treated with freeze-dried grape powder for 10 weeks. Dilatory, geometry, and stiffness properties of mesenteric small arteries were assessed by pressurized myography. Left ventricular mass index and cardiac function were assessed by two-dimensional guided M-mode and pulse-wave Doppler echocardiography.


RESULTS
Elevated blood pressure in SHR was associated with remodeling and impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation of small arteries. Augmented left ventricular mass index (reflecting hypertrophy) and diminished cardiac function were also evident in SHR. Although grape treatment failed to affect cardiac dysfunction, it elicited a significant reduction in blood pressure, improved arterial relaxation, increased vascular compliance, and attenuated cardiac hypertrophy.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with whole grape powder conferred mild vascular and cardiac benefits in SHR. Therefore, dietary grape consumption may be a feasible and salutary adjunct to pharmacological treatment of human hypertension.
Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine, St Boniface Hospital Research Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Sijo J
SJ
Thandapilly
Jillian L
JL
LeMaistre
Xavier L
XL
Louis
Christopher M
CM
Anderson
Thomas
T
Netticadan
Hope D
HD
Anderson
D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries / Q000187:drug effects*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D011921:Rats, Inbred WKY; D027843:Vitis
D028321:Plant Preparations