title: The effects of supraphysiological supplementation of β-carotene in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR and SHR-sp).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of administration of supraphysiological β carotene on biological, laboratory and histological parameters of spontaneously hypertensive rats prone to stroke (SHR-sp).
  
  
  METHODS
  we used 36 male rats divided into three groups, each containing 12 rats of the types Wistar SHR and SHR-sp, subdivided into six control animals and six animals treated with supraphysiological doses of β carotene for two ten-week periods, interspersed by a one-week interruption. We carried out daily physical examination and blood pressure assessment. We collected blood for measurement of serum malondialdehyde; the liver and carotid arteries were subsequently harvested for histological examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  there was a temporary change in the color of hair, a significant decrease (p <0.0001) in blood pressure (20 mg β carotene supplementation) and serum levels of malondialdehyde (p<0.05) and increased amount of elastic fibers in the carotid wall of SHR and SHR-sp.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  β carotene supraphysiological supplementation caused no toxic effects, showed positive response in the modulation of blood pressure and lower serum malondialdehyde. No significant morphological changes were observed in the groups studied, except for an increase in the number of elastic fibers in the carotid muscular layer, suggesting elastosis in SHR and SHR-sp.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Stênio Karlos Alvim
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Fiorelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lúcia Marques
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Vianna
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carlos Alberto Basílio de
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rossano Kepler Alvim
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Fiorelli
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Pedro Ernesto, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Bernardo Cunha Senra
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Barros
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Camila Rodrigues de
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Almeida
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D019207:beta Carotene