title: Baroreflex sensitivity and central hemodynamics after omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation in an animal model of menopause.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and central arterial function are significantly worsened after menopausal transition. This study tested the hypothesis that administration of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) might contribute to prevent these adverse changes in the vascular function of ovariectomized rats, an animal model of experimental menopause.
  
  
  METHODS
  We randomized 30 female Wistar rats, 2months old, into 3 groups: control (CTRL), sham surgery, normal diet; ovariectomized with normal diet (OVX) and ovariectomized with n-3 PUFA supplementation by daily gavage (0.8g/kg/d) (OVX+O3). Two months after surgery, BRS was calculated as the bradycardic response to phenylephrine-induced blood pressure increase, while large artery function was estimated by the graphical analysis of the aortic pressure wave (diastolic to systolic pressure-time integral ratio, DTI/STI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ovariectomy caused a significant decrease in BRS (CTRL: 6.23±0.68ms/mmHg; OVX: 2.85±0.75; p<0.001). n-3 PUFA supplementation prevented part of the decline of BRS caused by surgical menopause (OVX+O3: 4.75±0.53; p<0.01 vs OVX). In animals treated with n-3 PUFA, the central arterial pressure profile did not show the changes in DTI/STI ratio seen in OVX (OVX: 3.31±1.72; OVX+O3: 3.83±1.52; p<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In an experimental model of menopause, treatment with n-3 PUFA normalized central hemodynamics and prevented the decrease in BRS, associated with the reduction of compliance of the arterial wall. These findings suggest a therapeutic benefit of n-3 PUFA supplementation in the prevention of postmenopausal vascular disease.
authors: U.C.O. Medicina Clinica, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Ospedale di Cattinara, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy. Electronic address: losurdopa@gmail.com.
authors: Pasquale
authors: P
authors: Losurdo
authors: U.C.O. Medicina Clinica, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Ospedale di Cattinara, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Grillo
authors: U.C.O. Medicina Clinica, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Ospedale di Cattinara, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy.
authors: Emiliano
authors: E
authors: Panizon
authors: U.C.O. Clinica Medica Generale e Terapia Medica, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Ospedale di Cattinara, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy.
authors: Michela
authors: M
authors: Zanetti
authors: U.C.O. Medicina Clinica, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Ospedale di Cattinara, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy.
authors: Moreno
authors: M
authors: Bardelli
authors: U.C.O. Clinica Medica Generale e Terapia Medica, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Ospedale di Cattinara, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy.
authors: Gianni
authors: G
authors: Biolo
authors: U.C.O. Medicina Clinica, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Ospedale di Cattinara, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy.
authors: Bruno
authors: B
authors: Fabris
authors: U.C.O. Medicina Clinica, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Ospedale di Cattinara, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy.
authors: Renzo
authors: R
authors: Carretta
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017704:Baroreflex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008593:Menopause / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D023421:Models, Animal; D010052:Ovariectomy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3
keywords: Arterial stiffness; Baroreflex; Cardiovascular disease; Menopause; Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids; Ovariectomized rats