title: Acute Treatment with Lauric Acid Reduces Blood Pressure and Oxidative Stress in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.
abstract: The effects of acute administration of lauric acid (LA), the most abundant medium-chain fatty acid of coconut oil, on blood pressure, heart rate and oxidative stress were investigated in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Intravenous doses of LA reduced blood pressure in a dose-dependent fashion (1, 3, 4, 8 and 10 mg/kg) in both SHR and Wistar Kyoto rats. LA (10-8to 3 × 10-3M) induced vasorelaxation in isolated superior mesenteric artery rings of SHR in the presence (n = 7) or absence (n = 8) of functional endothelium [maximum effect (ME) = 104 ± 3 versus 103 ± 4%]. After exposure to KCl (60 mM), LA also induced concentration-dependent vasorelaxation (n = 7) compared to that under Phe-induced contraction (ME = 113.5 + 5.1 versus 104.5 + 4.0%). Furthermore, LA-induced vasorelaxation in vessels contracted with S(-)-BayK8644 (200 nM), a L-type Ca2+channel agonist (ME = 91.4 + 4.3 versus 104.5 + 4.0%, n = 7). Lastly, LA (10-3M) reduced NADPH-dependent superoxide accumulation in the heart (18 ± 1 versus 25 ± 1 MLU/min/μg protein, n = 4, p < 0.05) and kidney (82 ± 3 versus 99 ± 4 MLU/min/μg protein, n = 4, p < 0.05). Our data show that LA reduces blood pressure in normotensive and hypertensive rats. In SHR, this effect might involve Ca+2channels in the resistance vessels and by its capability of reducing oxidative stress in heart and kidneys.
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Center, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.
authors.forename: Naiane Ferraz Bandeira
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Center, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.
authors.forename: Thyago Moreira
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: de Queiroz
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Center, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de Almeida Travassos
authors.affiliation: Technology Center, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marciane
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Magnani
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Center, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.
authors.forename: Valdir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: de Andrade Braga
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007850:Lauric Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017538:Mesenteric Artery, Superior / Q000187:drug effects; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D011921:Rats, Inbred WKY; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D007850:Lauric Acids; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D013481:Superoxides; C030358:lauric acid