Resveratrol Reverses the Impaired Vasodilation Observed in 2K-1C Hypertension through Endothelial Function Improvement

Abstract

Background: The production of endothelial-derived factors induces either vasoconstriction or vasodilation; nitric oxide (NO) is the most distinguished relaxing factor. Endothelial dysfunction is associated with hypertension. The partial loss in the NO-promoted vasodilation is due to its decreased bioavailability and/or to an activity reduction of endothelium NO synthase (eNOS). Reactive oxygen species (ROS), present in oxidative stress, seize NO and diminish its bioavailability. Transresveratrol (RESV) has been proved to increase NO and eNOS levels. Thus, RESV could be capable of improving NO dependent vascular relaxation on aortic rings isolated from treated 2K-1C animals through ROS damage reduction. Aim: Evaluate the effects of RESV treatment on the relaxation of aortic rings isolated from treated 2K-1C rats while focusing on the effects of the treatment on systolic blood pressure. Methods: Male Wistar rats (180 g) were grouped: two 2K-1C and two Sham groups, one of each was treated with RESV (20 mg/kg, gavage) dissolved in Tween 80 and one of each was treated with water plus Tween 80 (control) for six weeks. The rats had their systolic blood pressure (SBP) measured before and after the treatments. Vascular reactivity studies were conducted in order to observe and compare acetylcholine (ACh)-induced relaxations in the presence and absence of the NOS inhibitor L-NAME (10-4 mol/L). Results: SBP for 2K-1C was significantly reduced in the treated group (179.13 ± 4.90 mmHg, n = 23) when compared to the untreated group (196.66 ± 6.06 mmHg, n = 15, p