Dietary Protein, but Not Carbohydrate, Is a Primary Determinant of the Onset of Stroke in Stroke-Prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Abstract

Background and Purpose-Previously, an inverse association has been found between the dietary proportion of protein or fat and incidence of intracerebral hemorrhage. A positive association has been found with respect to carbohydrate intake. To examine what changes in macronutrient intake are causative, animal studies were conducted. Methods-Stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) were fed diets with varying ratios of macronutrients ad libitum, and the onset of stroke was examined. Results-When 10% of calories were from fat, rats fed a high-protein/low-carbohydrate diet (55% calories from protein) had a delayed onset of stroke, whereas rats fed a low-protein/high-carbohydrate diet (5% calories from protein) had an accelerated onset of stroke. When 30% of calories were from carbohydrate, a marked delay in the onset of stroke was observed when the diet was high in protein. When 85% of calories were from carbohydrate, rats fed 7.5% of calories as protein displayed an accelerated onset of stroke. When 20% of calories were from protein, increased fat content did not affect the onset of stroke. However, with a fat-free diet, when 20% of calories were from protein, the onset of stroke was delayed, whereas when 10% of calories were from protein, the onset of stroke was accelerated. Conclusions-The amount of protein, but not of carbohydrate and fat, is a primary determinant of the onset of stroke.However, when calories from protein are relatively low in the diet (10%), fat is necessary to delay the onset of stroke in SHRSP.

Interleukin-1βAccelerates the Onset of Stroke in Stroke-Prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

“…Brains were removed, and CVECs were harvested as described previously [16]. CVECs were cultured with Endothelial Cell Basal Medium-2 (Lonza, Walkersville, MD, USA) and used within 10 passage numbers.…”

“…Onset of stroke was assessed by the appearance of neurologic symptoms and physiological changes as described previously [16]. …”

NADPH Oxidase Activity in Cerebral Arterioles Is a Key Mediator of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease—Implications for Prevention

“…Perhaps it is low total protein intake, reflecting diets in which white rice predominates, that is the true culprit; Asian epidemiologists should devote further attention to this issue. In stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats, thought to be a good model for lacunar stroke and hemorrhage associated with SVD, high dietary protein intakes postpone stroke and mortality [ 128 , 129 ]. Total protein has been linked to decreased stroke risk in some but not all prospective epidemiology; animal protein in particular emerges as protective in Asian epidemiology, as well as dietary correlates such as saturated fat and increased LDL cholesterol [ 130 , 131 , 132 , 133 , 134 , 135 ].…”

Resveratrol Partially Suppresses Inflammatory Events but Does not Affect Stroke Onset in Stroke-Prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

“…The onset of stroke was assessed according to the appearance of neurological symptoms (hyperkinetic/ hypokinetic behaviors, hyper/hyposensitivity [manipulation], proleg lift or piloerection) and physiological changes (a decrease in body weight or food intake or increase in drinking water intake) as previously described 14) . Two researchers checked for these symptoms at 10:00 am every day.…”