Effects of trans-resveratrol on hypertension-induced cardiac hypertrophy using the partially nephrectomized rat model

Abstract

trans-Resveratrol (resveratrol) has been shown to have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system in a number of studies. It is, however, unclear whether this naturally occurring compound can protect against cardiac hypertrophy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of resveratrol on cardiac hypertrophy in vivo and the potential underlying mechanisms involving endothelin (ET), angiotensin (Ang) II and nitric oxide (NO) in partially nephrectomized rats. Animal models bearing cardiac hypertrophy were replicated in male Sprague-Dawley rats following partial nephrectomy (PNX). Resveratrol (10 or 50 mg/kg) was administered to rats by gavage for 4 weeks. Simultaneous PNX and sham operation controls were simultaneously established in the present study. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) of rats was measured at baseline and, along with heart weight, after 4 weeks treatment. Serum ET-1, AngII and NO concentrations were determined. In the present study, it was shown that, compared with rats in the sham-operated group, rats in the PNX group had significantly higher SBP (154.1 +/- 22.7 mmHg), heart weight (1.69 +/- 0.24 g) and serum ET-1 (125.70 +/- 26.27 pg/mL) and AngII serum concentrations (743.63 +/- 86.50 pg/mL), whereas serum NO concentrations were lower (21.1 +/- 6.9 micromol/L; all P < 0.05). These values in the sham control group were 114 +/- 10 mmHg, 1.28 +/- 0.13 g, 52.44 +/- 21.85 pg/mL, 528.7 +/- 158.5 pg/mL and 53.21 +/- 23.87 micromol/L, respectively. After 4 weeks treatment with 50 mg/kg resveratrol, SBP, heart weight and ET-1 and AngII concentrations had decreased to 135.4 +/- 15.8 mmHg, 1.39 +/- 0.15 g, 97.11 +/- 26.74 pg/mL and 629.64 +/- 116.18 pg/mL, respectively. However, the serum NO concentration had increased to 40.1 +/- 14.6 micromol/L. These values were significantly different from those obtained for the PNX group. In conclusion, trans-resveratrol appears to be able to protect against the increase in SBP and subsequent cardiac hypertrophy in vivo and the mechanisms responsible may involve, at least in part, modulation of NO, AngII and ET-1 production.

Long-term resveratrol administration reduces metabolic disturbances and lowers blood pressure in obese Zucker rats

“…This effect is related to the reduced SBP values of OR rats with respect to the OC rats. Resveratrol has been described as an efficient antihypertensive agent in an experimental model of hypertension in rats, when administered at the doses of 10 and 50 mg/kg of body weight [49]. This antihypertensive effect has been related to the beneficial properties of resveratrol on endothelial dysfunction.…”

Effects of trans- and cis-resveratrol on Ca2+ handling in A7r5 vascular myocytes

“…In rats, trans-resveratrol has been shown to prevent increase in blood pressure in hypertensive rats (Mizutani et al, 2000). In vivo protection by trans-resveratrol against increase in systolic blood pressure, and subsequent cardiac hypertrophy, has also been reported by Liu et al (2005a). Despite the above considerations, the in vitro vasorelaxant activity of resveratrol is presently somewhat controversial.…”

Resveratrol affects histone 3 lysine 27 methylation of vessels and blood biomarkers in DOCA salt-induced hypertension

“…In addition, resveratrol did not alter the plasma NO level in the current study. The preventive effect of resveratrol on hypertension-induced decreases in the NO level had been observed [6,20,21]. Because of the use of different experimental models and timing in hypertension, it is hard to compare that data and understand the nature of the NO level as a biomarker.…”