Key result
(-)-epicatechin reduced blood pressure in young borderline hypertensive rats, an effect that persisted for two weeks post-treatment, though continuous treatment was needed to maintain elevated NO production.
Why the study?
To investigate the effects of (-)-epicatechin in young male borderline hypertensive rats during two weeks of treatment and two weeks post treatment.
Does (-)-epicatechin reduce blood pressure in young male borderline hypertensive rats?
Does (-)-epicatechin reduce blood pressure in young male borderline hypertensive rats?
(-)-epicatechin reduces blood pressure in borderline hypertensive rats with effects persisting post-treatment, though continuous treatment is needed to maintain elevated NO production and redox balance.
Should not change practice; leaves open translation of epicatechin effects to human hypertension.
This study investigated the effects of (–)-epicatechin (Epi) in young male borderline hypertensive rats (BHR) during two weeks of treatment (Epi group, 100 mg/kg/day p.o.) and two weeks post treatment (PE group). Epi reduced blood pressure (BP), which persisted for two weeks post treatment. This was associated with delayed reduction of anxiety-like behaviour. Epi significantly increased nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activities in the aorta and left heart ventricle (LHV) vs. the age-matched controls without affecting the brainstem and frontal neocortex. Furthermore, Epi significantly reduced the superoxide production in the aorta and relative content of iron-containing compounds in blood. Two weeks post treatment, the NOS activities and superoxide productions in the heart and aorta did not differ from the age-matched controls. The gene expressions of the NOSs (nNOS, iNOS, eNOS), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) remained unaltered in the aorta and LHV of the Epi and PE groups. In conclusion, while Epi-induced a decrease of the rats’ BP persisted for two weeks post treatment, continuous Epi treatments seem to be necessary for maintaining elevated NO production as well as redox balance in the heart and aorta without changes in the NOSs, Nrf2, and PPAR-γ gene expressions.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Kluknavský et al. (2020) studied Borderline hypertension. (-)-epicatechin vs. Age-matched controls was evaluated on Blood pressure and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activities. (-)-epicatechin reduced blood pressure in young borderline hypertensive rats, an effect that persisted for two weeks post-treatment, though continuous treatment was needed to maintain elevated NO production.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: