0103 : Beneficial effects of berries intake on survival and cardio-renal changes induced by high salt diet in Dahl/SS rat

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death in the developing world and can be associated with inadequate eating habits, stress and physical inactivity. CVD incidence and prevalence are strongly influenced by comorbidities such as hypertension (HT). Epidemiological studies have shown a consistent relationship between the consumption of fruits and vegetables and a reduced risk of CVD susceptibility. Our hypothesis is that these beneficial effects can be related to a modulation of cell metabolism and to mitochondrial protection mechanisms. The aim of the study was to evaluate in vivo the efficacy of berries mixture in high salt (HS) fed rats, a validated model of HT. 40 rats divided into 4 groups (2 rats/cage) have been fed with different diets for 9 weeks: Low salt (LS, 0.26% NaCl), low salt and berries mixture (LSB, 0.26% with 2g/day berries mixture), high salt (HS, 8% NaCl) or high salt and berries mixture (HSB, 8% NaCl with 2g/day berries) diet. During and at the end of the diet, tail-cuff pressure (TCP) was measured. Cardiac morphology and function were evaluated by echocardiography. Heart mass index (HWI) and kidney mass index (KWI) (organ/body weight ratios) were assessed. Hypertension-induced by HS diet was associated with cardiac hypertrophy and a decreased cardiac function. Five rats in HS group died from stroke before the end of the protocol while all LS, LSB and HSB survived. Interestingly, at 9 weeks, HSB diet prevented the cardiac alterations independently of changes in systolic pressure. Moreover, the increase in kidney weight index observed in HS rats was attenuated with HSB diet. Berries mixture appears to have a cardioprotective effect. Further investigations will explore to unravel the Berries targeted cardioprotective mechanisms on mitochondrial function, autophagy and cell death in vivo and in vitro.