Abstract
In hypertensive individuals, platelet morphology and function have been discovered to be altered, and this has been linked to the development of vascular disease, including erectile dysfunction (ED). The impact of nutritional supplementation with Cyperus esculentus (tiger nut, TN) and Tetracarpidium conophorum (walnut, WN) on androgen levels, ectonucleotidases, and adenosine deaminase (ADA) activities in platelets from L-NAME (Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride) challenged rats were investigated. We hypothesized that these nuts may show a protective effect on platelets aggregation and possibly enhance the sex hormones, thereby reverting vasoconstriction. Wistar rats (male; 250–300 g; n = 10) were grouped into seven groups as follows: basal diet control group (I); basal diet/L-NAME/Viagra (5 mg/kg/day) as positive control group (II); ED-induced group (basal diet/L-NAME) (III); diet supplemented processed TN (20%)/L-NAME (IV); diet supplemented raw TN (20%)/L-NAME (V); diet supplemented processed WN (20%)/L-NAME (VI); and diet supplemented raw WN (20%)/L-NAME (VII). The rats were given their regular diet for 2 weeks prior to actually receiving L-NAME (40 mg/kg/day) for ten days to induce hypertension. Platelet androgen levels, ectonucleotidases, and ADA were all measured. L-NAME considerably lowers testosterone levels (54.5 ± 2.2; p < 0.05). Supplementing the TN and WN diets revealed improved testosterone levels as compared to the control (306.7 ± 5.7), but luteinizing hormone levels remained unchanged. Compared to control groups, the L-NAME-treated group showed a rise in ATP (127.5%) hydrolysis and ADA (116.7%) activity, and also a decrease in ADP (76%) and AMP (45%) hydrolysis. Both TN and WN supplemented diets resulted in substantial (p < 0.05) reversal effects. Enhanced testosterone levels and modulation of the purinergic system in platelets by TN and WN could be one of the mechanisms by which they aid in vasoconstriction control.
Highlights
IntroductionPlatelet formation and function have been found to be altered in hypertensive people, which may be linked to increased vascular disease [2,3]
In the L-NAME-treated group, the results for E-NTPDase (EC 3.6.1.5; ATP and adenosine diphosphate (ADP), as substrates) and ecto-50 -nucleotidase (EC 3.1.3.5) activities in platelets revealed an increase in ATP (127.5%; p < 0.01) hydrolysis with a reduction in ADP (72%; p < 0.05) and AMP (68%; p < 0.05) hydrolysis when compared to the normal and positive control groups
It is interesting to note that both tiger nut (TN) and WN supplemented diets caused a decrease in E-NTPDase using ATP as substrate (F(4,49) = 2.840; p < 0.01)
Summary
Platelet formation and function have been found to be altered in hypertensive people, which may be linked to increased vascular disease [2,3]. The hydrolysis of extracellular nucleotides is carried out by a multi-enzymatic component on the surface of platelets. This enzyme complex includes the enzymes ectonucleoside triphosphate phosphohydrolase (E-NTPDase), ecto-50 -nucleotidase, and ecto-adenosine deaminase (ADA) [17]. The irreversible deamination of adenosine to inosine is catalysed by adenosine deaminase (ADA) [20] These ecto-enzymes constitute a well-organized enzymatic series that controls the extracellular levels of adenine nucleotides and nucleosides, which are critical in maintaining good haemostasis and thrombogenesis, principally through controlling platelet aggregation [21].
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