Abstract
Hypertension may originate in early life. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated due to the exposure of adverse in utero conditions causes developmental programming of hypertension. These excessive ROS can be antagonized by molecules which are antioxidants. Prenatal use of natural antioxidants may reverse programming processes and prevent hypertension of developmental origin. In the current review, firstly we document data on the impact of oxidative stress in hypertension of developmental origin. This will be followed by effective natural antioxidants uses starting before birth to prevent hypertension of developmental origin in animal models. It will also discuss evidence for the common mechanisms underlying developmental hypertension and beneficial effects of natural antioxidant interventions used as reprogramming strategies. A better understanding of the reprogramming effects of natural antioxidants and their interactions with common mechanisms underlying developmental hypertension is essential. Therefore, pregnant mothers and their children can benefit from natural antioxidant supplementation during pregnancy in order to reduce their risk for hypertension later in life.
Highlights
One in three adults across the globe have high blood pressure (BP), known as hypertension [1]
Resveratrol is a natural polyphenol from the stilbene family that occurs as a phytoalexin [119]
Current evidence suggests that mega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid could prevent the rise in BP in hypertensive subjects [133], only one study reported that maternal fish oil supplementation was capable of protecting adult offspring against hypertension programmed by maternal low protein diet [97]
Summary
One in three adults across the globe have high blood pressure (BP), known as hypertension [1]. Growing evidence indicates that the origins of hypertension can begin in early life [3,4,5] This theory, called “developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD)”, is based on observing the developing fetus, if in utero exposed to an adverse environment, increases risk for developing adult diseases later in life [6]. The use of antioxidant supplements during the period of developmental plasticity [10,11,12] may be beneficial in reversing the programming processes to prevent adult diseases, known as reprogramming [4,13]. Particular interest in this review is that we highlighted the use of natural antioxidants as reprogramming strategies, in order to prevent developmental hypertension via reversing programming processes.
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