Abstract
Quercetin is a well-known antioxidant. Here, we investigated the effects of treatment with quercetin on mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). SHR and their controls (WKY) were orally treated with quercetin (2, 10 or 25 mg/kg/day) or saline for seven days. On the 8th day, MAP and HR were recorded. BRS was tested using phenylephrine (8 mg/kg, i.v.) and sodium nitroprusside (25 mg/kg, i.v.). Oxidative stress was measured by tiobarbituric acid reactive species assay. The doses of 10 (n = 8) and 25 mg/kg (n = 8) were able to decrease the MAP in SHR (n = 9) (163 ± 4 and 156 ± 5 vs. 173 ± 6, respectively, p < 0.05) but not in WKY (117 ± 1 and 118 ± 2 vs. 113 ± 1, respectively, p < 0.05). The dose of 25 mg/kg/day increased the sensitivity of parasympathetic component of the baroreflex (−2.47 ± 0.31 vs. −1.25 ± 0.8 bpm/mmHg) and decreased serum oxidative stress in SHR (2.04 ± 0.17 vs. 3.22 ± 0.37 nmol/mL, n = 6). Our data suggest that treatment with quercetin reduces hypertension and improves BRS in SHR via reduction in oxidative stress.
Highlights
Baroreflex is an autonomic reflex designed to buffer beat-to-beat fluctuations in arterial blood pressure [1]
spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) treated with quercetin 10 mg/kg and quercetin 25 mg/kg (presented reductions in blood pressure when compared to SHR group (163 ± 4 and 156 ± 5 vs. 173 ± 6, respectively, n = 8 for each dose, p < 0.05)
Normotensive rats treated with Quercetin 2, 10 or 25 mg/kg showed no significant changes in blood pressure compared to their controls (117 ± 2, n = 8, 118 ± 2 and 118 ± 2 vs. 113 ± 1, respectively, n = 8 for each dose)
Summary
Baroreflex is an autonomic reflex designed to buffer beat-to-beat fluctuations in arterial blood pressure [1]. Hypertension is a strong risk factor for the development of heart failure, myocardial infarction, kidney failure, stroke, and death [2]. This disorder is related to reduction in sensitivity of the baroreceptor reflex. The imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant species alter the functioning of the central areas involved in blood pressure control [12,13,14,15]. In this context, we highlight the potential of antioxidant substances in the treatment of hypertension. In this study we investigated the effects of quercetin on the depressed baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)
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