EPA:DHA 6:1 prevents angiotensin II-induced hypertension and endothelial dysfunction in rats: role of NADPH oxidase- and COX-derived oxidative stress

Hypertens Res. 2017 Dec;40(12):966-975. doi: 10.1038/hr.2017.72. Epub 2017 Sep 7.

Abstract

Eicosapentaenoic acid:docosahexaenoic acid (EPA:DHA) 6:1, an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid formulation, has been shown to induce a sustained formation of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase-derived NO, a major vasoprotective factor. This study examined whether chronic intake of EPA:DHA 6:1 prevents hypertension and endothelial dysfunction induced by angiotensin II (Ang II) in rats. Male Wister rats received orally corn oil or EPA:DHA 6:1 (500 mg kg-1 per day) before chronic infusion of Ang II (0.4 mg kg-1 per day). Systolic blood pressure was determined by tail cuff sphingomanometry, vascular reactivity using a myograph, oxidative stress using dihydroethidium and protein expression by immunofluorescence and western blot analysis. Ang II-induced hypertension was associated with reduced acetylcholine-induced relaxations of secondary branch mesenteric artery rings affecting the endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization (EDH)- and the NO-mediated relaxations, both of which were improved by the NADPH oxidase inhibitor VAS-2870. The Ang II treatment induced also endothelium-dependent contractile responses (EDCFs), which were abolished by the cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor indomethacin. An increased level of vascular oxidative stress and expression of NADPH oxidase subunits (p47phox and p22phox), COX-1 and COX-2, endothelial NO synthase and Ang II type 1 receptors were observed in the Ang II group, whereas SKCa and connexin 37 were downregulated. Intake of EPA:DHA 6:1 prevented the Ang II-induced hypertension and endothelial dysfunction by improving both the NO- and EDH-mediated relaxations, and by reducing EDCFs and the expression of target proteins. The present findings indicate that chronic intake of EPA:DHA 6:1 prevented the Ang II-induced hypertension and endothelial dysfunction in rats, most likely by preventing NADPH oxidase- and COX-derived oxidative stress.

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin II
  • Animals
  • Antihypertensive Agents / chemistry*
  • Antihypertensive Agents / pharmacology*
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Endothelium, Vascular / drug effects*
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / chemistry*
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / pharmacology*
  • Hypertension / chemically induced
  • Hypertension / prevention & control*
  • Male
  • NADPH Oxidases / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Random Allocation
  • Rats, Wistar

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Angiotensin II
  • Nitric Oxide
  • NADPH Oxidases