Hesperidin is the most common flavonoid found in citrus fruits and is expected to exert vasodilation action relevant to its health benefits. The present study aimed to explore the effect of hesperidin on the vascular responses in normotensive and hypertensive rats and the involvement of NO-synthase and Kv channels. The 15-week-old Wistar and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were randomized to orally receive either hesperidin (50 mg/kg/day) or a corresponding volume of the water for 4 weeks. Vascular responses of isolated femoral arteries were studied with myograph in control conditions and during inhibition of NO-synthase with l-NNA and Kv channels with 4-AP. Hesperidin had no effect on blood pressure. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation in Wistar and SHR was significantly improved by the treatment with hesperidin. The contraction responses after l-NNA were increased in all groups of rats to similar extent, but relaxatory responses were significantly attenuated only in SHR. The inhibition of Kv channels significantly reduced endothelium-dependent vasodilatory responses in only in SHR administered with hesperidin. The results of our experiment indicate that hesperidin might improve the endothelium-dependent vasodilation during hypertension, possibly through the enhancement of Kv channels function. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Keywords: Kv channels; SHR; endothelium; femoral artery; flavonoid; hesperidin.
Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.