Effect of Dietary Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation on the Participation of Vasodilator Factors in Aorta from Orchidectomized Rats

PLoS One. 2015 Nov 5;10(11):e0142039. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142039. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Benefits of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) against cardiovascular diseases have been reported. Vascular tone regulation is largely mediated by endothelial factors whose release is modulated by sex hormones. Since the incidence of cardiovascular pathologies has been correlated with decreased levels of sex hormones, the aim of this study was to analyze whether a diet supplemented with the specific PUFA docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) could prevent vascular changes induced by an impaired gonadal function. For this purpose, control and orchidectomized rats were fed with a standard diet supplemented with 5% (w/w) sunflower oil or with 3% (w/w) sunflower oil plus 2% (w/w) DHA. The lipid profile, the blood pressure, the production of prostanoids and nitric oxide (NO), and the redox status of biological samples from control and orchidectomized rats, fed control or DHA-supplemented diet, were analyzed. The vasodilator response and the contribution of NO, prostanoids and hyperpolarizing mechanisms were also studied. The results showed that orchidectomy negatively affected the lipid profile, increased the production of prostanoids and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and decreased NO production and the antioxidant capacity, as well as the participation of hyperpolarizing mechanisms in the vasodilator responses. The DHA-supplemented diet of the orchidectomized rats decreased the release of prostanoids and ROS, while increasing NO production and the antioxidant capacity, and it also improved the lipid profile. Additionally, it restored the participation of hyperpolarizing mechanisms by activating potassium. Since the modifications induced by the DHA-supplemented diet were observed in the orchidectomized, but not in the healthy group, DHA seems to exert cardioprotective effects in physiopathological situations in which vascular dysfunction exists.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Aorta / drug effects*
  • Aorta / metabolism
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Diet / methods
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids / pharmacology*
  • Fatty Acids / pharmacology
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Orchiectomy / methods
  • Plant Oils / pharmacology
  • Prostaglandins / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Sunflower Oil
  • Vasodilation / drug effects*
  • Vasodilator Agents / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Fatty Acids
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Plant Oils
  • Prostaglandins
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Sunflower Oil
  • Vasodilator Agents
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids
  • Nitric Oxide

Grants and funding

This study was supported by grants to MF from the Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (PI1100406), Comunidad de Madrid (S2013/ABI-2783, “INSPIRA1-CM”), Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional, and Centro de Estudios América Latina (Grupo Santander-UAM). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.