Context: The chronic exposure to Cadmium (Cd) constitute an risk to develop hypertension and cardiovascular diseases associated with the increase of oxidative stress.
Objective: In this study, we investigate the role of metabolic changes produced by exposure to Cd on the endothelial dysfunction via oxidative stress.
Methods: Male Wistar rats were exposed to Cd (32.5-ppm) for 2-months. The zoometry and blood pressure were evaluated, also glucose and lipids profiles in serum and vascular reactivity evaluated in isolated aorta rings.
Results: Rats exposed to Cd showed an increase of blood pressure and biochemical parameters similar to metabolic syndrome. Additionally, rats exposed to Cd showed a reduced relaxation in aortic rings, which was reversed after the addition of SOD and apocynin an inhibitor of NADPH.
Conclusion: The Cd-exposition induced hypertension and endothelial injury by that modifying the vascular relaxation and develop oxidative stress via NADPH oxidase, superoxide and loss nitric oxide bioavailability.
Keywords: Hypertension; NADPH oxidase; apocynin; superoxide dismutase; vascular reactivity.