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Assessment of Vascular Tone Responsiveness using Isolated Mesenteric Arteries with a Focus on Modulation by Perivascular Adipose Tissues
Published on: June 3, 2019
Thymoquinone improves aging-related endothelial dysfunction in the rat mesenteric artery
Noureddine Idris-Khodja1, Valérie Schini-Kerth
1CNRS UMR 7213, Laboratoire de Biophotonique et Pharmacologie, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Strasbourg, 74, route du Rhin, BP 60024, 67401 Illkirch, France. noureddine.idris-khodja@unistra.fr
Naunyn-Schmiedeberg'S Archives of Pharmacology
|April 25, 2012
Summary
Thymoquinone (TQ) improves blood vessel function in aging rats by reducing oxidative stress and normalizing the angiotensin system. This natural compound may offer a new treatment for age-related vascular diseases.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Pharmacology
- Aging Research
Background:
- Aging impairs endothelial function, characterized by reduced nitric oxide (NO) and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) mediated relaxations.
- This dysfunction is linked to increased oxidative stress and promotes cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis and hypertension.
- Thymoquinone (TQ), from Nigella sativa, possesses known antioxidant and vasodilator properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of thymoquinone (TQ) on endothelial function in middle-aged rats.
- To determine if TQ can counteract aging-related endothelial dysfunction and associated molecular changes.
Main Methods:
- Middle-aged rats were treated with TQ (10 mg/kg/day) for 14 days.
- Mesenteric artery reactivity was assessed using organ chambers.
- Vascular oxidative stress and protein expression (eNOS, SK(Ca), IK(Ca), angiotensin II, AT1 receptor) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- TQ treatment restored NO- and EDHF-mediated relaxations in middle-aged rats.
- TQ normalized oxidative stress and the expression of eNOS, SK(Ca), and IK(Ca) channels.
- TQ also normalized the expression of angiotensin II and its AT1 receptor.
Conclusions:
- Thymoquinone (TQ) effectively improves endothelial function in aging rats.
- TQ's benefits are attributed to the inhibition of oxidative stress and normalization of the angiotensin system.
- TQ shows potential as a novel therapeutic agent for aging-associated vascular diseases.