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A Model of Cardiac Remodeling Through Constriction of the Abdominal Aorta in Rats
Published on: December 2, 2016
Protein restriction during peripubertal period impairs endothelial aortic function in adult male Wistar rats
Amanda Cristina de Souza1, Deborah Gomes da Silva2, Juliana da Silva Jezuíno1
1Department of Physiological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil.
Insights
Peripubertal protein restriction in rats led to adult-onset endothelial dysfunction. This vascular dysfunction was linked to increased oxidative stress and altered lipid peroxidation in the aorta.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Nutrition Science
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Early-life protein restriction is linked to later vascular disorders.
- The impact of peripubertal protein restriction on adult vascular function remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if a protein-restricted diet during the peripubertal period induces endothelial dysfunction in adulthood.
- To explore the underlying mechanisms, including oxidative stress, involved in this dysfunction.
Main Methods:
- Male Wistar rats were fed either a control (23% protein) or low-protein (4% protein) diet from postnatal day 30 to 60.
- Thoracic aorta reactivity was assessed at postnatal day 120 using phenylephrine, acetylcholine, and sodium nitroprusside.
- Oxidative stress markers, including lipid peroxidation and catalase activity, were measured in aortic tissues.
Main Results:
- Low-protein rats exhibited increased maximal response to phenylephrine in aortic rings with endothelium.
- Antioxidants apocynin and tempol attenuated phenylephrine response in low-protein rats, suggesting a role for oxidative stress.
- Low-protein rats showed decreased aortic catalase activity and increased lipid peroxidation compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Protein restriction during the peripubertal phase causes endothelial dysfunction in adult rats.
- This dysfunction is mediated by an increase in oxidative stress within the aorta.
Abstract:
Protein restriction during early phases of body development, such as intrauterine life can favor the development of vascular disorders. However, it is not known if peripubertal protein restriction can favor vascular dysfunction in adulthood. The present study aimed to evaluated whether a protein restriction diet during peripubertal period favors endothelial dysfunction in adulthood. Male Wistar rats from postnatal day (PND) 30 until 60 received a diet with either 23% protein (CTR group) or with 4% protein (LP group). At PND 120, the thoracic aorta reactivity to phenylephrine, acetylcholine, and sodium nitroprusside was evaluated in the presence or absence of: endothelium, indomethacin, apocynin and tempol. The maximum response (Rmax) and pD2 (-log of the concentration of the drug that causes 50% of the Rmax) were calculated. The lipid peroxidation and catalase activity were also evaluated in the aorta. The data were analyzed by ANOVA (one or two-ways and Tukey's) or independent t-test; the results were expressed as mean ± S.E.M., p < 0.05. The Rmax to phenylephrine in aortic rings with endothelium were increased in LP rats when compared with the Rmax in CTR rats. Apocynin and tempol reduced Rmax to phenylephrine in LP aortic rings but not in CTR. The aortic response to the vasodilators was similar between the groups. Aortic catalase activity was lower and lipid peroxidation was greater in LP compared to CTR rats. Therefore, protein restriction during the peripubertal period causes endothelial dysfunction in adulthood through a mechanism related to oxidative stress.
