[The beneficial effect of natural antioxidants on the endothelial function of regenerated endothelium]
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Updated: Oct 26, 2026
Assessing Endothelial Vasodilator Function with the Endo-PAT 2000
Published on: October 15, 2010
1Service de Chirurgie, Institut de Cardiologie de Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Hypothesis:
Lipid peroxidation and LDL oxidation have been implicated in intimal hyperplasia and endothelial dysfunction following direct arterial trauma.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of megadose of natural antioxidant vitamin E (VE) combined to vitamin C (VC) on the regenerated endothelial dysfunction.
Method:
A first group of rats (VE and C) (n = 10) was pretreated with VE (500 IU/kg/day) and VC (1200 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks before aortic (thoracic) endothelial denudation with a Fogarty catheter. Rats were then fed with the same vitamin supplemented diet for 2 months. A second group (n = 10) was similarly denuded and treated with soya oil (SO), VE vehicle, for the same period; a third group (n = 10) was denuded only (DN); and a fourth group was maintained on a regular diet (CL) without denudation. Endothelial-dependent and independent relaxation was assessed in organ chambers.
Results:
Vascular relaxation to nitric oxide analogue sodium nitroprusside was not affected either by the regenerative process or the vitamin supplementation. However, endothelial-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine, was significantly preserved in VE and C (p < 0.01) treated animals compared to DN group.
Conclusion:
These results suggest that, in this model, dietary megadose of antioxidants vitamin initiated 4 weeks before denudation can improve the post-regenerative endothelial dysfunction and could contribute to the prevention of the atherosclerotic process.
