Tetrahydrocurcumin (
THC), a major metabolite of
curcumin, possesses strong
antioxidant and cardioprotective properties. However, the activities of
THC in
hypertension and its associated complications remain unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of
THC on hemodynamic status, aortic elasticity and oxidative stress in rats with N-nitro-
L-arginine methyl ester (
L-NAME)-induced
hypertension.
Hypertension was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by administration of
L-NAME (50 mg kg(-1)
body weight) in
drinking water for 5 weeks.
THC at a dose of 50 or 100 mg kg(-1) per day was administered daily during the fourth and fifth weeks when the hypertensive state had been established. The effects of
THC on hemodynamics, aortic elasticity,
endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)
protein expression and oxidative stress markers were assessed. Marked increases in blood pressure, peripheral vascular resistance, aortic stiffness and oxidative stress were found in rats after
L-NAME administration.
THC significantly reversed these deleterious effects by reducing aortic wall thickness and stiffness. These effects were associated with increased aortic eNOS expression, elevated plasma
nitrate/
nitrite, decreased oxidative stress with reduced
superoxide production and enhanced blood
glutathione. Our results provide the first evidence that
THC attenuates the detrimental effect of
L-NAME by improving the hemodynamic status and aortic elasticity concomitant with reduction of oxidative stress. The present study suggests that
THC might be used as a dietary supplement to protect against cardiovascular alterations under
nitric oxide-deficient conditions.