Objective: To investigate the effect of trans-resveratrol on hypertension-induced cardiac hypertrophy and its potential mechanisms involving endothelin (ET), angiotensin II (AngII) and nitric oxide (NO).
Methods: Animal models bearing cardiac hypertrophy were replicated in male SD rats following partially nephrectomy (PNX). 10 mg/kg bw or 50 mg/kg bw of resveratrol was administered to rats by gavage, respectively, for 4 weeks. PNX control and sham-operation control (SHAM) were simultaneously established. Systolic pressure of rats was measured through tail at baseline and it, as well as heart weight, was measured after 4-week treatment. Serum ET-1 and AngII concentrations were determined using radioimmunological assay and NO using nitric acid reductase method.
Results: After 4-week treatment, animals in PNX control group had significantly higher systolic pressure and heart weight, higher ET-1 and AngII concentrations while lower NO concentrations, compared with those in SHAM group (P < 0.05). Rats treated with 50 mg/kg bw of resveratrol had significantly lower systolic pressure and heart weight, lower ET-1 concentrations while higher NO concentrations, compared with animals in PNX group (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Trans-resveratrol could protect against the increase of systonic pressure and subsequent cardiac hypertrophy in vivo, which mechanisms might, at least partly, involve with its modulation on NO, AngII and ET.