Lecithin derived from ω-3 PUFA fortified eggs decreases blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Abstract

Hypertension is the most common risk factor for stroke, coronary heart disease and heart failure, which are the leading causes of death worldwide. Dietary patterns and supplements intakes are becoming important factors in the hypertension. The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of new generation egg yolk phospholipids rich in lecithin (SL) esterified with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids on blood pressure in hypertensive rats (SHR). Here we have reported that lecithin (SL) derived from egg yolk lowers blood pressure in pathology of hypertension. The SHR rats treated with SL had significantly lower blood pressure than control group (157/104 vs. 178/121 mmHg; P < 0.05) and down-regulated mesenteric artery over-response to norepinephrine and potassium chloride, giving similar arterial response as for normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). Hypertensive rats treated by SL demonstrated significantly lower serum level of inflammatory factors. This work also indicates that SL treatment lowers heart rate and reduces the serum level of oxidative stress marker - nitrotyrosine - by 30-34% in both hypertensive and normotensive animals. Phospholipids with lecithin derived from PUFA fortified eggs may be a valuable dietary supplement in prophylaxis of hypertension and in patients with hypertension, however, this requires further studies on humans.

Figure 1

Mean concentration of nitrotyrosine [mg/ml] in blood serum of SHR treated with egg-lecithin (SHR-SL; n = 15), SHR not treated control group (SHR-C; n = 15), WKY treated with egg-lecithin (WKY-SL; n = 11) and WKY not treated control group (WKY-C; n = 11). *P < 0.005.

Figure 2

Dose-response curves to norepinephrine. (A) Dose-response curves for WKY rats treated with egg-lecithin (WKY-SL; n = 11) and not treated control group (WKY-C; n = 11). (B) Dose-response curves for SHR treated with egg-lecithin (SHR-SL; n = 15), SHR not treated control group (SHR-C; n = 15) and WKY not treated control group (WKY-C; n = 11). *P < 0.05 for SHR-C vs. SHR-SL. ^#P > 0.05, no difference between WKY-C vs. SHR-SL.