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Cholesterol‐independent endothelial dysfunction in virgin and pregnant rats fed a diet high in saturated fat
Author(s) -
Gerber Robert T.,
Holemans Kathleen,
O'BrienCoker Ivan,
Mallet Anthony I.,
Bree Rita,
Assche F. André,
Poston Lucilla
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7793.1999.0607t.x
Subject(s) - medicine , endocrinology , endothelial dysfunction , saturated fat , endothelium , prostacyclin , weaning , chemistry , cholesterol , oxidative stress
1 Western diets high in saturated fat are associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases. In this study we have evaluated vascular endothelial function and oxidative stress in virgin rats fed a normal (VC) or high in saturated fat diet (VHF) (20% lard and corn oil w/w) from weaning until adulthood, and throughout subsequent pregnancy (PC and PHF, respectively). 2 The saturated fat diet was associated with enhanced noradrenaline sensitivity in small mesenteric arteries from VHF rats (VHF vs. VC, P < 0.05 ) and blunted endothelium‐dependent relaxation in VHF and PHF rats (VHF vs. VC, P < 0.001 ; PHF vs. PC, P < 0.05 ). Endothelial dysfunction was attributable to a reduced nitric oxide component of relaxation in VHF rats, and blunted prostacyclin and endothelium‐derived hyperpolarizing factor components in PHF rats. 3 Other than plasma cholesterol, which was reduced in VHF and PHF rats, plasma lipids were normal. Fasting plasma insulin and glucose concentrations were raised in VHF rats ( P < 0.05 ) and the plasma marker of oxidative stress, 8‐iso PGF 2α , was increased in PHF animals ( P < 0.01 ). 4 These findings suggest that endothelial dysfunction induced by a saturated fat diet is cholesterol independent and likely to be of different mechanistic origin in virgin and pregnant rats.