Search Results (2)

Recently, the addition of copper nanoparticles (NPs) in a daily diet (6.5 mg/kg) was studied in different animal models as a possible alternative to ionic forms. Male Wistar–Kyoto rats (24-week-old, n = 11) were fed with copper, either in the form of carbonate salt (Cu_6.5) or metal-based copper NPs (NP_6.5), for 8 weeks. The third group was fed with a half dose of each (NP_3.25 + Cu_3.25). The thoracic aorta and blood plasma was studied. Supplementation with NP_6.5 decreased the Cu (×0.7), Cu/Zn-ratio (×0.6) and catalase (CAT, ×0.7), and increased Zn (×1.2) and superoxide dismutase (SOD, ×1.4). Meanwhile, NP_3.25 + Cu_3.25 decreased the Cu/Zn-ratio (×0.7), and CAT (×0.7), and increased the daily feed intake (×1.06). Preincubation with either the selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor, or the non-selective COX-1/2 inhibitor attenuated vasodilation of rat thoracic aorta in the NP_6.5 group exclusively. However, an increased vasodilator response was observed in the NP_6.5 and NP_3.25 + Cu_3.25 group of rats after preincubation with an inhibitor of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) formation, and the thromboxane receptor (TP) antagonist. Significant differences were observed between the NP_6.5 and NP_3.25 + Cu_3.25 groups of rats in: dietary intake, acetylcholine-induced vasodilation, and response to COX-inhibitors. Copper NPs in a standard daily dose had more significant effects on the mechanism(s) responsible for the utilization of reactive oxygen species in the blood plasma with the participation of prostanoids derived from COX-2 in the vascular relaxation. Dietary copper NPs in both doses modified vasodilation through the vasoconstrictor 20-HETE and the TP receptors. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the protective role of ground raspberry seeds (RBS) as a source of polyphenols and essential fatty acids on blood plasma enzymatic antioxidant status, lipid profile, and endothelium-intact vasodilation during physiological and pathological conditions. Young normotensive Wistar–Kyoto rats (WKYs) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) at ten weeks of age were fed with either a control diet or were supplemented with added 7% RBS for six weeks (n = 6). The main component of RBS was dietary fiber (64%) and the main polyphenols were ellagitannins (1.2%) and flavan-3-ols (0.45%). Irrespective of the rat model, ground RBS decreased liver enzyme aspartate aminotransferase (0.9-fold) and hydrogen peroxide scavenging capacity (Catalase, 0.9-fold). In supplemented SHRs, preincubation with inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor 1400W, nonselective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor indomethacin, selective COX-2 inhibitor NS-398, prostacyclin (PGI₂) synthesis inhibitor tranylcypromine (TCP), thromboxane receptor (TP) antagonist SQ-29548, thromboxane synthesis inhibitor furegrelate, and 20-HETE synthesis inhibitor HET0016 induced the same relaxant response to acetylcholine as in the nonsupplemented control group. In supplemented WKYs, atherogenic index was decreased (0.8-fold), while iNOS and COX-2-derived PGI₂ increased acetylcholine-induced vasodilation. These effects of ground RBS may constitute a potential mechanism for preventing cardiovascular diseases. Full article