Effects of grape seed procyanidin on the vescular endothelial cells function in renovascular hypertensive rats

【Objective】 To observe the effects of grape seed procyanidin(GSP) on the vascular endothelial cells function in renovascular hypertensive(RH) rats.【Methods】 The RH rat model was established by 2K1C method,8 rats with sham operation were served as controls.Two weeks after operation,32 rats were selected according to the increased tail systolic pressure above 130 mmHg and randomly divided into 4 groups(n =8): renovascular hypertensive model group(RH model);low GSP-treated group [low GSP,50 mg/(kg·d)];high GSP-treated group [high GSP,200 mg/(kg·d)] and captopril-treated group [captopril,30 mg/(kg·d)].The tail systolic pressure,endothelin(ET),prostaglandin I2(PGI2) and angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ) levels in serum were determined 6 weeks after treatment.Western blotting was performed to detect the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS) in abdominal aortic tissues.【Results】 6 weeks after treatment,compared with control group,the tail systolic pressure,ET and Ang II levels in serum in RH model group were increased significantly,but PGI2 level in serum and the expressions of eNOS in abdominal aortic tissues were decreased.Compared with RH model group,the tail systolic pressure,ET and Ang Ⅱ levels in serum in low and high GSP-treated group and captopril-treated group were decreased markedly,but PGI2 level in serum and the expressions of eNOS in abdominal aortic tissues were increased significantly.【Conclusion】 GSP possesses a protecting role of vascular endothelial cells function in RH rats by reducing tail systolic blood pressure,decreasing the vasoconstrictor substances ET and Ang Ⅱ levels in serum,increasing vasodilator substances PGI2 content and eNOS expression in the abdominal aorta.