Positive Health Online

Abstract

NOGUCHI and colleagues, Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Japan, noguchi@brain.riken.go.jp, explored the possible preventive effects of sesamin (a constituent of sesame oil) and vitamin E against high blood pressure and thrombosis in rats.

Background

Methodology

Effects of the nutrients were investigated in 5-week-old, stroke-prone, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). In a randomized, controlled study, the animals received, for 5 weeks, 1) a normal diet; 2) a diet containing 1000 mg/kg vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol); 3) a diet containing 1000 mg/kg sesamin; or 4) a diet containing 1000 mg vitamin E plus 1000 mg sesamin per kg. Resting blood pressure was measured once a week and thrombotic tendency (number of laser pulses required for the formation of an occlusive thrombus) at the end of 10 weeks. 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in urine, an indicator of oxidative stress, was also measured.

Results

Systolic blood pressure and urinary 8-OHdG levels increased significantly with age in control rats, while these effects were significantly suppressed in rats in the other three groups. After 10 weeks, the tendency for thrombosis was significantly higher in the control group compared with the other three groups (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Daily supplementation with vitamin E and sesamin for 5 weeks reduced age-related elevations in blood pressure, oxidative stress and thrombotic tendency in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats. Similar supplementations in humans may help prevent the occurrence of high blood pressure and stroke.

References

Noguchi T et al. Effects of vitamin E and sesamin on hypertension and cerebral thrombogenesis in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats. Hypertension Research 24 (6): 735-42. Nov 2001. @i:81