Oil-extracted from flaxseeds protects against endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress by modulating nitric oxide, thiols contents and improving redox status in ouabain-induced hypertensive rats

Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antihypertensive and antioxidant effects of flaxseed oil in ouabain-induced hypertensive in normal rats Wistar. Methods Experimental hypertension was induced by a daily subcutaneous (sc) injection of 10μg/kg/day/rat of ouabain diluted in 9g/L of saline solution (NaCl) for 21 days (n=16). Animals were then divided into two groups fed an experimental diet containing 20% casein supplemented (Ouab-Oil-Lu) or not (Ouab) with 1% flaxseed oil whereas control rats (n=8) received only a daily sc injection of NaCl. Results The results showed that supplementing hypertensive rats with 1% flaxseed oil decreased significantly (P<0.05) the systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure, ameliorated plasma and liver lipid profile and reduced glucose levels in plasma. Similarly, flaxseed oil decreased TBARS levels in plasma and tissues, as well as carbonyl levels in the heart. Interestingly, this supplementation increased GSH, thiols and nitric oxide levels and improved AchE and antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD and GSH-Px) in the tissues. Conclusions Our findings suggested that flaxseed oil may provide a rationale for antihypertensive use in traditional medicine.