The effects of oat ingredients on blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats

This study investigated the blood pressure (BP) lowering and cardioprotective effects of oat avenanthramide C and beta-glucan alone or in combination in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Five-weeks-old male SHR and Wistar-Kyoto rats received vehicle, avenanthramide C and beta-glucan alone or a combination of avenanthramide C and beta-glucan via gavage for 15 weeks. BP was measured at 0, 10, and 15 weeks of treatment. Echocardiography was performed at 15 weeks of treatment. Oxidative stress and inflammation were also measured. Beta-glucan alone prevented the increase in systolic and diastolic BP in SHR, but avenanthramide C alone or the combination did not prevent the increase in systolic and diastolic BP. SHRs treated with beta-glucan and not avenanthramide C or the combination reduced isovolumetric relaxation time when compared to SHR treated with vehicle. Beta-glucan and avenanthramide C decreased the levels of malondialdehyde, a marker of oxidative stress in SHR. In conclusion, beta-glucan is a potential antihypertensive agent that may alleviate cardiovascular abnormalities. Practical applications Oats products are believed to contain many bioactives that possess potential beneficial properties against chronic diseases. Specifically, oats beta-glucan has been well-established for its efficacy in positively modulating the risk factor for dyslipidemia. This preliminary in vivo study shows that beta-glucan is a potential antihypertensive agent that may alleviate cardiac dysfunction as well. In light of the current findings, further human studies may establish the efficacy of oats beta-glucan in hypertensive patients alongside the current antihypertensive medications. This novel attribute established via rigorous studies may provide an impetus for oats products and oats industry. Last but not least, it will also help improve the cardiovascular disease burden in a cost-effective way.