ORAL TREATMENT VATH ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL REDUCES SYSTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE, OXIDATIVE STRESS AND MODULATES LIPID PROFILE OF STROKE PRONE SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS

The stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHRSP) is an animal model for endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, hypertension and stroke. Alpha-tocopherol, a powerful lipid-soluble antioxidant, was supplemented in these animal models through of the experimentation of twelve rats SHRSP, divided in treated and control groups (n=6 each). The measured parameters were: body weight, diuresis, intake of food and water, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, blood glucose levels and malondialdehyde (MDA). Alpha-tocopherol supplementation reduced significantly (p<0.05) total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, systolic blood pressure and malondialdehyde levels. HDL-cholesterol was increased in treated group and triglycerides and blood glucose levels did not present alterations. Thus, alpha-tocopherol can be considered a potential antihypertensive, antioxidant and hypocholesterolemic agent in animal models of hypertension and stroke.