Masoprocol lowers blood pressure in rats with fructose-induced hypertension

Rats with fructose-induced hypertension were treated by oral gavage with either masoprocol (nordihydroguaiaretic acid) or vehicle. Masoprocol treatment resulted in significantly (P < .05 to .001) lower values for systolic blood pressure (120 +/- 3 v 164 +/- 5 mm Hg), as well as plasma insulin (30 a 5 v 44 +/- 4 mu U/mL), free fatty acid (551 +/- 20 v 692 +/- 22 mu Eq/L), and triglyceride (79 +/- 5 v 219 +/- 32 mg/ dL) concentrations. These results indicate that masoprocol, a lipoxygenase inhibitor, is able to lower blood pressure, as well as improve the metabolic abnormalities present in a rodent model of hypertension that simulates the characteristic of many patients with essential hypertension. (C) 1999 American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd.