Spontaneously hypertensive rats left ventricular cardiomyocyte loss attenuation through different edible oils long-term intake

Background: Dietary lipid intake type affecting spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) blood pressure (BP). There are no information available whether different edible lipids long-term administration does potentiality alter the usual cardiomyocyte loss in SHR or not. Methods: Six groups of 3-month-old male SHR received different edible oils (fish, canola, palm, olive, and soybean oils-1.5 g/kg/day+1 Ul of vitamin E per ml) or water (control) by gavage for 13 weeks. Left ventricular cardiomyocyte number (N[cmn]) was analysed through stereology and disector method. Results: BP showed lower in the experimental groups (30% in the fish oil group, 15% in both canola oil and palm oil groups, 5% in both olive oil and soybean oil groups) when compared to the control group. N[cmn] was greater in the fish oil group and smaller in the control group. N[cmn] was over 130% greater in the fish oil group, and more than 25% greater in the canola, palm, and olive oils groups compared to the control group. N[[cmn]] showed a negative correlation with BP (R=-0.98, p < 0.01). Conclusion: Hypertension nutritional management and subsequent prevention/attenuation of left ventricular cardiomyocyte loss pointed out a novel therapeutic strategy to be seriously considered in the long-term hypertension treatment. The goal is to postpone the consequences of cardiomyocyte number decrease and heart failure in hypertension. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.