The benefits of soluble non-bacterial fraction of kefir on blood pressure and cardiac hypertrophy in hypertensive rats are mediated by an increase in baroreflex sensitivity and decrease in angiotensin-converting enzyme activity

Girlandia Alexandre Brasil, Mirian de Almeida Silva-Cutini, Flávia de Souza Andrade Moraes, Thiago de Melo Costa Pereira, Elisardo Corral Vasquez, Dominik Lenz, Nazaré Souza Bissoli, Denise Coutinho Endringer, Ewelyne Miranda de Lima, Vinícia Campana Biancardi, June Ferreira Maia, Tadeu Uggere de Andrade

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate whether long-term treatment with the soluble non-bacterial fraction of kefir affects mean arterial pressure (MAP) and cardiac hypertrophy through the modulation of baroreflex sensitivity, ACE activity, and the inflammatory-to-anti-inflammatory cytokine ratio in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Methods: SHRs were treated with the soluble non-bacterial kefir fraction (SHR-kefir) or with kefir vehicle (SHR-soluble fraction of milk). Normotensive control Wistar Kyoto animals received the soluble fraction of milk. All treatments were administered by gavage (0.3 mL/100g/body weight), once daily for eight weeks. At the end, after basal MAP and Heart Rate (HT) measurement, barorreflex sensitivity was evaluated through in bolus administrations of sodium nitroprusside and phenylephrine (AP50 [arterial pressure 50%], the lower plateau, and HR range were measured). ACE activity and cytokines (TNF-α and IL-10) were evaluated by ELISA. Cardiac hypertrophy was analysed morphometrically. Results: Compared to SHR control, SHR-kefir exhibited a significant decrease in both MAP (SHR: 184 ± 5; SHR-Kefir: 142 ± 8 mmHg), and HR (SHR: 360 ± 10; SHR-kefir: 310 ± 14 bpm). The non-bacterial fraction of kefir also reduced cardiac hypertrophy, TNF-α-to-IL10 ratio, and ACE activity in SHRs. SHR-kefir baroreflex sensitivity, resulted in a partial but significant recovery of baroreflex gain, as demonstrated by improvements in AP50, the lower plateau, and HR range. Conclusion: In summary, our results indicate that long-term administration of the non-bacterial fraction of kefir promotes a significant decrease in both MAP and HR, by improving baroreflex, and reduces cardiac hypertrophy in SHRs, likely via ACE inhibition, and reduction of the TNF-α-to-IL10 ratio.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)66-72
Number of pages7
JournalNutrition
Volume51-52
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Baroreflex gain
  • Bioactive peptides
  • Cardiac hypertrophy
  • Fermented milk
  • Hypertension

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Nutrition and Dietetics

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