Nutritional antioxidant effects on endotelial dysfunctions in experimental atherosclerosis by ovariectomy

Abstract Endothelial dysfunction and atherogenesis involves a general alteration of unicellular layer of the vascular wall structure. Nutritional antioxidants can improve endothelial dysfunction through dietary supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA N3 and lignans) from flaxseed. The mechanisms by which these nutritional antioxidants have beneficial effects on endothelial function are less known. The present study examined the effects of the flaxseed supplemented diet, a rich source in PUFA N3 and lignans on the ovariectomy-induced endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Forty-two ovariectomized and non-ovariectomized (control) female Wistar rats were used, each one divided in 3 subgroups depending on diet: standard, fat rich or flaxseed supplemented fat rich diet, for 36 weeks. The circulating soluble adhesion molecules of endothelial origin and von Willebrand factor (sVCAM-1, vWF), were measured to assess the endothelial dysfunction. Presence of endothelial dysfunction in ovariectomized animals fed with standard diet associated with a rich PUFA N6 and saturated lipid was proven by the increased plasma concentration of sVCAM-1 and vWE Dietary supplementation with PUFA N3 and lignans (flaxseed) in these animals led to modest decreases of these parameters. The results indicate that dietary supplementation with antioxidant activity substances, in presence of estrogen deficiency, especially when it is associated with increased fat intake, may become a mean of prevention and delay of endothelial dysfunction, via anti-inflammatory actions through a reduction of sVCAM-1.