Abstract 300: Oral Administration of Lentil Extracts Attenuated Angiotensin Ii-induced Cardiac Hypertrophy and Hypertension in Normotensive Rats
The objective of this study is to examine the effects of extracts from raw and cooked lentil on angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and hypertension in normotensive rats. Subcutaneous infusion of Ang II (200 ng/kg/min) using osmotic minipump significantly resulted in the elevation of blood pressure measured using telemetry in conscious rats. Histological examination revealed that Ang II infusion for 4 weeks induced significant cardiac hypertrophy, perivascular fibrosis in the heart and kidney. Rats received lentil extracts (oral administration for 4 weeks) significantly attenuated Ang II-induced elevation in blood pressure, cardiac hypertrophy, perivascular fibrosis. To examine whether the protective effect of lentil extracts on cardiac hypertrophy is mediated by attenuation of blood pressure or directly act on the cardiomyocytes, we examined the effect of lentil extracts on Ang II-induced hypertrophy in cultured cardiomyocytes. The result demonstrated that pretreatment of cardiomyocytes with cooked or raw lentil extract significantly attenuated the Ang II-induced increases in the size of cells. In addition, these lentil extracts also attenuated Ang II-induced increases in the ROS levels in cardiomyocytes. In summary, the results demonstrate that extracts from cooked or raw lentil prevent Ang II-induced elevation in blood pressure, perivascular fibrosis, and cardiac hypertrophy. The cardiac protective effect on Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy may be mediated by a direct action in cardiac tissue via reduction of oxidative stress.