Dietary docosahexaenoic acid supplementation prevents the formation of cholesterol oxidation products in arteries from orchidectomized rats.

Testosterone deficiency has been correlated with increased cardiovascular diseases, which in turn has been associated with increased oxidative stress. Several studies have considered cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) as oxidative stress biomarkers, since some of them play pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory roles. We have previously described the cardioprotective effects of a dosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplemented diet on the aortic and mesenteric artery function of orchidectomized rats. The aim of this study was to investigate whether impaired gonadal function alters the formation of COPs, as well as the potential preventive role of a DHA-supplemented diet on that effect. For this purpose, aortic and mesenteric artery segments obtained from control and orchidectomized rats, fed with a standard or supplemented with DHA, were used. The content of the following COPs: 7α-hydroxycholesterol, 7β-hydroxycholesterol, 7-ketocholesterol, 5,6α-epoxycholesterol, 5,6β-epoxycholesterol, cholestanetriol and 25-hydroxycholesterol, were analyzed by gas chromatography. The results showed that orchidectomy increased the formation of COPs in arteries from orchidectomized rats, which may participate in the orchidectomy-induced structural and functional vascular alterations already reported. The fact that the DHA-supplemented diet prevented the orchidectomy-induced COPs increase confirms the cardiovascular protective actions of DHA, which could be of special relevance in mesenteric arterial bed, since it importantly controls the systemic vascular resistance

Effect of orchidectomy and DHA suplementation on cholesterol and COPs content in rat aorta.

<p>Graphic representation of Chol and COPs (7α-OH, 7β-OH, 7-KC, 5,6β-E, 5,6α-E, 25-OH, CT and total COPs) concentration in μg/g of lipids in aortic rings from control (C) and orchidectomized (ORX) rats fed with a control or with a DHA-supplemented diet. Data were compared using one way ANOVA followed by Tukey`s multiple comparison tests. Values are means ± SEMs. Number of animals, n = 5. *Indicates a <i>p</i> < 0.05 <i>vs</i> Control group fed control diet. ⁺Indicates a <i>p</i>< 0.05 <i>vs</i> orchidectomized rats fed control diet.</p

Body weight (g) in control (C) and orchidectomized (ORX) rats fed with a control or DHA-supplemented diet.

<p>Body weight (g) in control (C) and orchidectomized (ORX) rats fed with a control or DHA-supplemented diet.</p

Effect of orchidectomy and DHA suplementation on cholesterol and COPs content in rat mesenteric artery.

<p>Graphic representation of Chol and COPs (7α-OH, 7β-OH, 7-KC, 5,6β-E, 5,6α-E, 25-OH, CT and total COPs) concentration in μg/g of lipids in mesenteric artery rings from control (C) and orchidectomized (ORX) rats fed with a control or with a DHA-supplemented diet. Data were compared using one way ANOVA followed by Tukey`s multiple comparison tests. Values are means ± SEMs. Number of animals, n = 5. *Indicates a <i>p</i>< 0.05 vs. Control group fed control diet. ⁺Indicates a <i>p</i> < 0.05 <i>vs</i> orchidectomized rats fed control diet.</p

Nutrient and energy content of experimental diets.

<p>Nutrient and energy content of experimental diets.</p