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Effects of Spirulina Extracts on Vasodilator Function of Arteries from Hypertensive Rats

Hypertension is a multifactorial disorder that is considered one of the major causes of premature death worldwide. This pathology is associated with functional and structural vascular alterations in which oxidative stress and decreased nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability are involved. On the other hand, the use of natural compounds, including extracts of microalgae, for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases is gaining attention. Based on the anti‐oxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties of Spirulina, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aqueous Spirulina extract on the release and function of NO, as well as on the expression of the antioxidant protein hemoxygenase‐1 (HO‐1), phosphorylated Akt (p‐Akt) and phosphorylated eNOS (p‐eNOS) that regulate the production of NO. For this purpose, aortic segments from male Spontaneously Hypertensive rats (SHR) and its normotensive counterparts, Wistar‐Kyoto (WKY) rats, were isolated. Aortic segments exposed to the aqueous Spirulina extract (0.1 % w/v, for 3 h) and those not exposed were used to analyze the following parameters: (i) the release of NO; (ii) the NO‐dependent response to acetylcholine (ACh) and the vasodilator response to the NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP); and (iii) the expression of HO‐1, p‐eNOS and p‐Akt. The results showed that Spirulina extracts increased the release of NO more in arteries from SHR than that of WKY rats. Spirulina extracts also increased the ACh‐ and SNP‐induced response in arteries from both WKY and SHR. Additionally, Spirulina increased the expression of HO‐1, p‐Akt and p‐eNOS in arteries from SHR. These results suggest that Spirulina extracts exert benefits for the treatment of hypertension by increasing the release and function of NO in which the increased levels of HO‐1, p‐eNOS and p‐Akt can be involved.