High flaxseed (linseed) diet restores endothelial function in the mesenteric arterial bed of spontaneously hypertensive rats

The effect of high flaxseed diet (HFD) on blood pressure (BP) and mesenteri c arterial bed (MAB) reactivity was studied in spontaneously hypertensive r ats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. HFD did not affect BP i n either SHR (control, 157 +/- 3; HFD, 153 +/- 3 mmHg) or WKY (control, 114 +/- 2; HFD, 117 +/- 2 mmHg) rats. Increases in perfusion pressure of the: endothelium-intact MAB to phenylephrine and norepinephrine were higher (p < 0.05) in SHR than in WKY rats and the HFD failed to alter these responses. Vasorelaxant responses to acetylcholine (ACh) and bradykinin(BK) were grea ter (p < 0.05) in SHR maintained on HFD compared to SHR on control diet. Wh ile HFD also enhanced ACh responses in WKY, the effect was less than in SHR . Responses to sodium nitroprusside (SNP), were similar in all groups. Sinc e ACh and BK-induced responses of the MAB were augmented in SHR on HFD, wit h no changes in BP, it is suggested that HFD improves endothelial vasorelax ant function through a pressure-independent mechanism.