Beneficial Effects of Different Flavonoids on Vascular and Renal Function in L-NAME Hypertensive Rats Paredes, M. Dolores Romecín, Paola Atucha, Noemí M. O'Valle Ravassa, Francisco Javier Castillo, Julián Ortiz, María Clara García-Estañ, Joaquín Flavonoids Nitric oxide Neart Kidney Sodium balance Phenylephrine Acetylcholine Background: we have evaluated the antihypertensive effect of several flavonoid extracts in a rat model of arterial hypertension caused by chronic administration (6 weeks) of the nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor, L-NAME. Methods: Sprague Dawley rats received L-NAME alone or L-NAME plus flavonoid-rich vegetal extracts (Lemon, Grapefruit + Bitter Orange, and Cocoa) or purified flavonoids (Apigenin and Diosmin) for 6 weeks. Results: L-NAME treatment resulted in a marked elevation of blood pressure, and treatment with Apigenin, Lemon Extract, and Grapefruit + Bitter Orange extracts significantly reduced the elevated blood pressure of these animals. Apigenin and some of these flavonoids also ameliorated nitric oxide-dependent and -independent aortic vasodilation and elevated nitrite urinary excretion. End-organ abnormalities such as cardiac infarcts, hyaline arteriopathy and fibrinoid necrosis in coronary arteries and aorta were improved by these treatments, reducing the end-organ vascular damage. Conclusions: the flavonoids included in this study, specially apigenin, may be used as functional food ingredients with potential therapeutic benefit in arterial hypertension. 2019-03-07T13:38:15Z 2019-03-07T13:38:15Z 2018-04-13 info:eu-repo/semantics/article Paredes, M. D. [et al.]. Beneficial Effects of Different Flavonoids on Vascular and Renal Function in L-NAME Hypertensive Rats. Nutrients 2018, 10, 484. [http://hdl.handle.net/10481/54900] 2072-6643 http://hdl.handle.net/10481/54900 eng http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/es/ info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess Atribución 3.0 España MDPI