Gatica LV, Oliveros LB, Pérez Díaz MF, Domínguez NS, Fornes MW, Gimenez MS. Implication of vitamin A deficiency on vascular injury related to inflammation and oxidative stress. Effects on the ultrastructure of rat aorta.
Eur J Nutr 2011;
51:97-106. [PMID:
21512820 DOI:
10.1007/s00394-011-0198-z]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2010] [Accepted: 04/05/2011] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Vitamin A deficiency induces activation of NF-kB and impairs activities of antioxidant enzymes in aorta.
AIM OF THE STUDY
We study the effect of vitamin A deficiency on the aorta histoarchitecture and the possibly contribution of its prooxidant and inflammatory effects to artery alterations.
METHODS
Twenty-one-day-old Wistar male rats were fed during 3 months with vitamin A-deficient diet (-A, n = 8) or the same diet containing 8 mg of retinol palmitate/kg of diet (+A, control, n = 8). In aortas, thiobarbituric reactive substances and reduced glutathione levels were measured by spectrophotometry. Expressions of TNF-alpha, NOX-2, VCAM-1, and TGF-beta1 were assessed by RT-PCR and Western Blot. The morphology of aorta was examined by light and transmission electron microscopy.
RESULTS
In -A rats, high levels of TBARS in serum and aorta and low levels of GSH in aorta were found. An increased expression of TNF-alpha, NOX-2, VCAM-1, and TGF-beta1 in aorta from -A rats was observed. Examination of the intimal layer by light microscopy indicated the presence of an irregular surface in -A aortas. TEM studies showed large vacuoles and multivesicular bodies along the endothelium and also multivesicular bodies in the subendothelial space of aortas from -A rats. Furthermore, the histological appearance of internal elastic lamina was different from control. Small vesicles in the medial layer were observed in aortas from vitamin A-deficient rats.
CONCLUSIONS
Vitamin A deficiency produces histoarchitectural alterations in aorta, which can be associated, at least in part, to the oxidative stress and inflammation induced by vitamin A deficiency.
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