Protective effects of kefir in the angiotensin II-dependent hypertension
Brenna Lepaus Monteiro, Ananda T. Dias, Sthephany C. Wanderkoke, Rodrigo Yokota, Dulce Elena Casarini, Marcos André Soares Leal, Breno Valentim Nogueira, Silvana S. Meyrelles, Manuel Campos‐Toimil, Bianca Prandi Campagnaro, Ruy R. Campos, Thiago de Melo Costa Pereira, Elisardo C. Vasquez
Abstract
Recently, we have reported cardiovascular protective effects of the probiotic kefir in a model of primary hypertension. Now, we evaluated the beneficial effects of kefir in a model of secondary hypertension under hyperactivation of the renin-angiotensin-system by partially clipping one kidney artery (2K1C) for 60 days and compared with Sham rats. Maximum levels of arterial pressure were reached 7–14 days post-clipping in both 2K1C and 2K1C-Kefir, but after that time the values were approximately 20% lower in 2K1C-Kefir rats. Also, kefir attenuated the angiotensin converting enzyme activity (intrarenal-40%/plasma-25%) preventing the increase of angiotensin II in both samples. Isolated aortic rings showed an impaired relaxation to acetylcholine in 2K1C (-38%) compared to the Sham group and this difference was attenuated in 2K1C-Kefir rats (~15%). Additional analysis revealed that kefir protected kidney and vascular endothelium against the synergistic oxidative stress/angiotensin II-axis. Thus, kefir is an effective nutraceutical therapy for prevention/treatment of hypertension.