Therapeutic Effects of the Grape Seed Extract on Lead-Induced Hypertension and Aortic Responsiveness in Rats

Background: Several studies in the past have shown that lead causes elevated blood pressure in humans and animals and exerts devastating effects on various organs of the body, including the cardiovascular system. This study was typically conducted to investigate the effects of the grape seed extract on the treatment of lead-induced hypertension and the correction of the aortic response to isolated vascular factors. Methods: Experiments were carried out from January to March 2009 in the Physiology Research Center of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. In total, 50 experiments were carried out on 5 groups of Wistar rats in 5 groups, each group receiving water containing lead acetate and the grape seed extract in different patterns for 8 weeks, in accordance with the groups listed in the original text. Blood pressure was measured weekly through the tail-cuff. The response of the isolated aorta to the vasoconstrictor and vasorelaxant was evaluated in the groups. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPAS software, version 22, via one-way ANOVA followed by the LSD test. A P value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Discontinuation of lead and administration of the extract caused a faster drop in blood pressure. Increased contractile responses to phenylephrine were observed in the rats that continued to consume lead and did not receive the extract. Additionally, the response to acetylcholine in the extract group was higher than that in the continued lead group. Conclusions: The current study showed that the use of the grape seed extract, even after the occurrence of lead-induced hypertension, could be a useful treatment. Considerably, the grape seed extract failed to have an effect on vascular responsiveness to vasodilator and vasoconstrictor drugs.