Danos cardiovasculares e estresse oxidativo causados por Etanol – papel do hidrolisado de clara de ovo

Abstract

Excessive consumption of ethanol affects the cardiovascular system. Egg white hydrolyzate (EWH), obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis with pepsin for 8 hours, produces peptides with biological functions that benefit the cardiovascular system. We investigated whether egg white hydrolyzate (EWH) acts on cardiovascular damage caused by ethanol in rats. Male Wistar rats (CEUA 27/2021) treated for 42 days: I) Control (Ct) - drinking water ad libidum and via gavage; II) EWH - drinking water and EWH 1 g/kg/day via gavage; III) Ethanol (Et) - 20% ethanol in water ad libidum and H2O by gavage) and IV) EtEWH - both treatments. Weight, fluid, and food consumption were controlled weekly, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured by caudal plethysmography; Vascular reactivity of mesenteric resistance arteries (MRA) was investigated using a tension myograph. The expression of NOX-1 and COX-2 was visualized by immunofluorescence in MRA, and lipid peroxidation, reactive species, and antioxidant capacity were analyzed in plasma, kidney, liver, and MRA. Results are expressed as mean ± SEM, compared by 2-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc test with p < 0.05. Ethanol consumption reduced feed and liquid consumption, and EWH treatment did not change this parameter. The ethanol-treated groups reduced body weight (in g: Control: 470.2 ± 11.7; Et: 399.4 ± 76*; EWH: 448.9 ± 14.7; EtEWH: 407.9 ± 12, 8* -* vs Control). The treatments did not alter SBP, but ethanol exposure increased the vasoconstrictor response to NE and reduced relaxation to ACh, and EWH was able to normalize the endothelial dysfunction promoted by ethanol. The antioxidant action mediated this effect with reduced activation of the NADPH oxidase pathway, especially NOX-1, and anti-inflammatory action with reduced vascular COX-2 expression. The increase in reactive species (ROS) was reduced by EWH treatment in plasma and MRA and was not altered in the kidney and liver. Thus, EWH is 16 a functional food capable of protecting vascular dysfunctions caused by ethanol consumption.