System Maintenance Notice

Please note that maintenance work is scheduled between 4 AM and 5 AM - CET. During this time, you may experience reduced performance. Thanks for your patience.

Publications

Journal Article Epublish 2 citations

PubMed: 40805981 DOI: 10.3390/nu17152395

A Refined Carbohydrate-Rich Diet Reduces Vascular Reactivity Through Endothelial Oxidative Stress and Increased Nitric Oxide: The Involvement of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase.

Nutrients 17(15)

Authors: Karoline Neumann, Nina Bruna de Souza Mawandji, Ingridy Reinholz Grafites Schereider, Emanuelle Coutinho de Oliveira, Julia Martins Vieira, Andressa Bolsoni-Lopes, Jones Bernardes Graceli, Julia Antonietta Dantas, Lorena Silveira Cardoso, Dalton Valentim Vassallo, Karolini Zuqui Nunes

Affiliations

  • Postgraduate Program in Nutrition and Health, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória 29040-091, ES, Brazil.
  • Postgraduate Program in Physiological Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória 29040-091, ES, Brazil.
  • Undergraduate Program in Nursing and Obstetrics, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória 29040-091, ES, Brazil.
  • Undergraduate Program in Pharmacy, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória 29040-091, ES, Brazil.
  • Animal Science, College of Agricultural Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA.
  • Integrated Colleges of Espírito Santo-FAESA, Cariacica 29145-000, ES, Brazil.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

The consumption of refined carbohydrates has increased globally. It is associated with inflammation and oxidative stress, both recognized as risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This study investigated the effects of a refined carbohydrate-rich diet on the vascular reactivity of rat aorta.

METHODS

We acclimatized adult male Wistar rats for two weeks and then randomly assigned them to two experimental groups: a control (CT) group and a high-carbohydrate diet (HCD) group. The CT group received standard laboratory chow for 15 days, while the HCD group received a diet composed of 45% sweetened condensed milk, 10% refined sugar, and 45% standard chow. After the dietary exposure period, we evaluated the vascular reactivity of aortic rings, gene expression related to inflammation, superoxide dismutase activity, and biochemical parameters, including cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose, and glucose and insulin tolerance.

RESULTS

The results demonstrate a reduction in vascular reactivity caused by endothelial alterations, including increased NO production, which was observed as higher vasoconstriction in the presence of L-NAME and aminoguanidine and upregulation of iNOS gene expression. In addition, increased production of free radicals, such as O 2 -, was observed, as well as immune markers like MCP-1 and CD86 in the HCD group. Additionally, the HCD group showed an increase in the TyG index, suggesting early metabolic impairment. GTT and ITT results revealed higher glycemic levels, indicating early signs of insulin resistance.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that short-term consumption of a refined carbohydrate-rich diet may trigger oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction, thereby increasing the risk of cardiovascular complications.

MeSH

Genes, Insulin, Nitric Oxide Synthase, Stress, Physiological, Aorta, Oxidative Stress, Diet, Food, Carbohydrates, Nitric Oxide Synthase Type Ii, Gene Expression