ATTENUATION OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF HYPERTENSION IN SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS BY CHRONIC ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF EICOSAPENTAENOIC ACID

Abstract

Chronic effects of highly purified eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on systolic blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive rats were studied. Daily oral administration of 30 to 300 mg/kg EPA for eight weeks significatly decreased the development of hypertension in SHR dose-dependently. Eight weeks treatment of 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg EPA reduced mean systolic blood pressure by 23, 29, and 32 mmHg, respectively, compared to untreated rats. Hypotensive effect of EPA progressed slowly and was reversible after the termination of the treatment. However, daily administration of EPA to normotensive rats did not affect the systolic blood pressure. EPA may be useful as a hypotensive agent for treatment of hypertension.