Protective Effect of a Fish Egg Homogenate Marine Compound on Arterial Ultrastructure in Spontaneous Hypertensive Rats

We assessed the effect of a sturgeon eggs-based nutraceutical (LD-1227) versus EPA/DHA on the ultrastructure of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) aorta. Sixty SHR were randomly divided into three groups fed: a). rat chow; b) added with 10mg EPA/DHA; c) added with 10mg of LD-1227 for 18 weeks. Afterwards, the aorta was used for: blind measurements of thickened intima area and electron microscopic examination. Control SHR showed an expanded subendothelial space and leukocytes intima-infiltration which were reduced in LD-1227-fed rats (p<0.05) and less in EPA/DHA-group. TEM showed endothelial alteration with severe subcellular injury and, unlike EPA-DHA-group, LD-1227-treated rats displayed a significant reduction (p<0.05). These data suggest that LD-1227 has stronger arterial protective-properties and deserves further work in view of a preventive medicine strategy.