Effects of Continuous Ingestion of Hesperidin and Glucosyl Hesperidin on Vascular Gene Expression in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Hesperidin (HES) and glucosyl hesperidin (GHES) have antihypertensive effects. In the present study, to clarify the antihypertensive mechanisms, we compared the effects of continuous ingestion of HES and GHES in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). HES and GHES ingestion for 8 wk significantly prevented hypertension and suppressed the mRNA expression of NADPH oxidase subunits and thromboxane A(2) synthase in SHR aortas. Further, hesperetin, a common metabolite of HES and GHES, reduced thromboxane B-2 release from SHR aortas. These findings indicate that continuous ingestion of HES and GHES prevents hypertension via regulating the gene expression related to the modulation of vascular tone.