ISOFLAVONE AGLYCONES PROMOTE THE mRNA EXPRESSION OF ENDOTHELIAL NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE IN AORTA AND REDUCED BLOOD PRESSURE IN STROKE-PRONE SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS

SUMMARY 1 The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of isoflavone aglycones (IFA; AglyMaxTM; Nichimo Co. Ltd, Tokyo, Japan), containing 32.9% IFA, on the production of nitric oxide (NO) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) in stroke‐prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). 2 Twelve male SHRSP rats, aged 5 weeks, were used. Rats were divided into two groups: (i) the IFA group (n = 6); and (ii) the control group (n = 6). Administration of IFA (20 mg/kg equivalent of isoflavones) resulted in a significant decrease in SBP in the IFA‐treated group compared with the control group. 3 Nitric oxide levels in the urine and serum were also significantly higher in the IFA‐treated group than in the control group. Significantly higher levels of endothelial NO synthase mRNA were also confirmed in the IFA group compared with the control group. 4 Isoflavone aglycones could decrease SBP significantly by increasing the formation of NO.