The Effect of Protocatechuic Acid on Blood Pressure and Oxidative Stress in Glucocorticoid-induced Hypertension in Rat

Oxidative stress is one of the important mechanisms involved in Dexamethasone (Dex)-induced hypertension. Protocatechuic acid (PCA) is a natural compound with high antioxidant capacity. In this investigation, the effect of pretreatment with PCA was studied in Dex-induced hypertensive male Wistar rats. For induction of hypertension, Dex was injected subcutaneously for 14 days. PCA (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) was started from 4 days before Dex administration and continued during the test period. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was recorded using tail-cuff method. Measurement of thymus weight was done as a marker of glucocorticoid activity. The hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were determined in plasma samples. Significant increase in SBP and plasma H2O2 concentration and decrease in FRAP value and in the body and thymus weights were observed in Dex-induced hypertensive rats. PCA dose-dependently prevented hypertension and body weight loss, and reduced plasma H2O2 concentration and increased FRAP values. These results suggest the antihypertensive and antioxidant effects of PCA against Dex-induced hypertension.