Antioxidant enzymes gene expression and antihypertensive effects of seaweeds Ulva linza and Lessonia trabeculata in rats fed a high-fat and high-sucrose diet

The objective of this work was to evaluate the antihypertensive and antioxidant effect of seaweeds (Ulva linza and Lessonia trabeculata) in rats which were fed a hypercaloric diet. Seaweed at 400 mg kg^-1 of body weight was administered for 8 weeks to Wistar rats that were fed with a standard diet or a hypercaloric diet. Intra-abdominal fat, insulin resistance, and lipid profile of the rats were determined. Liver was isolated to determine antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] activity and gene expression. The administration of seaweed to the rats reduced the levels of intra-abdominal fat, arterial blood pressure, insulin resistance, and cholesterol and triglyceride serum levels. U. linza reduced the GPx activity in control animals but increased it in animals with MS, which could be reduced by using L. trabeculata. Both seaweeds diminished the SOD and GPx expression and increased CAT in control group. Both seaweeds reduced the CAT expression in animals with metabolic syndrome. Combined effects of the different compounds found in the seaweeds explain the regulating effect over different antioxidant enzymes and metabolic pathways that protect the animals fed a hypercaloric diet against the development of hypertension, hyperglycemia, and obesity.