EFFECT OF COMBINED THERAPY ON THE PROOXIDANT STATUS IN SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS IN THE TREATMENT OF HYPERTENSION

Introduction. Today, arterial hypertension (AH) is the most common cardiovascular disease, posing a significant risk of disability due to complications such as heart failure, ischaemic heart disease and stroke. This study examines the effect of quercetin, the active ingredient in Corvitin, which is a member of the group of natural flavonoids with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective properties. The combined effect of Corvitin in combination with antihypertensive drugs in the treatment of arterial hypertension has not been thoroughly studied, which highlights the relevance and purpose of our study. The aim of the study is to determine the potential benefits of the combined use of corvitin with antihypertensive drugs to improve the state of prooxidant-antioxidant balance in hypertension. Materials and methods. The study was conducted in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Animals were divided into 12 observation groups. The experimental groups received ramipril (5 mg/kg), candesartan (4 mg/kg), corvitin (50 mg/kg), or a combination of ramipril and corvitin or candesartan and corvitin. The drugs were taken for seven days. The prooxidant-antioxidant status in the heart, liver, and kidneys was assessed by measuring the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and diene conjugate (DC), along with the activity of antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPО), and catalase (CAT). Results of the study. Monotherapy with ramipril exacerbated pathological processes in the kidneys, heart and liver, which led to a decrease in the level of antioxidant defence enzymes. While the levels of malondialdehyde and diene conjugate remained unchanged, candesartan treatment showed a more favourable trend towards a decrease in peroxidation products, superoxide dismutase activation, a slight increase in catalase levels, and unchanged glutathione peroxidase activity. Combined therapy with corvitin significantly shifted the prooxidant-antioxidant balance towards an increase in the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes, while significantly reducing the levels of barbituric acid products. The most pronounced positive changes were observed in the left ventricular myocardium and kidneys when corvitin was administered with candesartan. Conclusions. The combined use of corvitin and antihypertensive drugs has been shown to be beneficial for the overall pro-oxidant antioxidant system. This positive synergy not only reduces blood pressure, but also enhances the pleiotropic effects of corvitin.