Preclinical trial of avocado pulp supplementation in an L-NAME model of cardiovascular injury

BackgroundEndothelial dysfunction, dyslipidemia, and myocardial injury are major contributors to cardiovascular disease. Avocado (Persea americana), rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and phytochemicals, has shown lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory properties, but its integrated effects on vascular injury remain unclear. MethodsMale rats were randomized into six groups (n = 4 per group): control, avocado, L-NAME, L-NAME+drugs (metoprolol+losartan), L-NAME+avocado, and L-NAME+drugs+avocado. Morphometric indices, lipid profiles, cardiac injury enzymes, and vascular biomarkers were measured after treatment. One-way ANOVA with Tukey test assessed group differences, while contour plots and correlation networks visualized biomarker interactions. ResultsL-NAME treatment induced a pathological phenotype characterized by reduced feed efficiency (-40%), weight gain (-80%), and BMI (-18%), together with dyslipidemia (LDL +120%, TG +55%, TC +42%, HDL -28%), myocardial stress (troponin +70%, CK +50%, LDH +35%), and vascular activation (endothelin +350%, VCAM-1 +55%, AngII +80%; all p View larger version (36K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@12bc02borg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1558740org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@229d49org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@843627_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG