A Combination of Intravenous Genistein Plus Mg2+ Enhances Antihypertensive Effects in SHR by Endothelial Protection and BKCa Channel Inhibition.

Background: The effects of combining genistein (GST) plus magnesium (Mg) upon the development of hypertension were examined in 28 twelve-week-old male spontaneous hypertension rats (SHRs). Four experimental groups were tested: SHR (0.9% NaCl and DMSO), SHR + GST (0.9% NaCl and GST 5mg/kg/day), SHR + Mg (Mg(2+) 0.75 mmol/kg/day and DMSO), and SHR + GST + Mg (Mg(2+) 0.75 mmol/kg/day and GST 5mg/kg/day). A group of normotensive genetic control, Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were also included for comparison. Drugs were administrated intravenously daily for 30 days.

Methods: Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate were measured by tail-cuff plethysmography every five days. Vascular tone of mesenteric arteries was examined by an isometric force transducer. Big-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel (BKCa) currents were detected by whole-cell patch-clamp techniques.

Results: SBP in SHRs was significantly elevated vs. that in WKY rats. GST or Mg lowered SBP of SHRs. Their combination enhanced antihypertensive effects, as indicated by significantly lowered SBP and shorter onset times. GST or Mg individually improved endothelial dysfunction of SHRs. However, again their combination enhanced endothelial protection, nearly restoring maximal relaxation responses to those seen in WKY. BKCa currents in SHRs were increased compared with WKY rats. GST, Mg, and their combination restored BKCa currents to those of WKY rats.

Conclusions: The combination of GST and Mg produces antihypertensive effects and improvement of endothelial dysfunction, which are substantially greater than that when either is used individually. These results suggest a novel and feasible protocol for the prevention and treatment of hypertension and related cardio- and cerebro-vascular diseases.