Abstract 352: Evaluation of Structural, Mechanical and Functional Properties in Small Arteries of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats Before and After the Development of High Blood Pressure.
Structural, mechanical and functional adjustments occur in small mesenteric arteries (SMA) of hypertensive models. However, the role of these properties to trigger hypertension is unknown. As expected, the systolic blood pressure was higher in adult (A, 6-month old) male SHR as compared to Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) (WKYA: 125±1.1 vs SHRA: 187±3.3 mmHg*); however, it was similar in young (Y, 6-week old) SHR as compared to age-matched WKY (WKYY: 117±1.8 vs SHRY: 120±2.1 mmHg). The 3rd order mesenteric arteries were mounted in a pressure myograph to analyze the structural [lumen diameter (L), cross sectional area (CSA), wall/lumen ratio (W/L)] and mechanical properties [β, representing wall stiffness]. Endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine (ACh, 10-10-10-5 M) or -independent relaxation to sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 10-9-10-4 M) were evaluated in SMA using wire myography. At the passive condition (Ca2+-free solution) and intraluminal pressure of 160 mmHg, the L was lower in SMA of both SHR (WKYY: 294±12.0 vs SHRY: 241±4.3*; WKYA: 353±4.7 vs SHRA: 283±6.2 μm*); while the W/L ratio was higher in SHR as compared to age-matched WKY. CSA was similar between age-matched groups. β value was higher in SHR independently of age (WKYY: 5.8±0.4 vs. SHRY: 7.8±0.4*; WKYA: 4.7±0.1 vs SHRA: 6.7±0.4*). The collagen area evaluated by picrosirius red staining was higher in SMA of SHRA as compared to WKYA (WKYA: 15±2.4 vs SHRA: 26±1.8%*), but it did not change in young rats. ACh-induced maximal relaxation was similar in SMA from young groups (WKYY: 93±3.8 vs SHRY: 92±3.1%); however, in SHRA ACh elicited a biphasic curve inducing contraction at concentrations higher than 10-7M, which was not observed in WKYA. Relaxation to SNP did not change among groups. Reactive oxygen species analyzed by dihydroethidium was higher in SMA of SHRA as compared to WKYA (WKYA: 100±3.7 vs SHRA: 126±10.3% of integrated density*), but did not change in young SMA. Although SMA of SHRY present eutrophic inward remodeling and wall stiffening, it does not present collagen deposition, oxidative stress or endothelial dysfunction as observed in SHRA; suggesting that vascular remodeling and wall stiffness of SMA are not sufficient to trigger hypertension, at least when endothelial function is preserved.