Abstract P314: Effect of Sex on Blood Pressure and Endothelial Dysfunction in the Novel BPH2 Mouse Model of Hypertension
Very little is known regarding blood pressure and endothelial function between the sexes in the hypertensive BPH2 mouse. Thus, the first goal was determine whether blood pressure and endothelial function are significantly different between male and female BPH2 mice. Information regarding the role of the renin-angiotensin system in the BPH2 mouse is also limited; therefore the second goal was to determine the role of the renin-angiotensin system by treating BPH2 mice with captopril for 4 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was significantly elevated (P<0.05) and yet comparable (P>0.05) in male and female BPH2 mice and averaged 140±3 and 136±3 mmHg, respectively, whereas, in control mice SBP averaged 112±4 mmHg. Endothelial responses to acetylcholine in carotid artery were markedly impaired (P<0.05) and to a similar degree in male and female BPH2 mice as compared to controls. Captopril treatment was associated with a significant (P<0.05) reduction in blood pressure of 35±7 and 43±4 mmHg in male and female BPH2 mice, respectively. Captopril also resulted in an improvement of endothelial responses in male and female BPH2 mice. These findings demonstrate that male and female BPH2 mice are equally hypertensive and both sexes are characterized by endothelial dysfunction. In addition, the renin-angiotensin system may contribute to both hypertension and endothelial dysfunction in this model. Taken together, our data define the BPH2 mouse as an important model to compare and contrast the effects of hypertension between the sexes. Supported by NIH HL-107632.