硫化氢在大鼠阿霉素心肌病发病中的意义

目的探讨新型气体信号分子硫化氢(hydrogen sul-fide,H2S)对阿霉素(adriamycin,ADR)心肌病大鼠心肌细胞凋亡的影响。方法♂性Wistar大鼠66只,随机分为6组①阿霉素组(ADR组,n=12):腹腔注射ADR,每次2.5mg.kg-1,1次/周,共用药10wk;②ADR+小剂量NaHS组(n=12):ADR用药方法同ADR组,同时经腹腔注射H2S供体NaHS,2.8μmol.kg-1.d-1,连续用药10wk;③ADR+大剂量NaHS组(n=12):ADR用药方法同ADR组,同时经腹腔注射NaHS,14μmol.kg-1.d-1,连续用药10wk;④ADR+PPG组(12只):ADR用药方法同ADR组,同时经腹腔注射PPG30mg.kg-1.d-1,连续用药10wk;⑤对照组(n=9):用相同容量的生理盐水代替ADR,给药方法同ADR组;⑥NaHS组(n=9):经腹腔注射NaHS,14μmol.kg-1.d-1,连续用药10wk。于第10周检测大鼠心功能和血流动力学指标,处死大鼠,取心肌组织制作病理切片,分别于光镜及透射电镜下观察其显微以及超微结构,用TdT介导dUTP缺口末端标记法(TUNEL)方法检测心肌细胞凋亡及用免疫组化测定心肌细胞中Fas和Bcl-2蛋白的表达,同时用敏感硫电极法测定血浆及心肌组织里的H2S含量。结果阿霉素组大鼠左室内压最大上升速率(+dp/dtmax)及左室内压最大下降速率(-dp/dtmax)明显降低(P均<0.01),心肌病理结果显示阿霉素组心肌细胞变性、线粒体和肌浆网水肿、细胞内空泡增多,呈心肌病样改变;心肌细胞凋亡数明显增加,心肌细胞中的Fas蛋白表达明显增加,Bcl-2蛋白的表达明显降低(P均<0.01);同时大鼠血浆及心肌组织H2S含量均明显低于对照组(P<0.01)。经外源性补充H2S供体NaHS后,大鼠心功能较前明显改善,光镜及电镜显示ADR+小剂量NaHS组及ADR+大剂量NaHS组心肌组织病理损害程度明显较阿霉素组减轻;心肌细胞凋亡率明显降低,Fas蛋白表达明显降低,Bcl-2蛋白表达明显增加(P均<0.01)。ADR+PPG组与ADR组相比较,差异无显著性,NaHS组和对照组相比较,差异无显著性(P>0.05)。结论H2S参与大鼠阿霉素心肌病的发病过程,外源性补充H2S供体可以改善阿霉素心肌病大鼠心功能,减轻心肌损伤,减少细胞凋亡,对其发病起到调节作用。     

二氧化硫对自发性高血压大鼠血压及血管结构的影响

目的研究二氧化硫(SO2)对自发性高血压大鼠(spontaneously hypertensive rat,SHR)血压以及平滑肌细胞增殖的影响。方法4wk♂SHR16只,随机分为SHR对照组(n=8)、SHR+Na2SO3/NaHSO3组(n=8),同样周龄(n=8)正常血压的Wistar-Kyoto(WKY)大鼠8只为正常对照组。5wk后检测各组大鼠血压,应用图像采集与分析系统对Hart′s改良弹力纤维染色的胸主动脉显微形态结构做定量分析,应用免疫组织化学方法检测平滑肌细胞增殖指数。结果9wk时SHR对照组血压高于WKY对照组大鼠(P<0·01);SHR+Na2SO3/NaHSO3组大鼠的血压较SHR对照组降低(P<0·01)。SHR对照组左心室与全心重量比高于WKY对照组大鼠(P<0·05)。SHR对照组胸主动脉中膜厚度与内径之比高于WKY对照组大鼠(P<0·01)。SHR+Na2SO3/NaHSO3组大鼠胸主动脉的中膜压力、中膜厚度与内径之比低于SHR对照组大鼠(P<0·01)。SHR对照组主动脉平滑肌细胞PI高于WKY对照组大鼠(P<0·01),SHR+Na2SO3/NaHSO3组PI低于SHR对照组(P<0·01)。结论SO2通过扩张血管和抑制血管平滑肌细胞增殖,参与缓解自发性高血压的形成及主动脉结构重塑。     

微血管张力测定技术在血管内皮去除中的应用

目的通过建立离体小动脉血管内皮去除的研究方法,提高微血管测量技术研究数据的可信度。方法选取♂自发性高血压大鼠(SHR)和正常血压大鼠(WKY),测量血压后,获取肠系膜动脉环。采取机械(血管环围绕电极尖端旋转、推注气体)和药物(L-NAME和吲哚美辛)相结合的方式去除内皮。采用压力肌动图技术检测苯肾上腺素(PE)、乙酰胆碱(ACh)、硝普钠(SNP)对肠系膜动脉直径变化的影响。结果(1)SHR血压值高于WKY大鼠(P<0.01);(2)PE浓度依赖地收缩肠系膜动脉。内皮完整和内皮去除时,与WKY相比,SHR的收缩增强(P<0.05);(3)ACh、SNP能够浓度依赖地舒张肠系膜动脉。内皮完整时,与WKY相比,SHR的舒张减弱(P<0.01);内皮去除时,与WKY相比,SHR的舒张增强(P<0.01)。结论(1)成功建立离体微小动脉血管内皮去除的研究方法。(2)高血压大鼠存在明显的血管舒缩功能障碍。     

硫化氢对正常及自发性高血压大鼠主动脉平滑肌细胞PCNA和p-ERK蛋白表达的影响

目的研究硫化氢(hydrogen sulfide,H2S)对正常大鼠及自发性高血压大鼠(spontaneous hypertensive rat,SHR)主动脉平滑肌细胞(aortic smooth muscle cell,ASMC)增殖的影响。方法分别将正常大鼠及SHR主动脉平滑肌细胞分为实验组和对照组,实验组中分别加入浓度为(10-5~10-3)mol.L-1H2S供体的硫氢化钠(sodium hydrosulfide,NaHS)或浓度为(2~10)mmol.L-1胱硫醚-γ-裂解酶抑制剂的炔丙基甘氨酸(DL-propargy lglycine,PPG),对照组加入等体积的生理盐水,分别以蛋白质印迹法观察6、12、18和24h时间点的平滑肌细胞中细胞增殖核抗原(PCNA)和磷酸化的细胞外信号调节激酶(p-ERK)蛋白表达情况。结果NaHS对正常大鼠ASMC增殖及p-ERK蛋白表达无影响。PPG显著促进正常大鼠ASMC增殖及p-ERK蛋白表达。NaHS显著抑制SHR的ASMC增殖及p-ERK蛋白表达。PPG显著促进SHR的ASMC增殖及p-ERK蛋白表达。结论内源性H2S下调可促进正常大鼠及SHR的ASMC增殖,而外源性补充H2S可抑制SHR的ASMC异常增殖,ERK信号途径可能介导H2S抑制ASMC增殖的分子机制。     

硫化氢对大鼠急性心肌缺血损伤后心功能的影响

目的探讨硫化氢(H2S)/胱硫醚-γ-裂解酶(CSE)体系在大鼠急性心肌缺血中的变化及对心功能的影响。方法♂SD大鼠48只随机分为假手术组、缺血组、缺血+硫氢化钠(NaHS)低、中、高剂量组和缺血+炔丙基甘氨酸(PPG)组,每组8只。通过结扎大鼠左冠状动脉前降支建立急性心肌缺血模型。缺血组、缺血+NaHS低、中、高剂量组和缺血+PPG组大鼠分别于缺血3h时腹腔注射生理盐水,低、中、高剂量NaHS及PPG,假手术组只在大鼠左冠状动脉前降支下穿线但不结扎,各组大鼠均于术后6h时处死并取材。取材前Powerlab/8s多导生理仪记录各组大鼠心率(HR)、左室发展压(LVDP)、左室舒张末压(LVEDP)、左室压力变化速率(±dp/dtmax)等心功能指标;检测血浆中H2S含量、心肌组织CSE活性。结果与假手术组比较,缺血组大鼠心功能指标HR、LVDP、±dp/dtmax明显降低,LVEDP明显升高,血浆中H2S含量和心肌组织CSE活性降低(P<0.01)。与缺血组比较,缺血+NaHS中、高剂量组大鼠心功能指标HR、LVDP、±dp/dtmax明显升高,LVEDP明显降低,心功能改善随NaHS剂量升高有增高趋势;缺血+NaHS低、中、高剂量组大鼠血浆中H2S含量和心肌组织CSE活性升高,且随NaHS剂量升高而增高;缺血+PPG组大鼠心功能指标HR、LVDP、±dp/dtmax明显降低,LVEDP明显升高,血浆中H2S含量和心肌组织CSE活性降低(P<0.05或P<0.01)。结论大鼠急性心肌缺血时H2S/CSE体系可能参与急性心肌缺血的病理生理过程,给予外源性H2S可明显减轻急性缺血所致的心肌损伤,改善心功能,起到心肌保护作用。     

硫化氢对脂多糖诱导的大鼠肺组织细胞凋亡的影响

目的探讨硫化氢(H2S)对脂多糖(LPS)诱导的内毒素性急性肺损伤(ALI)大鼠肺组织细胞凋亡的影响。方法♂SD大鼠48只,随机分为6组,每组8只:空白对照组、LPS组、LPS+NaHS低剂量组、LPS+NaHS中剂量组、LPS+NaHS高低剂量组和LPS+PPG组。LPS组、LPS+NaHS低、中、高剂量组和LPS+PPG组舌下静脉注射LPS(5 mg.kg-1),空白对照组注射等容量的生理盐水。LPS+NaHS低、中、高剂量组和LPS+PPG组在注射LPS 3 h时腹腔分别注射低、中、高剂量的氢硫化钠(NaHS)或炔丙基甘氨酸(PPG),空白对照组和LPS组腹腔注射等容量生理盐水。各组大鼠均在舌下静脉注射LPS或生理盐水6 h后处死,取肺组织。应用流式细胞学技术检测各组大鼠肺组织细胞凋亡情况,免疫组化法检测肺组织Bcl-2和Bax的表达,Westernblot检测肺组织天冬氨酸特异性半胱氨酸蛋白酶3和9(Caspase-3、9)的蛋白表达。结果 LPS组与空白对照组比较肺组织细胞凋亡率明显升高,Bcl-2蛋白表达明显减弱,Bax蛋白表达明显增强,Bcl-2/Bax比值明显降低,Caspase-3和Caspase-9蛋白表达明显增强(P<0.05或P<0.01)。与LPS组比较,LPS+NaHS中、高剂量组肺组织细胞凋亡率明显降低,LPS+NaHS高剂量组Bcl-2阳性细胞表达明显增强,LPS+NaHS中、高剂量组Bax阳性细胞表达明显减弱,LPS+NaHS低、中、高剂量组Bcl-2/Bax比值明显增加,LPS+NaHS高剂量组Caspase-3和Caspase-9蛋白表达明显减弱(P<0.05或P<0.01)。与LPS组比较,LPS+PPG组肺组织细胞凋亡率明显升高,Bcl-2阳性细胞表达明显减弱,Bax阳性细胞表达明显增强,Bcl-2/Bax比值明显降低,Caspase-3和Caspase-9蛋白表达明显增强(P<0.05或P<0.01)。结论 LPS诱导的ALI早期肺组织细胞凋亡增加,给予外源性H2S可减少肺组织细胞凋亡,可能与通过下调Bax、Caspase-3、9蛋白表达和上调Bcl-2蛋白表达有关。     

硫化氢供体对高肺血流性肺动脉高压大鼠肺动脉胶原含量及代谢的影响

目的探讨硫化氢供体硫氢化钠(sodium hydrosulfide,NaHS)对高肺血流性肺动脉高压大鼠肺动脉胶原含量及代谢的影响。方法32只♂SD大鼠随机分为分流组(n=8)、分流+NaHS组(n=8)、假手术组(n=8)和假手术+NaHS组(n=8)。对分流组和分流+NaHS组大鼠行腹主动脉-下腔静脉穿刺建立高肺血流动物模型。分流11wk后,以右心导管法测定大鼠肺动脉收缩压(systolic pulmonary arteryp ressure,SPAP)、以敏感硫电极法测定肺组织硫化氢(hydro-gen sulfide,H2S)含量、以免疫组织化学法测定肺动脉胶原Ⅰ和胶原Ⅲ、基质金属蛋白酶-13(matrix metalloproteinase,MMP-13)及其抑制物-1(tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase,TIMP-1)的表达。结果分流11wk后,大鼠SPAP明显增高(P<0.05);肺组织H2S含量明显降低(P<0.05);应用NaHS干预11wk后,分流+NaHS组大鼠H2S含量明显升高,而SPAP明显降低(P<0.05);分流+NaHS组大鼠胶原Ⅰ和胶原Ⅲ蛋白表达比分流组明显降低(P<0.05);分流+NaHS组大鼠MMP-13、TIMP-1的蛋白表达及MMP-13/TIMP-1比值比分流组明显升高(P<0.05)。结论NaHS可能通过增加肺动脉壁胶原成分的降解、减少胶原含量,从而在高肺血流性肺动脉高压形成中发挥调节作用。     

硫化氢对肾血管性高血压大鼠动脉舒张功能的调节作用

目的探讨硫化氢(H2S)对肾血管性高血压模型大鼠血压及颈总动脉血管舒张功能的影响。方法采用"两肾一夹(2K1C)"法建立肾血管性高血压模型。大鼠随机分为假手术组、双肾一夹(2K1C)模型组、2K1C+Na HS(H2S供体)组及PPG(H2S代谢酶抑制剂)组。术前及术后每周测量1次大鼠尾动脉收缩压(SBP)。测定颈总动脉血管形态学指标(血管外周、壁厚、壁厚与外周径的比值),观察颈总动脉的ACh介导的内皮依赖性舒张作用;免疫组化检测颈总动脉一氧化氮合成酶(e NOS)、内皮素-1(ET-1)的表达。结果PPG组及2K1C组大鼠尾动脉血压与sham组比较明显升高(P<0.05);与模型组比较,2K1C+Na HS组血压明显降低,大鼠颈总动脉壁厚外径比减小,颈总动脉对ACh介导的内皮依赖性舒张效应增强,颈总动脉一氧化氮合成酶(e NOS)含量升高、ET-1含量降低。结论给予外源性的硫化氢供体可降低血压,缓解肾血管性高血压的形成,其作用可能与改善颈总动脉血管功能有关。     

单纯肾性和复合型肾性高血压大鼠主动脉功能的对比研究

目的探讨肾性高血压和肾性高血压伴高血脂大鼠主动脉功能的异同。方法实验分为假手术组、复合型肾性高血压伴高血脂(renal hypertensive-hyperlipidemia rat,RHHR)组和单纯肾性高血压(2K1C)组。采用离体血管灌流法测主动脉环对苯肾上腺素(PE)、乙酰胆碱(ACh)和硝普钠(SNP)的反应;一氧化氮合酶(NOS)抑制剂左旋硝基精氨酸甲酯(L-NAME)孵育后,动脉环对ACh的反应。结果两模型组对PE的收缩反应高于假手术组;两模型组对ACh引起的舒张反应低于假手术组,RHHR低于2K1C;两模型组有由NO引起舒张能力的降低;SNP在3组中均诱导完全舒张反应,但RHHR对SNP敏感性低于假手术和2K1C组。结论RHHR血管舒张功能损伤较2K1C严重,其原因可能与高脂血症降低血管平滑肌对NO利用能力有关。     

非NO、非PGI2介导大鼠大脑中动脉舒张反应与硫化氢的关系

目的 研究硫化氢(H2S)与非一氧化氮(NO)、非前列环素(PGI2)介导的大鼠大脑中动脉(MCA)舒张反应的关系.方法 采用离体微血管舒缩功能测定大鼠大脑中动脉舒张功能.结果 在U46619预收缩的大鼠大脑中动脉上,10-7~10-4.5mol·L-1的ACh可显著诱导大鼠大脑中动脉呈浓度依赖性舒张,但血管用NO合酶抑制剂L NAME(3×10- 5 mol·L-1)和PGI2合成抑制剂Indo (1×10- 5 mol·L-1)预处理后,ACh的舒张反应有明显的减弱,最大舒张率由78.2%±4.6%降至56.5%±4.0%,并且剩留舒张反应几乎可被内源性H2S合成酶抑制剂PPG(10-4mol·L-1)完全取消.H2S供体NaHS在10- 5~10-2.5mol·L-1范围内对U46619预收缩的大鼠大脑中动脉也呈一定的浓度依赖性舒张作用.结论 非NO、非PGI2介导的大鼠大脑中动脉舒张反应与H2S有关.     

左旋氨氯地平对自发性高血压大鼠胸主动脉重构及内皮功能的影响

目的 观察左旋氨氯地平(降压药)对自发性高血压大鼠胸主动脉结构及内皮依赖性舒张功能的影响.方法 20只自发性高血压大鼠,分为左旋氨氯地平治疗组和高血压对照组;同周龄WKY大鼠作为正常对照.治疗组,给予左旋氨氯地平(2 mg·kg-1·d-1),12周后,观察胸主动脉对乙酰胆碱和硝普钠的舒张反应,比较各组主动脉中膜厚度及中膜截面积,检测血清一氧化氮、内皮素的水平.结果 同高血压对照组相比,治疗组的胸主动脉对乙酰胆碱的最大舒张反应明显增强,(48.39±14.86)%vs(34.71±9.23)%,P=0.03;胸主动脉中膜厚度及截面积明显减小(P<0.05),血清一氧化氮浓度明显增加(P<0.05).结论 左旋氨氯地平能够改善自发性高血压大鼠血管内皮依赖性舒张功能,抑制血管重构,机制可能与增加一氧化氮的合成和释放有关.     

Nitric oxide-dependent vasodilator mechanism is not impaired by hypertension but is diminished with aging in the rat aorta

This study was designed to elucidate the effects of hypertension and aging on nitric oxide (NO)-mediated relaxation response to acetylcholine in the rat aorta. NO-mediated relaxation response was assessed as the relaxation response to acetylcholine after treatment with cyclooxygenase inhibitor in KCl-precontracted aortic rings. The endothelium-dependent relaxation responses to acetylcholine were lower in aortic rings isolated from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) at ages 16-20 and 55-60 weeks compared with those seen in age-matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Aging induced a reduction of the relaxation response to acetylcholine in aortic rings from WKY rats but not from SHRs. Pretreatment with indomethacin enhanced the relaxation response to acetylcholine in only SHRs at ages 16-20 and 55-60 weeks, thereby cancelling the difference in the relaxation response between WKY rats and SHRs. Simultaneous administration of indomethacin and NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester abolished the relaxation response to acetylcholine in both strains. Thus NO-mediated relaxation response to acetylcholine was similar between WKY rats and SHRs at ages 16-20 and 55-60 weeks, respectively, and was attenuated with aging to the same degree in both strains. In conclusion, NO-mediated relaxation response to acetylcholine in the aorta is attenuated with aging but not impaired by hypertension.     

Long-term effects of benidipine on cerebral vasoreactivity in hypertensive rats

We tested the hypothesis that long-term application of a Ca2+ channel blocker would ameliorate the functional and morphological deterioration of the cerebral arteries during hypertension. Male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were fed a standard rat chow, containing a low (3 mg/kg/day) or high dose (6 mg/kg/day) of benidipine, a Ca2+ channel blocker, for 2 months. Using a cranial window, we examined responses of the basilar artery to acetylcholine, sodium nitroprusside, (-)-(3S,4R)-4-(N-acetyl-N-hydroxyamino)-6-cyano-3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-ol (Y-26763; an opener of ATP-sensitive K+ channels), and (R)-(+)-trans-N-(4-pyridyl)-4-(1-aminoethyl)-cyclohexanecarboxamide (Y-27632; an inhibitor of Rho-associated kinase). Mean arterial pressure of the control group was 193+/-5 mm Hg (mean+/-S.E.M.), while that of the low-dose benidipine group was 183+/-5 mm Hg and that of the high-dose group was 159+/-4 mm Hg. Dilator responses of the basilar artery to acetylcholine and Y-26763 were impaired in SHR compared with those of normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and treatment with benidipine enhanced the vasodilator responses to acetylcholine and Y-26763 in SHR. Y-27632-induced dilatation of the basilar artery was enhanced in SHR compared to that in WKY rats and the vasodilatation was reduced by benidipine in SHR. Sodium nitroprusside caused similar dilatation of the basilar artery, in both WKY rats and the SHR control group, and benidipine did not affect nitroprusside-induced dilatation of the artery in SHR. The wall of the basilar artery was significantly thicker in SHR than in WKY rats and benidipine treatment reduced the wall thickness of the artery in SHR. These findings suggest that chronic treatment with a Ca2+ channel blocker may enhance the dilator capacity and reduce contractility of the basilar artery during hypertension. Benidipine may also ameliorate the morphological changes of the basilar artery in hypertension.     

Atrial peptides inhibit protein kinase C-mediated contraction in rat aorta

The effects of atriopeptin III on phorbol ester-induced contraction were examined in aorta from Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Precontracted SHR aorta was less responsive than WKY aorta to atriopeptin III-induced relaxation. Additionally, SHR aorta had significantly greater basal and phorbol ester-stimulated protein kinase C (PKC) activity than WKY aorta. The altered PKC response as well as hyporesponsiveness to atriopeptin III in SHR aorta may contribute to an altered vascular response and to the pathogenesis of hypertension.     

Differences in the mechanisms for relaxation of aorta induced by 17beta-estradiol or progesterone between normotensive and hypertensive rats

The tension in isolated ring preparations of the thoracic aorta from Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) was measured isometrically to study if there are any differences in the mechanisms of 17beta-estradiol- or progesterone-induced relaxation between WKY and SHR aortic rings. 17beta-Estradiol and progesterone caused dose-dependent vascular relaxation of the thoracic aorta precontracted with norepinephrine in both WKY and SHR, and the relaxation induced by 17beta-estradiol was greater in SHR than WKY. However, no difference was observed in progesterone-induced relaxation between SHR and WKY. With the exception of tetraethylammonium, an inhibitor of Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels, glibenclamide, a selective inhibitor of ATP-sensitive K(+) channels, or 4-aminopyridine, a selective inhibitor of voltage-dependent K(+) channels, significantly reduced 17beta-estradiol-induced relaxation only in SHR, but not in WKY. Both 17beta-estradiol and progesterone inhibited Ca(2+)-induced vasocontraction of the thoracic aorta in K(+) depolarization medium in WKY and SHR. These results suggest that the mechanisms of 17beta-estradiol-induced relaxation in SHR aorta are at least partially mediated via ATP-sensitive and voltage-sensitive K(+) channels in addition to the inhibition of Ca(2+) channels, although those of progesterone-induced relaxation in both WKY and SHR are mainly concerned with the inhibition of Ca(2+) channels rather than the operation of K(+) channels. Moreover, a difference in 17beta-estradiol-induced relaxation between WKY and SHR aorta suggests a possibility that vascular response in SHR is modified by hypertension.     

Febuxostat,a novel xanthine oxidoreductase inhibitor,improves hypertension and endothelial dysfunction in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Xanthine oxidase (XO) is an enzyme responsible for the production of uric acid. XO produces considerable amount of oxidative stress throughout the body. To date, however, its pathophysiologic role in hypertension and endothelial dysfunction still remains controversial. To explore the possible involvement of XO-derived oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of vascular dysfunction, by use of a selective XO inhibitor, febuxostat, we investigated the impact of pharmacological inhibition of XO on hypertension and vascular endothelial dysfunction in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Sixteen-week-old SHR and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were treated with tap water (control) or water containing febuxostat (3 mg/kg/day) for 6 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) in febuxostat-treated SHR (220?±?3 mmHg) was significantly (P?<?0.05) decreased compared with the control SHR (236?±?4 mmHg) while SBP in febuxostat-treated WKY was constant. Acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation in aortas from febuxostat-treated SHR was significantly (P?<?0.05) improved compared with the control SHR, whereas relaxation in response to sodium nitroprusside was not changed. Vascular XO activity and tissue nitrotyrosine level, a representative indicator of local oxidative stress, were considerably elevated in the control SHR compared with the control WKY, and this increment was abolished by febuxostat. Our results suggest that exaggerated XO activity and resultant increase in oxidative stress in this experimental model contribute to the hypertension and endothelial dysfunction, thereby supporting a notion that pharmacological inhibition of XO is valuable not only for hyperuricemia but also for treating hypertension and related endothelial dysfunction in human clinics.     

Endothelium-dependent relaxation in estrogen-treated spontaneously hypertensive rats

Female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were injected subcutaneously with mestranol twice a week for 12 weeks. Isolated segments of thoracic aorta were then used to generate relaxation response curves to acetylcholine or ATP after precontraction with phenylephrine. Estrogen treatment attenuated the development of hypertension. Further, augmented endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine was seen in the estrogen-treated SHR. There was no difference, however, in the relaxation produced by ATP. Since the relaxation of both acetylcholine and ATP is endothelium-dependent, these findings suggest that different mechanisms may be involved in the relaxation produced by acetylcholine and ATP.     

Diminished beta-adrenoceptor-mediated relaxation of arteries from spontaneously hypertensive rats before and during development of hypertension

beta-Adrenoceptor agonists and other drugs were studied for their relaxant effects on femoral and mesenteric arterial strips from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The potency and efficacy of isoproterenol (ISO) in these arteries were decreased in SHR before and during the development of hypertension as compared with age-matched Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). Reserpine and 6-hydroxydopamine inhibited the development of hypertension but did not alter the reduced ISO-induced relaxation of the arteries. These arteries from prehypertensive SHR (PHSHR) were less sensitive to salbutamol and cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP derivatives than arteries from age-matched WKY. The relaxation response to nitroprusside was less in the femoral but not in the mesenteric arteries from PHSHR than in arteries from age-matched WKY. The relaxation response to papaverine was not diminished in the PHSHR arteries. It was found that the SHR arteries had a reduced responsiveness to the beta-adrenoceptor agonists before the initiation of hypertension and that the diminished relaxation was not specific to the beta-agonists, although there was no generalized defect in vasorelaxation in PHSHR.     

Antihypertensive effects of the flavonoid quercetin in spontaneously hypertensive rats

1. The effects of an oral daily dose (10 mg kg(-1)) of the flavonoid quercetin for 5 weeks in spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) were analysed. 2. Quercetin induced a significant reduction in systolic (-18%), diastolic (-23%) and mean (-21%) arterial blood pressure and heart rate (-12%) in SHR but not in WKY rats. 3. The left ventricular weight index and the kidney weight index in vehicle-treated SHR were significantly greater than in control WKY and these parameters were significantly reduced in quercetin-treated SHR in parallel with the reduction in systolic blood pressure. 4. Quercetin had no effect on the vasodilator responses to sodium nitroprusside or to the vasoconstrictor responses to noradrenaline or KCl but enhanced the endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine (E(max)=58+/-5% vs 78+/-5%, P<0.01) in isolated aortae. 5. The 24 h urinary isoprostane F(2 alpha) excretion and the plasma malonyldialdehyde (MDA) levels in SHR rats were increased as compared to WKY rats. However, in quercetin-treated SHR rats both parameters were similar to those of vehicle-treated WKY. 6. These data demonstrate that quercetin reduces the elevated blood pressure, the cardiac and renal hypertrophy and the functional vascular changes in SHR rats without effect on WKY. These effects were associated with a reduced oxidant status due to the antioxidant properties of the drug.