Anticardiolipin antibodies in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), stroke-prone SHR and normal Wistar rats

1. Anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) can be detected in the serum of patients with autoimmune disturbances, ischaemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, neurological disorders and other medical conditions. Elevated values of these autoantibodies can be associated with recurrent fetal loss, arterial and venous thrombosis and thrombocytopenia. 2. In the present study, we investigated the presence of ACA in three rat strains, namely normal Wistar rats (WR), spontaneously hypertensive rats Okamoto-Aoki (SHR) and stroke-prone SHR (SHRSP). All animals were examined at four ages: 1, 4, 10 and 12 months of age. Anticardiolipin antibodies were determined by ELISA. 3. Anticardiolipin antibody levels in normal WR, which were used as controls, were lowest at 1 month and increased significantly from the 4th month on. At the prehypertensive age (1 month), ACA levels in SHR and SHRSP were significantly higher compared with control WR, decreased with age and were significantly lower at 4, 10 and 12 months compared with age-matched WR. 4. These differences may be a result of immunological disorders in SHR.     

Chronic Production of Peroxynitrite in the Vascular Wall Impairs Vasorelaxation Function in SHR/NDmcr-cp Rats,an Animal Model of Metabolic Syndrome

We have previously reported that peroxynitrite is involved in dysfunction of nitric oxide (NO)-mediated vasorelaxation in SHR/NDmcr-cp rats (SHR-cp), which display typical symptoms of metabolic syndrome. This study investigated whether peroxynitrite is actually generated in the vascular wall with angiotensin II–induced NADPH-oxidase activation, thus contributing to the dysfunction. In isolated mesenteric arteries of male 18-week-old SHR-cp, relaxations in response to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside were impaired compared with that in Wistar-Kyoto rats. This impaired relaxation was not restored by treatment with apocynin, an NADPH-oxidase inhibitor. Protein expression of endothelial NO synthase increased while that of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) decreased in the artery. We observed increased production of superoxide anions and peroxynitrite from the artery and their inhibition by apocynin, and also increased contents of nitrotyrosine, a biomarker of peroxynitrite, in mesenteric arteries and angiotensin II in aortas. Long-term (8 weeks) administration of telmisartan, an angiotensin II type 1–receptor antagonist, prevented the impaired vasorelaxation, decreased sGC expression and increased nitrotyrosine content in mesenteric arteries. These findings suggest that in the vascular wall of SHR-cp, peroxynitrite is continually produced by the reaction of NO with NADPH oxidase–derived superoxide via angiotensin II and gradually denatures sGC protein, leading to vasorelaxation dysfunction.     

Effects of ovariectomy on naloxone-modulated hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)

Ovariectomy was performed at 4 weeks of age (W), and the rats were used when they were 33 and 75 W old. Systolic blood pressure (BP) was measured by the tail-cuff method. Naloxone (10 mg/kg) was given i.p. Catecholamines (CA) were determined with HPLC. Norepinephrine (NE) was not significantly altered in intact rats by naloxone; however, a significant increase in NE appeared in the plasma, hippocampus, thalamus plus mid-brain and hypothalamus in castrated rats following naloxone. With naloxone treatment, dopamine (DA) was significantly increased in the plasma and hypothalamus, but decreased in the cerebral cortex in intact rats; and with castrated rats, there was a tendency to see an increase in plasma DA and significantly increased levels of DA in the thalamus plus mid-brain and hypothalamus. This suggests that in female brain, lack of estrogen in the castrated rats leads to an increase in intrinsic opiate, and this in turn inhibits CA release. On the other hand, when naloxone was administered to castrated rats, intrinsic opiate was blocked, and, consequently, inhibition of CA release was lost and induction of CA release was enhanced.     

Fasudil improves the endothelial dysfunction in the aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rats

We investigated the effects of fasudil, a Rho kinase inhibitor, in the endothelial dysfunction of aortas from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). SHRs were divided in three groups; intraperitoneally (i.p.) vehicle-treated SHRs (SHR), SHRs treated with fasudil 3mg/kg i.p. (Fas3), and SHRs treated with fasudil 10mg/kg i.p. (Fas10). Vehicle-treated Wistar rats were used as normo-tensive control group. After a six-week-treatment, blood pressure and heart rate were measured by the tail cuff method. Afterwards animals were sacrificed and aortas were examined in vitro by organ bath studies to evaluate the contraction and relaxation ability. Rho kinase activity, myosin light chain (MLC), phosphorylated MLC (phospho-MLC), eNOS, phospho-eNOS protein expression and eNOS mRNA levels were evaluated. SHR demonstrated a significant hypercontractility and impaired relaxation compared to the control. Fasudil 10mg/kg significantly corrected the hypercontractility, restored the relaxation, and significantly decreased the mean arterial blood pressure, while no change observed in the systolic blood pressure. Rho kinase activity was significantly higher in the SHR, and was significantly inhibited by the high dose of fasudil. There was a slight up-regulation in the MLC, and phospho-MLC protein levels in the SHR. eNOS and phospho-eNOS protein levels were significantly lower in the SHR, and this abnormality was significantly normalized by fasudil treatment. No significant difference was observed in the eNOS gene expression. This study suggests that fasudil by inhibiting the Rho kinase activity normalizes the eNOS expression and phosphorylation and ameliorates the endothelial dysfunction induced by hypertension in the SHR model.     

静磁场对预防自发性高血压(SHR)大鼠中风的影响

目的研究静磁场对SHR大鼠中风的影响。方法本研究起止年月为2014年4月3日~2014年6月28日,实验地点为浙江省中医药研究院基础实验研究所。将20只SHR大鼠适应性喂养14d后,给予1%氯化钠盐水高渗饮水,用以加速血压升高,随机分成两组,每组10只,雌雄各半。其中一组在饲养笼底部放入和也牌磁健康床垫磁板模型作为磁板组,另一组则不放磁板作模型组,另设Wistar大鼠正常组做对照。每周固定时点测量血压和体重一次。从置入磁板开始,实验周期为60d。结果模型组的10只大鼠中死亡2只,而磁板组和正常组则无大鼠死亡;磁板组和模型组大鼠的脑重量与脑系数都大于正常组,但磁板组大鼠的脑重量和脑系数与模型组相比较都相对较小(P0.05);雄性SHR大鼠血压明显下降,与模型组比较有显著性差异(P0.05),但对雌性大鼠血压没有明显影响;磁板对雄性SHR大鼠血流变高切和血浆粘度有明显降低作用,与模型组比较有显著差异(P0.05),但对雌性SHR大鼠作用不显著。病理检查显示,磁板组大鼠1只出现了脑水肿现象,而模型组有3只大鼠出现了脑出血现象,1只有脑水肿现象,其中2只为实验期间中风死亡大鼠。结论可见使用磁板可降低SHR大鼠中风死亡率,对SHR大鼠脑重量和脑系数有一定降低作用,对雄性SHR大鼠血压、血流变高切和血浆粘度有明显降低作用,说明磁板(静磁场)可能对高血压引起中风及脑水肿有一定的抑制作用。     

Acute tolerance to the hypotensive effect of pindolol in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)

The development and mechanism of acute tolerance to hypotension produced by pindolol in conscious SHR were examined. At a daily dose of 3 mg/kg, i.p., the hypotensive effect of pindolol (50 +/- 4 mmHg) on the first day was attenuated to 12 +/- 2 mmHg on the fourth day. The development of this acute tolerance was not reduced by combined administration with captopril or trichlormethiazide. The hypotensive effect of pindolol was not reduced by repeated administration of isoproterenol. Thus, activation of the renin-angiotensin system, fluid retention and beta-adrenoceptor subsensitivity seemed to be ruled out from the mechanism of this acute tolerance to pindolol. SHR tolerant to pindolol displayed marked hypotensive effects to prazosin, clonidine, hydralazine, nifedipine and captopril, which were similar to those in saline-treated SHR. However, the depressor response to isoproterenol was markedly reduced in SHR tolerant to pindolol. The correlation between the hypotensive responses to isoproterenol (X) and pindolol (Y) in these SHR could be expressed by: Y = 1.00 X + 0.56, gamma = 0.837 (P less than 0.001). Therefore, acute tolerance to pindolol seemed to be mainly due to "autoblockade" by the remaining pindolol in the body.     

Release of serotonin in the locus coeruleus of normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)

The aim of the present work was to clarify whether differences exist between the release of endogenous serotonin in the locus coeruleus of normotensive and hypertensive rats. The locus coeruleus was superfused with artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) through a push-pull cannula and serotonin and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were determined in the superfusate by HPLC combined with electrochemical detection. Compared with normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats, the basal release rate of serotonin in the locus coeruleus of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) was increased more than twofold. Intravenous infusion of noradrenaline (4 μg/kg min) increased mean arterial blood pressure to the same extent in hypertensive and normotensive rats. The pressor response was associated with an increased serotonin release. In WKY rats, the release of serotonin in the locus coeruleus evoked by noradrenaline infusion was more pronounced than in SHR. In WKY rats, intravenous infusion of sodium nitroprusside (150 μg/kg min) led to a fall in blood pressure which was less pronounced and lasted shorter than in SHR. The depressor response was associated with decreased serotonin release. In WKY rats, the decrease in serotonin release evoked by sodium nitroprusside was more pronounced and lasted longer than in SHR. Neither noradrenaline nor sodium nitroprusside influenced the outflow of 5-HIAA. The sensory stimuli noise and tail pinch led to a slight rise in arterial blood pressure which was similar in WKY rats and SHR. These stimuli enhanced the release rate of serotonin and the outflow of 5-HIAA to the same extent in the locus coeruleus of normotensive and hypertensive rats. The findings suggest that the enhanced release of serotonin in the locus coeruleus of genetically hypertensive rats reflects a mechanism counteracting the disturbed blood pressure homeostasis. Stressors influence blood pressure and release of serotonin in the locus coeruleus of SHR and WKY rats to the same extent. Received: 16 November 1998 / Accepted: 22 February 1999     

Greater vasodepressor sensitivity to nicardipine in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) compared to normotensive rats

Summary Differences in the degree of attenuation by the calcium entry blocker, nicardipine, of the pressor responses to -1 (phenylephrine) and -2 (UK 14.304) adrenoceptor agonists was investigated in pentobarbital-anesthetized, normotensive Sprague-Dawley (SD) or Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats, and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), treated with the ganglionic blocking agent, pentolinium. Following administration of the ganglionic blocking agent, pentolinium, nicardipine produced a significant fall in blood pressure in SHR but not in SD or WKY rats. Nicardipine had no effect on the basal blood pressure of pithed SHR. In rats treated with the ganglionic blocking agent, pentolinium, nicardipine produced parallel shifts to the right in the doseresponse curves for phenylephrine but had no effect on maximal responses to phenylephrine. The decrease in the ED₅₀ of phenylephrine was greater in the SHR than in normotensive rats. Nicardipine produced a decrease in both the ED so and the maximal response to the -2 adrenoceptor agonist, UK 14.304. The decrease in the maximal response was greater in SHR than in WKY normotensive rats but the change in ED₅₀ for UK 14.304 was greater in WKY than in SHR. SD normotensive rats gave intermediate results. We conclude that the inhibition of -adrenoceptor-mediated pressor responses by nicardipine is generally more pronounced in SHR than in normotensive rats. This suggests that hypertension may be accompanied by an increase in the sensitivity of peripheral resistance beds to calcium entry blockers. Send offprint requests to: J. Atkinson     

Down-regulation of the GABA-ergic system in selected brain areas of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)

The relevance of GABA-ergic system in hypertensive state has been studied. GABA content, GAD activity and GABA-A receptor binding in various brain areas in age-matched spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) was compared. Out of 9 brain areas studied the GABA content was significantly lower in the substantia nigra, hypothalamus, hypothalamus posterior and hippocampus of SHR rats. GAD activity was lowered in the hypothalamus and hippocampus of young SHR and adult SHR rats (4, 8, 14 weeks old). Scatchard analysis of the binding isotherms indicated a lower Bmax of the binding sites in the hypothalamus and hippocampus of 8 and 14 weeks old SHR rats. These results suggest that activity of GABA-ergic system differs substantially in SHR and WKY rats brain. Furthermore, these differences appear already in young prehypertensive SHR rats as well as in the early stages of hypertension.     

Differences in acetylcholine- and bradykinin-induced vasorelaxation of the mesenteric vascular bed in spontaneously hypertensive rats of different ages

The present study examined whether alterations of endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) in response to the endothelium-dependent vasodilators acetylcholine and bradykinin ran parallel. We tried to find out the age at which endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in response to each agonist became impaired and compared three different groups of SHR aged 7, 21 and 51 weeks. To be able to separate hypertension-induced alterations from age-dependent changes age-matched normotensive Wistar rats were included. Endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation was studied in the mesenteric vascular bed precontracted with noradrenaline, a typical resistance vessel, which showed relaxation to both acetylcholine and bradykinin, and the precontracted thoracic aorta, which only responded to acetylcholine.There were major differences in the agonist-dependent vasorelaxation between bradykinin and acetylcholine in SHR as a function of age. A surprising finding was that acetylcholine-induced relaxation was preserved, even slightly improved not only in young SHR (7 weeks) with developing hypertension but also in adult SHR (21 weeks) with established hypertension, which can be interpreted as a compensatory mechanism. As expected, in old SHR (51 weeks) acetylcholine induced vasorelaxation was impaired as a consequence of the detrimental effects of long-term hypertension on endothelium. The parallel changes observed with acetylcholine in the mesenteric vascular bed and thoracic aorta provided mutual confirmation.In clear contrast to acetylcholine bradykinin-induced vasorelaxation was already impaired in young SHR with developing hypertension suggesting that bradykinin-induced vasorelaxation is either much more sensitive to detrimental effects of (even slightly) increased blood pressure or, more likely, that there is a basic deficiency in the action of bradykinin in SHR. Thus, our study allows to conclude that impairment of acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in the mesenteric vascular bed of SHR is a secondary phenomenon developing as a consequence of long-term hypertension while the impaired bradykinin-induced vasorelaxation seems to be a primary phenomenon that could be closely related to the development of hypertension.     

Amlodipine ameliorates endothelial dysfunction in mesenteric arteries from spontaneously hypertensive rats

1. Endothelial dysfunction plays a critical role in the development and progression or pathogenesis of hypertension. Amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker, is an effective antihypertensive agent. We investigated the effects of amlodipine on endothelial dysfunction in mesenteric arteries from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). 2. Eight-week-old SHR were treated with amlodipine (10 mg/kg per day) for 8 weeks. Control SHR and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were treated with saline. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured by the tail-cuff method. Isometric tension changes of isolated mesenteric arterial rings were recorded continuously by a myograph system. Serum contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and total nitrate/nitrite (NO(x) ) were determined. Vascular superoxide anion production was analysed with dihydroethidium (DHE) fluorescence. 3. The contractile responses to KCl and phenylephrine were greater in untreated SHR than in WKY. Acetylcholine (ACh)-induced relaxation was significantly impaired in untreated SHR. Amlodipine treatment reduced the contractions and improved relaxation to ACh. In WKY, relaxation to ACh was inhibited by N(G) -nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) and not changed by ascorbic acid. In untreated SHR, the response to ACh was unaffected by l-NAME, whereas it was improved by ascorbic acid. Amlodipine restored the inhibitory effect of l-NAME on ACh-induced relaxation, but ascorbic acid no longer exerted its facilitating effect. Amlodipine prevented the rise in SBP and ameliorated abnormalities in serum MDA and NO in untreated SHR. DHE assay showed an increased intravascular superoxide generation in untreated SHR, which was abrogated by amlodipine. 4. Treatment of SHR with amlodipine resulted in amelioration of endothelial dysfunction by anti-oxidant activity and improvement in NO availability.     

Effect of chronic treatment of propranolol on lipid metabolism in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)

The effects of propranolol on lipid metabolism were studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Male SHR and corresponding Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) were used at 5 weeks of age. The SHR were given 10 mg/kg/day of dl-propranolol . HCl by gavage for 10 weeks. Body weight gain in untreated SHR and propranolol-treated SHR (SHR-P) groups were low, as compared with those of the WKY group. Total cholesterol, phospholipid and total lipid of the serum and liver in the SHR-P group were higher than in the SHR group. In the early weeks of treatment, serum triglyceride and non-esterified fatty acid levels in the SHR-P group were slightly lower than those in the SHR group. Aortic lipid levels in the SHR-P group were lower than those in the SHR group. During the later weeks of treatment, blood glucose level in the SHR-P group was higher than in the SHR group. The serum immunoreactive insulin value in the SHR-P group was slightly lower than in the SHR group. These results may suggest that propranolol inhibits hormone-sensitive lipase activity in the early weeks of treatment and influences cholesterol biosynthesis and/or catabolism.     

Characterization of fatty acid profile in the liver of SHR/NDmcr-cp (cp/cp) rats, a model of the metabolic syndrome

The fatty acid profile of hepatic lipid in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)/NDmcr-cp (cp/cp) rats (SHR/NDcp), which offer an animal model of the metabolic syndrome, was characterized by comparing those in Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY), SHR, stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) and SHR/NDmcr-cp (+/+) rats (SHR/ND+) . Hierarchical clustering analysis revealed that SHR/NDcp and the other four strains and/or substrains of rats were clearly disparate in fatty acid profile of hepatic lipid and that the disparity observed was due to the drastic increases in the mass of monounsaturated fatty acids, especially palmitoleic acid and oleic acid, in the liver of SHR/NDcp. Activities of stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) and palmitoyl-CoA chain elongase in hepatic microsomes of SHR/NDcp were markedly higher than those of WKY, SHR, SHRSP and SHR/ND+. Activities of palmitoleoyl-CoA chain elongase in the liver of SHR/NDcp were also higher, but to a lesser extent. mRNA levels of SCD1 and elongation of very long-chain fatty acids (Elovl6), but not Elovl5, in the liver of SHR/NDcp were remarkably higher than those of the other four groups of rats. These results suggest that the enhanced expressions of SCD1 and Elovl6 induced abnormalities in fatty acid profile in the liver of SHR/NDcp.     

Enalapril and valsartan improve cyclosporine A-induced vascular dysfunction in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Cyclosporine A causes hypertension and nephrotoxicity in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In the present study, arterial function was investigated using in vitro vascular preparations after long-term treatment with cyclosporine A. SHR received cyclosporine A (5 mg kg(-1) day(-1) s.c.) and high-Na(+) diet for 6 weeks during the developmental phase of hypertension. Part of the rats were treated concomitantly either with the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril (30 mg kg(-1) day(-1) p.o.) or with an angiotensin AT(1) receptor antagonist valsartan (3 or 30 mg kg(-1) day(-1) p.o.). In renal arteries, contractile responses to noradrenaline and angiotensin II, as well as relaxation responses to acetylcholine (endothelium-dependent) and to sodium nitroprusside (endothelium-independent), were severely impaired by cyclosporine A-treatment. There was also a trend for the dysfunction of the mesenteric arteries, but the impairment did not reach statistical difference. Enalapril and valsartan improved the impaired renal arterial functions. Cyclosporine A-induced hypertension and nephrotoxicity seem to be associated with renal arterial dysfunction in SHR on high-Na(+) diet. Antagonism of the renin-angiotensin system protects from vascular toxicity of cyclosporine A.     

Dysfunction of purinergic regulation of sympathetic neurotransmission in SHR/NDmcr-cp (SHR-cp) rat

1. The effect of 2-chloroadenosine (2CA), a P1 receptor agonist and beta,gamma-methylene ATP (betagamma mATP), a P2 receptor agonist, on the overflow of endogenous noradrenaline (NE) and the contractile response were examined in the electrically field-stimulated (EFS) (1 Hz) caudal artery obtained from Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and SHR/NDmcr-cp (SHR-cp) rats. 2. Both 2CA and betagamma mATP reduced the EFS-evoked release of NE from the arteries of WKY. Also, 2CA significantly reduced the EFS-evoked contractile response in WKY, while it had no effect at all in SHR-cp. Betagamma mATP significantly reduced the EFS-evoked contractile response in both WKY and SHR-cp. Both 2CA and betagamma mATP did not affect the contractile response induced by NE at 1 micromol/L. 3. These results indicate that in the caudal arteries of SHR-cp, the P2 agonist but not the P1 agonist is functional in the prejunctional inhibitory regulation of adrenergic neurotransmission. This P1 dysfunction may play a role in the sympathetic hyperinnervation in metabolic syndrome.     

Metabolism and hepatorenal toxicity due to repeated exposure to styrene in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)

Groups of adult male rats (5 rats per group), either normotensive (WKY) or spontaneously hypertensive (SHR), were exposed by inhalation to 0, 821, and 3018 ppm styrene, 5 h per day for 3 consecutive days. After the exposure, the urines were collected for 24 h and the animals were then sacrificed. The various biochemical parameters of hepatorenal toxicity due to styrene as well as its urinary metabolites were measured. Hepatotoxicity due to styrene was not further increased at any exposure level due to hypertension. However, repeated exposure of SHR rats to 3018 ppm styrene showed significant increases in the urinary excretion of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, proteins, and volume of urine, compared to WKY treated rats, whereas no such changes were observed due to repeated exposure to 821 ppm styrene. Studies of in vivo metabolism of styrene at higher exposure level showed significant decrease in the urinary excretion of mandelic, phenylglyoxylic, and hippuric acids in SHR rats compared to WKY-treated rats, suggesting an inhibition of deactivation of styrene reactive intermediate involving the epoxide hydrase pathway due to hypertension. At the same time, a significant increase in the urinary excretion of a potential nephrotoxic metabolite of styrene (e.g., mercapturates or thioethers) was observed in SHR-treated rats when compared to WKY-treated rats. These results demonstrate that spontaneous hypertension has the potential to further increase the nephrotoxicity due to repeated exposure to styrene, and the metabolism of styrene plays an important role in modifying such toxicity in the hypertensive state.