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Endothelial dysfunction and blood pressure variability in selected inbred mouse strains
Michael J Ryan1, Sean P Didion, Deborah R Davis
1Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242, USA.
Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
|January 15, 2002
Summary
Genetic background significantly impacts vascular responsiveness. Certain mouse strains exhibit impaired aortic endothelial responses to acetylcholine, highlighting genetic influences on blood pressure regulation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Genetics
- Endothelial Function
Background:
- Blood pressure (BP) regulation is polygenic, with significant variability among inbred mouse strains.
- Existing variability in basal BP suggests potential differences in vascular function across strains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate vascular function variability among seven normotensive mouse strains.
- To test if lower BP correlates with greater aortic endothelial responses to acetylcholine (ACh).
Main Methods:
- Assessed aortic ring responses to acetylcholine, sodium nitroprusside, and papaverine.
- Utilized prostaglandin F(2alpha) for submaximal precontraction.
- Compared responses across seven inbred mouse strains with varying basal BP.
Main Results:
- All strains showed concentration-dependent relaxation to sodium nitroprusside and papaverine.
- Aortic responses to acetylcholine were significantly impaired in 129P3/J and 129X1/SvJ strains.
- Endothelium-dependent dilators ADP and A23187 caused similar relaxation in susceptible and resistant strains.
Conclusions:
- The initial hypothesis was not supported; lower BP did not correlate with enhanced aortic endothelial response to ACh.
- A novel finding is the impaired aortic response to ACh in specific 129 mouse strains.
- Genetic background profoundly influences vascular responsiveness and endothelial function.