Rat aortic histamine synthesis during short-term hypertension

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Cardiovascular Science
• Pathophysiology

Background:

• Hypertension is associated with arterial wall changes, including inflammation and increased permeability.
• The role of histamine synthesis in the thoracic aorta during hypertension is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the activity of the non-mast-cell histidine decarboxylase system in the thoracic aorta of rats with experimental hypertension.
• To determine if thoracic aortic histamine synthesis is elevated in response to induced hypertension.

Main Methods:

• Rats were rendered hypertensive via abdominal aorta ligation between renal arteries.
• Thoracic aortic histamine synthesis was measured at various time points post-surgery (1/4, 1/2, 1, and 8 days).

Main Results:

• Thoracic aortic histamine synthesis significantly increased at all measured time points.
• Increases ranged from 55% at 8 days to 96% at 1 day post-surgery.

Conclusions:

• Experimental hypertension elevates histamine synthesis in the rat thoracic aorta.
• Increased aortic histamine synthesis may contribute to the arterial inflammation and permeability characteristic of hypertension.