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Effects of antihypertensive treatment on composition of cerebral arterioles

M A Hajdu1, D D Heistad, S Ghoneim

  • 1University of Iowa College of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Iowa City 52242.

Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979)
|October 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

Both cilazapril and hydralazine reduced blood pressure and prevented cerebral arteriole hypertrophy in stroke-prone rats. Hydralazine treatment attenuated increases in smooth muscle and elastin within the arteriole walls.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Hypertension
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Chronic hypertension is associated with changes in cerebral arteriole distensibility.
  • Stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSPs) exhibit altered cerebral arteriole structure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of antihypertensive treatment on cerebral arteriole composition in SHRSPs.
  • To compare the impact of an ACE inhibitor (cilazapril) and hydralazine on arteriolar structure.

Main Methods:

  • SHRSPs were treated with cilazapril or hydralazine from 3 months of age.
  • Systolic arterial pressure was monitored.
  • Cerebral arterioles were fixed in vivo and analyzed histologically using point counting stereology.

Main Results:

  • Both cilazapril and hydralazine effectively reduced systolic arterial pressure in SHRSPs.
  • Both treatments prevented the hypertrophy of cerebral arterioles observed in untreated SHRSPs.
  • Hydralazine treatment prevented increases in elastin and attenuated increases in smooth muscle in cerebral arterioles.

Conclusions:

  • Both cilazapril and hydralazine prevent cerebral arteriole hypertrophy in SHRSPs.
  • Hydralazine partially normalizes the composition of the arteriolar wall, reducing elastin and smooth muscle content.

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