Bone marrow transplantation improves endothelial function in hypertensive Dahl salt-sensitive rats

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Research
• Regenerative Medicine
• Hypertension Studies

Background:

• Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are crucial for vascular health.
• Cardiovascular risk factors diminish EPC number and function.
• Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) rats develop hypertension and endothelial dysfunction on high-salt diets.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) on blood pressure, endothelial function, and circulating EPCs in DS rats.
• To determine if BMT can mitigate hypertension-induced endothelial dysfunction in DS rats.
• To assess the effect of BMT on EPC mobilization in response to a high-salt diet.

Main Methods:

• Bone marrow-derived cells were transplanted into DS rats.
• Recipient rats were fed normal or high-salt diets for 6 weeks post-BMT.
• Blood pressure, endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR), oxidative stress markers, eNOS expression, and circulating EPCs (CD34+, cKit+, VEGF+) were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Hypertensive DS rats showed impaired EDR, increased oxidative stress, and decreased eNOS expression.
• BMT in hypertensive DS rats improved EDR and eNOS expression, and reduced oxidative stress, without lowering systolic blood pressure.
• BMT significantly increased circulating EPC markers (CD34, cKit, VEGF) in hypertensive rats but not normotensive rats.

Conclusions:

• DS rats exhibit an impaired capacity to mobilize bone marrow-derived EPCs under high-salt conditions, contributing to endothelial dysfunction.
• BMT enhances EPC levels and improves vascular function in hypertensive DS rats, suggesting a therapeutic potential.
• EPC mobilization may be a critical factor in the development of salt-induced hypertension and associated endothelial dysfunction.