Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 16, 2026
Author Spotlight: Exploring Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction as an Antihypertensive Drug
Published on: May 17, 2024
Dysfunction of blood pressure regulation in hyperhomocyteinemia model in rats
Atsushi Miyajima1, Masaru Bamba, Takafumi Muto
1Department of Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science.
Insights
Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHC) impairs blood pressure regulation and damages the aorta in rats. This suggests HHC increases cardiovascular disease risk through aortic damage, not oxidative stress.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Physiology
- Pathology
Background:
- Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHC) is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
- Understanding HHC's specific impact on vascular function and structure is crucial for risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of HHC on blood pressure regulation in rats.
- To examine the association between HHC, thoracic aorta damage, and plasma redox balance.
Main Methods:
- A subchronic HHC model was established in rats using methionine-enriched diets for 16 weeks.
- Systolic blood pressure responses to L-epinephrine were measured.
- Aortic tissue and plasma redox indicators were analyzed.
Main Results:
- HHC significantly increased systolic blood pressure response to sympathetic stimulation (2- to 3-fold higher).
- Disruption of elastic lamellae in the thoracic aorta was observed in HHC rats.
- No significant differences in aortic cross-linkages or plasma redox markers (TBARS, glutathione) were found.
Conclusions:
- HHC deteriorates vaso-regulatory function, potentially increasing cardiovascular event risk.
- Aortic elastic lamellae damage, not oxidative stress, appears to be the primary cause of vaso-regulation impairment in this HHC model.
Abstract:
Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHC) has been reported to be one of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. We investigated the effects of HHC on blood pressure regulation and its association with damage to the thoracic aorta and imbalance of redox in plasma in rats. Rats were fed a methionine enriched diet (Met diet) or a methionine and cholesterol (Met+Chol diet) enriched diet for 16 weeks to create a subchronic HHC model, in which the plasma concentration of homocysteine was about 7 times higher than that of control rats. The increase in systolic blood pressure (Δ-SBP) from sympathetic stimulation by L-epinephrine was 2- to 3-fold larger in HHC model in rats than that in control rats after several weeks of the treatment. These findings suggest that HHC deteriorates vaso-regulatory function, which could bring on an increased risk of cardiovascular events in humans. In addition, some of the elastic lamellae in the aorta were disrupted in the HHC group. However, the content of cross-linkages which give elasticity and mechanical strength in the lamellae, was not significantly different between HHC and control rats. Also plasma concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance and glutathione as indicators for redox balance in plasma were not different. In conclusion, the deterioration of vaso-regulation in HHC model in rats might be caused by the damage to elastic lamellae in the aorta, and not by oxidative stresses.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
01:29Hypertension II: Pathophysiology
01:18Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure