Regulation of blood pressure is influenced by gender: A study in obese Zucker rats

The present study determined the role of renin-angiotensin system (RAS), endothelin system, and eicosanoid system in the blood pressure (BP) regulation in male and female Zucker rats, and whether the pressor response change similarly in lean and obese animals.

In female (f) and male (m), lean (L) and obese (O) Zucker rats (ZR) at 22 weeks old, we evaluated the role of the 3 mentioned systems using the following treatments: 1) enalapril (angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitor), 2) the ABT-627 (endothelin receptor A (ET_A) antagonist), and 3) the 1-aminobenzotriazol (1-ABT: eicosanoid synthesis inhibitor).

MAP by radiotelemetry was similar and significantly higher in mOZR (120 ± 2 mm Hg) and fOZR (116 ± 4 mm Hg) (p < 0.05 vs. m-, fLZR), than mLZR (105 ± 3 mm Hg) and fLZR (106 ± 1 mm Hg), that were also similar. Enalapril reduced MAP more in mOZR (23%) and mLZR (26%), than fLZR (20%, p < 0.905 vs. mLZR) or fOZR (9%; p < 0.05 vs. other groups). After 10 days of drug-free and recovery period, ABT-627 reduced MAP in fLZR and mLZR by similar amounts (102 ± 4 to 92 ± 3 mm Hg, n = 6; p < 0.05 and 105 ± 2 vs. 92 ± 3 mm Hg, n = 6; p < 0.05, respectively), but did not affect either fOZR or mOZR. After another 10 days of drug-free and recovery period, 1-ABT reduced MAP in fOZR (116 ± 4 to 95 ± 2, n = 6; p < 0.05), and did not affect all other groups.

We show that the mechanisms responsible for elevated BP in male and female OZR and LZR are different, and suggest that obesity may cause an increase in BP via different mechanisms in men and women as well.