Antihypertensive drugs inhibit hypertension-associated aortic DNA synthesis in the rat

The effect of antihypertensive drug treatment on aortic DNA synthesis was examined in rats with two-kidney, one clip renal hypertension and in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In two-kidney, one clip hypertensive rats, hypertension developed over a 2-week period. Four days after clipping the renal artery, during the onset of hypertension, there was an increase in aortic DNA synthesis. Aortic DNA synthesis was also increased 3 weeks later, when hypertension had been established. Captopril, hydralazine, and verapamil were each able to prevent the increase in aortic DNA synthesis and the rise in blood pressure when given throughout the first 5 days of the developing phase of hypertension, or when given to rats with established hypertension. Drug treatment of sham-operated rats had no significant effect on DNA synthesis, although blood pressure was decreased. There were no differences in blood pressure or aortic DNA synthesis in 4-week-old SHR, as compared with age-matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) controls or normal Wistar rats. At 17 weeks of age, when hypertension was established, aortic DNA synthesis was significantly enhanced in the SHR. Captopril or hydralazine treatment was able to reduce blood pressure and DNA synthesis to levels seen in the WKY. At 21 weeks of age, DNA synthesis in the SHR had declined to the same levels as in the WKY. Captopril, hydralazine, and verapamil may have a common ability to reduce intracellular calcium and therefore inhibit DNA synthesis. In support of this, ouabain treatment, which increases intracellular calcium by inhibiting the Na+-K+ pump, produced a significant increase in the rate of DNA synthesis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)