A circulating hypertensive factor in primary hypertension: effect of antihypertensive therapy

In this study the role of a humoral hypertensive factor in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) of the Münster strain was examined by cross-circulation. It was demonstrated that hypertension of the SHR could be transmitted to cross-circulation normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats. The results led to the following conclusion: primary hypertension is caused by a circulating factor which is produced by kidneys and adrenals and suppressed by acute volume depletion and chronic dietary salt restriction. The antihypertensive effect of nifedipine probably leads to a compensatory stimulation of the hypertensive factor in SHR.