Transcranial magnetic stimulation attenuates hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is of two types, including continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) and intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS), which is currently applied in various neuropsychiatric disorders. This study aimed to explore the effect of cTBS and iTBS on hypertension and the mechanism using male spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat models. Norepinephrine and epinephrine levels were determined using enzyme immunoassay kits. About 60, 80, and 100% of the motor threshold were used for stimulation. The systolic blood pressure (SBP; 168 ± 3 vs. 189 ± 3 mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (DBP; 134 ± 5 vs. 158 ± 4 mmHg), and mean artery pressure (MAP; 146 ± 3 vs. 170 ± 3 mmHg) were attenuated after cTBS (100%) stimulation on T4 of male SHR. The SBP (165 ± 4 vs. 189 ± 3 mmHg), DBP (136 ± 4 vs. 159 ± 2 mmHg), and MAP (146 ± 3 vs. 169 ± 2 mmHg) were alleviated after cTBS (100%) stimulation on L2. The blood pressure was also attenuated after iTBS (100%) stimulation on T4 or L2 of male SHR. The stimulation of cTBS or iTBS on S2 spinal column did not affect the blood pressure of male SHR rats. The stimulation of cTBS or iTBS has no effect on the blood pressure in male WKY rats. Norepinephrine and epinephrine levels in the male SHR rat kidneys were reduced after cTBS or iTBS stimulation on T4 and L2. These results indicated that TMS attenuates hypertension after spinal column stimulation via reduction of catecholamines. Thus, treatment with TMS may be a strategy for hypertension therapy in the future.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is currently applied in various neuropsychiatric disorders. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of TMS on hypertension and its mechanism. We found TMS attenuates hypertension after T4 or L2 spinal column stimulation via reduction of catecholamines in male spontaneously hypertensive rat. Treatment with TMS may be a strategy for hypertension therapy in the future.