Thromboxane synthesis and blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The present study examines effects of administration of OKY 046, an inhibitor of thromboxane synthesis, for 100 days on systemic blood pressure and renal function in spontaneously hypertensive rats and in normotensive control rats. Untreated spontaneously hypertensive rats had higher values for thromboxane excretion in the urine and higher values for blood pressure than did normotensive control rats. Administration of OKY 046 decreased systolic and mean arterial blood pressure and urinary excretion of thromboxane and protein in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Administration of OKY 046 decreased thromboxane excretion in the urine of normotensive control rats but had no effect on blood pressure or protein excretion. Renal function, as assessed by the clearances of inulin and p-aminohippuric acid, was greater in spontaneously hypertensive rats treated with OKY 046 than in those receiving vehicle alone. In normotensive control rats, OKY 046 administration did not affect renal function. These results suggest that increased renal synthesis of thromboxane may play a role in the pathogenesis of the elevated blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats.