Chemical analysis of vascular collagen in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

Chemical characteristics of vascular collagen were studied in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) which developed cerebrovascular lesions spontaneously in over 90% of the population. Aminoacid analysis of arterial collagen among SHRSP showed no remarkable difference from stroke-resistant SHR (SHRSR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WK). The uronic acid content of the aorta, which elevated with aging, was increased in SHRSR and especially in SHRSP. The hexose content of collagen was also increased in SHRSP characteristically with a concomitant increase in the ratio of the disaccharide unit (glucosyl-galactosyl-hydroxylysine) to the monosaccharide (galactosyl-hydroxylysine). The relative increase in beta and gamma components was also noted in SHRSP. These structural changes of vascular collagen especially noted in SHRSP may be related to the fragility of arterial wall or to the stroke-proneness.