Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 3, 2026

Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
08:50

Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Published on: June 16, 2014

Vascular structural and functional alterations before and after the development of hypertension in SHR

D Rizzoni1, M Castellano, E Porteri

  • 1Cattedra di Semeiotica e Metodologia Medica, U.O.P. Scienze Mediche, University of Brescia, Italy.

American Journal of Hypertension
|February 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Hypertension causes early arteriolar structural changes and increased vascular response to norepinephrine in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) before significant blood pressure elevation. These changes worsen with age and hypertension development.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Hypertension Pathophysiology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • The progression of vascular and cardiac hypertrophy, alongside arterial dysfunction in hypertension, remains incompletely understood.
  • The interplay between structural and functional vascular changes in hypertension is a subject of ongoing research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the temporal development of arteriolar wall thickness and left ventricular mass.
  • To evaluate vascular responses to norepinephrine and acetylcholine in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) compared to Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY).
  • To assess these parameters before and after the onset of established hypertension.

Main Methods:

  • Noninvasive blood pressure measurement in 17 SHR and 17 WKY rats (4-12 weeks old).
  • Post-mortem assessment of relative left ventricular mass (RLVM).
  • Micromyography of mesenteric arteries to measure media thickness (MT), media/lumen ratio (M/L), and vascular responses to vasoactive agents.

Main Results:

  • At 4 weeks, SHR showed greater MT and M/L in mesenteric arteries, with enhanced tension response to norepinephrine, despite similar blood pressure and RLVM compared to WKY.
  • No significant difference in acetylcholine response was observed between SHR and WKY.
  • By 8-12 weeks, SHR exhibited significantly higher systolic blood pressure, RLVM, MT, and M/L.

Conclusions:

  • Spontaneously hypertensive rats develop arteriolar structural alterations and altered vascular reactivity early in life, preceding significant hypertension.
  • These structural and functional vascular changes progress with the development of established hypertension.
  • The findings highlight early vascular remodeling as a key feature in hypertension development.

More Related Videos

Shunt Surgery, Right Heart Catheterization, and Vascular Morphometry in a Rat Model for Flow-induced Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension09:23

Shunt Surgery, Right Heart Catheterization, and Vascular Morphometry in a Rat Model for Flow-induced Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Published on: February 11, 2017

A Modified Two Kidney One Clip Mouse Model of Renin Regulation in Renal Artery Stenosis08:21

A Modified Two Kidney One Clip Mouse Model of Renin Regulation in Renal Artery Stenosis

Published on: October 26, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Blood Pressure01:30

Blood Pressure

Blood pressure (BP) is the pressure or force of blood exerted on the artery's walls as it circulates through the body. It is essential for maintaining blood flow throughout the body.
The average BP in an adult is typically around 120/80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury). In this measurement, the numerator (120) indicates the systolic pressure, which is the pressure in the arteries during the contraction of the heart's ventricles as blood is expelled. The denominator (80) represents the diastolic...
Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure01:18

Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure

Hypertension, the most common cardiovascular disease, is diagnosed through repeated measurements of elevated blood pressure. Its risks, including damage to the kidney, heart, and brain, are directly proportional to blood pressure levels. Starting from 115/75 mm Hg, the risk of cardiovascular disease doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg. The diagnosis relies on blood pressure measurements, not on patient symptoms, as hypertension is often asymptomatic until end-organ damage is imminent or...
Hypertension I: Introduction01:28

Hypertension I: Introduction

Hypertension is a widespread, long-term medical condition where blood pressure in the arteries remains elevated. It is characterized by systolic blood pressure readings of 130 mm Hg or above or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) readings of 80 mm Hg or higher. Unmanaged hypertension poses significant health risks, making the distinction between primary (or essential) hypertension and secondary hypertension crucial, as their management and implications vary.Primary HypertensionPrimary hypertension,...
Hypertension II: Pathophysiology01:29

Hypertension II: Pathophysiology

Hypertension is a chronic condition in which the blood's force against artery walls is excessively high, posing risks such as heart disease. The condition's underlying mechanisms involve complex interactions among the cardiovascular, kidney, and autonomic nervous systems.Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS): This system significantly influences blood pressure regulation. When blood pressure decreases, the kidneys secrete renin. This enzyme transforms angiotensinogen, a plasma protein,...
Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:30

Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Hypertension is asymptomatic and also referred to as the "silent killer" until it progresses to a severe stage or causes target organ disease. Patients may experience symptoms stemming from the strain on blood vessels and tissues in various organs or the heart's increased workload.Physical exams might show no abnormalities other than high blood pressure. Signs of vascular damage, when present, correspond to the organs supplied by the affected vessels, leading to target organ damage. For...
Hypertension V: Nursing Management01:23

Hypertension V: Nursing Management

The nursing management of hypertension involves accurately assessing symptoms, making a comprehensive nursing diagnosis, collaborating with patients to set goals, and implementing targeted interventions to mitigate the condition's impact and improve patient well-being.Comprehensive AssessmentThe initial step in nursing care for hypertension involves a thorough patient assessment. It includes evaluating symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, and previous hypertension episodes.