Comparative study on free radical injury in the endothelium of SHR and WKY aorta

1. Using 13 week old SHR and WKY rats, aortic endothelial injury was examined after tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BOOH) perfusion. 2. ESR analysis revealed a hydroxyl radical adducts in the perfusate after t-BOOH perfusion. 3. After t-BOOH perfusion, endothelial changes such as cauliflower-like blebs and crater-like holes were frequently observed in the SHR aorta, but rarely seen in the WKY aorta. 4. X-ray spectra revealed the cerium perhydroxide deposition on the surface of endothelial cells of the SHR aorta. 5. These findings indicate that free radical injury is much more intense in the endothelial cells of SHR than in those in WKY.