Initial characterization of hamsters with spontaneous hypertension

The purpose of this study was to begin to characterize a new inbred strain of adult male hamsters with established spontaneous hypertension along with their genetically/age-matched normotensive controls. We found that mean arterial pressure was 162+/-3 mm Hg in hypertensive hamsters and 94+/-4 mm Hg in controls (mean+/-SEM; P<.05). Body weight was significantly lower in hypertensive hamsters relative to normotensive hamsters (P<.05). Hypertension was associated with a significant increase in heart weight, thickness of the left ventricular wall, and amplitude of the QRS complex in standard electrocardiographic leads I and aVR (P<.05). No gross or microscopic abnormalities were observed in other organs. Plasma renin activity and the number of circulating neutrophils were significantly increased in hypertensive hamsters relative to controls (P<.05). Serum concentrations of creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, sodium, potassium, and calcium as well as urinalysis were similar in both groups. Overall, these data suggest that the spontaneously hypertensive hamster could be a suitable model for the study of spontaneous hypertension.