Characteristics of vascular remodeling in pregnant hypertensive rats induced by L-NAME / 医用生物力学

ABSTRACT

Objective To elucidate the characteristics of vascular remodeling in pregnant hypertensive rats. Methods Pregnant rats were induced by L-nitro-arginine methylester (L-NAME) to build hypertension models and normal pregnant rats were used as control. Using a programmable sphygmomanometer, the blood pressure was recorded with the tail-cuff method to ensure the hypertension model was successfully replicated. The changes of mean shear stress in left common carotid artery were determined after the blood viscosity, the average blood flow and the inner diameter were measured. To analyze the degree of arterial remodeling, the protein expression levels of Collagen I (Col I) and III (Col III) were detected by Western blotting and the media thickness, the inner diameter, the opening angel were determined in both thoracic aorta and carotid artery. Results The mean shear stress of common carotid artery in pregnant hypertensive rats was reduced by (28.52 ± 3.08)% with the blood viscosity increasing and the average blood flow decreasing in pregnant hypertensive rats. Compared with control groups, the ratio of media thickness and inner diameter was significantly increased in thoracic aorta and carotid artery, while the opening angel decreased in carotid artery while increased in thoracic aorta. With the expression of COL I decreasing and COL III increasing, the ratio of Col I and Col III went an apparent decline. Conclusions The mean shear stress is descending, and the remodeling of thoracic aorta and carotid artery are found in pregnant hypertensive rats. These results may provide new experimental references for further illustrating the pathogenesis of pregnant hypertension.