Structural remodeling of resistance arteries in uremic hypertension

• Published in: Kidney international Vol. 65; no. 5; pp. 1818 - 1825
• Main Authors: New, David I., Chesser, Alistair M., Thuraisingham, Raj C., Yaqoob, Magdi M.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01-05-2004; Nature Publishing; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Animals; Arterial hypertension. Arterial hypotension; Arteries - pathology; Arteries - physiopathology; Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cerebral Arteries - pathology; Cerebral Arteries - physiopathology; Clinical manifestations. Epidemiology. Investigative techniques. Etiology; Elasticity; Humans; hypertension; Hypertension - pathology; Hypertension - physiopathology; Hypertension, Renal - pathology; Hypertension, Renal - physiopathology; In Vitro Techniques; Male; Medical sciences; Mesenteric Arteries - pathology; Mesenteric Arteries - physiopathology; Myography; Nephrology. Urinary tract diseases; Nephropathies. Renovascular diseases. Renal failure; Perfusion; Rats; Rats, Inbred SHR; Rats, Inbred WKY; remodeling; Renal failure; resistance artery; uremia; Uremia - pathology; Uremia - physiopathology; Vascular Resistance; uremia; remodeling; resistance artery; hypertension; elasticity; Kidney disease; Hypertension; Nephrology; Urinary system disease; Elasticity; Cardiovascular disease; Artery; Urology; Resistance; Renal failure; Uremia
• ISSN: 0085-2538; 1523-1755
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1523-1755.2004.00591.x

Structural remodeling of resistance arteries in uremic hypertension.
Structural remodeling of the resistance vasculature is present in many forms of human and experimental hypertension. In particular, an increase in the ratio of wall thickness to lumen diameter develops, and might in itself maintain hypertension by increasing vascular resistance. Because uremia is associated with raised peripheral resistance, hypertension, and histologic changes suggestive of vascular remodeling, we sought to formally examine the structural and mechanical (elastic) properties of isolated pressurized resistance arteries in uremic hypertension.
Cremaster, cerebral and mesenteric arteries from subtotally nephrectomised Wistar-Kyoto rats, normotensive control Wistar-Kyoto rats, and spontaneously hypertensive rats were mounted on a pressure myograph and relaxed in calcium-free buffer. Wall thickness and lumen diameter were measured at increasing lumen pressures from 10 to 200mm Hg, and from this wall:lumen ratio, wall cross-sectional area, and an index of elasticity were derived.
In uremic hypertensive animals increased wall:lumen ratio and decreased lumen diameter was seen in cremaster and mesenteric arteries, although no significant changes were observed in cerebral arteries, compared to normotensive controls. In spontaneously hypertensive animals increased wall thickness and wall:lumen ratio was seen in cerebral and mesenteric arteries, decreased lumen diameter in cremaster and mesenteric arteries, and increased wall cross-sectional area in cerebral arteries, compared to normotensive controls. Elasticity of the arterial wall in uremic and spontaneously hypertensive animals did not differ from normotensive controls.
Cremaster and mesenteric resistance arteries undergo predominantly eutrophic inward remodeling in uremic hypertension, broadly similar to that seen in spontaneous hypertension.