Biomechanical response of arterial wall to DOCA–salt hypertension in growing and middle-aged rats

To study arterial remodeling in response to hypertension, Deoxycortico-sterone acetate (DOCA)–salt hypertension was induced in immature (aged 16 weeks) and middle-aged (48 weeks) rats, and biomechanical properties and wall dimensions of common carotid arteries were determined. Arterial segments were excised at 10 or 16 weeks postoperatively from the immature rats and at 16 weeks from the middle-aged ones. In vitro pressure–diameter tests were performed under normal (in Krebs–Ringer solution), active (norepinephrine), and passive (papaverine) conditions. Non-treated, age-matched rats (26, 32, and 64 weeks) were used to obtain control data. Wall thickness at in vivo blood pressure level was increased by hypertension at all ages; however, there were no significant changes in inner diameter. In hypertensive rats, arterial outer diameter was smaller under normal condition than under passive condition, indicating the increase of smooth muscle tone by hypertension. Diameter reduction developed by norepinephrine was increased by hypertension, which was significant above 100 mmHg; however, there were no significant differences between hypertensive and normotensive arteries, if compared at respective in vivo blood pressures. No significant differences were observed in wall stiffness at in vivo pressure. Wall hoop stress at in vivo blood pressure had a significant positive correlation with the pressure in 26-week old arteries. However, there were no differences in the stress between hypertension and normotension in 32- and 64-week old arteries. These results were essentially similar to previous ones observed in Goldblatt hypertension and in younger animals. Age-related differences in arterial wall remodeling were not clearly observed.