Renal inflammatory markers during the onset of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Early blockade of the renin-angiotensin system is successful in delaying the development of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and ameliorating organ damage by inhibition of the inflammatory response. In this study, we investigated the role of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) in the early renal inflammatory response in SHR. Blood pressure development and renal inflammatory markers were measured in 4-, 8- and 12-week-old SHR and age-matched Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats.

Neural activity of the cardiac baroreflex decreases with age in normotensive and hypertensive subjects.

Objectives: Baroreflex control of the heart rate is impaired in hypertensive subjects and decreases with age. The decrease in cardiac baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) is often ascribed to decreased distension of the pressure-sensing arterial wall segments. However, alterations in the sensing and processing of neural signals may be involved as well.