Hyperhomocysteinemia increases arterial permeability and stiffness in mice.

We have reported that hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) evoked by folate depletion increases arterial permeability and stiffness in rats and that low folate without HHcy increases arterial permeability in mice. In this study, we hypothesized that HHcy independently increases arterial permeability and stiffness in mice. C57BL/6J mice that received rodent chow and water [control (Con), n=12] or water supplemented with 0.

Influence of folate on arterial permeability and stiffness in the absence or presence of hyperhomocysteinemia.

Objective: Elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) is associated with risk for cardiovascular disease. A common cause of mild hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is folate deficiency. We sought to determine whether folate deficiency per se increases arterial permeability (quantitative fluorescence microscopy) and stiffness (vessel elastigraph), and whether the effects of folate deficiency are more severe in the presence of mild HHcy.

Angiotensin II injures the arterial wall causing increased aortic stiffening in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.

Cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and hypertension, are associated with arterial stiffening. Previous studies showed that ANG II exacerbated atherosclerosis and induced hypertension and aneurysm formation in apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE-KO) mice. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of chronic treatment of ANG II on the arterial elastic properties in apoE-KO mice.