Vascular hyporeactivity to angiotensin II and noradrenaline in a rabbit model of obesity.

This study was conducted to explore the vascular reactivity of angiotensin II and noradrenaline and their relationship with endothelial function in rabbits fed a high-fat diet (HFD). The animals were fed either an HFD or regular chow [control diet (CD)]. After 12 weeks, the rabbits fed the HFD showed higher blood pressure, body weight, and insulin levels.

Hypercholesterolemia modifies angiotensin II desensitisation and cross talk between alpha(1)-adrenoceptor and angiotensin AT(1) receptor in rabbit aorta.

This study characterised the effect of a hypercholesterolemic diet on the interactions of hormone receptors in the rabbit aorta, both in homologous desensitisation to angiotensin II and cross talk between alpha(1)-adrenoceptors and angiotensin AT(1) receptors. Rabbits were fed either a normal chow or a diet containing 1% cholesterol for 6-7-weeks. Isometric contractions were measured in endothelium-intact or endothelium-removed aortic rings from control and hypercholesterolemic rabbits.