Blockade of angiotensin AT receptors prevents arterial remodelling and stiffening in iron-overloaded rats.

Background And Purpose: Damage to the vasculature caused by chronic iron-overload in both humans and animal models, is characterized by endothelial dysfunction and reduced compliance. In vitro, blockade of the angiotensin II AT receptors reversed functional vascular changes induced by chronic iron-overload. In this study, the effect of chronic AT receptor blockade on aorta stiffening was assessed in iron-overloaded rats.