Hydroxyl radical mediates the augmented angiotensin II responses in thoracic aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Aim: To investigate the role of hydroxyl radical in augmented angiotensin II (Ang II) responses in the thoracic aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

Methods: To elucidate the role of hydroxyl radical, we used edaravone (3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one) as a tool for our study. The vascular responses to Ang II (10(-10) to 10(-6) mol/l), tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP; 10(-6) to 10(-2) mol/l) and H(2)O(2) (10(-6) to 10(-2) mol/l) were constructed in aortic preparations obtained from control (WKY) and SHR in the absence and presence of edaravone.

Results: The vascular responses to Ang II, tBHP and H(2)O(2) were found to be enhanced in aortic preparations from SHR as compared to control WKY rats. Edaravone selectively attenuated the augmented responses to Ang II but not to tBHP and H(2)O(2) suggesting that the .OH radical is involved in the augmented responses to Ang II. The elevated blood pressure in SHR was restored to a near normal value after 2 weeks of edaravone (10 mg kg(-1) i.p., b.i.d.) treatment.

Conclusion: From the results we infer that hydroxyl radical stress augments Ang II responses in the thoracic aorta of SHR and, by attenuating these enhanced vascular responses, edaravone could serve as an adjuvant antioxidant therapy for the vascular complications of hypertension.