Hyperhomocysteinaemia-induced cardiovascular changes in rats.

(1) Increased plasma homocysteine content and increased blood pressure are independently associated with higher cardiovascular risks. The present study was designed to determine the effects of hyperhomocysteinaemia (HHcys) on the activity of the cardiovascular system in rats. (2) Using male Wistar rats, the effect of moderate HHcys, induced by treating rats with dl-homocysteine thiolactone (DL-HT; 1 g/kg per day) for 15 days, on arterial blood pressure, heart rate, baroreflex and vascular reactivity was determined.