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Query: UMLS:C0020538 (hypertension)
 170,190 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The reactivity of lung microvessels is determined by a method based on planimetry of elastic laminae (EL) in vessel cross sections. Because wall structure is assessed, arteries that undergo remodeling during chronic hypertension can be identified. To study the structure and reactivity of such vessels, slices obtained from lungs of six rats exposed to hypobaric hypoxia for 14 days and from normoxic controls were incubated in culture with 10(-4) M l-epinephrine (EPI), then fixed and processed for microscopy. For muscular arteries (less than 200 microns diam), the circumferential length of internal EL (IEL) is positively correlated with length of external EL (EEL). In larger arteries, EEL is shorter than IEL and may restrict distension, but in smaller arteries the converse is true. After chronic hypoxia, the regression line shifts, indicating structural remodeling. For newly muscularized arteries found only after hypoxia the new IEL is always shorter than EEL, and a complex network of elastin connects the two. Muscular arteries constrict with EPI to the same degree after hypoxia as after normoxia. Nonmuscular vessels (arteries and veins) also constrict similarly after either exposure regimen. For newly muscularized arteries of the same size and location as the nonmuscular vessels, the response is significantly less.
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PMID:Effects of chronic hypoxia on structure and reactivity of rat lung microvessels. 398 Mar 85

The static elasticity and scleroprotein content of the aorta have been measured in 24 Okamoto spontaneously hypertensive rats aged 22-25 weeks, and 24 Wistars of the same age in which hypertension had been induced by nephrectomy and treated with a steroid. From the age of 4 weeks half the animals in each group were treated with a diuretic drug. By the age of 15 weeks caudal artery systolic blood pressure was significantly lower than control values in both drug-treated groups and remained so until death. Both types of hypertension were associated with larger diameter, thicker-walled and heavier aortas than those in the drug-treated animals. Vessels from Okamoto animals contained more collagen than those from the Wistars, although the collagen content was unchanged by drug treatment. Neither drug nor strain had any clear-cut affect on elastin content. In spite of these differences in wall thickness and chemical composition, values of the functional stiffness of the aorta measured over a wide range of pressure were similar in all four groups of animals. Using a simple model of the aorta in which elastin and collagen bear stress in parallel we find that the relationship between vessel composition and static incremental elastic modulus (structural stiffness) is similar in both models of hypertension and is not changed by drug treatment in spite of the consequent reduction in blood pressure.
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PMID:The static elastic properties and chemical composition of the rat aorta in spontaneously occurring and experimentally induced hypertension: the effect of an anti-hypertensive drug. 408 47

Vascular structural changes were studied during the development of two-kidney one-clip renal hypertension. The weight of the arteries and the concentration and total amount of ribonucleic acid, deoxyribonucleic acid, alkali-soluble proteins, collagen and elastin of the vascular wall were measured. Tritiated thymidine uptake was also determined 15 and 30 days after clipping. Hypertension developed in 58% of the animals while the rest remained normotensive. A significant increase in artery weight and in the total amount of nucleic acids and proteins was found in hypertensive rats. The uptake of 3H thymidine by the arteries of hypertensive rats was significantly increased 15 days after clipping. This increment showed a significant correlation with blood pressure levels. Present data seem to indicate that the increase in vessel wall dimensions observed is partly due to an increase in the number of smooth muscle cells during the acute phase; this alteration appears to be mainly due to the rise in blood pressure.
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PMID:Evidence of early structural change in the artery wall of two-kidney one-clip Goldblatt hypertensive rats. 618 Aug 51

The NaOH sonication digestion technique permits rapid isolation and exposure of intact networks of elastic fibers in vascular tissue for 3-dimensional observation with the SEM. The configuration of the network of elastic fibers within the vascular wall of large elastic arteries (aorta) is generally agreed to be a flexible framework through which smooth muscle cells and collagenous fibers are interwoven. However, the configuration of elastic fiber networks in muscular arteries, medium sized veins and smaller vessels remains unknown. When the lengthy standard biochemical elastin purification techniques were applied to vessels containing lesser amounts of elastic tissue and finer elastic fibers, the vessels were completely digested. In contrast, the digestion and sonication technique isolated and exposed intact networks of delicate elastic fibers in blood vessels which do not contain large amounts of elastic tissue. Unfixed vessels were cut into short segments, placed in 0.5 N NaOH and sonicated for 20-40 min. The specimens were rinsed in deionized distilled H2O, then autoclaved for 30 min. The tissue was rinsed a second time, fixed and processed routinely for SEM. Elastic stains and enzymatic digestion with chromatographically purified elastase and collagenase confirmed that the digestion and sonication technique produced clean, isolated networks of elastic fibers. Knowledge of the configuration of the networks of elastic fibers in different vessels enhances understanding of distensibility characteristics of individual vessels and serves as a baseline for studying alterations in the elastic framework which occur during aging and disease processes such as atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension and aneurysms.
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PMID:A rapid digestive technique to expose networks of vascular elastic fibers for SEM observation. 620 43

Hypertension is a major risk factor for clinically significant atherosclerotic vascular disease in Western Society, although the link between these conditions remains very poorly understood. Recent studies which are reviewed here have demonstrated that major arterial intimal and medial abnormalities occur as a result of hypertension. These include functional changes in endothelial permeability as well as alterations in the endothelial cells themselves with an increase in their turnover and number and distinct changes in morphology. However, endothelial cell loss leading to denudation of the arterial intimal surface appears to be relatively uncommon. Intimal and medial thickening are consistent features of hypertension and result from increases in both cellular and extracellular components. The cells accumulating in the subendothelial space appear to be of both blood-borne and medial origins, although their complete characterization has not been performed as yet. The adherence of blood cells to the endothelial surface appears to be promoted by the presence of hypertension along with their increased entry into the intima through endothelial cell junctions. Medial thickening with hypertension is attributable primarily to increased smooth muscle cell mass, although enhanced deposition of collagen and elastin plays a contributory role. Recent data would indicate that smooth muscle cell hypertrophy rather than hyperplasia is primarily responsible for the greater smooth muscle mass with hypertension. Although elevated DNA content of hypertensive arteries has been demonstrated, such changes may be secondary to a marked increase in cells showing nuclear polyploidy. Prolonged normalization of blood pressure in hypertensive animals can produce considerable regression of arterial changes toward the control state. The changes appear more marked with respect to the cellular rather than the extracellular abnormalities induced by hypertension. In man, little is known about the effects of antihypertensive therapy on the vasculature itself, although clinical complications related to both hemorrhagic or thrombotic strokes are clearly reduced by blood pressure reduction. On the other hand, the influence of treatment on the atherosclerotic process or on the course of coronary artery disease and its complications is not currently understood. The accelerating effect of hypertension on atherosclerosis generally requires a critical level of circulating lipoproteins. Enhanced atherosclerosis is not observed in hypertensive animals without hyperlipoproteinemia or in human subjects with low lipoprotein concentrations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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PMID:Recent advances in molecular pathology. The effects of hypertension on the arterial wall. 638 Oct 89

In studies concerning risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, a number of reports have emphasized the influence of lipids, but the role of dietary minerals other than sodium has been less studied. However, epidemiological studies have suggested that dietary intake of magnesium and potassium may be involved in such pathogenesis. Studies of the influence of magnesium deficiency on arteriosclerosis include its effect on the initial lesion, altered metabolism of elastin, proliferation of collagen, calcification, lipid metabolism, platelet aggregation and hypertension. Magnesium and potassium metabolism are closely related and magnesium is required for maintaining the level of cellular potassium. As a consequence, magnesium and potassium deficiency frequently occur together and potassium deficiency may be an aggravating factor in pathogenesis. The development of the initial lesion in the arterial wall may be facilitated by loss of cellular magnesium and potassium. Experimental magnesium deficiency induces arterial damage, a loss of magnesium and potassium and an increase in the calcium and sodium content of the cell. Experimental models that have been used to produce cardiovascular lesions induce similar changes and losses of major intracellular cations may affect the main metabolic processes of the cell. This report summarizes the experimental evidence that magnesium deficiency may affect several different stages involved in arteriosclerosis and that potassium deficiency may exacerbate this. Magnesium deficiency results in vascular calcification. Experiments indicate that elastin is the site of the initial calcification and the metabolism of elastin is altered. This vascular lesion then brings about an increase in the collagen content of the wall. Low magnesium status could probably affect this process by slowing collagen resorption and lead to an irreversible accumulation of connective tissue. Results showing a different distribution of the various types of lipoprotein during experimental magnesium deficiency strongly suggest that lipid exchange between the vessel walls and blood can be modified. Severe magnesium deficiency in weanling rats produces a marked hypertriglyceridemia, a decrease in the percentage of cholesterol transported by HDL lipoprotein and a reduction in LCAT activity. The decreased clearance of circulatory triglycerides appears to be the major mechanism contributing to hyperlipemia. Magnesium deficiency could therefore contribute to accumulation of vascular lipid. Magnesium and potassium depletion have also been reported in diabetes and the vascular implications of this should be considered.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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PMID:Role of magnesium and potassium in the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis. 639 44

Diabetes affects the microcirculation, the large arteries and occasionally the large and small veins, by inducing vessel wall sclerosis. The degree of stiffening produced is linked to its duration. The ability of the diabetic's circulation to distribute blood is affected, especially during increased blood flow. In most tissues this causes no serious burden, but three tissues are unusually susceptible to disturbance--the retina, renal cortex, and peripheral nerve. They develop serious problems in many longstanding diabetics. Damage to the kidney appears to be linked to its unique combination of high blood flow rate and precise control of intraglomerular filtration pressure. As renal arteriolar intima hyalinizes, the glomerular mesangium increases in volume. Diabetic renal changes appear to become irreversible when a critical stage, manifested be albuminuria and hypertension, is reached. The resulting renal failure is associated with clumpy deposits of type IV collagen in the cortex, suggesting that local microvascular autoregulation has been lost. The retinal circulation forms late in fetal life in a process in which local oxygen tension controls new vessel formation. In adult diabetics, local retinal oxygenation is disrupted by a condition called capillary closure, and intraretinal microaneurysms form. In advanced retinopathy, new microvessel systems grow into the vitreous through defects in the internal limiting membrane, producing hemorrhage and vitreous opacification. Macular degeneration is also seen in older diabetics, suggesting that the choroidal circulation may also be compromised. Evidence for a microcirculatory role in diabetic peripheral nerve damage is not as conclusive as for the kidney and retina. The longest peripheral nerves are typically the most affected. Recent studies suggest that nerve damage can be produced by a disturbance in local pressure-flow relationships combined with epineurial mechanical constraint. Hypotheses about the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular sclerosis are reviewed, including collagen-stiffening, elastin degeneration, hemorheologic burden, metabolic disruption, increased permeability, and auto-immune disturbance.
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PMID:The microcirculation in diabetes. 640 Apr 26

This discussion concerns some of the parameters affecting the hemodynamic characteristics of a blood vessel: impedance, flow resistance, and vascular wall stiffness. The parameters of greatest importance are the vessel internal radius (ri) and the elastic modulus of the vascular wall. When the smooth muscle cells in the vascular wall are inactive, the elastic modulus is determined by the combined elastic modulus of the structural components of the connective tissue, primarily elastin and collagen fibers. This combined elastic modulus is found to be proportional to the wall stress. From the proportionality factor and from knowledge of the vessel dimensions in the unpressurized vessel, one can predict the relation of ri to transmural pressure. When a vessel is activated under isometric conditions, the wall force and elastic modulus are increased by the force and elastic modulus of the smooth muscle cells. Under isobaric conditions, however, the effect of activation is to reduce both the ri and the elastic modulus. Pathologic changes resulting either in a stiffening of the connective tissue components, in an increased wall cross-sectional area, which encroaches on the lumen, or in an increased smooth muscle quantity will all cause increases in vascular characteristic impedance, vascular flow resistance, and vascular wall stiffness.
Hypertension
PMID:Determinants of vascular hemodynamic characteristics. 651 53

The left coronary artery of 21-, 28-, and 45-day-old spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar-Kyoto rats was analyzed morphometrically to evaluate the structural alterations of the vessel wall during the development of genetically determined hypertension. In 45-day-old rats, hypertension was associated with a significant expansion of the partial volume of collagen and ground substance (119%) within the arterial wall. This change exceeded the concurrent accumulation of elastin (77%) and smooth muscle cell mass (34%). The growth of the muscle compartment was also characterized by a marked increment of rough endoplasmic reticulum (103%). The increase in the mural concentration of fibrous proteins at this early age may be viewed as the initial adverse effect of hypertension on muscular arteries.
Hypertension
PMID:Connective tissue accumulation in the left coronary artery of young SHR. 674 84

Microchemical techniques were employed to measure the DNA, contractile proteins, and connective tissue protein composition of 150 micrograms samples of mesenteric and cerebral resistance arteries taken from 25-week-old spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and control Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. The active and passive mechanical properties of intact resistance arteries also were determined. The DNA content of branches of the posterior cerebral and mesenteric arteries (170 micrometers I.D.) were elevated by nearly 30% in the SHR compared to the WKY. The amounts of actin and myosin when normalized to DNA content were unchanged in SHR mesenteric arteries compared to control, whereas these amounts were decreased by 25% and 49%, respectively, in the SHR cerebral arteries vs control. The functional implications of these contractile protein measurements agreed with determinations of active smooth muscle cell stress-generating capabilities, which were found unchanged in the mesenteric arteries and depressed in the SHR cerebral arteries. Neither the absolute amounts and concentrations (relative to tissue mass) of elastin in mesenteric and cerebral arteries, nor the absolute amounts and concentrations of collagen in the mesenteric artery, were changed in the SHR. However, cerebral artery total collagen was elevated by 31% in the SHR, with no change in collagen concentration between the two strains. Under conditions where the smooth muscle cells were fully relaxed, the internal radii of SHR brain and SHR mesenteric arteries were smaller at all pressures with respect to the WKY. However, only the SHR cerebral arteries were actually less distensible than controls. Thus, it is apparent that hypertension-associated changes in the chemical and mechanical properties of the resistance artery wall vary considerably depending upon which vascular bed is examined. The measurements made in this study suggest that these changes are more pronounced in brain arteries. This finding could be of significance regarding the autoregulatory capability of, and blood pressure distribution within, brain vessels of hypertensive animals.
Hypertension
PMID:Biochemical and mechanical properties of resistance arteries from normotensive and hypertensive rats. 684 64


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