ETA Receptor Blockade Prevents Increased Tissue Endothelin-1, Vascular Hypertrophy, and Endothelial Dysfunction in Salt-Sensitive Hypertension

Abstract

Sodium plays an important role in the pathogenesis and therapy of hypertension, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This study investigated the involvement of endothelin in vascular alterations in salt-induced Dahl hypertension. Salt-sensitive (DS) and salt-resistant (DR) Dahl rats were treated with a high-sodium diet (NaCl 4%) with or without ETA receptor antagonist LU135252 for two months, and effects of treatments on systolic blood pressure, vascular endothelin-1 (ET-1) protein content, aortic hypertrophy, and vascular reactivity of isolated aortic rings were studied. In DS rats, a high-sodium diet increased systolic pressure (190 +/- 4 versus 152 +/- 2 mm Hg, P