Effects of Deoxycorticosterone on Arterial Wall Properties in Two-Kidney Rats

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Abstract
The contribution of deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) and salt to arterial pressure and hypertension-related arterial wall changes was assessed in Wistar rats. One group of two-kidney DOCA-treated animals was given a high salt diet and another group a low salt diet. After 16 weeks of treatment, the animals on low salt intake did not exhibit a significant increase in arterial pressure compared with untreated controls, while pressure was significantly elevated in the high-salt group. Values for the latter group were not as high as values in one-kidney, high salt DOCA-treated animals. Segments of the carotid and tail arteries were used for mechanical and chemical studies. Data obtained using arteries from the low salt two-kidney DOCA group were not significantly different from those of untreated controls. A number of significant differences were found in the two high salt groups compared with the low salt group and untreated controls; these included cardiac hypertrophy, increased passive arterial stiffness, decreased connective tissue concentration and increased maximum force development in response to high potassium plus norepinephrine activation. Larger changes were found in one-kidney compared to two-kidney DOCA animals. Thus DOCA administration to two-kidney rats on high salt intake produces moderate arterial hypertension and hypertension-related arterial wall changes. On the other hand DOCA administration to two-kidney rats on low salt intake does not produce an increase in arterial pressure nor altered arterial wall properties. These results suggest that DOCA in the absence of salt excess does not elevate arterial pressure or produce arterial wall changes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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