Hypertension I: Structure of Small Arteries in Hypertension

Taben Hale
4tmh@qlink.queensu.ca

>Thank you for your interesting results, which confirm nicely that the structure of the vasculature can change rapidly.  We found, for example, that in rabbit esophageal vein that there was a doubling of material just four days after induction of portal hypertension (Juhl CO, Jensen LS, Mulvany MJ: Time course development of changes in the structure and reactivity of small veins from portal hypertensive rabbits.  Clin Sci 1989,77:205-211.)

>Maybe regression can occur just as quickly?  Incidentally, are you sure that you are observing regression and not failure to develop?

>Michael Mulvany
>
We are fairly confident that what was observed was not merely failure to develop because we used adult (15 wks old) SHRs.  At this stage in their lives they have a fully established hypertension and their vasculature should be fully developed.  Of course there are age-related changes in the vasculature (and hence blood pressure) but I don't believe that we have just prevented these due to the degree of regression that was observed.  

Taben Hale