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      Role of elastin in spontaneously hypertensive rat small mesenteric artery remodelling.

      The Journal of Physiology
      Animals, Elastin, physiology, Fluorescence, Hypertension, physiopathology, Mesenteric Arteries, Rats, Rats, Inbred SHR, Rats, Inbred WKY, Vascular Resistance, Vasodilation

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          Abstract

          Chronic hypertension is associated with resistance artery remodelling and mechanical alterations. However, the contribution of elastin has not been thoroughly studied. Our objective was to evaluate the role of elastin in vascular remodelling of mesenteric resistance arteries (MRA) from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). MRA segments from Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) and SHR were pressurised under passive conditions at a range of physiological pressures with pressure myography. Confocal microscopy was used to determine differences in the quantity and organisation of elastin in intact pressure-fixed arteries. To assess the contribution of elastin to MRA structure and mechanics, myograph-mounted vessels were studied before and after elastase incubation. When compared with WKY, MRA from SHR showed: (1) a smaller lumen, (2) decreased distensibility at low pressures, (3) a leftward shift of the stress-strain relationship, (4) redistribution of elastin within the internal elastic lamina (IEL) leading to smaller fenestrae but no change in fenestrae number or elastin amount. Elastase incubation (1) fragmented the structure of IEL in a concentration-dependent fashion, (2) abolished all the structural and mechanical differences between strains, and (3) decreased distensibility at low pressures. The study shows the overriding role of elastin in determining vascular dimensions and mechanical properties in a resistance artery. In addition, it informs hypertensive remodelling. MRA remodelling and increased stiffness are accompanied by elastin restructuring within the IEL and elastin degradation reverses structural and mechanical alterations of SHR MRA. Differences in elastin organisation are, therefore, a central element in small artery remodelling in hypertension.

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          Author and article information

          Journal
          12844513
          2343316
          10.1113/jphysiol.2003.046904

          Chemistry
          Animals,Elastin,physiology,Fluorescence,Hypertension,physiopathology,Mesenteric Arteries,Rats,Rats, Inbred SHR,Rats, Inbred WKY,Vascular Resistance,Vasodilation

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