Social stress increases blood pressure and cardiovascular pathology in a normotensive rat model

Clin Exp Hypertens. 2003 Feb;25(2):85-101. doi: 10.1081/ceh-120017930.

Abstract

Territorial stress (TS) elevates blood pressure (BP) in several mammalian species. However, cardiovascular pathology following chronic stress has not been consistently shown in a non-genetic hypertension model. Therefore, the hypothesis tested was that social stress would directly increase: BP, collagen deposition in coronary and mesenteric arteries, and myocardial fibrosis. Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) male rats, four weeks of age, were divided into one of three groups: controls (n = 9), territorial stress (TS, n = 12), and social isolation followed by territorial stress (SITS, n = 11). Blood pressure was measured biweekly, and blood samples biweekly for serum testosterone, corticosterone, epinephrine and norepinephrine. Blood pressure significantly increased in the TS (130 mmHg, p < 0.05) and SITS (150 mmHg, p < 0.05) groups, compared to controls (120 mmHg, ANOVA, F = 6.7, p < 0.001). Coronary collagen was increased 47% in the TS group and 90% in the SITS group compared to controls (p < 0.05). The coronary wall/lumen ratio increased significantly (45%, p < 0.05) in the SITS group compared to the controls. Myocardial fibrosis was increased 27% in the TS group and 74% in the SITS group compared to controls (p < 0.05). In conclusion, stress treatments increased BP and cardiac pathology in a normotensive rat strain.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Glands / anatomy & histology
  • Animals
  • Blood Pressure Determination
  • Corticosterone / blood*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Epinephrine / blood*
  • Hypertension / blood
  • Hypertension / etiology*
  • Kidney / anatomy & histology
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Organ Size
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred WKY
  • Social Environment*
  • Stress, Psychological / blood
  • Stress, Psychological / complications*
  • Testis / anatomy & histology

Substances

  • Corticosterone
  • Epinephrine