Role of estrogens and age in flow-mediated outward remodeling of rat mesenteric resistance arteries

Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2014 Aug 15;307(4):H504-14. doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00986.2013.

Abstract

In resistance arteries, a chronic increase in blood flow induces hypertrophic outward remodeling. This flow-mediated remodeling (FMR) is absent in male rats aged 10 mo and more. As FMR depends on estrogens in 3-mo-old female rats, we hypothesized that it might be preserved in 12-mo-old female rats. Blood flow was increased in vivo in mesenteric resistance arteries after ligation of the side arteries in 3- and 12-mo-old male and female rats. After 2 wk, high-flow (HF) and normal-flow (NF) arteries were isolated for in vitro analysis. Arterial diameter and cross-sectional area increased in HF arteries compared with NF arteries in 3-mo-old male and female rats. In 12-mo-old rats, diameter increased only in female rats. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression and endothelium-mediated relaxation were higher in HF arteries than in NF arteries in all groups. ERK1/2 phosphorylation, NADPH oxidase subunit expression levels, and arterial contractility to KCl and to phenylephrine were greater in HF vessels than in NF vessels in 12-mo-old male rats only. Ovariectomy in 12-mo-old female rats induced a similar pattern with an increased contractility without diameter increase in HF arteries. Treatment of 12-mo-old male rats and ovariectomized female rats with hydralazine, the antioxidant tempol, or the angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker candesartan restored HF remodeling and normalized arterial contractility in HF vessels. Thus, we found that FMR of resistance arteries remains efficient in 12-mo-old female rats compared with age-matched male rats. A balance between estrogens and vascular contractility might preserve FMR in mature female rats.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Benzimidazoles / pharmacology
  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Cyclic N-Oxides / pharmacology
  • Estrogens / metabolism*
  • Estrogens / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Hydralazine / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Mesenteric Arteries / drug effects
  • Mesenteric Arteries / growth & development
  • Mesenteric Arteries / metabolism
  • Mesenteric Arteries / physiology*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / metabolism
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / metabolism
  • NADPH Oxidases / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / genetics
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Spin Labels
  • Tetrazoles / pharmacology
  • Vascular Remodeling*
  • Vascular Resistance*
  • Vasoconstriction
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents / pharmacology
  • Vasodilation
  • Vasodilator Agents / pharmacology

Substances

  • Benzimidazoles
  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Cyclic N-Oxides
  • Estrogens
  • Spin Labels
  • Tetrazoles
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents
  • Vasodilator Agents
  • Hydralazine
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
  • NADPH Oxidases
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3
  • candesartan
  • tempol