Chronic NO Restriction in Hypertensive Rats Increases Abdominal but Not Thoracic Aortic Intrinsic Stiffness via an Augmentation in Profibrotic Materials

Figure 3

Changes in pressure and diameter over time emphasized the difference between thoracic aorta (TA) and abdominal aorta (AA) stiffening in hypertensive rats with reduced NO (SHRLN). The dynamic pressure wave and diameter distension waves throughout the cardiac cycle are shown for SHRLN TA and AA at basal mean blood pressure (MBP), n=7 and 8, respectively, and at reduced MBP (after clonidine administration), n=5 for each site. BP levels are similar for TA and AA whereas only TA distension recovers when BP decreases. Bars on the right quantify these data via measuring the area under the curve (AUC adjusted to heart rate). Despite similar pulse pressures, only the thoracic aorta is shown to increase when blood pressure is reduced. : isobaric value differs from basal value (P < 0.05).