Dependence of elevated mesenteric arteriolar tone on glucocorticoids in spontaneously hypertensive rats

This study is designed to explore the effect of adrenal glucocorticoids on arteriolar behavior under steady state conditions in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) compared with their normotensive controls, the Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. Mesenteric arterioles were observed by intravital microscopy under general anesthesia and arteriolar diameters were measured. At the end of each experiment, papaverine was topically applied to determine maximum diameter of the vessels for which arteriolar tone was computed. The adrenal contribution to the atypical arteriolar tone in SHR was explored by subjecting them to bilateral adrenalectomy with or without glucocorticoid replacement therapy. Adrenalectomy led to a reduction in the elevated blood pressure in SHR to normotensive levels, which could be restored to its hypertensive level by treatment with dexamethasone. Adrenalectomy had no significant effect on blood pressure in WKY rats, although administration of dexamethasone but not aldosterone did lead to an elevation of the blood pressure in sham-operated WKY. Arteriolar tone in SHR was set at a higher steady state level than in WKY rats. In adrenalectomized SHR, tone fell to the levels observed in WKY rats. This decrease in arteriolar tone in the adrenalectomized SHR could in turn be restored to the hypertensive levels with dexamethasone but not aldosterone. Our results suggest that the enhancement of arteriolar tone, as well as the high blood pressure in SHR, may be related to the above normal levels of adrenal glucocorticoids present in the bloodstream.