The role of thromboxane A(2) in the altered microvascular reactivity in two-kidney, one-clip hypertension

To investigate the nature of the arachidonic acid metabolite involved in the altered reactivity of microvessels of two-kidney, one-clip hypertensive rats and the possible contribution of this product to the elevated blood pressure levels found in two-kidney, one-clip hypertension, mesenteric arterioles either perfused in vitro or studied in vivo were used along with blood pressure determinations. The decreased response to acetylcholine observed was normalized by ridogrel, a thromboxane A(2) receptor antagonist, and dazoxiben, a thromboxane A(2) synthase inhibitor. The smooth muscle response to nitric oxide, tested with sodium nitroprusside, was unaltered in two-kidney, one-clip hypertensive microvessels. Neither ridogrel nor dazoxiben modified the response to this vasodilator. In contrast, the potentiated response to noradrenaline was corrected by ridogrel and dazoxiben in vitro but not in vivo. Noradrenaline and acetylcholine increased the release of thromboxane A(2) from the mesenteric microvessels of two-kidney, one-clip hypertensive rats. Ridogrel and dazoxiben decreased but did not normalize the elevated blood pressure of hypertensive rats. Based on these results, we concluded that: 1) the decreased responsiveness of smooth muscle to acetylcholine resulted from an increase in thromboxane A(2) formation rather than a decrease in sensitivity to nitric oxide; 2) thromboxane A(2) contributes to the increased noradrenaline response in mesenteric microvessels perfused in vitro while in in vivo other blood borne vasoactive agents may also be involved since the potentiated noradrenaline response was not corrected by inhibiting thromboxane A(2) synthesis or receptors; 3) in addition to thromboxane A(2), another as yet unidentified factor, may contribute to the elevated blood pressure in two-kidney, one-clip hypertension.