Vascular endothelial growth factor administration does not improve microvascular disease in the salt-dependent phase of post-angiotensin II hypertension

Renal microvascular injury and tubulointerstitial inflammation may provide a potential mechanism for the development of salt-sensitive hypertension. Therefore, we hypothesized that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) administration would prevent the development of salt-sensitive hypertension induced by ANG II. Infusion of ANG II in rats for 2 wk led to an elevation in blood pressure and an increase in blood urea nitrogen. Prominent tubular injury, focal areas of peritubular capillary loss accompanied by a decrease in urinary nitrites, thickening of the afferent arteriole, and an elevation in systemic and renal VEGF protein levels also occurred. In separate studies, animals were infused with ANG II and then placed on a low-salt diet for 1 wk. At this point, the animals were paired on the basis of weight and blood pressure and treated with either VEGF(121) or vehicle subcutaneously for 8 wk while being fed a high-salt diet. During the treatment period, a spontaneous improvement in many parameters, including both renal function and healing of the peritubular capillaries, occurred to the same degree in both vehicle- and VEGF(121)-treated rats. VEGF(121) significantly reduced blood pressure and accelerated the recovery of tubular injury. In contrast, vehicle- treated rats demonstrated a persistent increase in afferent arteriolar media-to-lumen ratio, which was further enhanced in rats treated with VEGF(121). Therefore, VEGF therapy has only limited benefits on the healing of renal lesions in the salt-dependent phase of post-ANG II-mediated hypertension.