Abstract 097: Vascular Aging in Aldosterone Associated Hypertension: Role of NADPH Oxidase 1

Abstract

The vascular phenotype in hypertension is characterised by features typically observed in the ageing vasculature. Pathophysiological processes underlying premature vascular aging in hypertension remains unclear but aldosterone (aldo) and oxidative stress may be important. We postulated that physiological aging is amplified in hypertension due to increased aldo-induced Nox activation and redox signalling. We used arteries from adult WKY (18 weeks), aged WKY (52 weeks) and adult stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive (SHRSP) rats. Blood pressure was measured by tail-cuff. Vascular function/structure was analysed by myography. Gene level was assessed by qPCR and protein by immunoblotting. BP was increased in SHRSP (180.7±2.5 vs. 127±2.7 mmHg, p<0.05). Endothelial dysfunction was observed in vessels from SHRSP. Increased vascular contraction in aged WKY rats was similar to SHRSP rats (p<0.05 vs WKY). Increased vascular stiffness was observed in arteries from aged WKY and SHRSP compared to WKY rats. Nox2 (0.82±0.4/2.4±0.9 vs 0.22±0.2), NoxA1 (4.9±2/9.5±5 vs 1±0.3) and NoxO1 (1.9±0.6/4.1±1 vs 1±0.4) mRNA was increased (p<0.05; SHRSP/aged WKY vs WKY). Nox1 mRNA (2.3±0.8 vs 1.1±0.4) was only increased in SHRSP rats (p<0.05; vs WKY). Similarly, mRNA levels of MCP-1 (2.3±0.5/3.9±1.9 vs 0.3±0.1) and RANTES (7.4±2/6.3±1.7 vs 1.1±0.2), aging-related inflammatory markers, and cell cycle inhibitors, p21 (3.2±1.1/3.1±0.7 vs 1±0.1) and p27 (2.2±0.7/2±0.8 vs 0.4±0.1), were increased in SHRSP and aged WKY rats (p<0.05; SHRSP/aged WKY vs WKY). ROS production (VSMC: 1.74±0.4 AU/protein), H2AX (DNA damage; 1.3±0.1) and aldosterone (plasma; 99.5±19 pg/mL) levels were increased in SHRSP rats (p<0.05; vs WKY). Aldo-induced Nox1 mRNA expression and p66SHC activation was exacerbated in VSMCs from SHRSP rats; an effect blocked by ML171 (a Nox1 inhibitor) and blunted in VSMCs from Nox1 KO mice. In conclusion, endothelial dysfunction and vascular remodelling in hypertension are associated with increased aldo-mediated activation of pro-inflammatory and redox-sensitive pathways. These processes involve Nox1. Our findings identify an important role for aldo/Nox1/ROS in molecular processes underlying vascular changes of ageing in hypertension.