Abstract P285: Hydralazine Attenuates the Development of Hypertension in the Female Dahl Salt-sensitive Rat in a T Cell-independent Manner

Abstract

Introduction: Several studies in Dahl salt-sensitive ( DS ) rats suggest that T cells play a role in salt-sensitive hypertension. To further investigate the role of T cells, we compared T cell profiles in hypertensive DS and normotensive Dahl salt-resistant ( DR ) rats as well as in DS rats treated with hydralazine ( HYD ) to attenuate the development of hypertension. Methods: Mean arterial pressure ( MAP ) was measured by telemetry in DS rats (n=13) from 1 to 4.5 months ( mo ) of age. At 1.5 mo, all of the DR (n=8) and half of the DS rats were treated with vehicle (VEH, n=7). The other half of the DS rats (n=6) received HYD (25 mg/kg/day) in the drinking water. At 4.5 mo, renal T helper ( Th ) and cytotoxic ( Tc ) cells were assessed by multicolor flow cytometry. Results: In the DS kidney, the frequency of CD4 + Th cells [(%): DS-VEH, 76±1.2* vs. DR-VEH, 55±0.7; *p<0.0001; n=7-8/group] was higher while the frequency of CD8 + Tc cells [(%): DS-VEH, 14±1.2* vs. DR-VEH, 35±1; *p<0.0001; n=7-8/group] was lower compared to DR rats. 10 weeks of HYD treatment attenuated the age-associated increase in MAP observed in DS rats [p<0.0001, Two-Way ANOVA (time, treatment); MAP (mmHg): DS-VEH, 157±4 vs. DS-HYD, 133±3; *p<0.0004; n=6-7/group]. HYD had no effect on the frequency of CD4 + [(%):77±1.5] or CD8 + [(%):15.5±0.9] T cells in the kidney of DS rats [(CD4 + ): DS-VEH vs. DS-HYD, p=0.83; (CD8 + ): DS-VEH vs. DS-HYD, p=0.5; n=7-8/group]. In summary, the ratio of Th (CD4 + ) to Tc (CD8 + ) cells is higher in the kidney of DS compared to DR rats and HYD had no effect on the T cell profile in the DS rat kidney under conditions in which the MAP was attenuated by 20 mm Hg. Conclusions: These findings indicate the DS rat has more active Th cells in the kidney compared to the DR rat. Our study also suggests that vasodilators can attenuate the development of hypertension in the DS rat in a Th- and Tc-independent manner.