Effect of hypercholesterolemia on hypertension-induced renal injury in rats: Insights in the possible mechanisms

Abstract

The effect of hypercholesterolemia on hypertension-induced renal injury was investigated in rats. Hypertension was induced by L-N(G)-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and Hypercholesterolemia was induced by feeding rats with a diet containing 1% cholesterol. In these animals L-NAME produced a progressive increase in the systolic, diastolic and mean arterial Blood Pressure (BP). Similarly, L-NAME with hypercholesterolemia produced, in addition to compromised serum lipid profile, a progressive increase in the systolic, diastolic and mean arterial BP.