Evaluation of the coronary angiogenesis during DOCA-salt induced hypertension and its reversal to normal in rat

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hypertension and its reversal to normal on coronary angiogenesis and serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor (sFlt-1) concentrations in deoxycorticostrone acetate (DOCA)-salt induced hypertensive male rats. Methodology: Forty male wistar rats were divided into four groups: 1) DOCA-salt; 2) Control-solvent; 3) DOCA-salt withdrawal; 4) Control-solvent withdrawal. Hypertension was induced by injection of DOCA together with oral salt-water for 12 weeks and then hypertension was reversed to normal by stopping DOCA injection for 12 weeks. Serum VEGF and sFlt-1 concentrations and heart coronary capillary density were measured before experiment, after induction of hypertension and after DOCA-salt withdrawal. Results: In DOCA-salt group, serum VEGF level was significantly decreased compared with normotensive rats while serum sFlt-1 concentration was significantly increased. In DOCA-salt withdrawal group, serum VEGF level was returned to normotensive level but not to a significant extent and serum sFlt-1 level was also significantly decreased. In hypertensive rats, heart coronary capillary density was lower than normotensive rats and after returning of hypertension to normal it was changed toward normotensive level (no significance). Conclusion: Hypertension changed serum VEGF and sFlt-1 concentrations and return of hypertension to normal caused a reversal of serum VEGF and sFlt-1 concentrations at least in this model. It shows that early diagnosis and treatment of hypertension is important in clinical condition.