Aims
We tested whether anger affects the balance between endothelium-derived vasodilators
and vasoconstrictors in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs).
Methods
Five endothelium-produced vasoactive factors (nitric oxide, prostacyclin, urotensin,
endothelin and thromboxane B2) were measured in an established SHR behavioural model
of anger, in “non-angry” SHR rats, and in control Wistar–Kyoto rats.
Results
All angry SHR rats showed the typical angry behaviour and angry SHR rats had significantly
higher blood pressure and heart rate than control rats. Angry rats had significantly
lower levels of two vasodilators, nitric oxide and prostacyclin, and significantly
higher levels of two vasoconstrictors, endothelin and thromboxane B2 than either non-angry
SHR or control rats. Levels of a third vasoconstrictor, urotensin, were significantly
lower in angry SHR than in non-angry SHR or control rats.
Conclusions
Our results suggest that anger causes an imbalance of endothelium-produced vasodilating
and vasoconstricting substances. This may have implications for the development and/or
progression of hypertension.
Abbreviations:
SHR (spontaneously hypertensive rat), WKY (Wistar Kyoto), NO (nitric oxide), 6-keto-PGF1α (6-keto-prostaglandin-F1α), TXB2 (thromboxane B2), ICC (intraclass correlation coefficient)Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 26, 2012
Accepted:
November 2,
2012
Received in revised form:
November 2,
2012
Received:
May 4,
2012
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons (ANZSCTS) and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
