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(Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2002;22:42.)
© 2002 American Heart Association, Inc.

Vascular Biology

Endothelial Dysfunction and Blood Pressure Variability in Selected Inbred Mouse Strains

Michael J. Ryan; Sean P. Didion; Deborah R. Davis; Frank M. Faraci; Curt D. Sigmund

From the Department of Internal Medicine (M.J.R., S.P.D., D.R.D., F.M.F., C.D.S.), Department of Pharmacology (F.M.F.), and Department of Physiology and Biophysics (C.D.S.), Cardiovascular Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City.

Correspondence to Curt D. Sigmund, PhD, Professor of Internal Medicine, 2191 Medical Laboratories, University of Iowa, Department of Internal Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242. E-mail Curt-Sigmund{at}uiowa.edu

The genetic regulation of blood pressure (BP) and endothelial function is likely to be polygenic. Because there is considerable variability in basal BP among inbred mouse strains, the purpose of this study was to determine whether a similar variability in vascular function exists among 7 "normotensive" strains. We tested the hypothesis that compared with mice with higher BPs, mice with lower BPs would have greater aortic endothelial responses to acetylcholine (ACh). Mean BP ranged from 117 to 145 mm Hg among the 7 strains. The responses of aortic rings to ACh, sodium nitroprusside, and papaverine were assessed after submaximal precontraction with prostaglandin F₂. The aortas from all strains relaxed in a concentration-dependent manner to sodium nitroprusside and papaverine, but responses to ACh were markedly impaired in the aortas, but not carotid arteries, from 129P3/J and 129X1/SvJ mice. Aortas from the other strains relaxed normally to ACh. Furthermore, the endothelium-dependent dilators ADP and A23187 caused similar relaxation in 129P3/J, 129X1/SvJ, and C57BL/6J mice. Although the data do not support the initial hypothesis, the impaired aortic response to ACh in the 129 strains is a novel finding and illustrates the potential impact that genetic background can have on vascular responsiveness.

Key Words: aorta • blood pressure • endothelium • inbred mice