The renin-angiotensin-aldosteron system (RAAS) is a hormonal system which contributes to the regulation of both arterial pressure and extra cellular fluids volume. The increase of RAAS, especially at angiotensin II (Ang
II) level, affects the target organs and increases the risk of cardio-vascular issues, by increasing arterial pressure and through the direct effect of Ang II upon the vascular endothelium and the renal and cardiac tissue. Ang II reduces the renal capacity of sodium excretion and initiates a set of events which increase arterial pressure. Increase of arterial pressure is necessary for re-establishing sodium excretion, being realized by the pressure-natriuresis relationship. Arterial hypertension affects the target organs (heart, kidneys) and leads to a vicious circle which contributes to maintaining a high arterial pressure.
Materials and Method: Male Wistar rats subjected on a normal diet, received either a sham operation (n=9) or continuous angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion (300ng/kgc/min) subcutaneously, via mini pumps. Water ingestion and systolic blood pressure were measured for 14 days, after which the animals were sacrificed under anesthesia with ketamin, and the xylasin body weight, water ingestion, heart mass, right and left ventricular mass, right and left kidney mass were measured.
Results: After 14 days of Ang II infusion, bodily weight decreased, systolic blood pressure increased, heart and left ventricular mass indexed to body weight were significantly enhanced compared with the sham group, and kidneys mass indexed to body weight was similar in the two groups.
- angiotensin II
- heart
- hypertension
- kidney