【Animal Modeling】-Observation of Pulse Wave Velocity and Arterial Wall Structure in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats of Different Ages

  Objective By measuring the pulse wave velocity (PWV) of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) at different ages, and analyzing the structure of aortic media cross-sectional area (MCSA) of SHR at the same time, reveal the physiological changes of blood vessels in different growth stages of SHR.

  Methods PWV and MCSA analysis were performed on SHRs aged 4 months, 6 months, 8 months, 10 months and 12 months using color ultrasound Doppler and vascular pathology analysis.

  Results The PWV of SHR began to increase with age. The PWV of 12-month-old SHR was significantly higher than that of 8-month-old, 6-month-old and 4-month-old rats (P<0.05). The PWV of 10-month-old SHR was significantly higher than that of 6-month-old and 4-month-old rats (P<0.05). MCSA analysis showed that SHR aortic MCSA also showed a gradual upward trend with increasing age.

  Conclusion With the increase of age, SHR arterial compliance becomes worse, vascular elastic function decreases, and the degree of arteriosclerosis increases.