Project Details
Description
The proposed studies will determine if the renal medulla plays an
important role in determining the long-term level of arterial blood
pressure. We will chronically reduce papillary blood flow to see if
this leads to hypertension and chronically elevate papillary flow to see
if this leads to hypotension. Two new techniques were necessary and are
used for these studies. One, implanted medullary interstitial catheters
to target delivery of substances into the renal medulla, acutely and
chronically. The other, acute and chronically implanted optical fibers
in the renal cortex, outer and inner medulla for measurement of changes
in regional blood flow using laser-Doppler flowmetry. These techniques
have been designed to be performed in conscious rats and at this time
can be used reliably for periods exceeding 3 weeks. One series of
studies is designed to determine the acute effects of renal medullary
interstitial infusions of vasoconstrictors and dilators which alter
papillary blood flow will produce chronic alterations of arterial
pressure. A third series of studies will determine if chronic medullary
interstitial infusion of compounds that increase papillary blood flow in
SHR can reset the pressure-natriuretic relationship and normalize
arterial pressure. Positive findings would support the concept that
subtle changes in medullary function may precede global changes in renal
function and may be an important initiating element in the etiology of
hypertension.
Status | Not started |
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Funding
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
- National Institutes of Health
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