beta-blockade prevents coronary macro- and microvascular dysfunction induced by a high salt diet and insulin resistance in the Goto-Kakizaki rat

Abstract

A high salt intake exacerbates insulin resistance, evoking hypertension due to systemic perivascular inflammation, oxidative-nitrosative stress and endothelial dysfunction. ACEi and ARBs have been shown to abolish inflammation and redox stress but only partially restore endothelial function in mesenteric vessels. We investigated whether sympatho-adrenal overactivation evokes coronary vascular dysfunction when a high salt intake is combined with insulin resistance in male Goto-Kakizaki (GK) and Wistar rats treated with two different classes of beta-blocker or vehicle, utilising synchrotron based microangiography in vivo. Further, we examined if chronic carvedilol (CAR) treatment preserves nit..