‘Slow Pressor’ Hypertension From Low‐Dose Chronic Angiotensin II Infusion

Abstract

SUMMARY1. Angiotensin (Ang) II causes growth‐related effects on vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro and in vivo.2. Chronic infusions of AngII systemically, at doses that are initially subpressor, result in slowly progressive increases in arterial pressure (‘slow‐pressor’ hypertension). It has been suggested that the hypertension is due to induced growth in systemic resistance vessel walls by the AngII infusions.3. We report the results of several studies investigating whether there are also induced structural changes in renal resistance vessels during chronic AngII infusions. We have developed models in Sprague‐Dawley rats in which low‐dose AngII infusions, either into the renal artery (th..