Hydroxyl radical in augmented responses to Angiotensin II in SHR rats

Hypertension is a major risk factor for myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke, peripheral arterial disease and chronic renal failure. It is often associated with metabolic abnormalities such as diabetes and dyslipidemia. Recently it has been hypothesized that oxidative stress is a key player in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathophysiology of endothelial damage or dysfunction leading to hypertension. Previous reports shows that hydroxyl radical is involved in the augmented responses to Ang II in diabetic rats. This prompted us to speculate the role of hydroxyl radical in the vascular dysfunction of hypertension in SHR rats.