Hydrogen sulfide system in the pathogenesis of renovascular hypertension in rats

Objective To investigate the role of hydrogen sulfide(H_(2)S)synthases/H_(2)S pathway in the pathogenesis of renovascular hypertension.Methods Wistar rats were subdivided into 4 groups:(1)2-kidney,1-clip(2K-1C group,n=7),(2)control(n=7),(3)sham(n=7),and(4)2K-1C plus sodium hydrosulfide(NaHS)(NaHS-treated group,n=7).The systolic blood pressure(SBP)was measured by a tail-cuff method using a pulse transducer once a week.Four weeks later,all rats were killed and the concentration of plasma hydrogen sulfide(H_(2)S),the activity of the H_(2)S synthases in the kidneys on both sides,the plasma angiotensinⅡconcentration,and the left-to-whole heart weight ratio were measured.Results The SBP was significantly increased in the 2K-1C group(185.4±14.0mmHg)comparing with those in the sham group(112.9±6.5mmHg,,or the NaHS-treated group(134.8±9.5mmHg))(both P<0.01).At 4 weeks,the angiotensinⅡconcentration in the plasma was increased in the 2K-1C and NaHS-treated group,comparing with the control and the sham group(306.92±7.03 pg/ml and 240.73±13.22 pg/ml vs 122.6±25.49 pg/ml and 125.95±10.55 pg/ml,respectively,both P<0.05).The plasma H_(2)S concentration and the activity of H_(2)S synthases in the left kidney were decreased in the 2K-1C group comparing with those in the sham and the control groups.There was no difference of the activity of the H_(2)S synthases in the right kidneys among the 4 groups.The left-to-whole heart weight ratio was increased in the 2K-1C and the NaHS-treated group camparing with that in the sham and natural control groups.Conclusions Dysfunction of the H_(2)S synthases/H_(2)S pathway was involved in the 2K-1C-induced renovascular hypertension in rat.Exogenous administration of H_(2)S donor can attenuate the development of hypertension.These findings suggest that the H_(2)S synthases/H_(2)S pathway participates in the pathogenesis of renovascular hypertension.