Chronic mild hyperhomocysteinemia induces aortic endothelial dysfunction but does not elevate arterial pressure in rats

Mild hyperhomocysteinemia is prevalent in the general population and has been linked to endothelial dysfunction and high arterial pressure (AP) in clinical studies. The present study was designed to determine whether a rise in AP was induced by mild hyperhomocysteinemia and whether the potential rise in AP is secondary or prior to endothelial dysfunction. Experiments were performed in a rat model of mild hyperhomocysteinemia induced by oral administration of homocysteine for 1 - 4 months. Aortic endothelial dysfunction was observed 2 months after homocysteine treatment while endothelium-independent vasodilation was normal. In parallel, homocysteine treatment increased phenylephrine-induced contraction in aortas with endothelium, but did not modify the contraction in aortas without endothelium, suggesting a decrease of basal NO production. In conscious unrestrained rats, AP was not significantly different 1, 2, 3 and 4 months after homocysteine treatment. In correlation, endothelial function of a resistance vessel ( mesenteric artery), mainly non-NO nonprostanoid factor mediated, was preserved, indicating that homocysteine treatment only affected the NO pathway. In conclusion, mild hyperhomocysteinemia alone is not sufficient to elevate arterial blood pressure, at least in the rat model. Aortic endothelial dysfunction produced by mild hyperhomocysteinemia is independent of hemodynamic factors. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.