Study reveals effects of temporary loss of blood flow in blood vessels in hypertensive rats

A study coordinated by Dr. Francesc Jiménez-Altayó, researcher at the Institut de Neurociències of the UAB (INc-UAB) and CIBERCV, shows that temporary lack of blood flow to the brain can lead to permanent changes in the small arteries of the abdomen. in rats with high blood pressure. The research also investigated the effects of a drug called SAHA in mitigating these changes, finding that it prevented some early damage to the arteries and reduced long-term brain damage.

A study published in Life Sciences investigated the effect of transient cerebral ischemia on peripheral blood vessels in hypertensive rats, as high blood pressure is the main risk factor for stroke. The researchers induced a brief interruption of blood flow to the brain and examined its effect on the function and structure of the mesenteric arteries. They measured the arteries’ ability to contract and relax, along with structural changes such as wall thickness, cell number, collagen content and oxidative stress, one and eight days after blood flow was restored.

The findings revealed that the ischemic event reduced the arteries’ ability to contract, an effect that persisted eight days later. In addition, the arteries showed thickened walls and increased size, likely due to increased collagen deposition.

To address these changes, the team looked at the administration of hypoeroylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) during restoration of blood flow. The drug successfully prevented some of the early arterial changes and provided long-term protection against brain damage caused by transient ischemia.

These findings are particularly promising as SAHA is already approved for the treatment of one type of cancer and in this study we used doses equivalent to those given in humans.”

Andrea Díaz-Pérez, lead author of the study and researcher at INc-UAB

“This opens the door for further research on whether it could also reduce stroke-related brain damage in hypertensive patients. However, more studies are needed to fully understand the long-term effects on blood vessels,” added Dr. Jiménez -Altayó, professor in the Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology at UAB. “”.

This research provides new insights into how temporary interruptions of blood flow to the brain can affect blood vessels outside the central nervous system, particularly in hypertensive conditions. It also highlights the potential of SAHA as a protective agent against stroke-related brain damage. However, further work is needed to develop strategies that fully prevent persistent vascular damage throughout the body.

The study was coordinated by researchers at INc-UAB and the Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), carried out in collaboration with several institutions, including the Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology at UAB, the UAB Magnetic Resonance Imaging Service, the Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBERBBN), the Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB-CSIC), the Institute of Biomedical Research Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), the University Research Hospital of La Paz (IdiPaz) and the Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED).