Many studies in hypertensive humans and animals have shown that increased blood viscosity is in direct relation with essential hypertension. The aim of our studies was to investigate the effects of chronic hematocrit value changes on arterial blood pressure and kidney function in genetically induced hypertension. To this end, we studied the effects of several interventions, designed to increase/decrease hematocrit, on hemodynamic parameters, vascular reactivity, glomerular filtration and renal function curve in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Results of our study show that chronic hematocrit value elevation increases blood pressure and peripheral vascular resistance in SHR. On the other hand, chronic hematocrit lowering elucidates blood pressure and peripheral vascular resistance decrease followed by cardiac output rising. Both hematocrit value changes significantly reduce vasodilatory vascular response. Hematocrit lowering induces acute renal failure. Sodium excretion is shifted to higher blood pressure values in high hematocrit value animals and opposite - lower blood pressure values in low hematocrit value animals. Repeated transfusions develop salt sensitive malignant hypertension in SHR. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the degree of kidney damage after chronic hematocrit value changes in SHR

Background and purpose: Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) has been applied to induce the toxicity and hepatic fibrosis. Natural antioxidants are known as efficient and safe treatments for hepatotoxicity compared with synthetic antioxidants. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of oral administration of pulegone in carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative stress in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty rats were randomly assigned into four groups including control animals that received olive oil, Toxic control that administrated with 30% CCl4, Pulegone-20 & 30 that administrated with pulegone 20 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg, respectively, with in along to 30% CCl4. The liver levels of total cholesterol, triacylglycerides, phospholipids, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and vitamins C and E were evaluated. Results: Administration of CCl4 increased levels of cholesterol, triacylglycerides and lipid oxidation, but it also reduced levels of phospholipids, SOD, CAT, GSH, GPx, and vitamins C and E (P<0.05). Oral administration of pulegone, especially in the higher levels, could reverse negative effects of CCl4 (P<0.05). Conclusion: Using pulegone is recommended for liver protection due to its vital therapeutic antioxidant properties.

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