A novel method for comparison of arterial remodeling in hypertension: Quantification of arterial trees and recognition of remodeling patterns on histological sections

Abstract

Remodeling of spatially heterogeneous arterial trees is routinely quantified on tissue sections by averaging linear dimensions, with lack of comparison between different organs and models. The impact of experimental models or hypertension treatment modalities on organ-specific vascular remodeling remains undefined. A wide variety of arterial remodeling types has been demonstrated for hypertensive models, which include differences across organs. The purpose of this study was to reassess methods for measurement of arterial remodeling and to establish a morphometric algorithm for standard and comparable quantification of vascular remodeling in hypertension in different vascular beds. We performed a novel and comprehensive morphometric analysis of terminal arteries in the brain, heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen, stomach, intestine, skin, skeletal muscle, and adrenal glands of control and Goldblatt hypertensive rats on routinely processed tissue sections. Mean dimensions were highly variable but grouping them into sequential 5 μm intervals permitted creation of reliable linear regression equations and complex profiles. Averaged arterial dimensions demonstrated seven remodeling patterns that were distinct from conventional inward-outward and hypertrophic-eutrophic definitions. Numerical modeling predicted at least nineteen variants of arterial spatial conformations. Recognition of remodeling variants was not possible using averaged dimensions, their ratios, or the remodeling and growth indices. To distinguish remodeling patterns, a three-dimensional modeling was established and tested. The proposed algorithm permits quantitative analysis of arterial remodeling in different organs and may be applicable for comparative studies between animal hypertensive models and human hypertension. Arterial wall tapering is the most important factor to consider in arterial morphometry, while perfusion fixation with vessel relaxation is not necessary. Terminal arteries in organs undergo the same remodeling pattern in Goldblatt rats, except for organs with hemodynamics affected by the arterial clip. The existing remodeling nomenclature should be replaced by a numerical classification applicable to any type of arterial remodeling.

Comparative analysis of hypertensive nephrosclerosis in animal models of hypertension and its relevance to human pathology. Glomerulopathy

“…Indeed, animals subjected to graduated stenosis exhibit increased SBP and plasma renin activity precisely attributed to the degree of narrowing [ 103 – 106 ]. Therefore some studies have tried to increase effectiveness by using a cylindrical probe [ 32 ], special clamp [ 103 ], spiral [ 107 ], intra-arterial coil [ 9 ], and specially designed clip [ 106 ]. A second important reason for data variation is a wide SBP baseline to consider animals being hypertensive, ranging from >120 [ 58 ], >140 [ 38 , 57 , 100 ], >150 [ 27 ], >160 [ 60 ], or >170 [ 12 ] mm Hg.…”

Resveratrol and the Interaction between Gut Microbiota and Arterial Remodelling

“…The protective effect of resveratrol against adverse arterial remodelling has been reported recently. Arterial remodelling is an important feature of the progression of hypertension [6,17]. Resveratrol has been studied for its effect on modulating gut microbiota and arterial remodelling, respectively [14,18].…”