Vascular synthesis of aldosterone: role in hypertension.

The author showed direct evidence that blood vessels are aldosteronogenic. The expression of CYP11B2 mRNA and synthesis of vascular aldosterone were decreased in rats treated with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor. Angiotensin II increased production of aldosterone in blood vessels. Vascular aldosterone and CYP11B2 mRNA levels of 2-week-old SHRSPs were significantly increased compared with that in WKY rats of the same age. High sodium intake develops and accelerates vascular injury and cardiac hypertrophy in SHRSP. Plasma aldosterone concentrations and plasma renin concentration were decreased by high salt intake in SHRSP. Aldosterone production, the expression of CYP11B2 mRNA and type I angiotensin II receptor (ATiR) mRNA in blood vessels were significantly increased by high salt intake. These results suggest that high salt intake increases aldosterone production and expression of the ATiR mRNA in the vascular tissue in SHRSP, which may contribute to the development of malignant hypertension in salt-loaded SHRSP.