The relationship between blood pressure and aortic collagen metabolism in renal hypertensive rats.

1. Biosynthesis and deposition of collagen, as well as DNA and total proteins, are increased in aortae of rats after 1, 3 and 6 weeks of hypertension. 2. The maximal increase in the rate of synthesis of collagen is observed within one week of hypertension when the stress to the arterial wall is maximal. 3. Reserpine administration prevents hypertension and inhibits the increase of collagen metabolism. 4. At any time of evolution of the hypertension, a linear positive correlation is found between the collagen content in the aorta and the level of blood pressure. 5. These data suggest that synthesis of matrix components by the arterial smooth-muscle cells is controlled by variation in the blood pressure level and is not a direct consequence of circulating humoral factors liberated by the ischaemic kidney.