Aortic collagen biosynthesis during renal hypertension, pregnancy and hypertension during pregnancy in the rat.

The synthesis and deposition of collagen and other proteins has been measured in the aorta of the rat by radiolabeling in short term organ culture. Under these conditions, the synthesis of collagen and other proteins is linear for at least five hours. Autoradiography demonstrates a labeling in all cell layers and protein deposition in the extracellular matrix. Hypertension was induced by renal ischemia using Goldblatt's technique. The synthesis and deposition of collagen was stimulated in aorta from the first week of hypertension and in pregnancy, and was even more increased in hypertensive pregnant animals. Reserpine suppresses the rise in blood pressure in operated animals and prevents these modifications.