Effect of antihypertensives on calcium kinetics in the aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

This study was undertaken to determine whether alterations in 45Ca kinetics, found previously in the aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), are the cause or the consequence of high blood pressure. SHR were treated for 3-6 weeks with hydralazine, propranolol or timolol before the uptake and efflux of 45Ca was measured in the aorta and compared with those in untreated animals. Hydralazine prevented the development of hypertension in the rats but did not alter the uptake or efflux of 45Ca. It is concluded that calcium handling in SHR is abnormal also in the absence of high arterial pressure.