BLOCKADE OF AT(1) RECEPTORS BY SPECIFIC ANTIBODY ATTENUATED HYPERTENSION DEVELOPMENT IN YOUNG SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS

The influence of chronic angiotensin AT(1) receptor blockade by specif ic antibody on the development of genetic hypertension was studied in young spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The immunization of 4-wee k-old SHR with a small part of the angiotensin AT(1) receptor molecule attenuated the development of hypertension in these animals After fiv e subcutaneous injections of the antigen both systolic and diastolic b lood pressures were significantly lower (p<0.005) in immunized STIR co mpared to sham-immunized STIR. No effect on blood pressure was seen in immunized Wistar-Kyoto control rats. We conclude that renin-angiotens in system might be partially involved in the development of hypertensi on in young spontaneously hypertensive rats because it can be attenuat ed by a specific antibody raised against a part of the angiotensin AT( 1) receptor.