Angiotensin II plays an important role in vascular remodeling. We investigated the role of aldosterone, which is stimulated by angiotensin II, as a mediator of angiotensin II-induced vascular structural and functional alterations. Sprague-Dawley rats (n=8 to 12/group) received angiotensin II (120 ng/kg per minute, subcutaneously) for 14 days +/- spironolactone or hydralazine (25 mg/kg per day). An additional group received aldosterone (750 ng/h, subcutaneously) +/- spironolactone. Systolic blood pressure was increased by angiotensin II (P<0.001) and reduced by spironolactone and hydralazine (P<0.001). Aldosterone-induced increase of blood pressure was reduced by spironolactone (P<0.05). In mesenteric small arteries studied on a pressurized myograph, media/lumen ratio was increased (P<0.001) and acetylcholine-mediated relaxation was impaired in angiotensin II-infused rats (P<0.001); both were partially improved by spironolactone (P<0.05) but not by hydralazine. Aldosterone-induced increase of media/lumen ratio (P<0.001) and impaired response to acetylcholine (P<0.001) were normalized by spironolactone. Response to sodium nitroprusside was similar in all groups. Aortic NADPH oxidase activity was increased (P<0.01) by angiotensin II and reduced by spironolactone and hydralazine. Aldosterone also increased (P<0.05) activation of NADPH oxidase, an effect abolished by spironolactone. Plasma thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (a marker of oxidative stress), higher in angiotensin II and aldosterone rats (P<0.001), were normalized by spironolactone. In conclusion, spironolactone, which inhibited aldosterone actions, partially corrected structural and functional angiotensin II-induced abnormalities. These effects were associated with reduced vascular NADPH oxidase activity and decreased plasma markers of oxidative stress. Our findings suggest that aldosterone may mediate some of angiotensin II-induced vascular effects in hypertension, in part via increased oxidative stress.

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