Effects of chronic N-acetylcysteine treatment on the actions of peroxynitrite on aortic vascular reactivity in hypertensive rats

Abstract

These findings suggest an increased vulnerability of SHR aortas to the effects of ONOO- as compared with those of WKY rats. The selective improvements produced by NAC, in systolic arterial pressure, heart rate, aortic endothelial function, ONOO- -induced impairment of endothelium-independent relaxation, aortic GSSG/GSH balance, malondialdehyde content and 3-NT formation in SHR suggest that chronic administration of NAC may have a protective effect against aortic vascular dysfunction in the SHR model of hypertension.