P11.06 Fibronectin, but Not Laminin Content is Increased in the Tunica Media of Subcutaneous Small Resistance Arteries of Patients with Essential Hypertension

• Published in: Artery research Vol. 4; no. 4; pp. 179 - 180
• Main Authors: De Ciuceis, C., Rodella, L. F., Rizzoni, D., Porteri, E., Rezzani, R., Boari, G. E. M., Borsani, E., Favero, G., Platto, C., Tiberio, G. A. M., Giulini, S. M., Rosei, E. Agabiti
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.12.2010; Springer Nature B.V; BMC
• Subjects: Hypertension; Poster Presentation Abstracts; Veins & arteries
• ISSN: 1872-9312; 1876-4401; 1876-4401
• DOI: 10.1016/j.artres.2010.10.119

Objective It was suggested that, in the development of hypertensive micro-vascular remodeling, a relevant role may be played by laminin and fibronectin vascular content Aim of this study was to evaluate the amount of fibronectin and laminin within the tunica media of subcutaneous small arteries of normotensive subjects and essential hypertensive patients. Design and methods We have investigated 6 normotensive control subjects and 10 essential hypertensive patients. All subjects were submitted to abiopsy of subcutaneous fat from the gluteal or the anterior abdominal region. Subcutaneous small resistance arteries were dissected and mounted on an isometric myograph, and the tunica media to internal lumen ratio was measured. In addition, the fibronectin and laminin content within the tunica media was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, with image analysis (% of area stained). Results As expected, clinic blood pressure values and media to lumen ratio were higher in essential hypertensive patients than in normotensive controls. Fibronectin media content was significantly greater in essential hypertensive patients (7.41 ±2.28 %) , compared with normotensive controls (5.62±0.40, p<0.05). A significant correlation was observed between fibronectin media content and media to lumen ratio (r=0.49, p<0.05). No significant difference in laminin media content was observed between groups (3.7±1.71 %in essential hypertensive patients, 5.63±1.79 % in normotensive controls). Conclusions Our results indicate that, in small resistance arteries of patients with essential hypertension, fibronectin, but not laminin media content is increased. Fibronectin might be therefore involved in the development of small resistance artery remodeling in humans.