Effects on blood pressure of cross circulation between spontaneously hypertensive and normotensive rats.

In order to examine the role of humoral factors for the development of hypertension in the spontaneously hypertensive rat of the Münster strain (SHR) cross circulation experiments with normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats were performed. Cross circulation between SHR and normotensive rats for 30 min increased mean arterial pressure in the latter by 29.1 +/- 7.6 mm Hg (p less than 0.01). Transmission of hypertension by cross circulation was abolished by nephrectomy, adrenalectomy, volume depletion or chronic salt restriction in the SHR. It is concluded that hypertension in SHR is caused by a circulating hypertensive agent produced in kidneys and adrenals, the secretion of which can be suppressed by volume or salt depletion.