Figure 1

Systemic hypertension in SCT^−/− mice with related blood hormone level changes. (A) Systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressures were significantly increased in SCT^−/− mice compared with 6‐month‐old C57BL/6N mice. The pulse pressure, heart rate, and activities were not significantly different (n = 12/group; *p < 0.05). (B) Representative 48-hour long systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate tracings from 6‐month‐old C57BL/6N and SCT^−/− mice. The heart rate patterns were similar, but high blood pressure tracing was observed in SCT^−/− mouse. (C) NO (n; C57BL/6N = 10, SCT^−/− = 12) and VEGF (n = 8/group) levels were significantly decreased in SCT^−/− mice (*p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001). Significantly increased plasma aldosterone and aldosterone to renin ratio with slightly increased plasma renin, angiotensin II, and vasopressin levels in SCT^−/− compared with C57BL/6N mice. (n = 7/group; *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001).