Figure 2

Hemodynamic and vascular parameters as measured using ultrasound imaging. (A) Common carotid artery diameter was significantly larger in untreated and amlodipine treated SHR when compared to normotensive WKY rats. (B) Control SHR showed a reduced diameter pulsatility, while treatment with atenolol increased diameter pulsatility to a similar level as in WKY. (C) Maximal flow, as measured during hypercapnia, was not different among the four groups. (D) Minimal vascular resistance was significantly increased in control SHR under hypercapnic conditions. This was partially corrected in amlodipine, but not in atenolol treated SHR. n = 12 for WKY Ctrl and SHR Amlo, and n = 11 for SHR Ctrl and SHR Aten. ***p ≤ 0.001, **p ≤ 0.01, *p ≤ 0.05 (A,C,D one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni correction, and B Kruskal–Wallis test with Dunn’s correction).