A New Approach for the Development of Multiple Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Two Rat Models of Hypertension

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among non-communicable diseases. There is a lack of valid animal models that mimic associations among multiple cardiovascular risk factors in humans. The present study developed an animal model that uses multiple cardiovascular risk factors—namely, hypertension, hypothyroidism, and a high-fat diet (HFD). Two models of hypertension were used: renovascular hypertension (two-kidney, one clip [2K1C]) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). The naive group was composed of normotensive rats. Twelve weeks after surgery to induce renovascular hypertension, rats in the 2K1C and SHR groups underwent thyroidectomy. The HFD was then implemented for 6 weeks. Renal function, serum redox status, biochemical CVD markers, electrocardiographic profile, blood pressure, mesenteric vascular bed reactivity, histopathology, and morphometry were investigated. Both experimental models induced dyslipidemia, renal function impairment, and hepatic steatosis, accompanied by higher levels of different inflammatory markers and serum oxidative stress. These alterations contributed to end-organ damage in all hypertensive rats. Our findings corroborate a viable alternative model that involves multiple cardiovascular risk factors and resembles conditions that are seen in humans. Both models mimicked CVD, but our data show that SHRs exhibit more significant pathophysiological changes.