Protective role of losartan in reversion of hypertensive calcium overload and glomerular injury

AIM:To investigate the relation between cytosolic calcium and glomerular injury in hypertension.METHODS:The normotensive control (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rat group(SHR) with or without treatment (losartan 20 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) were compared. Intralymphocytic free calcium level and ultrastructural changes in glomerulus were observed at three and eight months, respectively.RESULTS: The results demonstrated early impairment in glomerulus and elevation of cytosolic calcium at three months in SHR group, at eight months, aggravation of impairment in glomerulus correlating with calcium elevation was shown. Losartan significantly attenuated the above pathologic changes. CONCLUSION:Calcium-overload state was not only related to blood pressure and vessel impairment, but also associated with glomerular injury, which could be reversed by losartan.