OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of stellate ganglion block (SGB) on blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHRs).

METHODSThirty-two 10-week-old male spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHRs) were assigned randomly into four groups: left stellate ganglion block group(Group LS), right stellate ganglion block group(Group RS), captopril group(Group D) and control group(Group C). Arterial systolic blood pressure(SBP) was measured, and endothelin (ET-1) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS) in blood vessels were detected by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTSCompared with baseline value, the blood pressure of Group LS gradually increased significantly (P<0.05 or P <0.01); however, the blood pressure of Group RS was stable(P >0.05) and increased only at week 2(P <0.05).The blood pressure of Group D decreased significantly at week 2 and week 4, and it remained stable compared with baseline value (P<0.05). The blood pressure of Group C gradually increased at weeks 2-10, compared with baseline values (P <0.01). Compared with Group LS and Group C, the expression of eNOS in blood vessels of Group RS significantly increased (P <0.05), and ET-1 decreased (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe right stellate ganglion block can significantly lower blood pressure, down-regulate ET-1 and up-regulate eNOS protein expression.