Endothelial Dysfunction in Response to Psychosocial Stress in Monkeys

• Published in: Circulation research 1991-05, Vol.68 (5), p.1270-1279
• Main Authors: Strawn, William B, Bondjers, Göran, Kaplan, Jay R, Manuck, Stephen B, Schwenke, Dawn C, Hansson, Göran K, Shively, Carol A, Clarkson, Thomas B
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Aorta, Abdominal - metabolism; Arteriosclerosis - etiology; Biological and medical sciences; Blood vessels and receptors; Carotid Arteries - metabolism; Cell Survival; Coronary Vessels - metabolism; Endothelium, Vascular - cytology; Endothelium, Vascular - metabolism; Endothelium, Vascular - physiopathology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Heart Rate; Lipid Metabolism; Macaca fascicularis; Male; Metoprolol - pharmacology; Stress, Psychological - physiopathology; Vertebrates: cardiovascular system
• ISSN: 0009-7330; 1524-4571
• DOI: 10.1161/01.res.68.5.1270

The current study was designed to evaluate the effects of a disrupted social environment on the endothelial integrity of various vascular segments in male cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). Each of 20 single-caged adult monkeys was fed a diet comparable to a personʼs ingestion of 240 mg cholesterol/day for a 10-week baseline period and then was introduced as a stranger into a four-member social group for 3 days. Half of the monkeys received a β-adrenergic blocking agent (metoprolol) via subcutaneous implant 2 days before and during group housing. The social manipulation produced persistent sympathetic arousal as evidenced by significantly elevated heart rates among untreated monkeys (p