Methods- Rats were treated with zinc chelator, ROS scavenger, mitochondria-targeted ROS inhibitor, or NADPH oxidase inhibitor during a 90-minute middle cerebral artery occlusion.
Results showed: 1) When compared to chronically hypertensive RA mice, SARA mice had lower basal MAP, less MCAO-induced infarct volume, and increased CBF, neurological function and cerebral microvascular density in the peri-infarct area; 2) These changes in SARA mice were not altered after MAP "clamping", but partially reversed by brain infusion of A-779; 3) Ang (1-7)/Ang II ratio, angiogenic factors, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression and nitric oxide production were increased, whereas, NADPH oxidase subunits and reactive oxygen species were decreased in the brain of SARA mice.