Open Access  Subscription Access

This study was designed to discern whether alteration in baroreceptor sensitivity, renin-angiotensin system, calcium coupling mechanism or nitric oxide activity is/are responsible for lead-induced hypertension. The effect of exposure to 100 ppm of lead in tap water for 4 months on mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were investigated in male Sprague-Dawley. After the treatment period, femoral artery and vein were cannulated for blood pressure measurement and infusion of drugs respectively. Baroreceptor sensitivity was determined through bilateral carotid occlusion (BCO), while the effect of angiotensin II, calcium channel and nitric oxide were blocked by infusing 1 mg/kg-body weight of captopril, 10 mg/kg-body weight of diltiazem and 30 mg/kg-body weight of L-NAME respectively. Exposure to chronic lead led to an increase (P