Dynamics of Distribution of Capillaries with Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 and Its Tissue Inhibitor in Rat Brain during Development of Experimental Hypertension.

The capillaries containing MMP-2 and its tissue inhibitor TIMP-2 were examined in cerebral cortex and white matter obtained from intact Wistar rats (n=5) and the rats with progressing experimental renovascular hypertension (n=35). In hypertensive rats, the changes in intensity of the immunohistochemical reaction and in the density of capillaries expressing TIMP-2 significantly differed from the corresponding values in MMP-2-positive capillaries, which resulted in pronounced deviation of MMP-2/TIMP-2 index from the control level (especially in cerebral cortex) probably attesting to enhanced risk of complications in cases with arterial hypertension.