Objective To observe adiponectin receptor-1 expression in vascular walls of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and the effect of fosinopril on it.

Methods Fourteen weeks old male SHR were randomly divided into three groups: SHR group, fosinopril 10 mg group and fosinopril 20 mg group; 14-week old male Wistar-kyoto rats (WKY) were regarded as the control group. After 8 weeks, blood pressure, serum adiponectin was detected; the ratio of media/lumen radius was detected by using hematoxylin-eosin, the expression of adiponectin receptor 1 on the vascular walls were tested by immunohistochemistry.

Results As compared to SHR group, the ratio of wallthickness to lumen radio, the serum levels of adiponectin with total fosinopril were increased (P < 0.05), and the expression of adiponectin receptor 1 was significantly increased (P < 0.05).

Conclusions Fosinopril can reduce the levels of blood pressure, increase the levels of serum adiponectin and the expressioin of adiponecin receptor-1 on the aorta in hypertension rats.