Evaluation of Various Experimental Models in Antihypertensive Drug Development: Recent Update

Sheryar Afzal, Ali Attiq, Yuan Wu, Ahmed Alameen, Ibrahim Albokhadaim, Mahmoud Kandeel, Samir Alhojaily, Yassir Almofti and Saad Shousha

Hypertension is either primary or secondary hypertension. One of the main causes of cardiovascular disease is hypertension, as secondary hypertension brings illnesses, including kidney disease, cardiac disease, endocrine dysfunction and other underlying medical disorders. Several animal models are being used to investigate the pathophysiology and therapies of hypertension. The major goal of the review is to elaborate on the various experimental animal models used for investigating, understanding hypertension and studying therapies for hypertension. Currently, the most often animals used to study hypertension are rat’s sensitive to Dahl salt and rats with hypertension caused by Ang II, DOCA salt rats, L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats, transgenic rats and fructose fed/fructose-induced hypertensive rats. In conclusion, the animal models used in study of development of hypertension are considered as splendid tool for studying the pathophysiology of hypertension. Animal models are also used as first approach to investigate a potential new therapy and to evaluate the existed drug. Despite the fact that the animal models are distinctive from the human and often characterized by some limitations such as animal size, cost and availability. The researchers are still rely on animal models, as they can be readily tested, autopsied and biopsied easily. The genetic and environmental background of animal models are already known. However, all researchers must obey the ethical limits when using animal models in an experiment. The use of animal model is only allowed when they are necessary and prevent causing pain, distress and lasting harm.

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