Abstract: Objective To explore the role of angiotensin Ⅱ 1 receptor(AT1R)and endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS)in the development of salt-sensitive hypertension.Methods Newborn male Wistar rats were given capsaicin subcutaneously to establish the model.After weaning period,the rats were divided into 4 groups and fed with different salt diets for 4 weeks:control of normal sodium diet(CON-NS),control of high sodium diet(CON-HS),capsaicin pretreatment plus normal sodium diet(CAP-NS),and capsaicin pretreatment plus high sodium diet(CAP-HS).The rats were killed after 4 weeks treatment.Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of AT1R and eNOS proteins in the artery.The expression of AT1R and eNOS mRNA in the artery was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.Results Compared with the CON-NS rats,the expression of AT1R protein in the artery was remarkably higher in the CAP-NS rats(P<0.01),while the expression of eNOS mRNA and protein in the artery were remarkably decreased in the CAP-NS rats(P<0.05).Compared with the CON-NS rats,the expression of AT1R mRNA and protein in the artery was remarkably higher in the CAP-HS rats(P<0.01),while the expression of eNOS mRNA and protein in the artery was remarkably decreased in the CAP-HS rats(P<0.01).Conclusion The expression of AT1R mRNA and protein increase,and the expression of eNOS mRNA and protein decrease in the artery of the salt-sensitive hypertensive rats induced by sensory denervation.The different expressions of AT1R and eNOS may be related with the pathogenesis of salt-sensitive hypertension.