Objective: The cyp1a1ren-2 transgenic rat is a model designed to allow a dose-dependent titration and reversible induction of arterial hypertension and thus to investigate hypertension-related end organ damage. In this model, the expression of a prorenin transgene can be induced in the liver by feeding indole-3-carbinol (I3C). Aim of the study was to investigate whether the reversible induction of hypertension is accompanied by the development and subsequent regression of structural or functional changes (cardiac hypertrophy; ejection fraction, EF; enddiastolic volume, EDV) of the heart. Methods: Adult cyp1a1ren-2 transgenic rats received either 0,167% I3C with the diet or a control diet without I3C for 28 days (n=6 per group). Magnetic resonance imaging (7 Tesla MRI) of the heart was performed every two weeks over a period of ten weeks. Blood pressure was recorded with telemetric devices in a separate group using the same protocol. Results: Mean arterial pressure was increased to >170 mmHg. At the end of I3C-administration, left ventricular mass had increased by 22% compared to 3% in controls (p<0.002). Blood pressure returned quickly to pre-treatment levels within four days after the discontinuation of I3C. The hypertrophy vanished slowly but completely within eight weeks. At the end of the experiment, EF and EDV were not altered compared to pre-treatment levels and remained similar between controls and I3C-treated rats. Neither fibrosis nor infarctions were detected histologically. Conclusion: The cyp1a1ren-2 rat is a suitable model to study the development and regression of hypertension-induced changes in cardiac structure and function, allowing to study blood pressure-independent effects of drugs on these parameters. Small animal MRI proofed to be an excellent technique to non-invasively study morphological and functional changes over time with high precision thereby reducing the number animals needed.