自发性高血压大鼠中血小板源生长因子—AA及其受体表达与血管平滑机细胞增殖的关系

为明确血小板源生长因子 AA(plateletderivedgrowthfactor AA ,PDGF AA)及PDGF α受体在自发性高血压大鼠 (spontaneouslyhypertensionrats,SHR)血管平滑肌细胞 (vascularsmoothmusclecells,VSMCs)增殖中的作用 ,采用Westernblot、[3 H]TdR及 [3 H]Leu掺入率等方法 ,观察在SHR和WKY大鼠VSMC中PDGF AA及PDGF受体表达的差异 ;在PDGF AA刺激下VSMC增殖和肥大反应的变化。结果显示 ,SHR VSMC中PDGF AA、PDGF α受体蛋白表达明显高于WKY VSMC(P <0 0 1) ,而PDGF β受体蛋白表达在SHR VSMC与WKY VSMC无明显差异 ;在不同浓度PDGF AA刺激下 ,增殖细胞核抗原 (PCNA)及3 H掺入率在SHR VSMC明显增强且呈剂量依赖性增加 (P <0 0 1)。本研究表明PDGF A链及其α受体的自泌性增高 ,可能是导致SHR VSMC异常增殖和肥大 ,并导致血管构型变化的重要原因之一     

血小板源生长因子-AA对高血压血管平滑肌细胞钙信号的影响

目的 :明确自发性高血压大鼠血管平滑肌细胞 (SHR VSMC)增殖与血小板源生长因子 AA(PDGF AA)、PDGF α受体表达的关系及钙信号在其中的作用。方法 :在培养的血管平滑肌细胞模型中 ,采用免疫印迹 (Westernblot)、3 H TdR及3 H Leu掺入、荧光探针标记测定单细胞内钙浓度等方法 ,观察不同来源大鼠 (SHR/WKY)VSMC ,PDGF AA、PDGF α受体和PDGF β受体表达的差异性以及在PDGF AA刺激下 ,VSMC增殖肥大反应、胞内 [Ca2 ]i变化和钙离子阻断剂 (nimodipine)对其的影响。 结果 :与WKY VSMC相比SHR VSMC中PDGF AA、PDGF α受体蛋白表达明显增加 ,而PDGF β受体蛋白表达在SHR VSMC与WKY VSMC无明显变化。在PDGF AA刺激下 ,增殖细胞核抗原 (PCNA)、3 H掺入率及胞内 [Ca2 ]i浓度在SHR VSMC明显增强 ;钙离子阻断剂 (nimodipine)明显抑制PCNA表达及3 H掺入 ,胞内 [Ca2 ]i浓度明显下降。结论 :自发性高血压大鼠VSMCPDGF A链及其α受体的自发性增高 ,可能是导致SHR VSMC异常增殖、肥大 ,从而触发血管反应性和血管构型变化的重要原因之一 ;细胞膜钙通道在调控VSMC的钙内流时起主要作用     

κ-阿片受体激动对高糖诱导心肌肥大的影响

目的:研究κ-阿片受体(κ-OR)激动剂U50488H在高浓度葡萄糖(25.5mmol/L)诱导的心肌细胞肥大中的作用及可能的信号转导通路。方法:以原代培养的新生大鼠心肌细胞为模型,应用25.5mmol/L的高浓度葡萄糖诱导心肌肥大,用Lowry法检测心肌细胞蛋白含量;用消化分离法及计算机图像分析系统检测心肌细胞体积;用Western蛋白印迹法测定细胞外信号调节激酶(ERK)磷酸化水平。结果:25.5mmol/L的高浓度葡萄糖使心肌细胞蛋白含量和体积明显增加,1μmol/L的U50488H能抑制高糖诱导的心肌肥大,使ERK磷酸化水平降低,与10μmol/L的ERK抑制剂U0126对心肌肥大的抑制程度相近,统计结果没有显著性差异。结论:U50488H抑制高糖诱导的心肌肥大与ERK信号有关。     

高血压对大鼠心肌PPAR-γ表达水平的影响及其意义

以自发性高血压大鼠（SHR）为模型,Wistar-Kyoto大鼠（WKY）为正常对照,探讨过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ（PPAR-γ）表达水平,在高血压肥厚心肌中的变化及其意义.4周龄(4w)、16周龄(16w) SHR及WKY称量体重（BM）后取心脏,分别测量左心室（LV）、室间隔（IS）、右心室（RV）湿重（WM）,并应用免疫组织化学技术,检测大鼠心肌细胞PPAR-γ表达;应用蛋白质印迹和RT-PCR技术,检测 4w、16w SHR LV、IS、RV PPAR-γ蛋白质和mRNA水平.发现4w SHR LVWM/BM、ISWM/BM、RVWM/BM与同龄WKY相比无显著性差异（P＞0.05）,PPAR-γ的蛋白质和mRNA表达水平亦相似（P＞0.05）;16w SHR LVWM/BM和ISWM/BM较同龄WKY明显增高（P＜0.01）,而PPAR-γ的蛋白质和mRNA水平显著降低（P＜0.01）,16w SHR RVWM/BM与16wWKY相比差异无显著性（P＞0.05）,PPAR-γ的蛋白质表达水平亦无显著性差异（P＞0.05）,mRNA水平较WKY略减弱（P＜0.05）.实验结果提示,长期压力负荷过重导致SHR LV和IS心肌代偿性肥厚,肥厚心肌中PPAR-γ蛋白质和mRNA表达水平显著降低,推测心肌细胞PPAR-γ表达受抑制,可能参与了高血压心室重塑的发生机制.     

肾性和自发性高血压大鼠心肌肥大前后心肌Gαq/11含量的变化

目的 :探讨Gαq/11在不同原因所致心肌肥大中的变化。方法 :两肾一夹肾性高血压大鼠 (RHR)和自发性高血压大鼠(SHR)模型 ,测定动脉血压和心肌肥大指数 ,放免法测定心肌血管紧张素II(AngII)含量 ,免疫印迹法测定心肌Gαq/11含量。 结果 :RHR术后 1周动脉血压、心肌肥大指数及Gαq/11含量与假手术组无差异 ,心肌AngII含量显著升高 (P <0 .0 1) ;术后 8周上述各指标均较假手术组升高。 12周龄SHR动脉血压、心肌肥大指数和AngⅡ含量均较同龄WKY升高 (P均 <0 .0 1) ,但心肌Gαq/11含量却无明显变化 ;4周龄时上述各指标与同龄对照相比均无明显差异。 结论 :Gαq/11在肾性和自发性高血压心肌肥大中有不同变化。     

主动脉弓缩窄诱导大鼠心肌肥大Raf/MEK/ERK通路的变化

目的:通过观察心肌肥大大鼠加速纤维肉瘤/丝裂素活化蛋白激酶激酶/胞外信号调节蛋白激酶(Raf/MEK/ERK)通路关键因子的基因和蛋白表达及蛋白磷酸化修饰水平上的变化,了解Raf/MEK/ERK通路在心肌肥大调控中的作用。方法: 20只SD大鼠随机分为假手术组和模型组,通过主动脉弓缩窄(TAC)法建立心肌肥大模型,12周后颌下静脉取血分离血清,检测氨基末端脑钠肽前体(NT-proBNP)含量,之后进行超声心动图测定和麻醉下的血流动力学测定,收集心肌标本,观察心肌组织的病理学改变,检测心肌组织Raf/MEK/ERK通路的关键因子基因、蛋白表达水平及蛋白磷酸化水平的变化。结果:与假手术组比较,TAC模型组大鼠超声心动图的左室舒张末期室间隔厚度(IVSd)、左室收缩末期室间隔厚度(IVSs)、左室后壁舒张末期厚度(LVPWd)、左室后壁收缩末期厚度(LVPWs)显著增厚(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),左室收缩末期内径(LVIDs)显著减小(P＜0.01),左心室质量(LV Mass)、左心系数LW(LV Mass/Weight)比值显著增加(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);大鼠心率(HR)、左心室最大收缩速率(+dp/dtmax)、左心室最大舒张速率(-dp/dtmax) 均显著降低(P＜0.01),血清中NT-pro BNP含量显著增加(P＜ 0.01);心肌细胞排列杂乱,心肌细胞肥大、胞质明显增多,炎症细胞浸润,出现大量胶原纤维沉积,大面积心肌细胞呈现蓝色;大鼠心肌组织中c-Raf在Ser259和Ser338上的磷酸化蛋白phospho-c-Raf (Ser259)和phospho-c-Raf (Ser338) 表达水平显著升高(P＜0.01),其下游MEK1/2、ERK1/2的磷酸化蛋白phospho-MEK1/2(Ser217/Ser221)和phospho-ERK1/2 (Thr202/Tyr204)表达水平也显著增高(P＜0.01)。结论: Raf/MEK/ERK通路在心肌肥大中的调控作用,可能通过激活关键因子c-Raf、MEK1、MEK2、ERK1和ERK2特异性位点的磷酸化实现的。     

自发性高血压大鼠运动后心肌c-fos和心钠素基因表达的变化

目的 :研究运动对高血压肥大心脏心肌初级和次级应答基因 (immediateearlygeneandlateresponsegene)表达的影响。方法 :采用Northern分子杂交方法对游泳运动 10周后自发性高血压大鼠 (spontaneouslyhypertensiverats ,SHR)心肌初级应答基因c fosmRNA和次级应答基因心钠素 (atrialnatriureticfactor ,ANF)mRNA的表达进行比较研究。结果 :游泳SHR收缩压和舒张压分别比安静SHR降低 2 2 %和 2 5 % (P <0 .0 1) ,但左心室重 /体重比值两组间无明显差异 (P >0 .0 5 )。SHR最后一次游泳 2 4h后 ,心肌c fosmRNA表达与安静SHR相比无明显差异 ,但两组大鼠比SHR的正常血压对照鼠WistarKyoto(WKY)分别提高 83 %和 80 %。游泳SHR心肌ANFmRNA表达比安静SHR降低 3 2 % ,但仍比WKY大鼠高 2 9%。结论 :SHR经过游泳运动后 ,出现心室肌ANF基因表达降低与c fos基因表达增强的不一致现象可能是运动改善高血压肥大心脏的分子机制之一。     

雌激素快速影响大鼠发育期海马NMDA受体活性的机制

为了探讨雌激素对发育期大鼠海马NMDA受体活性的快速影响,对出生后18d的雄性大鼠进行苯甲酸雌二醇皮下注射,1h后用WesternBlot检测海马NMDA受体NR1和NR2B亚基、雌激素β受体、ERK1/2蛋白的表达,以及NR2B和ERK1/2的磷酸化水平;并通过海马内给予雌激素受体拮抗剂ICI182,780和MEK1/2抑制剂U0126预处理,进一步分析苯甲酸雌二醇影响NR2B和ERK1/2磷酸化的作用机制。结果显示,苯甲酸雌二醇不影响NR1、NR2B、ERβ和ERK1/2的表达,但能快速增强NR2B和ERK1/2的磷酸化水平。雌激素受体拮抗剂ICI182,780和MEK1/2抑制剂U0126均能明显抑制苯甲酸雌二醇诱导的NR2B和ERK1/2磷酸化水平的增加。以上结果提示,雌激素可能通过雌激素受体的非基因组机制激活ERK/MAPK信号转导通路,快速诱导NMDA受体NR2B亚基磷酸化,激活NMDA受体。     

蛋白激酶C对自发性高血压大鼠肥大心肌细胞无负荷收缩功能的调节

在慢性压力超负荷引起心肌肥大过程中,蛋白激酶C(protein kinase C,PKC)的激活起关键性作用,激活的PKC也能调节心肌收缩性能.本文旨在研究自发性高血压大(spontaneously hypertensive rat,SHR)心肌肥大的不同阶段PKC调节心肌收缩性能的特征.采用胶原酶法分离4月龄与10月龄Wistar-Kyoto(WKY)、SHR大鼠的心肌细胞,观测单个心肌细胞无负荷缩短幅值以及在PKC激动剂与抑制剂作用下心肌收缩性能的变化.结果表明:刺激频率从1 Hz增至3 Hz,WKY大鼠心肌细胞无负荷缩短幅值逐渐增加,呈正阶梯效应;4月龄SHR大鼠心肌细胞的缩短幅值较WKY大鼠增强,但在各刺激频率下其缩短幅值基本保持不变;10月龄SHR大鼠心肌细胞的缩短幅值在1 Hz刺激条件下与WKY大鼠无差别,随刺激频率增加,缩短幅值降低,呈负阶梯效应.在PKC激动剂PMA灌流条件下,50、100与200 nmol/L的PMA分别降低WKY大鼠心肌细胞缩短幅值至(69.8±1.9)%、(58.2 2.2)%与(22.7±2.5)%(均P<0.01),呈浓度依赖关系;PMA对4月龄SHR大鼠心肌细胞缩短幅值的降低更明显,分别降至(6.1±0.7)%、(2.4±0.2)%与(12.5±2.6)%(均P<0.01);PMA降低10月龄SHR大鼠心肌细胞缩短幅值至(65.7±1.6)%、(53.9±4.0)%与(16.3±2.0)%(均P<0.01),小于对4月龄SHR大鼠心肌细胞缩短幅值的作用.PKC抑制剂staurosporine增加WKY大鼠心肌细胞缩短幅值,在200 nmol/L的staurosporine灌流条件下,WKY大鼠、4月龄SHR大鼠、10月龄SHR大鼠心肌细胞缩短幅值分别增JJH(63.63±4.53)%、(80.82±4.61)%、(80.97±4.59)%(均P<0.05).结果提示,在SHR大鼠心肌肥大初期,具有负性肌力作用的PKC异构体可能被激活,并参与对心肌收缩性能的调节;而心肌肥大稳定阶段,这些PKC活性可能恢复至正常水平.     

自发性高血压大鼠心肌胶原与血管紧张素Ⅱ的关系

目的　观察成年 (16周龄 )自发性高血压大鼠 (spontaneouslyhypertensiverat,SHR)与同龄对照组 (WKY)大鼠之间细胞外基质成分的差异及血管紧张素Ⅱ (AngiotensinⅡ ,AngⅡ )在SHR大鼠左室肥厚形成过程的作用。方法　用尾袖法间接测定大鼠血压 ;检测左心室组织及血浆中的血管紧张素转化酶 (angiotensinconvertingenzyme ,ACE)活性 (紫外分光光度法 ) ;放免法测定左室心肌AngⅡ含量。免疫组化测定左室心肌胶原含量 ,用3H -Proline掺入量测定体外培养心肌成纤维细胞 (cardiacfibroblast,CFB)胶原的合成率。结果　 (1) 16周龄SHR大鼠血压明显高于对照组 (WKY)大鼠 ,分别为 (2 7.6 3± 2 .6 7)kPa和 (16 39± 0 54)kPa ,P <0 .0 5;(2 )SHR大鼠左室心肌AngⅡ含量明显高于WKY组 ,分别为 (2 6 6± 75)pg/ 10 0mg和 (134± 4 1)pg/ 10 0mg ,P <0 .0 5;(3)左室重量 (Leftventricalarmass,LVM)SHR明显高于WKY组 ,分别为 (10 14.3± 6 2 .1)mg和 (895.7± 86 .4 )mg ,P <0 .0 5;(4 )心体比 (Letventricrlarmass/bodyeight,LVM/BW )SHR明显高于WKY组 ,分别为 (3.4 4± 0 .15)mg/g和 (2 .17± 0 .11)mg/g ,P <0 .0 5;(5)体外细胞培养的心肌成纤维细胞3H -Proline掺入量随着AngⅡ浓度升高而增加 ,1μmol/L的AngⅡ使SH     

Growth-promoting effect of platelet-derived growth factor on rat cardiac myocytes

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a dimeric molecule consisting of disulfide-bonded A- and B-polypeptide chains. Homodimeric (PDGF-AA, PDGF-BB) as well as heterodimeric (PDGF-AB) isoforms exert their effects on target cells by binding with different specificities to two structurally related protein tyrosine kinase receptors, denoted alpha- and beta-receptors. PDGF stimulates growth in various cell types, but little is known about its effect on mammalian cardiomyocytes. Therefore, growth-promoting effect of PDGF on rat cardiomyocytes was investigated. Primary culture of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes was prepared and cellular growth was estimated by [3H]-leucine incorporation assay. Tyrosine-phosphorylated PDGF-beta receptor of cardiomyocytes was determined by immunoblotting analysis after immunoprecipitation. PDGF-beta receptor, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and phosphorylated ERK1/2 of cardiomyocytes were measured by immunoblotting analysis. [3H]-leucine incorporation into the cultured myocytes was increased in a time- and dose-dependent manner after PDGF-BB stimulation. Phosphorylation of PDGF-beta receptor and ERK1/2 in cardiomyocytes was increased after short-term stimulation of PDGF-BB. Protein expression of PDGF-beta receptor and ERK1/2 was increased after long-term stimulation of PDGF-BB. [(3)H]-leucine incorporation into the cultured myocytes induced by PDGF-BB was partly blocked by mitogen-activated ERK-activating kinase (MEK) inhibitor PD98059, phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor U73122, and protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor staurosporin aglycone, respectively. Therefore, PDGF beta receptor, ERK1/2, PLC and PKC are involved in the signal transduction of PDGF-induced growth response of rat cardiac myocytes.     

Enhancement of phospholipase C delta 1 activity in the aortas of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), which develop hypertension approximately 10 weeks after birth, are considered to provide a good animal model for human essential hypertension. We report here that the abnormal activation of phospholipase C delta 1 (PLC-delta 1) may be one of the main causes of hypertension. Levels of the second messengers inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and diacylglycerol are found to be higher in the aortas of 12-week-old SHR than in age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY), although the levels in the aortas of 7-week-old SHR, which have normal blood pressure, are the same as in WKY. Moreover, PLC activity is also higher in the aortas of 12-week-old SHR. Judging from Western blot analysis and immunoabsorption of PLCs, this activation is found to be due to that of PLC-delta 1. PLC-delta 1 from rat aorta is expressed significantly from 7 to 12 weeks, which correlates with the development of hypertension in SHR. The activity of PLC-delta 1 in the aortas of 12-week-old SHR is more markedly activated at low Ca2+ concentration than that of age-matched WKY. These results suggest that the abnormal enhancement of PLC-delta 1 activity is responsible for accumulation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and diacylglycerol, leading to continuous hypertonicity of vascular smooth muscle in SHR. The activity of PLC-delta 1 in the aortas of 12-week-old SHR is significantly higher at low Ca2+ concentration than that of normotensive WKY.     

Which comes first: renal inflammation or oxidative stress in spontaneously hypertensive rats?

The present study was undertaken to identify whether inflammation or oxidative stress is the primary abnormality in the kidney in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Renal inflammation and oxidative stress were evaluated in 2- and 3-week-old prehypertensive SHR and age-matched genetically normotensive control Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Blood pressure was similar in WKY and SHR rats at 2 and 3 weeks, of age. Renal inflammation (macrophage and nuclear factor-kappaB) was elevated in SHR at 3 weeks, but not at 2 weeks, of age compared with age-matched WKY rats. Renal oxidative stress (nitrotyrosine, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and p47phox) was also clearly elevated in 3-week-old SHR compared with age-matched WKY rats. Additionally, NADPH oxidase subunit p47phox was found elevated in 2-week-old SHR compared to age-matched WKY rats. Moreover, antioxidant (N-acetyl-L-cysteine and Tempol) treatment reduced renal inflammation in prehypertensive SHR. We therefore conclude that the oxidative stress appears before inflammation as a primary abnormality in the kidney in prehypertensive SHR.     

Which comes first: Renal inflammation or oxidative stress in spontaneously hypertensive rats?

The present study was undertaken to identify whether inflammation or oxidative stress is the primary abnormality in the kidney in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Renal inflammation and oxidative stress were evaluated in 2- and 3-week-old prehypertensive SHR and age-matched genetically normotensive control Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Blood pressure was similar in WKY and SHR rats at 2 and 3 weeks, of age. Renal inflammation (macrophage and nuclear factor-κB) was elevated in SHR at 3 weeks, but not at 2 weeks, of age compared with age-matched WKY rats. Renal oxidative stress (nitrotyrosine, 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine and p47phox) was also clearly elevated in 3-week-old SHR compared with age-matched WKY rats. Additionally, NADPH oxidase subunit p47phox was found elevated in 2-week-old SHR compared to age-matched WKY rats. Moreover, antioxidant (N-acetyl-l-cysteine and Tempol) treatment reduced renal inflammation in prehypertensive SHR. We therefore conclude that the oxidative stress appears before inflammation as a primary abnormality in the kidney in prehypertensive SHR.     

Protein kinase C activity in platelets from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY)

Calcium-activated phospholipid dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C) activity in platelets was measured in 4, 12, and 20-week-old SHR and WKY. At age 4-weeks, there was no significant difference in protein kinase C activity and systolic blood pressure between SHR and WKY. In 12 and 20-week-old SHR, both protein kinase C activity and systolic blood pressure were significantly higher than in the age-matched WKY. These results suggest that protein kinase C may be involved in the control of blood pressure in SHR and WKY.     

Decreased angiotensin II binding affinity and binding capacity in the anterior pituitary gland of adult spontaneously hypertensive rats

Angiotensin II (ANG) binding sites were quantified in single pituitary glands from 4-week-old and 14-week-old male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and age-matched male normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) control rats after incubation with 125I-[Sar1]-ANG, autoradiography with computerized densitometry, and comparison to 125I-standards. The maximum binding capacity (Bmax) decreased while the dissociation constant (Kd) for ANG increased in 14-week-old SHR when compared to age-matched WKY control rats (Bmax: 265 +/- 9 and 224 +/- 4 fmol/mg protein; Kd: 0.79 +/- 0.04 and 1.14 +/- 0.08 10(-9) M in WKY and SHR, respectively). Conversely, no difference between rat strains was found in 4-week-old animals. Our results suggest that pituitary ANG binding sites may play a role in the pathophysiology of established genetic hypertension.     

Reduced levels of cyclic AMP contribute to the enhanced oxidative stress in vascular smooth muscle cells from spontaneously hypertensive rats

We have earlier shown that aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from 12-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) exhibited enhanced production of superoxide anion (O(2)(-)) compared with Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. This production was attenuated to control levels by losartan, an angiotensin II (Ang II) AT(1)-receptor antagonist, suggesting that the AT(1) receptor is implicated in enhanced oxidative stress in SHR. Since AT(1) receptor activation signals via adenylyl cyclase inhibition and decreases cAMP levels, it is possible that AT(1) receptor-mediated decreased levels of cAMP contribute to the enhanced production of O(2)(-) in SHR. The present study was undertaken to investigate this possibility. The basal adenylyl cyclase activity as well as isoproterenol and forskolin-mediated stimulation of adenylyl cyclase was significantly attenuated in VSMC from 12-week-old SHR compared with those from WKY rats, whereas Ang II-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase was significantly enhanced by about 70%, resulting in decreased levels of cAMP in SHR. NADPH oxidase activity and the levels of O2- were significantly higher (about 120% and 200%, respectively) in VSMC from SHR than from WKY rats. In addition, the levels of p47(phox) and Nox4 proteins, subunits of NADPH oxidase, were significantly augmented about 35%-40% in VSMC from SHR compared with those from WKY rats. Treatment of VSMC from SHR with 8Br-cAMP, as well as with cAMP-elevating agents such as isoproterenol and forskolin, restored to control WKY levels the enhanced activity of NADPH oxidase and the enhanced levels of O(2)(-), p47(phox), and Nox4. Furthermore, in the VSMC A10 cell line, 8Br-cAMP also restored the Ang II-evoked enhanced production of O(2)(-), NADPH oxidase activity, and enhanced levels of p47(phox) and Nox4 proteins to control levels. These data suggest that decreased levels of cAMP in SHR may contribute to the enhanced oxidative stress in SHR and that increasing the levels of cAMP may have a protective effect in reducing oxidative stress and thereby improve vascular function.     

Decreased velocity of shortening in arterial smooth muscle from older (28- to 31-week-old) spontaneously hypertensive rats

An increased maximum velocity of shortening (Vmax) and increased shortening ability (delta Lmax) have been reported for caudal arterial smooth muscle from 16- to 18-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) compared with age-matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) control rats. It is known that hypertension results in hypertrophy of vascular smooth muscle. It is plausible that the faster Vmax of 16- to 18-week-old SHR arterial smooth muscle may slow down with age due to hypertrophy. The force-velocity (F-V) study done previously on caudal arterial strips from 16- to 18-week-old SHR and WKY rats was repeated on preparations from 28- to 31-week-old rats. An electromagnetic muscle lever was employed in recording force-velocity data. Analysis of these data revealed that the 28- to 31-week-old SHR (n = 7) mean F-V curve was not different from the 28- to 31-week-old WKY (n = 5) mean F-V curve (p greater than 0.05), and the shortening ability of 28- to 31-week-old SHR arterial muscle was significantly depressed compared with 28- to 31-week-old WKY arterial muscle (p less than 0.01). In conclusion, (i) although Vmax is faster in younger (16- to 18-week-old) SHR compared with age-matched WKY caudal arterial smooth muscle, SHR Vmax is not different from WKY Vmax in the older (28- to 31-week-old) rats. (ii) Shortening ability is greater in 16- to 18-week-old SHR caudal arterial strips compared with 16- to 18-week-old WKY strips, but is significantly depressed in 28- to 31-week-old SHR compared with 28- to 31-week-old WKY preparations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

微小RNA在自发性高血压大鼠主动脉的差异表达

微小RNAs(microRNAs,miRNAs)是一类基因组编码、非蛋白质编码的小RNA,在转录后水平负性调节靶基因表达.本研究探讨miRNAs在自发性高血压大(spontaneously hypertensive rats,SHR)主动脉的表达特征及其与高血压的关系.取4、8、16和24周龄雄性SHR大鼠及同龄正常血压对照(Wistar-Kyoto,WKY)大鼠.MiRanda、TargetScan和PicTar用于候选miRNAs及靶基因预测分析.通过实时定量RT-PCR检测大鼠主动脉miR-1、miR-133a、miR-155及miR-208的表达,并进一步通过实时定量RT-PCR检测呈差异表达的miR-155和miR-208的预测靶基因mRNA表达.结果显示,SHR大鼠主动脉miR-155表达在4、8、24周时与同龄WKY大鼠无显著差异,但在16周时明显低于同龄WKY大鼠(P<0.05),且大鼠主动脉miR-155表达量与血压呈负相关(r=-0.525,P<0.05).MiR-208表达在4周龄时最高,随年龄增长明显下降(P<0.05),其表达水平与血压和年龄呈负相关(r=-0.400,P<0.05;r=-0.684,P<0.0001),但在SHR和WKY大鼠之间无显著差异.miR-1和miR-133a在各年龄组SHR和WKY大鼠间未呈现差异表达.MiR-155和miR-208表达与相应预测靶基因mRNA表达无显著负相关性.以上结果表明,miR-155表达在成年SHR大鼠主动脉明显低于WKY,并与血压呈负相关,提示miR-155可能参与高血压的发生发展,主动脉miR-155表达异常可能是SHR大鼠血压升高的原因之一.大鼠主动脉miR-208表达在幼年时最高,随年龄增长而明显下降,提示其可能与血管发育有关.     

Studies of arterial smooth muscle relaxation in younger (16-18 week) and older (28-31 week) spontaneously hypertensive rats

Both isometric and isotonic relaxation rates have previously been reported to be decreased in caudal arterial and mesenteric resistance arterial smooth muscle from 16- to 21-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) compared with muscle from age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). An increased maximum velocity of shortening (Vmax) and an increased shortening ability (delta Lmax) have also been reported for arterial smooth muscle from 16- to 21-week-old SHR. It has been suggested that both increased narrowing and prolonged narrowing of arteries contribute to the development of hypertension. However, SHR Vmax is not different from WKY Vmax when studying arterial muscle from older (28- to 31-week-old) rats. Thus increased arterial narrowing ability cannot be a contributing factor to the maintenance of hypertension. In this study the role of relaxation rate in the maintenance of hypertension was examined by comparing the relaxation rates of isometric and isotonic contractions of caudal arterial strips from 16- to 21-week-old SHR (n = 9) and WKY (n = 8) and from 28- to 31-week-old SHR (n = 7) and WKY (n = 5). While relaxation rates were lower for 16- to 21-week-old SHR compared with age-matched WKY preparations for both isometric and isotonic contractions, only isometric relaxation rates were found to be different in 28- to 31-week-old SHR compared with 28- to 31-week-old caudal arterial muscle (p less than 0.05). Vmax tended to normalize from a once-elevated velocity, while isometric relaxation rate remained decreased in SHR with ageing and (or) with progression of the hypertensive condition.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)