Project description:We measured gene expression in the adrenal glands of the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto rat (WKY) using Affymetrix RG-U34A GeneChips. All rats were aged-matched at 4-weeks. The rats were obtained from the colonies at the Univeristy of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA.
Project description:Hypertension is a multifactor disease that possibly involves alterations in gene expression in hypertensive relative to normotensive subjects that are largely unknown. In this study we used high-density oligoarrays to compare gene expression profiles in cultured neurons and glia from pons and medulla oblongata of newborn spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats, a widely documented animal model of hypertension. We found 358 genes differentially expressed between SHR and WKY brainstem cells that preferentially map to 24 metabolic/signaling pathways. Some of the pathways and regulated genes identified herein are obviously related to blood pressure regulation; however there are several genes differentially expressed in SHR not yet associated to hypertension or participating in blood pressure regulation. These constitute a rich resource for the identification and characterization of novel genes involved in hypertension development, or associated to phenotypical differences observed in SHR relative to WKI. In conclusion, this study describes for the first time the gene profiling pattern of brainstem cells from SHR and WKY rats, which opens up new possibilities and strategies of investigation and possible therapeutics to hypertension, as well as for the understanding of the brain contribution in this pathology. Keywords: Gene expression profiling of cultured cells from brainstem of spontaneously hypertensive and normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats
Project description:Left ventricular gene expression profiles from 12-, 16- and 20-months old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were compared with left ventricular profiles seen in age-matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats [control rats] by screening Affymetrix U34A arrays (there are 4 samples in each timepoint except 3 samples of 20-months old WKYs).
Project description:The Wistar-Kyoto rat (WKY rat) is a widely used spontaneous model of depression. The WKY rats were subjected to oral exposure of Escitalopram solution (a first-line antidepressant) ,then hippocampus were analysed using LC-MS/MS analysis.
Project description:DEP exposure is linked to increases in cardiovascular effects. This effect is enhanced in individuals with pre-existing disease. Animal models of cardiovascular disease are used to study this susceptibility. The heart is rich in mitochondria, which produce high levels of free radicals, leading to inactivation of tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes. We hypothesized that a 4-wk DEP inhalation would result in strain-related structural impairment of cardiac mitochondria and changes in these enzyme activities in WKY and SHR. Male rats (12-14 wks age) were exposed whole body to air or 0.5 or 2.0 mg/m3 DEP for 6h/d, 5 d/wk for 4 wks. Neutrophilic influx was noted in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in both strains. A slightly lower level of baseline cardiac mitochondrial aconitase activity was seen in SHR than WKY. Aconitase activity appeared to be decreased in an exposure related manner in both strains. Significantly higher baseline levels of cardiac cytosolic ferritin and aconitase activity were seen in the SHR than WKY. No exposure-related changes were noted in either of these measures. Mitochondrial succinate and isocitrate dehydrogenase activities were not changed following DEP exposure in either strain. Transmission electron microscopy images of the heart indicated abnormalities in cardiac mitochondria of control SHR but not control WKY. No exposure related ultrastructural changes were induced by DEP in either strain. In conclusion, strain differences in cardiac biomarkers of oxidative stress and structure of mitochondria exist between SHR and WKY. DEP exposure results in small changes in cardiac mitochondrial and cytosolic markers of oxidative stress. (Abstract does not represent USEPA policy.) Experiment Overall Design: Two strains of rats (Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats were exposed to either diesel exhaust particles or clean air. Four biological replicates were used for each strain/treatment exposure. Total number of chips equals 16.