Changes of gene expressions in spontaneously hypertensive rat model after losartan treatment

Background and Objectives: The renin angiotensin system seems to play an important role in the development of cardiac and vascular hypertrophy in hypertension. The changes in pathology, and gene expressions of the angiotensin II receptor type 1A (AT1A) and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) were investigated in order to explore the effects of losartan in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) models. Materials and Methods: Twelve week-old male Wistar rats were grouped as follows: control (C) group, hypertension (H) group, and losartan (L) group in which SHR was treated with losartan (10 mg/kg/day). Western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis regarding seven genes such as endothelin-1, ACE, AT1A, neutrophil cytosolic factor, brain natriuretic peptide, troponin I, endothelial nitric oxide synthase were performed. Results: Systolic blood pressure was significantly decreased in the L group compared with the H group in weeks 3 and 5. ACE and AT1A proteins in the L group were lower than H group in week 5. Conclusion: Losartan reduced blood pressure, cardiac hypertrophy and protein expressions of ACE and AT1A. Changes of protein expressions were more sensitive than changes in pathology. Further study is needed for the differing doses of losartan in SHR models.