A possible connection between an increased concentration of a cytochemically detectable substance in the hypothalamus of the spontaneously hypertensive rat and certain cerebral cholinergic disturbances.
The hypothalamus of the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) contains an increased concentration of a cytochemically detectable choline-like substance, the physicochemical properties of which are similar to the choline analogue dimethyl methylene immonium. In the hypothalamus of the adult SHR there is an increased turnover of acetylcholine in the cholinergic pressor posterior hypothalamic nucleus and the neurons of the dorsomedial cholinergic depressor nucleus are atrophic, possibly due to diminished cholinergic activity. Both of these changes are pressor. It is suggested that an increased hypothalamic content of a choline-like analogue might either be responsible for, or an indicator of, these abnormalities.
de Wardener
H E
HE
Department of Chemical Pathology, Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, London, England.
Holland
S
S
Alaghband-Zadeh
J
J
Morris
H R
HR
Panico
M
M
Etienne
A
A
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002794:Choline / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D006973:Hypertension / Q000378:metabolism*; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR
D002794:Choline; D000109:Acetylcholine