Renin and angiotensin II receptor expression in the brains of DES-treated Syrian hamsters.
The renin angiotensin system (RAS) promotes vasoconstriction. Expression of RAS is induced by different factors.



In this study, forebrain sections of hamster brains were studied by immunohistochemical methods to determine the location of renin-positive and angiotensin II receptor-positive cells. The brain sections were obtained from diethylstilbesterol- (DES-) treated hamsters, adult non-DES-treated hamsters, elderly non-DES-treated hamsters, neonatal hamsters, and 15-day fetal hamsters. Circulating renin activity was determined for all but the neonatal and 15-day fetal hamsters.



Renin-positive and angiotensin II receptor-positive vascular smooth muscle cells were observed in DES-treated hamsters. No positive cells were observed in neonatal, 15-day fetal, and adult non-DES-treated hamsters. Some expression was observed in elderly hamsters.



Therefore, focal expression of the renin angiotensin system in brain vasculature was induced by the synthetic estrogen DES.
Dodge
A H
AH
Department of Basic Sciences, California College of Podiatric Medicine, San Francisco 94115, USA.
Reid
I A
IA
Inagami
T
T
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006224:Cricetinae; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D011945:Receptors, Angiotensin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
D011945:Receptors, Angiotensin; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol; D012083:Renin