title: RhoA expression is not a critical determinant in hypertension evolution in salt-sensitive Dahl rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Rho/Rho kinase pathway plays an important role in regulation of vascular smooth muscle cell contraction and is involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension. However, little is known about the role of this pathway in the evolution of salt-sensitive hypertension and vascular remodeling. The aim of this study was to examine whether the age-dependent surge of blood pressure after exposure to a high salt-containing diet, which is well-established for Dahl salt-sensitive rats, is primarily regulated by the level of expression of RhoA in arterial vessels.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined Dahl salt-sensitive rats at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 9 weeks of age (n=10, each). In each group, animals were switched to being fed a diet containing 8% NaCl from one containing 0.3% NaCl. After 7 days, mRNA and protein levels of RhoA from the thoracic aorta were quantified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the time of examination, increases in systolic blood pressure were significantly different depending on the age at which the high salt diet was initiated. The % increases were 34+/-3% (3-weeks), 20+/-2% (6-weeks), and 13+/-2% (9-weeks). Despite these differing changes in blood pressure, mRNA and protein levels of RhoA in the arteries did not differ among the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RhoA expression and activity appear not to be the critical determinant of the surge in hypertension when Dahl salt-sensitive rats are exposed to salt-rich diets. Hence, the age-dependent salt-sensitivity must be mediated by alternative pathways.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yoneda
authors.forename: Yasuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kihara
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takenaka
authors.forename: Yoko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Onozawa
authors.forename: Nobuaki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sarai
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kita
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015870:Gene Expression; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D020303:Rats, Inbred Dahl; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012982:Sodium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D020742:rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012982:Sodium, Dietary; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D020742:rhoA GTP-Binding Protein