[ERK expression and activation in myocardial hypertrophy of spontaneously hypertensive rats with different ages].
To investigate the expression and activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) in myocardial hypertrophy of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with different ages.



SHRs and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were divided into 4 groups (5-, 8-,14-, 24-week old) respectively. The ratio of left ventricle weight to body weight (LVW/BW) was measured as the indicator of myocardial hypertrophy. The basal ERK expression (b-ERK) and phosphorylated-ERK (p-ERK) in myocardial tissue were examined by Western blot.



The blood pressure of SHR was significantly higher than that of age-matched WKY rats from 8-week-old (P<0.001). The ratio of LVW/BW in SHR was increased significantly from 14-week-old (P<0.01). There was no significant difference of b-ERK expression between SHR and age-matched WKY rats. The p-ERK level of 5-week-old SHR was similar to that of 5-week-old WKY rats. The p-ERK level of SHR was significantly higher than that of age-matched WKY rats from 8-week-old to 24-week-old (P<0.01). The ratio of LVW/BW was positively related to p-ERK level but not related to b-ERK.



The activation of ERK may play an important role in the development of myocardial hypertrophy caused by hypertension.
Huang
Zhao-yang
ZY
Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliate Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310031, China.
Liu
Zhong
Z
Zhu
Jian-hua
JH
Li
Shan
S
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002312:Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / Q000473:pathology*; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006973:Hypertension / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D011921:Rats, Inbred WKY
D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases