[Effect of valsartan on ultrastructure in the brain tissue and expression of Klotho gene in spontaneously hypertensive rats].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the effect of valsartan on brian ultrastructure, Klotho gene and micro-inflammatory factor [intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-l(VCAM-1)] expression in spontaneously hypertensive rat models.


METHODS
Ten male spontaneously hypertensive rats of 22 weeks age were selected and randomly divided into a hypertension group and a valsartan intervention group, while another 5 Wistar-kyoto rats were set as a normal contrast group. The brain ultrastructure of the 2 groups was observed by electron microscope. The expression of micro-inflammatory factor (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1)and Klotho gene was detected with RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot, respectively.


RESULTS
The cerebral neuron damage of spontaneously hypertensive rats whose ultrastructure showed cell-pyknosis, chromatin margination and typical apoptotic body formation were alleviated after the intervention of valsartan. RT-PCR showed that the gene expression of Klotho increased while ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 decreased after valsartan intervention. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot also showed that the protein expression of Klotho increased, while ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 decreased after valsartan intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
Valsartan can improve the brain ultrastructure of spontaneously hypertensive rats by increasing the expression of Klotho.
Li
Xiangmin
X
Department of Emergency, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.
Zhou
Qiaoling
Q
D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000090265:Klotho Proteins; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D011921:Rats, Inbred WKY; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014633:Valine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000068756:Valsartan; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D013777:Tetrazoles; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D000068756:Valsartan; D005966:Glucuronidase; D000090265:Klotho Proteins; D014633:Valine