Changes of central norepinephrine, beta-endorphin, LEU-enkephalin, peripheral arginine-vasopressin, and angiotensin Ⅱ levels in acute and chronic phases of sino-aortic denervation in rats

摘要

We and others have demonstrated that impaired arterial baroreceptor reflex (ABR) function is one of the major causes of hypertension-associated end organ damage. The goal of this study was to clarify the potential neuro-humoral mechanisms responsible for impaired ABR-induced end organ damage. The sino-aortic denervated (SAD) rat was used as an animal model of ABR dysfunction. One-week SAD rats were characterized by hypertension, tachycardia, increased norepinephrine content, and decreased beta endorphin and leu-enkephalin content in hypothalamus and medulla oblongata, and increased plasma levels of arginine-vasopressin. In 18 week SAD rats, the 24-hour average arterial pressure, heart rate,