Chronic estrogen exposure affects gene expression in the rostral ventrolateral medulla of young and aging rats: Possible role in hypertension.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Chronic exposure to estradiol-17β (E2) in adult female rats increases mean arterial pressure by stimulating superoxide production in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM). However the mechanisms behind this phenomenon are unknown. We hypothesized that E2 exposure induces the gene expression of cytokines, chemokines and NADPH oxidase (Nox) in the RVLM that promotes superoxide production and aging would exacerbate this effect.

Methods

Young adult (3-4 month old) and middle-aged (6-8 month old) female Sprague Dawley rats were sham-implanted (YS and MS respectively) or implanted s.c. with slow-release E2 pellets (20 ng of E2/day for 90 days; YE and ME respectively). Blood pressure (BP) was measured during the last 3 weeks of exposure in a separate set of rats. At t

SUBMITTER: Subramanian M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4714716 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature