Abstract
Abstract
The activity of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase was studied in heart and aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and their controls (Kyoto-Wistar). Although the basal activities were comparable, the response to exogenously added, as well as endogenously synthesized, cyclic AMP was significantly decreased in hearts from 5-week-old SHR. This decrease was not observed at the age of 18 weeks. On the other hand, a normal response to exogenous cyclic AMP was observed in the aorta of young animals, while reduced activity was demonstrated in adult SHR. It is conceivable that these biochemical abnormalities are related to disturbances of cardiovascular functions in SHR, thus an increased heart rate is observed at the age of 5 weeks, while normal heart rate and high blood pressure are present in 18-week-old rats. These studies underline the need for careful age related studies of pathophysiological events in spontaneous hypertension in the rat, particularly at the onset of the disease.
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