Age-related alterations in brain α1-adrenoceptors of hypertensive rats: Their possible role in the development of arterial hypertensionof hypertensive rats: Their possible role in the development of arterial hypertension

Abstract

The binding of labeled agonist (3H-prazosin) to α1-receptors in the frontal cortex, hypothalamus, and medulla oblongata of hypertensive (NISAG) and normotensive (Wistar) rats of different age is studied to elucidate the role of these receptors in the development of hereditary stress-induced arterial hypertension. It is found that the density of α1-adrenoceptors in the hypothalamus of 30-day-old and adult NISAG rats is decreased, while in the medulla oblongata the number of these receptors, starting from the first week of life, is greater than in Wistar rats of the same age. From a comparison of these findings with the development of hypertension in NISAG rats it is concluded that α1-adrenoceptors of the medulla oblongata are involved in this process.