The impact of ACE/NOS inhibition on oestrogen receptor-β expression in spontaneous hypertensive rat left ventricle

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in industrialized countries and display significant gender-based differences. Oestrogen plays an important role in the pathogenesis of heart disease and is able to modulate the progression of cardiovascular disease. Oestrogen receptor-β (ERβ ) is a member of the family of oestrogen receptors and the superfamily of nuclear receptor transcription factors. The gene product contains an N-terminal DNA-binding domain and C-terminal ligand-binding domain and is localized to the nucleus, cytoplasm and mitochondria. ERβ has been shown to be protective against the development of cardiac remodelling. Objectives: To determine the level of expression of ERβ in remodelled hearts isolated from spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHRs). Materials and methods: RNA and cDNA were isolated from SHR groups. Polymerase chain reaction was performed to measure the expression of ERβ . Results: The SHR group that was treated with L-NAME (NG-nitro-L -arginine methyl ester)+enalapril showed increased expression of ERβ , which may lead to a reduction in cardiac remodelling. Conclusions: Treatment of prehypertension with enalapril appeared to be well tolerated and reduced the risk of incident hypertension during the study period. Thus, treatment of prehypertension appears to be feasible. Acknowledgements: Hale laboratory: Dr D’ Souza; Gonzales laboratory: Devin, Lakshmi, Angeleah.