Key Points
- To determine whether the renin gene locus cosegregates with elevated blood pressure in a cross between spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar-Kyoto rats.
- Assessed 137 F2 hybrid rats derived from inbred spontaneously hypertensive rats (Okamoto strain) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats.
- Measured systolic blood pressure via tail-cuff, mean arterial pressure via carotid catheter, and identified renin alleles using a BglII restriction fragment length polymorphism.
- The hypertensive renin allele cosegregated significantly with higher systolic blood pressure in males (weeks 8–24) and females (weeks 12–24), with peak blood pressure differences between homozygotes reaching 35 mmHg in males and 17 mmHg in females at 24 weeks.
- Rats carrying the hypertensive renin allele showed higher mean arterial pressure at 24 weeks and increased body weight in males, but exhibited lower plasma renin concentrations.
Structured PICO
PPopulation137 F2 rats derived from inbred spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) of the Okamoto strain and Wistar-Kyoto rats
IInterventionPresence of the SHR renin allele
CComparatorPresence of the Wistar-Kyoto rat renin allele
OOutcomeSystolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressuresurrogate
The renin gene is identified as one of the loci determining high blood pressure in the spontaneously hypertensive rat model.