Age-dependent regulation of renal vasopressin V1A and V 2 receptors in rats with genetic hypertension: Implications for the treatment of hypertension

Abstract

The role of arginine vasopressin (AVP) as a hypertensive hormone remains controversial. We have previously reported that intervention with a V 1A receptor antagonist in 6-week-old prehypertensive spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) for 4 weeks attenuated the subsequent development of hypertension in adult SHR. This study assessed the age-dependent regulation of plasma AVP levels and kidney V1A and V2 receptor expression during the development of hypertension in SHR and in normotensive Sprague Dawley rats. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), plasma AVP, and plasma renin activity (PRA) and kidney V1A and V2 receptor expression were assessed. SHR were studied at three ages: prehypertensive (6 week..