Expression of Renin–Angiotensin System Genes in Brain Structures of ISIAH Rats with Stress-Induced Arterial Hypertension

We studied the expression of genes encoding angiotensinogen (Agt), renin (Ren), angiotensinconverting enzyme (ACE), and type 1 angiotensin receptor (AT1A) in the hypothalamus and medulla oblongata of hypertensive ISIAH rats and normotensive WAG rats. The amount of Agt mRNA in the hypothalamus of young ISIAH rats was increased by 30% compared to WAG controls. In the medulla oblongata of young ISIAH rats, the levels of mRNA of Agt and AT1A receptor were enhanced by 60% and 24%, respectively, compared to WAG rats. In adult animals, the expression of the studied genes did not differ from the control. It is concluded that changes in gene expression of the renin—angiotensin system in brain structures of ISIAH rats may contribute to the development of hypertension.