Abstract (EN):
The role of alpha(2)-adrenoceptors in the central regulation of blood pressure has been questioned, since drugs such as clonidine stimulate both alpha(2)-adrenoceptors and imidazoline-preferring receptors. The present work was undertaken to study the influence of alpha(2D)-adrenoceptors, encoded by the RG20 gene, on blood pressure in the rat. An antisense phosphodiester oligodeoxynucleotide, directed at nucleotides 4-21 of the RG20 gene, was injected in the right lateral cerebral ventricle, causing an increase in systolic blood pressure, both at 1 and 2 days after the injection, when compared to groups of control rats (injected with the sense oligodeoxynucleotide or a missense oligodeoxynucleotide or distilled water). Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides directed either at nucleotides 65-82 of the RG10 gene (encoding for alpha(2C)-adrenoceptors) or at nucleotides 26-43 of the RNG gene (encoding for alpha(2B)-adrenoceptors), failed to produce any change in blood pressure after being injected. We conclude that the alpha(2)-adrenoceptor encoded by the RG20 gene may play a role in blood pressure regulation in the rat.
Idioma:
Inglês
Tipo (Avaliação Docente):
Científica
Nº de páginas:
3