[Changes in vasopressin V1 receptor mRNA level in rats with high blood pressure induced by chronic stress].

ABSTRACT

Using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) combined with Southern blotting hybridization technique, the AVP V1 receptor mRNA was found to be widely distributed in central neuronal system and other tissues of rats, such as cerebral cortex, hypothalamus, medulla, liver and kidney. The receptor mRNA levels in the cortex, hypothalamus and medulla were decreased significantly in chronically stressed rats, as compared with normal controls (cortex P < 0.05; hypothalamus P < 0.01; medulla P < 0.001). But no significant change was observed in tissues of heart, liver and kidney (heart P > 0.05; liver P > 0.05; kidney P > 0.05). These results suggest that chronic stress may lead to a decrease of AVP V1 receptor density in the CNS as a result of decreased synthesis.