Effect of valsartan on ultrastructure in the brain tissue and expression of Klotho gene in spontaneously hypertensive rats / 中南大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the effect of valsartan on brian ultrastructure, Klotho gene and micro-inflammatory factor [intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-l(VCAM-1)] expression in spontaneously hypertensive rat models. Methods Ten male spontaneously hypertensive rats of 22 weeks age were selected and randomly divided into a hypertension group and a valsartan intervention group, while another 5 Wistar-kyoto rats were set as a normal contrast group. The brain ultrastructure of the 2 groups was observed by electron microscope. The expression of micro-inflammatory factor (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1)and Klotho gene was detected with RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot, respectively. Results The cerebral neuron damage of spontaneously hypertensive rats whose ultrastructure showed cell-pyknosis, chromatin margination and typical apoptotic body formation were alleviated after the intervention of valsartan. RT-PCR showed that the gene expression of Klotho increased while ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 decreased after valsartan intervention. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot also showed that the protein expression of Klotho increased, while ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 decreased after valsartan intervention. ConclusionValsartan can improve the brain ultrastructure of spontaneously hypertensive rats by increasing the expression of Klotho.