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Chronobiology International
The Journal of Biological and Medical Rhythm Research
Volume 35, 2018 - Issue 9
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Original Articles

Functional changes of the SCN in spontaneous hypertension but not after the induction of hypertension

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Pages 1221-1235 | Received 19 Dec 2017, Accepted 21 Apr 2018, Published online: 22 May 2018
 

ABSTRACT

The present study investigates the circadian behavior of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) during the pre-hypertensive and hypertensive stage, with the aim to gain insight into whether observed changes in the functionality of suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the hypertensive state are cause or consequence of hypertension. Four types of animals were used in this study: (1) SHRs which develop hypertension genetically; (2) their normotensive controls, Wistar Kyoto rats (WKYs); (3) Wistar rats whereby hypertension was surgically induced (2 Kidney 1 Clamp (2K1C) method); and (4) sham-operated control Wistar rats. Period length and activity levels and amplitude changes of locomotor and wheel running activity were determined, in constant conditions, as a measure of the functionality of the SCN. Hereto two conditions were used, constant darkness (0 lux) and constant dim (5 lux) light. SHRs showed a shortened period of their locomotor and running wheel activity rhythms in constant darkness during both pre-hypertensive and hypertensive stages and exhibited period lengthening in constant dim light conditions, only during hypertensive stages. Total amount as well as the amplitude of daily running wheel rhythms showed an inverse correlation with the period length, and this relation was significantly different in SHRs compared to WKYs. None of the aforementioned changes in circadian rhythms were observed after the surgical induction of hypertension. The present findings suggest early functional changes of the SCN in the etiology of spontaneous hypertension.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflict of financial or academic interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed on the publisher’s website.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología [220598];Dirección General de Asuntos del Personal Académico, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México [PAPIIT IG200417];Hartstichting [00B180].

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