Rat brain regional preproenkephalin A messenger RNA levels are altered in genetic hypertension.

Considerable neuroanatomical and pharmacological evidence suggests that preproenkephalin A-derived peptides, particularly methionine-enkephalin, are involved in regulation of the cardiovascular system in both physiological and pathological states. In this study, we used a rat preproenkephalin A complementary DNA to determine whether proenkephalin A-derived peptides participate in the pathogenesis of hypertension as reflected by brain regional messenger RNA levels. Complementary DNA clones of the rat preproenkephalin A mRNA and rat small myelin basic protein mRNA were hybridized to total RNA extracted from hypothalamus, pons-medulla, thoracic cord, midbrain, and cerebellum of 3 1/2-week-old and 12-week-old Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats. In 3 1/2-week and 12-week animals there were no differences in the levels of myelin basic protein messenger RNA between the two groups in any brain region. At 3 1/2 weeks, preproenkephalin A mRNA levels did not differ between normotensive and hypertensive strains. In contrast, at 12 weeks preproenkephalin A mRNA levels were increased in hypothalamus, midbrain, thoracic cord, and cerebellum of SHR relative to WKY. Preproenkephalin A mRNA was significantly reduced in the pons-medulla of SHR relative to WKY. Our findings provide evidence that alterations in brain regional preproenkephalin A mRNA levels are associated with the development of spontaneous hypertension in the rat.