1. Evaluation of the Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathway in the Hearts of Hypertensive Rats of Various Etiologies.
- Author
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Młynarczyk MA, Domian N, and Kasacka I
- Subjects
- Animals, Rats, Male, Wnt1 Protein metabolism, Wnt1 Protein genetics, Rats, Inbred SHR, Frizzled Receptors metabolism, Frizzled Receptors genetics, Desoxycorticosterone Acetate, Wnt Signaling Pathway, Hypertension metabolism, Hypertension etiology, Hypertension chemically induced, Hypertension pathology, Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta metabolism, Myocardium metabolism, Myocardium pathology, beta Catenin metabolism, beta Catenin genetics
- Abstract
Wnt/β-catenin signaling dysregulation is associated with the pathogenesis of many human diseases, including hypertension and heart disease. The aim of this study was to immunohistochemically evaluate and compare the expression of the Fzd8, WNT1, GSK-3β, and β-catenin genes in the hearts of rats with spontaneous hypertension (SHRs) and deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt-induced hypertension. The myocardial expression of Fzd8, WNT1, GSK-3β, and β-catenin was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the gene expression was assessed with a real-time PCR method. In SHRs, the immunoreactivity of Fzd8, WNT1, GSK-3β, and β-catenin was attenuated in comparison to that in normotensive animals. In DOCA-salt-induced hypertension, the immunoreactivity of Fzd8, WNT1, GSK-3β, and β-catenin was enhanced. In SHRs, decreases in the expression of the genes encoding Fzd8, WNT1, GSK-3β, and β-catenin were observed compared to the control group. Increased expression of the genes encoding Fzd8, WNT1, GSK-3β, and β-catenin was demonstrated in the hearts of rats with DOCA-salt-induced hypertension. Wnt signaling may play an essential role in the pathogenesis of arterial hypertension and the accompanying heart damage. The obtained results may constitute the basis for further research aimed at better understanding the role of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in the functioning of the heart.
- Published
- 2024
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