Gene expression in the mesenteric arteries of SHR and SHRSP compared with WKYs treated with 2K1C or 1K1C, or without operation for 3 weeks at 6 weeks of age

We examined gene expression profiles in the rat mesenteric arteries using genome-wide microarray technology, and determined gene expression profiles in 3 rat strains and treated ones: spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), stroke-prone SHR (SHRSP), and normotensive WKYs treated with 2K1C or 1K1C, or without operation for 3 weeks at 6 weeks of age. To identify candidate genes involved in the genesis of hypertension in the SHR strains in comparison to renal hypertensive WKY, we compared the gene expression levels at 6 weeks of age, isolated genes showing a more than 4-fold increase or a less than 1/4-fold compared with WKY treated with 2K1C, 1K1C or none.