Different distributions of opioid receptors in spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar-Kyoto rats
Yin, X.; Zhu, Y.H.; Huang, D.K.; Xu, S.F.
Zhongguo Yao Li Xue Bao 16(4): 341-344
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0253-9756 PMID: 7668106 Document Number: 450291
AIM: To compare the densities of opioid receptors in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with those of normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats in central nervous system which are related to the regulation of BP. METHODS: (3H) Etorphine, a nonspecific opioid ligand, was used to determine the distributions of opioid receptors in 16-wk-old SHR and WKY rats by quantitative autoradiography . RESULTS: The densities of (3H) etorphine in hippocampus (P lt 0.01), periaqueductal gray, nucleus of the solitary tract, and thoracic (T4 - 6) spinal cord (P lt 0.05) of SHR were lower than those of WKY rats. But in basolateral amygdaloid nucleus (P lt 0.01), habenular nuclei (P lt 0.05), and hypothalamic nuclei including arcuate nucleus (P lt 0.01), higher densities of opioid receptors were found in SHR. No difference existed in interpeduncular nuclei between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: The difference in distributions of opioid receptors is related to the hypertension in SHR.