Induction of heat shock protein 72 protects against organ damage in essential hypertension: A hypothesis
Miller, M.J.; Boyd, J.E.; Gedamu, L.
Canadian Journal of Cardiology 16(1): 44-48
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0828-282X PMID: 10653933 Document Number: 518797
Over 12 consecutive years, hyperthermia was induced by immersion in hot baths 1576 times in one subject with a long history of labile hypertension. In year 13 (1996), following hyperthermia induction, peripheral lymphocytes were analyzed by Western blot analysis for heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) gene expression. It was demonstrated that rectal and oral fevers maintained for 15 mins at 38.2degreeC and 38.6degreeC or higher, respectively, triggered HSP72 expression. Because this subject showed no evidence of organ damage secondary to hypertension, and because both hyperthermia and acute hypertension upregulate HSP72 expression, a role for HSP72 in protection against the adverse effects of essential hypertension disease is proposed and discussed.