Angiotensin II-Mediated Switching of Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone to Arginine Vasopressin in the Paraventricular Nucleus Under Chronic Stress Conditions

Authors

Jason T. Rich, Brigham Young University
Dr. James D. Porter, Brigham Young University

Keywords

corticotropin-releasing hormone, CRH, arginine vasopressin, AVP, angiotensin II, rats

College

Life Sciences

Department

Physiology and Developmental Biology

Abstract

The purpose of my study was to quantify the effects of angiotensin II on young rats under extreme stress. We hypothesized that we would observe an angiotensin II-mediated switch in brain hormonal expression from corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) to arginine vasopressin (AVP). Ten rats were equipped with osmotic ventricular pumps. Five rats received losartan (an angiotensin II antagonist) and the other five received a saline solution. Three rats where left untreated, to act as a control for the experiment. Two losartan treated rats and one saline treated rat died during the stressing period. However the losartan pumps were salvaged and implanted into two of the control rats. After the two-week stressing period, the pumps were checked for proper perfusion and the rats were sacrificed. In the end we were left with four losartan treated rats, three saline treated rats, and one control rat whose tissue was viable for RT-PCR testing.

Recommended Citation

Rich, Jason T. and Porter, Dr. James D. (2013) "Angiotensin II-Mediated Switching of Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone to Arginine Vasopressin in the Paraventricular Nucleus Under Chronic Stress Conditions," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 1487.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/1487