Regional differences in sexually dimorphic protein expression in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR)

Hypertension is sexually dimorphic and modified by removal of endogenous sex steroids. This study tested the hypothesis that endogenous gonadal hormones exert differential effects on protein expression in the kidney and mesentery of SHR. At ~5 weeks of age male and female SHR underwent sham operation, orchidectomy, or ovariectomy (OVX). At 20–23 weeks of age, mean arterial pressure (MAP) was measured in conscious rats. The mesenteric arterial tree and kidneys were collected, processed for Western blots, and probed for Cu Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1), soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), and Alpha 2A adrenergic receptor (A2AR) expression. MAP was unaffected by ovariectomy (Sham 164 ± 4: Ovariecttomy 159 ± 3 mm Hg). MAP was reduced by orchidectomy (Sham 189 ± 5:Orchidectomy 167 ± 2 mm Hg). In mesenteric artery, SOD1 expression was greater in male versus female SHR. Orchidectomy increased while ovariectomy decreased SOD1 expression. The kidney exhibited a different pattern of response. SOD1 expression was reduced in male compared to female SHR but gonadectomy had no effect. sEH expression was not significantly different among the groups in mesenteric artery. In kidney, sEH expression was greater in males compared to females. Ovariectomy but not orchidectomy increased sEH expression. A2AR expression was greater in female than male SHR in mesentery artery and kidney. Gonadectomy had no effect in either tissue. We conclude that sexually dimorphic hypertension is associated with regionally specific changes in expression of three key proteins involved in blood pressure control. These data suggest that broad spectrum inhibition or stimulation of these systems may not be the best approach for hypertension treatment. Instead regionally targeted manipulation of these systems should be investigated.