Relationship between NHE-1 gene expression in myocardium and left ventricular hypertrophy in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Objective To explore the relationship between NHE-1 gene expression in myocardium and left ventricular hypertrophy in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Methods Body weight (BW), mean blood pressure, and left ventricular weight (LVW) were measured in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and normotensive WKY rats. NHE-1 mRNA expression in myocardium was detected by quantitative real-time PCR. Results As compared with those in WKY rats, LVW and LVW/BW ratio in SHRs were obviously increased (r = 0.700, r = 0.617;P 0.01). Mean blood pressure was positively related with left ventricular weight and the ratio of left ventricular weight to body weight (P 0.01). The expression of NHE-1 in myocardium was elevated in SHRs (P 0.01). Conclusion The elevation in NHE-1 mRNA expression in the myocardium of SHRs suggests that NHE-1 gene may be involved in the genesis and development of left ventricular hypertrophy.