Changes in TSH and 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC) in hypertension

In order to elucidate the role of thyroid hormones in hypertension, several plasma hormones were chronologically examined using M-SHRSP (malignant SHRSP). In this study, M-SHRSP blood pressure went above 160 mmHg at 6 weeks of age. At the same time, both free T3 and free T4 were already higher in M-SHRSP than in WKY. At 8 weeks of age, M-SHRSP blood pressure reached 220 mmHg, and their TSH and DOC were higher than in WKY. On the other hand, M-SHRSP corticosterone was lower than in WKY. M-SHRSP free T3 and free T4 also decreased momentarily. At 10 weeks of age, M-SHRSP blood pressure reached 250 mmHg, TSH and DOC were higher than in WKY, and their corticosterone was nearly equal to that of WKY. At 12 weeks of age, M-SHRSP blood pressure went above 250 mmHg. At the same time, their free T3 and free T4 increased and was again higher than in WKY. Therefore, it is quite possible that free T3, free T4, and DOC are closely related to the development and/or maintenance of hypertension in M-SHRSP.