Metabolic syndrome emerges after artificial selection for low baroreflex sensitivity

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular physiology
• Metabolic syndrome research
• Animal models in disease

Background:

• The role of impaired arterial baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) in cardiovascular disease incidence is unclear.
• The molecular mechanisms underlying impaired BRS require further elucidation.
• A hypothesis posited that selective breeding for intrinsic BRS could create models for cardiovascular disease risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the causal link between intrinsic low arterial baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and the development of cardiovascular diseases.
• To establish animal models reflecting cardiovascular disease risk through selective breeding for BRS.
• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms connecting impaired BRS to metabolic disorders.

Main Methods:

• Twenty generations of selective breeding were employed to develop distinct rat lines with low and normal intrinsic arterial baroreflex sensitivity (BRS).
• Quantitative assessment of BRS differences between the selected rat lines.
• Monitoring and analysis of metabolic parameters, including body weight, food consumption, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia.

Main Results:

• Selective breeding resulted in rat lines with a significant approximately 2.5-fold difference in arterial baroreflex sensitivity (BRS).
• Arterial baroreflex-deficient rats (ABR-DRs) developed metabolic syndrome, characterized by hypertension, overweight, hyperlipemia, and hyperglycemia.
• Despite consuming less food, ABR-DRs exhibited significantly greater body weight gain compared to normal rats.

Conclusions:

• Intrinsic low arterial baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) is demonstrated to induce hypertension and metabolic disorder.
• Restoration of impaired BRS presents a potential therapeutic strategy for managing metabolic syndrome.
• The study highlights BRS as a critical factor in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases.