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Elastin accumulation in the chick aorta: effect of 6-hydroxydopamine and deoxycorticosterone acetate
Research Communications in Chemical Pathology and Pharmacology
|February 1, 1984
Insights
Chick aorta elastin accumulation increases with blood pressure post-hatching. Deoxycorticosterone acetate and NaCl stimulate protein synthesis, while 6-hydroxydopamine decreases it, affecting elastin levels.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular physiology
- Developmental biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Elastin is a crucial protein in blood vessel walls, providing elasticity.
- Aorta development and changes in blood pressure are critical during early life stages.
- Hormonal and chemical factors can influence cardiovascular development and protein synthesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the net accumulation of aorta elastin in chicks during the first 14 days post-hatching.
- To examine the relationship between elastin accumulation and blood pressure changes.
- To determine the effects of deoxycorticosterone acetate, dietary NaCl, and 6-hydroxydopamine on aorta protein synthesis and elastin accumulation.
Main Methods:
- Estimation of net elastin accumulation in chick aortas from day 1 to 14 post-hatching.
- Monitoring of blood pressure changes during the same period.
- Administration of deoxycorticosterone acetate plus dietary NaCl to a group of chicks.
- Administration of 6-hydroxydopamine to another group of chicks.
- Measurement of aorta protein synthesis in treated and control groups.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in aorta elastin accumulation was observed between day 1 and 14 post-hatching.
- This elastin accumulation coincided with an observed elevation in blood pressure.
- Deoxycorticosterone acetate combined with dietary NaCl treatment stimulated aorta protein synthesis.
- Conversely, 6-hydroxydopamine administration led to decreased aorta protein synthesis and net elastin accumulation.
Conclusions:
- Aorta elastin accumulation and blood pressure are closely linked during early chick development.
- Hormonal and dietary factors (deoxycorticosterone acetate, NaCl) can positively modulate aorta protein synthesis and elastin deposition.
- Neurochemical intervention (6-hydroxydopamine) negatively impacts these processes, suggesting a role for neural pathways in cardiovascular development.
Abstract:
The net accumulation of aorta elastin in the chick was estimated from day 1 to 14, post-hatching. Increased elastin accumulation was coincident with the elevation in blood pressure observed for this period. Further deoxycorticosterone acetate plus dietary NaCl also caused stimulation of protein synthesis in aorta. In contrast, aorta protein synthesis and net elastin accumulation appeared to be decreased in chicks given 6-hydroxydopamine.