Renin mRNA concentration in rat hypothalamus is decreased by enalapril

1. Renin mRNA is expressed in several extrarenal tissues, including brain. The aim of the present study was to quantify renin mRNA in the hypothalamus in response to a low NaCl diet and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor treatment, both of which are well-known stimuli of renin mRNA in kidney. 2. Groups of six Sprague-Dawley rats were given either a normal diet, low NaCl chow (0.04% NaCl), enalapril (0.25 mg/mL in drinking water), or low NaCl + enalapril, for 7 days. Renin mRNA in the hypothalamus was quantified by a competitive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. 3. Renin mRNA concentration in the hypothalamus of rats receiving a normal diet was 52 +/- 3 S.E. fg/microgram total RNA. Low NaCl had no effect (57 +/- 7), whereas values were significantly lower in rats treated with enalapril, either given alone (38 +/- 2; P = 0.002) or combined with a low NaCl diet (33 +/- 4; P = 0.003). 4. In conclusion, we have quantified renin mRNA in the rat hypothalamus and shown that it can be suppressed significantly by enalapril. This response is opposite to that seen in the kidney after enalapril.