Enhanced expression of endothelial oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor (LOX-1) in hypertensive rats

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) has been implicated in the attenuated endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in atherosclerotic arteries and, possibly, in hypertension. The aim of the present study was to investigate gene expression of recently-identified endothelial Ox-LDL receptor (LOX-1) in hypertensive state. SHR-SP, WKY, Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) and salt-resistant rats (DR) were fed salt-loaded or control diet. RNA was extracted from the aorta and vein. LOX-1 expression was examined by Northern blotting. LOX-1 mRNA was low in the aorta and vein of WKY, whereas it was markedly upregulated in those of SHR-SP. LOX-1 expression was low in the aorta of DR on both diets and of DS on a control diet, whereas it was elevated in that of salt-loaded DS. These results indicated that LOX-1 expression in the aorta and vein was upregulated in hypertensive rats, which may be involved in the impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation in these rats.