Inflammatory and hypertrophic genes mRNA expression in rat LVH.

<p>(A) mRNA overexpression of inflammatory genes in aortic-banded <i>vs</i> sham-operated groups (n = 6 per group). (B) mRNA expression of the atrial natriuretic protein (ANP) and of the brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), positive controls for cardiac hypertrophy in aortic-banded <i>vs</i> sham-operated animals (n = 6 per group). Expression is calculated as 2^(-ΔCt) where the calibrator is the mRNA level of the <i>gapdh</i> reference gene. Data are presented as mean ± SEM. *<i>P</i><0.05 **<i>P</i><0.01 compared to sham group.</p

mRNA overexpression of chemokines in aortic-banded <i>vs</i> sham-operated groups.

<p>Expression is calculated as 2^(-ΔCt) where the calibrator is the mRNA level of the <i>gapdh</i> reference gene. Data are presented as means (blocks) ± SEM (bars). *<i>P</i><0.05 **<i>P</i><0.01 ***<i>P</i><0.001 compared to sham group.</p

Left ventricle anatomy and function in rat LVH.

<p>(A) Heart (left and right ventricles) to body weight ratio (mg/g) in aortic-banded (black line) <i>vs</i> sham-operated animals (gray line) from D0 to D14 (n = 6 per group). (B) Left ventricle area in sham-operated (gray block) <i>vs</i> aortic-banded (black block) animals (n = 6 per group) at D14. (C) Left-ventricle wall thickness in aortic banded <i>vs</i> sham-operated groups (n = 6 per group). (D) Hematoxylin-eosin staining of left-ventricular sections from sham operation (left) <i>vs</i> aortic banding (right) samples at D14. LV: Left ventricle. IVS: Interventricular septum. (E) Echocardiography measurements of the shortening and ejection fractions, calculated as: FS = [(EDLVD-ESLVD)/EDLVD)] x100; EF = [(EDLVD³-ESLVD³) / EDLVD³] x100. The end-diastolic and end-systolic left ventricle diameters (EDLVD and ESLVD) were measured on parasternal short-axis view of LV from M-mode. Data are presented as means ± SEM. *<i>P</i><0.05 **<i>P</i><0.01 ***<i>P</i><0.001 compared to sham group.</p

Effects of various salt challenges on mean blood pressure and heart rate in C57BL/6N male mice.

<p>Mice were monitored with telemetry and placed in a standard (A, C) or modified light/dark cycle (B, D). NS = normal salt diet (n = 12 and n = 17, for the standard and modified light cycle respectively), LS = low salt diet (n = 11 and n = 15, for the standard and modified light cycle respectively), HS = high Na⁺/normal K⁺ diet (n = 5 and n = 6, for the standard and modified light cycle respectively). One-way ANOVA per light phase followed by Tukey’s post-hoc test; *: p<0.05 compared to NS diet.</p

Comparison between C57BL/6N and C57BL/6J for their systolic blood pressure and heart rate responses to various salt challenges measured by NIBP.

<p>Measurements were made during the dark periods of a modified light/dark cycle. NS = normal salt diet (n = 20 and n = 20, for C57BL/6N and C57BL/6J respectively), LS = low salt diet (n = 20 and n = 20, for C57BL/6N and C57BL/6J respectively), HS = high Na⁺/normal K⁺ diet (n = 9 and n = 10, for C57BL/6N and C57BL/6J respectively) and HS/LK = high Na⁺/low K⁺ diet (n = 9 and n = 10, for C57BL/6N and C57BL/6J respectively). One-way ANOVA per light phase followed by Tukey Kramer’s post-hoc test; #: p<0.05 HS/LK compared to HS.</p

Effects of high-salt/normal potassium and high-salt/low potassium on mean blood pressure and heart rate in C57BL/6N mice.

<p>Mice were monitored with telemetry in the dark (A, B, C) and light (C) periods of a modified light/dark cycle. NS = normal salt diet (n = 17), LS = low salt diet (n = 15), HS = high Na⁺/normal K⁺ diet (n = 8) and HS/LK = high Na⁺/low K⁺ diet (n = 6). One-way ANOVA per light phase followed by Tukey’s post-hoc test; *: p<0.05 compared to NS diet; #: p<0.05 HS/LK compared to HS.</p

Comparison between C57BL/6N and C57BL/6J for their mean blood pressure and heart rate responses to various salt challenges.

<p>Mice were monitored with telemetry during the dark (A, B) and light (C) periods of a modified light/dark cycle. NS = normal salt diet (n = 17 and n = 17, for C57BL/6N and C57BL/6J respectively), LS = low salt diet (n = 15 and n = 17, for C57BL/6N and C57BL/6J respectively), HS = high Na⁺/normal K⁺ diet (n = 8 and n = 8, for C57BL/6N and C57BL/6J respectively) and HS/LK = high Na⁺/low K⁺ diet (n = 6 and n = 9, for C57BL/6N and C57BL/6J respectively). One-way ANOVA per light phase followed by Tukey’s post-hoc test; *: p<0.05 compared to NS diet; #: p<0.05 HS/LK compared to HS.</p

Plasma ion, aldosterone and renin activity measurements in C57BL/6N and C57BL/6J male mice.

<p>Plasma ion, aldosterone and renin activity measurements in C57BL/6N and C57BL/6J male mice.</p

Effect of high salt diets on the circadian blood pressure variations in C57BL/6N and C57BL/6J mice under a reverse light/dark cycle.

<p>2.5 days continuous telemetric recordings of systolic blood pressure after 2 weeks of NS, HS or HS/LK diet challenge. A) n = 8 per group B) n = 6 per group C) n = 8 per group D) n = 9 per group. Two-way ANOVA followed by Sidak’s post-hoc test *: p<0.05 for interaction.</p

Sodium and potassium levels in urine and plasma in C57BL/6N.

<p>Sodium and potassium levels in urine and plasma in C57BL/6N.</p