Physiol. Res. 53: 603-607, 2004


LVV-Hemorphin-7 Lowers Blood Pressure in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats: Radiotelemetry Study

J. ČEJKA, B. ŽELEZNÁ1, J. VELEK2, J. ZICHA, J. KUNEŠ

Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic and Center for Experimental Research of Cardiovascular Diseases, 1Institute of Molecular Genetics, and 2Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic

Received June15, 2004
Accepted October1, 2004


Summary
Cardiovascular effects of LVV-hemorphin-7, a member of the family of fragments from β-chain of human or bovine hemoglobin, were studied in conscious spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats by radiotelemetry. Intraperitoneal injection of hemorphin in a dose of 100 g/kg significantly decreased blood pressure in SHR, whereas negligible effect was seen in normotensive WKY rats. Blood pressure changes were accompanied by reduction of heart rate. In conclusion, a direct effect of LVV-hemorphin-7 on blood pressure was demonstrated in SHR. These biologically active peptides could be involved in blood pressure regulation especially in hypertensive rats, but the precise mechanism should be elucidated.


Key words
Hemorphin • Blood pressure • Heart rate • Hypertension • Rat


© 2004 by the Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences