Expression of adrenoreceptor and melanocortin 2 receptor mRNA in various tissues from SHR.CG-LEPR^CP/NDMCR rats

1. Obese and spontaneously hypertensive SHR.Cg-Lepr^cp/NDmcr (cp/cp) rats exhibit phenotypic features that resemble metabolic syndrome. 2. As an initial approach in defining the roles of the sympathetic nervous system and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in the mechanism of metabolic syndrome, we examined the gene expression of the adrenoreceptors (a_1A, a _1B, a_1D, a_2A, a_2B, a_2C, b₁, b₂ and b₃) and the adrenocorticotrophin receptor melanocortin 2 receptor (mc2r) in various tissues from cp/cp rats using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. 3. In cp/cp rats, the gene expression of a_1A-, a_1B- and b ₁-adrenoceptors in the heart was increased compared with that in Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and lean spontaneously hypertensive rats, namely SHR.Cg-Lepr^cp/NDmcr (+/+) rats. However, the gene expression of b₂-, b₃-adrenoceptors and mc2r in adipose tissue was decreased compared with that in +/+ and WKY rats. These changes in the gene expression in cp/cp rats may be associated with the development and persistence of metabolic syndrome.