The term "Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat" can be quite a mouthful when it comes to spelling, especially for those who are new to the field of medical research. This term is often abbreviated as "SHR", but understanding its spelling is also important. "Spontaneously" is spelled as /spɑnˈteɪ.ni.əs.li/, with the stress on the second syllable. "Hypertensive" is spelled as /ˌhaɪ.pərˈten.sɪv/, with the stress on the third syllable. And "Rat" is spelled as /ræt/. Pronouncing these phonetic transcriptions will help in correctly spelling this complex term.
Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat (SHR) is a widely used animal model in biomedical research, specifically in the study of hypertension or high blood pressure. It is a strain of rodents that have been selectively bred to develop high blood pressure characteristics resembling human essential hypertension.
The Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat is called 'spontaneous' because these rats naturally exhibit the development of hypertension without the need for external stimuli or interventions, unlike induced hypertension models involving surgical or chemical procedures.
The genetic mutation responsible for the development of hypertension in SHR is believed to involve the renin-angiotensin system and sympathetic nervous system, which are vital regulators of blood pressure in humans. As a result, SHR rats show significantly elevated blood pressure levels compared to other rat strains, particularly from the age of 4-6 weeks onwards.
The SHR model offers valuable insights into the pathogenesis and mechanisms behind essential hypertension and related cardiovascular diseases. It allows researchers to investigate the effects of various factors on the development and progression of hypertension, as well as evaluate the efficacy of potential therapeutic interventions. The use of SHR rats has contributed significantly to our understanding of the complex mechanisms behind hypertension, leading to the development of new drugs and treatment strategies for hypertension in humans.