Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats is a term used to describe a specific type of rat breed used for scientific research. In IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet), it is spelled /spɒnˈteɪniəsli hiːpəˈtɛnsɪv ræts/. The first two syllables are pronounced as "spahn-TAY-nee-uhs-lee" and the stress falls on the third syllable. "Hi-pur-TEN-siv" is pronounced as the word "hyper" with "ten" in the middle and the stress is on the second syllable. "Rats" is pronounced as it is spelled, with the single "t" indicating a voiceless dental plosive.
Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR) are a commonly used animal model in medical research studies investigating hypertension and its associated complications. These rats have been selectively bred over generations to develop high blood pressure levels without any external interventions, making them a valuable tool in studying the pathogenesis, treatment, and prevention of hypertension.
The SHR strain is characterized by several physiological and genetic traits that resemble human hypertension. These rats exhibit a tendency to develop elevated blood pressure levels starting from an early age, which progressively worsen to levels significantly higher than that of normal rats. Moreover, SHR rats often exhibit other characteristics commonly seen in hypertensive patients, such as increased vascular resistance, impaired endothelial function, left ventricular hypertrophy, and tissue damage in organs affected by high blood pressure.
Due to their genetic predisposition to hypertension, SHR are widely employed in researching the underlying mechanisms contributing to the development and progression of hypertension. Scientists use SHR to explore the impact of genetic, environmental, and dietary factors on blood pressure regulation. In addition, SHR models are utilized for testing the effectiveness and safety of various pharmaceutical drugs and other interventions aimed at lowering blood pressure. By studying SHR, researchers can gain insights into the complex etiology of hypertension and develop novel therapeutic strategies to combat this prevalent cardiovascular disorder.