Comprehensive analysis of metabolic changes in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Objectives Hypertension is a chronic disease with multiple causative factors that involve metabolic disturbances and can cause various complications. However, the metabolic characteristics of hypertension at different stages are still unclear. This study aimed to explore the metabolic changes induced by hypertension at different ages. Methods Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were divided into four groups according to age: 5-week-old SHR (n = 6), 5-week-old WKY rats (n = 6), 32-week-old SHR (n = 6), and 32-week-old WKY rats (n = 6). Metabolites were analyzed in primary tissues (serum, heart, lung, kidney, brain, and brown adipose) using a non-targeted metabolomics approach. Results Thirty-five metabolites and nine related metabolic pathways were identified in 5-week-old SHR, mainly related to the metabolism of amino acids. Fifty-one metabolites and seven related metabolic pathways were identified in the 32-week-old SHR, involving glycolysis, lipid, and amino acid metabolisms. Conclusion This experiment elucidates the metabolic profile of SHR at different ages and provides a basis for predicting and diagnosing hypertension. It also provides a reference for the pathogenesis of hypertension.