Blood pressure analysis system

A group of 16‐month‐‐old NURR1‐KO (male n = 4; female n = 9) and their WT littermates (male n = 8; female n = 8), and a group of 3–5‐month‐old female NURR1‐KO (n = 9) and their WT littermates (n = 5) underwent systolic blood pressure and heart rate measurement. Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded using a noninvasive tail cuff‐based technique (BP‐2000 Series II, Blood Pressure Analysis System, Visitech Systems, Apex, NC). Prior to measurements, the animals were placed into the habituation room for 30 min to ensure mice adaptation to the procedure. Parameters were recorded in a proper environment (RT, lightning and noise‐free atmosphere). Conscious mice underwent 5‐cycle measurement of systolic blood pressure and heart rate. The mean value of the 5‐cycle measurement was reported.

Blood pressure of the rats was determined using a non-invasive blood pressure analysis system (Visitech Systems, Inc., USA). For blood pressure monitor adaptation, each rat underwent daily blood pressure measurement training at a fixed time. After 14 days of training, the monitor was used to obtain stable systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, and heart rate.