Is the sympathoexcitatory effect of yohimbine determined by brain yohimbine concentration?

Summary Plasma noradrenaline and adrenaline concentrations, plasma renin concentration (PRC), and serum and brain yohimbine concentrations were measured in conscious Sprague-Dawley rats after the s. c. and i. v. injection of yohimbine. The s.c. and i.v. administration of 1 and 3 mg/kg of yohimbine (30 min post-injection) elicited equivalent and dose-related increases in plasma noradrenaline concentration. At 30 min post-injection, the 1 mg/kg dose given s. c. or i. v. did not increase plasma adrenaline concentration or PRC, whereas the 3 mg/kg dose caused comparable increases in plasma adrenaline concentration and PRC when given s. c. or i. v. Brain yohimbine concentration increased in a dose-related manner whereas serum yohimbine concentration was not significantly different 30 min after treatment with the 1 and 3 mg/kg doses regardless of the route of injection. Despite the fact that serum yohimbine concentration was 5-fold greater after i. v. injection as compared to s. c. administration (1 and 3mg/kg doses), brain yohimbine concentrations were comparable after s. c. and i. v. injection and thus not dependent on either the route of administration or serum yohimbine concentration. The fact that the s. c. and i. v. injection of yohimbine lead to comparable dose-related increases in both brain yohimbine concentrations and neuroendocrine responses suggests that increased sympathetic outflow resulted primarily from an action of yohimbine at central, rather than peripheral, a2-adrenoceptors. However, the data also are consistent with a purely peripheral prejunctional action of the 1 mg/kg dose and a combined central and peripheral action of the 3 mg/kg dose. Send offprint requests to T. Kent Keeton at the above address     

Yohimbine induces sympathetically mediated renin release in the conscious rat

The preferential alpha 2-adrenergic antagonist yohimbine (4 mg/kg s.c.) caused a time-related increase in serum renin activity and heart rate in conscious Sprague-Dawley rats. Although mean arterial pressure was not decreased significantly over the 2-h period, heart rate was elevated significantly at 15 and 30 min post-injection. In contrast, serum renin activity remained elevated for up to 2 h with a 9-fold and 9.7-fold increase occurring at 30 and 60 min post-injection, respectively. Yohimbine (0.3, 1, 3 and 10 mg/kg s.c.) elicited a dose-related increase in serum renin activity and heart rate (30 min post-injection). The 1 mg/kg dose of yohimbine did not alter blood pressure whereas the 3 mg/kg dose caused a variable decrease in mean arterial pressure. The highest dose of yohimbine (10 mg/kg) significantly lowered blood pressure. The beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist propranolol (1.5 mg/kg s.c.), blocked the renin release and tachycardia caused by yohimbine (1 and 3 mg/kg s.c.), and the ganglionic blocking agent chlorisondamine partially inhibited the renin release elicited by 3 mg/kg (s.c.) of yohimbine. The prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors indomethacin (5 mg/kg s.c.) and meclofenamate (5 mg/kg s.c.) impaired the ability of yohimbine (3 mg/kg) to elevate SRA but did not alter the hemodynamic effects of yohimbine. Thus, the increase in renin release caused by yohimbine appears to be mediated by the sympathetic nervous system. Because the smaller doses of yohimbine increase renin release in the absence of a decrease in mean arterial pressure, it is unlikely that yohimbine stimulates renin release by baroreflex-mediated activation of the renal sympathetic nerves.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of indomethacin on hydralazine-induced renin and catecholamine release in the conscious rabbit.

1. The effects of hydralazine on mean arterial pressure (MAP) heart rate (HR), plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma catecholamines were examined in conscious rabbits before and after prostaglandin synthesis inhibition with indomethacin. 2. Hydralazine (3 mg/kg. i.v.) produced a 12% decrease in MAP and significant increases in HR, PRA and plasma noradrenaline and adrenaline. 3. Indomethacin (5 mg/kg, s.c.) failed to alter significantly the control MAP, HR, PRA or plasma catecholamines but inhibited renal venous prostaglandin E2 by 56% (P less than 0.02). 4. Indomethacin inhibited the hydralazine-induced tachycardia by 24% and augmented its hypotensive effects by 6%. 5. The hydralazine-stimulated increase in PRA was also inhibited 75% (P less than 0.001) by indomethacin whereas noradrenaline and adrenaline concentrations were not significantly reduced. 6. Indomethacin inhibits hydralazine-induced renin release in the presence of elevated concentrations of plasma catecholamines; these findings suggest that renal prostaglandins function as important mediators of sympathetically-induced renin release.     

Angiotensin II contributes to blood pressure maintenance in conscious rats treated with yohimbine

Yohimbine (1 mg/kg s.c.) produced significant and persistent increases in plasma renin concentration and plasma norepinephrine concentration in conscious rats, but mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate were unchanged. The subsequent i.v. infusion of the angiotensin II receptor antagonist saralasin (100 micrograms/kg per min) caused a significant decrease (-17%) in MAP. We conclude that yohimbine-induced renin release, and the resultant rise in plasma angiotensin II concentration, prevents the decrease in MAP which would result from the blockade of vascular alpha-adrenoceptors by yohimbine.     

Pindolol increases plasma norepinephrine concentration by stimulation of beta 2-adrenoceptors in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The beta-adrenoceptor antagonist pindolol [10-1,000 micrograms/kg subcutaneously (s.c.)] caused dose-related decreases in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and increased heart rate (HR) in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The lowest dose of pindolol (10 micrograms/kg) decreased MAP by 25 mm Hg (-16%) without affecting plasma norepinephrine (NE) or plasma renin concentration (PRC). However, higher doses of pindolol elicited dose-related increases in plasma NE concentration and PRC. Plasma epinephrine concentration was not altered by pindolol. The selective beta 2-adrenoceptor antagonist ICI 118,551 (3 mg/kg, s.c.) prevented the tachycardia but not the increase in PRC caused by 100 micrograms/kg pindolol. Treatment with ICI 118,551 completely eliminated the 45% increase in plasma NE elicited by 100 micrograms/kg of pindolol even though the decrease in MAP caused by this dose of pindolol was the same in the presence (-33 mm Hg) and absence (-34 mm Hg) of beta 2-adrenoceptor blockade. These results indicate that the vasodepressor action of pindolol in SHR does not result from an agonistic effect at postjunctional beta 2-adrenoceptors in the vasculature. In addition, the increases in plasma NE concentration produced by pindolol result from stimulation of beta 2-adrenoceptors. These beta 2-adrenoceptors may be located prejunctionally on sympathetic neurons.     

Chronic adriamycin treatment impairs myocardial interstitial neuronal release of norepinephrine and epinephrine

Although chronic adriamycin (doxorubicin) treatment is known to induce cardiomyopathic heart failure with sympathetic neurohumoral activation in a dose-dependent manner, its effect on local neuronal catecholamine release at the cardiac sympathetic nerve terminals remains to be clearly determined. Using a cardiac microdialysis technique, we measured dialysate norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (Epi) concentrations as indices of myocardial interstitial NE and Epi levels. respectively, in rabbits with chronic adriamycin treatment (ADR) (4 mg/kg/week, 6 weeks, n = 8) and in control rabbits (CNT) (n = 6). Exocytotic release was evoked by the local administration of KCl (100 mM) through the dialysis probe. Basal levels of NE and Epi did not differ between the ADR and CNT groups (NE, 11.6 +/- 6.6 vs. 20.4 +/- 17.2 pg/ml; Epi, 4.0 +/- 0.1 vs. 4.6 +/- 1.7 pg/ml: mean +/- SD). The exocytotic release was suppressed in the ADR compared with the CNT group (NE, 191.4 +/- 144.7 vs. 760.5 +/- 337.8 pg/ml; p < 0.05: Epi, 4.2 +/- 0.4 vs. 20.8 +/- 9.9 pg/ml; p < 0.05). We conclude that chronic adriamycin treatment impairs the neuronal exocytotic release of catecholamine at the cardiac sympathetic nerve terminals.     

Plasma histamine and catecholamine levels during hypotension induced by morphine and compound 48/80

Histamine receptors are present in adrenergic terminals, and histamine is reported to inhibit release of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine (NE) at certain neuroeffector junctions. However, a physiological role for histamine in modifying adrenergic neurotransmission has not been established. To examine the interaction of elevated plasma histamine and catecholamine release, two compounds that release histamine, morphine (3 mg/kg), and compound 48/80 (0.5 mg/kg), were administered intravenously (i.v.). Plasma norepinephrine (NE) levels were used to monitor sympathetic nervous system activity, and plasma epinephrine (Epi) levels were used to monitor adrenal activity. Both morphine and compound 48/80 caused an immediate and marked increase in plasma histamine. Simultaneous with this increase, a marked decrease in mean arterial pressure occurred. Plasma NE levels increased in animals administered compound 48/80, but in morphine-treated animals, plasma NE levels did not change from pretreatment values. Plasma Epi levels increased in both groups, but the magnitude and duration of the responses differed. The results indicate that elevated plasma catecholamines can increase in response to histamine-induced hypotension but this effect can be suppressed by the central actions of morphine.     

Sequential changes in plasma renin activity and plasma catecholamines in mildly hypertensive patients during acute,furosemide-induced body-fluid loss

Summary To evaluate the role of adrenergic mechanisms in the acute response of renin to furosemide, plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma catecholamine concentrations were measured for 3 h after i.v. administration of furosemide 1 mg/kg to 8 patients with mild essential hypertension. Furosemide induced a prompt and long-lasting increase in renin, with PRA more than doubled at all times. The increase in PRA within the first 30 min paralleled the peak increases in urinary water and sodium flow rates, and significant decreases in plasma volume and central venous pressure. There was no change in plasma catecholamine concentrations. Plasma noradrenaline was increased significantly at 60 min and adrenaline at 90 min, once furosemide had induced a marked loss of body-fluid and 65% decrease in central venous pressure. Both catecholamines remained elevated until the end of the study, whereas urinary water and sodium flow rates had returned to their pre-treatment values by 150 min. Mean blood pressure was essentially unchanged throughout the study, whereas heart rate increased significantly after 90 min. The findings suggest that in mildly hypertensive patients adrenergic mechanisms are not involved in the initial renin response to furosemide, but they come into play later, probably as a result of reflex sympathetic activation triggered by marked volume depletion.     

Propranolol and atenolol inhibit norepinephrine spillover rate into plasma in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats

Summary Radiotracer techniques capable of measuring norepinephrine clearance and spillover rate into plasma were used to test the hypothesis that the antihypertensive effects of propranolol and atenolol in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats are associated with an inhibition of norepinephrine release from postganglionic sympathetic neurons. The 10%–15% fall in mean arterial pressure produced over 4 h by propranolol (1, 3.3 and 10 mg/kg, s. c.) and atenolol (1, 3.3 and 10 mg/kg, s. c.) was not dose-related, and only the largest dose of propranolol caused a significant bradycardia. Each dose of atenolol significantly lowered heart rate. The decrease in blood pressure caused by propranolol and atenolol was not related to the decrease in heart rate. Both propranolol and atenolol inhibited norepinephrine clearance by 12% to 16%. The 1 mg/kg doses of propranolol and atenolol significantly suppressed norepinephrine spillover rate by 21 % and 32%, respectively, at 4 h postinjection. As the dose of propranolol was increased, the inhibition of norepinephrine spillover was reversed as plasma epinephrine concentration rose by 125%. The suppression of norepinephrine spillover rate caused by atenolol was more persistent but did diminish after the 10 mg/kg dose, when plasma epinephrine concentration was elevated by 55%. Both drugs suppressed plasma renin concentration, but the inhibition of norepinephrine spillover rate by propranolol and atenolol was not related to the fall in plasma renin concentration. By comparison, treatment with the adrenergic neuron blocking agent bretylium (5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg, s. c.) elicited a dose-related vasodepression with no change in heart rate or plasma renin concentration. The 10 mg/kg dose of bretylium inhibited norepinephrine spillover rate by 40%, but increasing the dose did not produce a further suppression of norepinephrine spillover rate. Bretylium caused a dose-related elevation of plasma epinephrine concentration (354% increase at 40 mg/kg). In a separate study, propranolol (10 mg/kg) and bretylium (40 mg/kg) significantly increased epinephrine spillover rate by 85% and 118%, respectively. Based on these data, we conclude that the -adrenoceptor antagonists lower blood pressure by inhibiting norepinephrine release from postganglionic sympathetic neurons. Send offprint requests to T. K. Keeton at the above address     

On the mechanism of renin release by restraint stress in rats.

Restraint causes an increase in plasma renin activity (PRA) which is not affected by pretreatment with dl-propranolo (1 mg/kg IP) or sotalol (15 mg/kg IP). These doses of beta-adrenergic blocking agents are effective in suppressing the stimulation of PRA by isoproterenol. Large doses of dl-propranolol (10 mg/kg IP) and d-propranolol (5 mg/kg IP) attenuate the restraint-induced PRA increase. Adrenal demedullectomy does not affect the PRA response to restraint. Renal denervation blunts the PRA rise due to restraint, but not to direct stimulation by the beta-adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol. It is concluded that the increase in PRA during restraint stress in rats is not solely dependent on an intact renal sympathetic innervation. A significant portion of this stress-induced PRA increase appears to involve a non-adrenergic mechanism.     

The effects of combined angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition and beta-adrenoceptor blockade on plasma renin activity in anaesthetized dogs.

1. The effects of beta-adrenoceptor blockade on the changes in plasma renin activity (PRA) following angiotensin enzyme (ACE) inhibition were investigated in pentobarbitone-chloralose anaesthetized dogs. 2. ACE-inhibition, with enalapril (2 mg kg-1), caused a significant reduction in systemic arterial blood pressure (BP) with little or no effect on cardiac function, and a significant elevation of plasma renin activity (PRA). By contrast beta-adrenoceptor blockade with atenolol (1 mg kg-1), caused a similar reduction in BP but in addition, significantly reduced cardiac function and PRA. 3. A combination of enalapril with atenolol, caused a significant reduction in BP, cardiac function and PRA, hence there was no elevation of PRA, as was seen following ACE-inhibition with enalapril alone. 4. The observations with beta-adrenoceptor blockade alone, show that there is an important homeostatic role for the renal sympathetic innervation, mediated by beta-adrenoceptors, in controlling basal renin levels. Furthermore, the renal sympathetic innervation appears to be an important contributor to the renin release caused by an ACE-inhibitor as the additional presence of a beta-adrenoceptor blocking agent will prevent this release. 5. BW B385C (2 mg kg-1), which combines both ACE-inhibition and beta-adrenoceptor blocking properties, also produced reductions in BP and cardiac function similar to those seen with the enalapril/atenolol combination. In addition, for an equivalent degree of ACE-inhibition by BW 385C, to that seen with enalapril alone, the elevation of PRA was attenuated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of halothane concentration on tachyphylaxis to sodium nitroprusside

The relationship between halothane concentration and tachyphylaxis to sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was studied in a rabbit model. Three groups of six rabbits (groups A, B, and C) were anesthetized with halothane at 0.75, 1.0, and 1.25 vol% end-tidal, respectively. SNP-induced hypotension was maintained for 135 min or until a cumulative total dose of 12 mg/kg had been infused (defined as "marked tachyphylaxis"). Plasma norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (EPI) levels, and plasma renin activity (PRA) were measured. Initial mean arterial pressure (MAP) (72 +/- 2 mm Hg), heart rate (325 +/- 12 beats/min), and the amount of SNP required to induce 40% hypotension (19 +/- 4 micrograms/kg/min) did not differ significantly among the three groups. In group A, five out of six animals exhibited "marked tachyphylaxis." In group B, only one animal showed "marked tachyphylaxis"; the remaining five required a dose rate of 104 +/- 38 micrograms/kg/min at 135 min to maintain a 40% reduction in MAP. In group C, none of the animals showed "marked tachyphylaxis"; the dose rate of SNP required after 135 min was 29 +/- 14 micrograms/kg/min. In all groups, SNP dose rate was found to best correlate (p less than 0.0005, r = 0.79) with NE levels and not with PRA or arterial blood pH. This implies that reflex sympathetic activation is the measured mediator of SNP tachyphylaxis. Halothane blunted the tachyphylaxis (sympathetic response) to SNP-induced hypotension at higher concentrations.     

Caffeine increases renal renin secretion in a rat model of genetic heart failure

In a previous study, we showed that caffeine (CAFF) increases basal renin secretion by blocking intrarenal adenosine receptors and, when sympathetic activity is increased, augments renin release in part by blockade of brain adenosine receptors, leading to increased central sympathetic tone. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of CAFF treatment on neurohumoral status and heart performance in experimental heart failure. Two series of experiments were performed. First, the effects of CAFF (10 mg/kg +150 microg/min over 40 min) on heart performance (time-pressure variables) and neurohumoral status were studied in conscious, 9-month-old Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), and spontaneously hypertensive heart failure (SHHF/Mcc-fa(cp) rats. Second, caffeine (0.1% in drinking water) was given for 10 days to 14-month-old SHHF/Mcc-fa(cp) rats, and cardiac performance, renal function, and neurohumoral status determined in vivo. CAFF infusion increased heart rate, left ventricular peak systolic pressure, and workload in hypertensive (SHRs and SHHF), but not in normotensive (WKY) animals and had no effects on cardiac contractility in all three strains. CAFF increased plasma renin activity (PRA), norepinephrine (NE), and epinephrine (E) levels in all three strains [treatment effect, p<0.001, 2F analysis of variance (ANOVA)], and these effects were greater in hypertensive (SHRs and SHHF) animals as compared with normotensive WKY rats (p<0.015). Ten-day CAFF treatment in 14-month-old SHHF did not change measured cardiac time-pressure variables, or hemodynamic or renal excretory function parameters that can affect renin secretion. However, CAFF treatment significantly increased renal renin secretion (71.1+/-19.2 vs. 9.5+/-5.8 ng Ang I/h/min/kg for caffeine and control group, respectively; p<0.01). In summary, acute administration of CAFF increases workload, but has no effects on cardiac contractility in conscious SHHF rats. The cardiac effects are accompanied by increased renin release and NE and E plasma levels. Moreover, this study provides the first evidence that short-term caffeine consumption increases renal renin secretion in heart failure, an effect most likely due to the blockade of intrarenal adenosine receptors. It is possible that long-term activation of neurohumoral mechanisms by CAFF could have adverse effects in heart failure.     

Antihypertensive mechanism of the diuretic muzolimine in mild renal failure

Summary Eighteen patients with mild impairment of renal function (glomerular filtration rate 65±5 ml/min: m±SEM) and hypertension (168/105±6/3 mmHg) were shown on average to have abnormally increased cardiovascular pressor responsiveness to infused norepinephrine (NE; p<0.05), whereas plasma and urinary NE, exchangeable body sodium and blood-volume did not differ significantly from normal. A slightly increased pressor responsiveness to angiotensin II was associated with a tendency to low plasma renin activity (PRA). Compared to placebo conditions, treatment with the loop-diuretic muzolimine in a mean dose of 35±2 mg/day for six weeks decreased blood-pressure and exchangeable sodium (p<0.05), and NE pressor responsiveness was restored to normal values, whilst plasma and urinary NE were not significantly changed. This was consistent with improvement of the initially abnormal relationship between NE levels and NE responsiveness factors. In contrast, the pressor dose of angiotensin II and PRA were increased to an approximatively similar extent during muzolimine treatment. These observations suggest that removal of body sodium and a decrease in NE reactivity without an equivalent increase in sympathetic nervous activity may be important complementary factors in the antihypertensive mechanisms of diuretic treatment in patients with mild renal functional impairment.     

Anorectic effect of alpha 2-antagonists in dog: effect of acute and chronic treatment.

Acute oral administration of alpha 2-antagonists (yohimbine, RX 821002, atipamezole: 1 mg/kg each) reduced dog food intake. Yohimbine reduced food intake over 20 hours, while the effect of the two other drugs lasted only 2 hours. Yohimbine (0.4 or 1 microgram/kg) gave the same results. At these doses, it promoted a lasting durable increase in plasma nonesterified fatty acids and catecholamines levels and a transient elevation of plasma insulin levels. The beta-antagonist nadolol (4 mg/kg per os) suppressed the yohimbine-induced lipid mobilization without modifying its anorectic effect. Chronic oral yohimbine (0.4 mg/kg/day during 14 days) reduced food intake and promoted a weight loss. Normal food intake was recovered two days after yohimbine withdrawal. No change was observed in the number of platelet alpha 2-adrenergic receptors. In addition to their lipid mobilizing action and sympathetic tone stimulation, alpha 2-antagonist compounds reduce food intake.     

Reinstatement of cocaine seeking in rats by the pharmacological stressors, corticotropin-releasing factor and yohimbine: role for D1/5 dopamine receptors

Rationale

Two pharmacological stressors commonly used in the study of stress-induced reinstatement of drug seeking are central injections of the stress peptide, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), and systemic administration of the ??₂-adrenoceptor antagonist, yohimbine. Despite the widespread use of these stressors, the neurochemical systems mediating their ability to reinstate cocaine-seeking behaviour have not been fully characterized.

Objective

The present study was designed to characterize the role, specifically, of dopamine transmission in the reinstating effects of CRF and yohimbine on cocaine seeking.

Methods

Male Long-Evans rats were trained to self-administer cocaine (0.23?mg/kg/infusion) for 8?C10?days. Subsequently, responding for drug was extinguished, and tests for CRF- (0.5???g; i.c.v.) and yohimbine-induced (1.25?mg/kg; i.p.) reinstatement were conducted following pretreatment with the dopamine D1/5 receptor antagonists, SCH23390 (0.05, 0.1?mg/kg; i.p.) and/or SCH31966 (0.2?mg/kg; i.p.), and the D2/3 receptor antagonist, raclopride (0.25, 0.5?mg/kg; i.p.).

Results

Pretreatment with SCH23390, but not raclopride, blocked CRF-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking. Pretreatment with SCH23390 and SCH31966, but not raclopride, blocked yohimbine-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate that transmission at D1/5, but not D2/3, receptors mediates the reinstatement of cocaine seeking induced by CRF and yohimbine.     

Cocaine-induced suppression of renin secretion is partially mediated by serotonergic mechanisms.

Acute cocaine reduces renin secretion. To determine whether serotonergic neurons mediate this effect, male Sprague-Dawley rats received the serotonin (5-HT) neurotoxin 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (75 micrograms/side, ICV) 2 weeks prior to cocaine injections (3.75-15 mg/kg, IP). 5-HT lesions attenuated the cocaine-induced reduction of plasma renin concentration (PRC), suggesting a partial 5-HT role. To determine which receptors mediate this response, rats were pretreated with the partial 5-HT1A agonist 8-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-l-piperazinyl]ethyl]-8-azaspirol-[4,5]- decane-7,9-dione (BMY 7378) (1 mg/kg, SC), the 5-HT1C/5-HT2 antagonist ritanserin (0.1 mg/kg, SC), or the alpha 2/5-HT1A antagonist yohimbine (1 mg/kg, SC) prior to cocaine. None of the antagonists altered the cocaine-induced suppression of PRC, although BMY 7378 and yohimbine elevated PRC. The data suggest that cocaine's effect is partially mediated by a serotonergic mechanism, but do not support a role for 5-HT1A receptors, 5-HT2/5-HT1C receptors, or alpha 2-adrenoceptors in mediating the suppressive effect of cocaine on renin secretion.     

Effect of lithium on plasma renin activity

The effect of lithium on renin secretion and on plasma renin activity (PRA) was studied in the rat. Administration of 3 mmoles/kg of LiCl caused a significant lowering of PRA within one day of beginning treatment and continued throughout the 14 days of lithium administration. Progressive increase of the dose of LiCl from 2 mmoles/kg to 16 mmoles/kg produced lowering of PRA at small doses and elevation of PRA at higher doses of lithium. The increase of PRA by high doses of lithium was abolished by the simultaneous injection of NaCl. Perfusion of the isolated rat kidney with a solution containing LiCl(> 5 mM) caused increased release of renin into the renal vein. Kidneys from rats pretreated with LiCl showed lower rates of renin secretion into the renal vein when perfused with lithium-free solutions. The possible mechanisms of the dual effect of lithium on renin levels are discussed.     

Increase of plasma renin activity after subcutaneous application of compound 48/80 in the rat

Subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of compound 48/80 (3.0 mg/kg) to conscious rats produced a time-dependent long-lasting increase of plasma renin activity (PRA). A dose-related increase of the hematocrit was also observed after injection of compound 48/80. The onset of the hematocrit increase preceded that of PRA increase. Pretreatment with a dose of more than 20 mg/kg of histamine H1-receptor antagonists such as tripelennamine or diphenhydramine prior to the injection of compound 48/80 (3.0 mg/kg s.c.) attenuated or abolished the effects of compound 48/80 on PRA, hematocrit and plasma extravasation. Pretreatment with cimetidine (histamine H2-receptor antagonist, 40 mg/kg i.p.) had no effect on these plasma variables. The increase of PRA caused by s.c. administration of compound 48/80 was not affected by the pretreatment with propranolol (beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, 10 mg/kg i.p.), which completely inhibited the isoproterenol (0.5 mg/kg s.c.)-induced PRA increase. Administration of compound 48/80 did not induce a significant PRA increase in the nephrectomized rats although the increase of hematocrit following s.c. administration of compound 48/80 persisted despite the absence of kidneys. S.c. administration of compound 48/80 (3.0 mg/kg) led to a significant decrease of histamine content at the site of injection and to a significant increase in plasma histamine concentration without affecting arterial blood pressure. The present data suggest that s.c. administration of compound 48/80 stimulates the release of histamine from cutaneous mast cells, which cause an increase in vascular permeability to plasma protein via the stimulation of histamine H1-receptors, then leads to hypovolemia. The resulting hypovolemia may directly stimulate the juxtraglomerular cells of the kidney to release renin.     

Alteration of cardiovascular, neurogenic, and humoral responses to acute hypovolemic hypotension by administered prostacyclin

Acute hypovolemia induced by bleeding (5 ml/300 g body weight) halothane-anesthetized (0.8% in oxygen) rats is attended by hypotension, bradycardia, and increases in plasma renin, vasopressin, and catecholamine levels. Infusion of prostacyclin (PGI2, O.03 microgram/kg.min) to acutely hemorrhaged rats enhanced recuperation of heart rate, and potentiated the sympathetic response and vasopressin release without altering blood pressure of plasma renin concentration (PRC). Bleeding of bilaterally adrenal demedullated, splanchnicectomized rats resulted in prolonged hypotension and increased plasma levels of vasopressin and renin; epinephrine in the plasma was not detectable, and plasma norepinephrine concentration was not increased after hemorrhage. Prostacyclin infusion to the demedullated, splanchnicectomized rats had no effect on heart rate but enhanced blood pressure recovery after hemorrhage; in this experimental group, PRC was markedly elevated but prostacyclin had no effect on plasma vasopressin or catecholamine concentrations. In rats exposed to severe bleeding, resulting in a nonreversible shock and high mortality, PGI2 infusion after the bleeding increased the survival rate without effect on blood pressure, heart rate, or circulating levels of vasopressin and catecholamines. This study suggests that prostacyclin, through stimulation of the sympathoadrenal axis, enhances heart rate recuperation and vasopressin release in response to acute hemorrhagic shock. Furthermore, prostacyclin may stimulate renin secretion in sufficient amount to compensate for the inadequate sympathetic response during hemorrhagic shock. It is also shown that prostacyclin improves the survival rate to severe hemorrhage without overt hemodynamic or sympathetic effects.