Systemic but not central nervous system nitric oxide synthase inhibition exacerbates the hypertensive effects of chronic melanocortin-3/4 receptor activation

We examined whether systemic or central nervous system (CNS) inhibition of nitric oxide synthase exacerbates the cardiovascular responses of chronic CNS melanocortin 3/4 receptor activation. Sprague-Dawley rats implanted with telemetry probes, venous catheters, and intracerebroventricular (ICV) cannulae were divided in 3 groups. After control measurements, the NO synthase inhibitor L-NAME was infused (10 μg/kg/min intravenous) for 17 days and, starting on day 7 of L-NAME infusion, the melanocortin 3/4 receptor agonist melanotan II (MTII; 10 ng/hr; group 1) or saline vehicle (group 2) was infused ICV for 10 days. A third group not treated with L-NAME also received MTII ICV. Melanocortin 3/4 receptor activation caused a greater increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate in rats treated with intravenous L-NAME (35 ± 6 mm Hg and 56 ± 8 bpm) than L-NAME plus vehicle or MTII alone (22 ± 5 and 9 ± 2 mm Hg, and 26 ± 14 and 27 ± 5 bpm), despite a 58% and 50% reduction in food intake during the first 6 days of MTII infusion. To test if the amplified pressor response to MTII after L-NAME was attributable to a reduction in nitric oxide availability in the brain, we also infused L-NAME directly into the CNS alone or in combination with MTII. ICV infusion of L-NAME plus MTII caused only ≈ 10 mm Hg increase in MAP with no change in heart rate, similar to the effects of ICV infusion of MTII alone, whereas ICV infusion of L-NAME alone had no effect on MAP. These results suggest that reduction in peripheral, but not CNS, nitric oxide production augments MAP sensitivity to CNS melanocortin 3/4 receptor activation.     

Role of adrenergic activity in pressor responses to chronic melanocortin receptor activation

Acute studies have shown that MC3/4-R stimulation increases sympathetic activity, but the role of adrenergic activation in mediating the cardiovascular and renal responses to chronic melanocortin 3- and 4-receptor (MC3/4-R) activation is unknown. The present study tested whether chronic MC3/4-R activation raises blood pressure and whether these changes are attenuated by alpha1+beta-adrenergic blockade. Rats were instrumented with an intracerebroventricular (ICV) cannula and arterial and venous catheters for measurements of mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) 24 hours per day, and intravenous infusions. After control measurements, rats were intravenously infused with either saline vehicle (n=7) or alpha1+ beta-adrenergic antagonists (n=6, terazosin+propranolol, 10 mg/kg per day each) for 21 days. Five days after starting the vehicle or adrenergic blockade, the MC3/4-R agonist, MTII (10 ng/h), was infused ICV for 11 days followed by a 5-day recovery period. Another group of rats was infused with the adrenergic antagonists for 21 days but received the saline vehicle ICV for 11 days (n=7). MC3/4-R activation decreased food intake from 21+/-1 to 8+/-2 g/d by day 3 of MC3/4-R activation, and increased MAP and HR by an average of 8+/-2 mm Hg and 9+/-5 bpm, respectively. Adrenergic blockade did not alter the MC3/4-R-mediated decrease in food intake but abolished the increases in MAP and HR (1+/-2 mm Hg and -12+/-5 bpm, respectively, compared with control). ICV vehicle infusion during adrenergic blockade did not alter food intake or MAP. Glomerular filtration rate was unchanged in both the vehicle-infused and adrenergic blocked rats during MC3/4-R activation. These results indicate that the chronic actions of MC3/4-R activation on MAP and HR are mediated by adrenergic activation.     

Intracerebroventricular atrial natriuretic peptide infusion augments the adrenocorticotropin and angiotensin II responses to hemorrhage in sheep

The central actions of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in rats include inhibition of arginine vasopressin (AVP) release, and less consistently, ACTH suppression and hypotension. To explore any such inhibitory actions on basal and stimulated levels of AVP and ACTH, we have studied the effect of intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion of ANP on the hemodynamic and hormonal response to acute hemorrhage in conscious sheep. Two groups of 5 sheep received rat ANP(101-126) by ICV infusion (0.5 microgram bolus followed by 0.5 microgram/h for 3 h, or 5 micrograms bolus followed by 5 micrograms/h for 3 h) as well as artificial cerebrospinal fluid control infusions in random order. One hour after the start of the ICV infusion, acute hemorrhage (15 ml/kg BW within 10 min) was performed. Basal levels before hemorrhage of mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate and plasma hormones were unaltered by either dose of ICV ANP. After hemorrhage, the fall in MAP and rise in heart rate were similar in each group. However, compared to control infusions the response to hemorrhage of ACTH (433 +/- 147 to 2,175 +/- 588 vs. control 541 +/- 103 to 893 +/- 244 ng/l; p less than 0.016) and angiotensin II (AII) (18 +/- 3 to 94 +/- 23 vs. control 18 +/- 4 to 58 +/- 8 pmol/l; p less than 0.001) were significantly greater during high-dose ANP infusion. Although peak AVP levels more than doubled those observed on the control day, the increase did not reach statistical significance (p less than 0.1053). Plasma concentration of cortisol, aldosterone, epinephrine and norepinephrine were not significantly different in control and ANP-treated groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Attenuation of the development of spontaneous hypertension in rats by chronic central administration of captopril

Captopril infused into the lateral ventricle (ICV) of adult spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) decreases blood pressure. The current study was designed to explore the effects of brain converting-enzyme inhibition in young animals before the development of established hypertension and to characterize changes induced by captopril in a variety of pressor systems that might be responsible for the development of hypertension in this strain. Captopril (1.25 micrograms/0.5 microliter/hr) was infused into male SHR starting at 7 weeks of age. Four weeks later systolic blood pressure was only 157 +/- 3.3 compared to 181 +/- 3.9 mm Hg in vehicle-infused controls, and the pressor effect of ICV-injected angiotensin I was attenuated by 50%. When the same dose of captopril was infused intravenously, hypertension progressed as in vehicle-treated rats. Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme activity (SACE) and plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) concentration were significantly higher (p less than 0.001 and 0.05, respectively), in the ICV captopril group than in the ICV vehicle group, while plasma aldosterone concentration and renin activity, fluid intake, urine volume, and urinary sodium excretion were similar in the two groups. Peripheral sympathetic nervous system activity assessed in the resting state was not altered by captopril treatment. In addition, AVP content of the telencephalon, diencephalon, mesencephalon, and pons medulla were not altered by ICV captopril. Renin activity was elevated in the telencephalon of ICV captopril-treated animals but unaltered in the other brain regions examined. These data demonstrate that ICV administration of captopril attenuates the development of hypertension in young SHR by mechanisms apparently independent of altered fluid and sodium balance and the sympathoadrenal system. The effect on blood pressure occurs in the absence of changes in renin activity or AVP content of plasma or those brain regions most often associated with blood pressure control.     

Pretreatment with vasodilator or V1-antagonist abolishes vasopressin withdrawal hypotension in spontaneously hypertensive rats

In spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), the cessation of a 3-h intravenous infusion of arginine vasopressin (AVP, 8 mU/kg per min) resulted in a large and prolonged fall in arterial pressure (46 +/- 7.5 mmHg below basal levels). Pretreatment of SHR with the specific V1-receptor antagonist, [1-(beta-mercapto-beta, beta-cyclopentamethylene propionic acid), 2-(O-methyl)-tyrosine] AVP (d(CH2)5Tyr (Me)AVP, 8 micrograms/kg followed by 0.05 micrograms/kg per min) abolished the pressor response to AVP, and markedly reduced the subsequent hypotensive response following the cessation of the AVP infusion. The hypotensive response to AVP withdrawal was abolished also when phenylephrine hydrochloride (PE, 20 nmol/kg per min) elicited a blood pressure rise during the course of AVP infusion in rats with V1-receptor blockade. Finally, the concurrent administration of sodium nitroprusside (30 micrograms/kg per min) not only counteracted the pressure rise during AVP infusion, but also prevented the hypotensive response that normally accompanied the withdrawal of AVP. These findings demonstrate that neither V1-receptor activation nor blood pressure elevation alone was sufficient to generate a hypotensive response to the withdrawal of AVP; rather, both V1-receptor activation and a blood pressure elevation associated with the activation of these receptors were essential to the hypotensive response that followed the withdrawal of AVP in SHR.     

Effects of the nonpeptide V(1) vasopressin receptor antagonist SR49059 in hypertensive patients

We assessed the clinical and pharmacological profile of the orally active V(1) vascular vasopressin (AVP) receptor nonpeptide antagonist SR49059 (SR) during the osmotic stimulation of AVP release in hypertensive patients. In a double-blind crossover-versus-placebo study, 24 untreated stage I or II essential hypertensive patients (12 whites and 12 blacks) received a single 300 mg oral dose of SR 2 hours before the stimulation of AVP secretion with a 5% hypertonic saline infusion. Hemodynamic, humoral, and hormonal parameters were monitored for up to 28 hours after drug administration. SR did not alter blood pressure or heart rate before the saline infusion and did not reduce the blood pressure increment induced by the hypertonic saline infusion. However, the blood pressure peak at the end of the hypertonic saline infusion was slightly lower in the presence of SR (P=0.04). Heart rate was significantly faster between 4 and 6 hours after SR administration (P=0.02). The rise in plasma sodium and osmolality triggered by the saline infusion was not modified by SR, but AVP release was slightly greater in the presence of SR (P<0.0003). AVP-induced aggregation of blood platelets in vitro was significantly reduced by SR, with a peak effect 2 hours after drug administration that coincided with the SR peak plasma concentration. Plasma renin activity and aldosterone before and after the saline infusion were not modified by SR. Urine volume and osmolality were not altered by SR administration. SR effects were similar in the 2 ethnic groups as well as in salt-sensitive versus salt-resistant patients. In a situation of AVP osmotic release and volume expansion in hypertensive patients, a single oral dose of the V(1) vascular AVP receptor nonpeptide antagonist SR49059, which is able to block AVP-induced platelet aggregation, exerts a transient vasodilation effect that is not associated with a sustained blood pressure reduction. SR49059 is a pure V(1) vascular receptor antagonist that is devoid of V(2) renal receptor actions.     

Central and peripheral mechanisms of the enhanced hypertension following long-term salt loading in spontaneously hypertensive rats

We evaluated whether or not increased sodium (Na) concentrations of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and stimulated activities of brain renin-angiotensin system (RAS) contribute to an enhanced hypertension by salt overload in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Long-term salt loading (1% NaCl solution as drinking fluid) accelerated the development of hypertension in SHR, but did not alter the blood pressure (BP) in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). CSF Na concentration was elevated in uninephrectomized (Nx) group as compared to that in control SHR, while in WKY CSF Na was not influenced by the treatment. A fall in BP by intravenous AVP antagonist or hexamethonium was greater in salt-loaded SHR than in controls. This hypotensive response to the combined blockade of AVP and SNS correlated with CSF Na in SHR but not in WKY. Plasma concentration of AVP and epinephrine tended to increase in relation to the degree of salt loading in SHR but not in WKY. Pressor responses to intracerebroventricular (ICV) angiotensin II (AII) and NaCl were greater in SHR than in WKY, although these responses were not influenced by chronic salt load in either SHR or WKY. The enhanced hypertensive action of ICV NaCl in SHR was abolished by pretreatment with ICV AII antagonist. Chronic saline drinking enhanced the depressor effect of ICV captopril in SHR but not in WKY. These observations suggest that salt overload in SHR may cause an elevated CSF Na concentration and an enhanced activity of brain RAS, which may increase activity of SNS and release of AVP, resulting in an enhanced development of hypertension.     

EFFECT OF METOCLOPRAMIDE ON PLASMA VASOPRESSIN IN MAN

The effect of metoclopramide, a dopamine blocker, on arginine vasopressin (AVP) secretion was investigated in normal males. After a bolus injection of metoclopramide (10 mg), all subjects (n = 7) demonstrated an increase of 80.3% (from 0.71 +/- 0.12 (Mean +/- S.E.) to 1.28 +/- 0.24 pg/ml, P less than 0.005) in plasma AVP at 15 min. In controls (n = 7) plasma AVP levels did not change after saline injection (2 ml). Because plasma osmolality and blood pressure did not change, the elevation of plasma AVP levels induced by treatment with metoclopramide may be due to its central effect as a dopamine inhibitor. Although plasma AVP levels increased again at 90 and 120 min after a bolus injection of metoclopramide, accompanying falls in blood pressure (4-5%) make the interpretation concerning the contribution of dopamine to AVP secretion in a late phase uncertain. In summary, plasma AVP levels were shown to be significantly increased by a metoclopramide bolus, suggesting that AVP secretion is under tonic inhibition by dopamine.     

Vasopressin mediates the interleukin-1 alpha-induced decrease in luteinizing hormone secretion in the ovariectomized rhesus monkey.

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) has previously been shown to participate in the neuroendocrine control of the adrenal axis. In this study we investigated the role of AVP in the mechanisms linking stress and decreased gonadotropin secretion and evaluated the action of an AVP antagonist on interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha)-induced changes in gonadotropin and cortisol release in the primate. Adult ovariectomized rhesus monkeys were given a 30-min intracerebroventricular infusion of IL-1 alpha (2.1 micrograms/30 min; n = 5) or IL-1 alpha plus an AVP antagonist (240 micrograms/120 min; [deamino-Pen1,O-Me-Tyr2,Arg8] vasopressin; n = 7); the AVP antagonist infusion was started 30 min before IL-1 alpha and continued for 2 h. Controls included intracerebroventricular infusions of physiological saline (n = 5) or AVP antagonist alone (n = 3). LH concentrations were measured at 15-min intervals during a 3-h preinfusion morning baseline control period and a 5-h postinfusion period. Cortisol concentrations were determined at 45-min intervals. Pulsatile LH release remained unchanged after a control saline or AVP antagonist infusion. Overall LH concentrations decreased significantly after IL-1 alpha infusion, from a morning control baseline of 109.9 +/- 8.8 to 53.7 +/- 3.2 ng/ml after the infusion (P less than 0.05). Concomitant infusion of the AVP antagonist prevented the IL-1 alpha-induced LH inhibition (morning control baseline, 144.5 +/- 6.8; postinfusion, 132.3 +/- 5.8; P = NS vs. saline; P less than 0.0001 vs. IL-1 alpha). While cortisol concentrations decreased throughout the experimental period in the animals receiving saline, they increased after IL-1 alpha infusion: mean +/- SE postinfusion cortisol concentrations were 29.6 +/- 1.9 micrograms/dl (saline) vs. 44.0 +/- 1.7 micrograms/dl (IL-1 alpha; P less than 0.0001). Coinfusion of AVP antagonist and IL-1 alpha did not block the IL-induced cortisol increase (46.8 +/- 1.5 micrograms/dl; P less than 0.0001 vs. morning). After the infusion of AVP antagonist alone, cortisol concentrations significantly decreased from a morning control value of 40.2 +/- 1.6 to 34.9 +/- 1.6 micrograms/dl (P less than 0.05). The results confirm our previous demonstration of an inhibitory effect of IL-1 alpha on gonadotropin secretion in the ovariectomized rhesus monkey and indicate for the first time an important inhibitory role for AVP in the control of gonadotropin secretion during stress. The data also suggest that in this species, the adrenocortical response to IL-1 does not require AVP.     

INFLUENCE OF NIFEDIPINE AND ENALAPRIL ON OSMOREGULATION OF VASOPRESSIN

To determine whether calcium fluxes and angiotensin II influence osmoregulation of vasopressin (AVP) secretion, the effects of the calcium antagonist nifedipine and of the converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril on the AVP response to an osmotic load were compared to those of a placebo in seven normal female subjects. Plasma and urinary AVP were measured before and during a 3-h infusion of 2.5% hypertonic saline. Nifedipine (10 mg orally 2 h before and 10 mg at the start of the infusion) increased heart rate but did not change blood pressure. The changes in free water clearance and in urinary AVP induced by hypertonic saline under nifedipine were greater than in the control test, but the slope and the intercept of the regression line of plasma AVP upon plasma osmolality were not significantly different. Enalapril (10 mg 3 h before the infusion) did not change heart rate or blood pressure. Free water clearance and urinary AVP did not differ from the control test, but the slope of the regression line was less steep. These slight modifications of the response to an osmotic load suggest that calcium fluxes and angiotensin II only exert a limited influence on AVP osmoregulation in normal females.     

Role of hypothalamic melanocortin 3/4-receptors in mediating chronic cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic actions of leptin

The present study examined whether blockade of melanocortin receptors subtypes 3 and 4 (MC3/4-R) inhibits chronic cardiovascular and dietary responses to leptin infusion. A cannula was placed in the lateral ventricle of male Sprague-Dawley rats for chronic intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion via osmotic minipump, and arterial and venous catheters were implanted for measurement of mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) 24 h/d and IV infusions. After a 5-day control period, rats received (1) 0.9% saline vehicle ICV for 12 days plus leptin (1 microg/kg per minute IV, n=5) during the final 7 days; (2) MC3/4-R antagonist SHU-9119 (1 nmol/h ICV) for 12 days plus leptin (1 microg/kg per minute IV, n=6) during the final 7 days; and (3) SHU-9119 (1 nmol/h ICV, n=8) for 12 days. Leptin infusion in vehicle-treated rats caused a small increase in MAP (5+/-1 mm Hg) despite reduced food intake (23+/-1 to 10+/-1 g/d) and decreased body weight (-6%+/-1%). SHU-9119 infusion completely prevented the cardiovascular and dietary actions of leptin, leading to increased food intake (23+/-1 to 49+/-4 g/d) and body weight (+30%+/-2%), markedly decreased HR (-77+/-9 bpm), and caused a decrease in MAP (-6+/-1 mm Hg). Similar results were observed when SHU-9119 was infused alone in vehicle-treated rats. Leptin decreased plasma insulin to 30% of control values, an effect that was also abolished by SHU-9119 treatment, which caused a 5-fold increase in plasma insulin concentration. Thus, MC3/4-R antagonism completely blocked the chronic cardiovascular, satiety, and metabolic effects of leptin, suggesting that the hypothalamic melanocortin system plays an important role in mediating these actions of leptin.     

Antianginal effects of intravenous nitroglycerin over 24 hours

To determine the constancy of hemodynamic and antianginal effects of the constant infusion of intravenous nitroglycerin (NTG) and their relationship to infusion rate and plasma NTG concentration, we administered maximal tolerated doses of intravenous NTG (range 10 to 120 micrograms/min, mean = 52 +/- 33 micrograms/min) and placebo to 10 patients with chronic stable angina for 25 hr each in a randomized, double-blind fashion. Sublingual NTG (0.4 mg) was given at 24.5 hr of infusion as a positive control. Bicycle exercise time (NIH protocol), blood pressure, heart rate, exercise ST response, and venous plasma NTG were determined before and at 1, 4, 8, 24, and 24.5 hr. Plasma NTG was linearly related to infusion rate, reached a steady state within 15 min and was unchanged over 24 hr (mean = 5.5 +/- 1.2 ng/ml). Mean plasma NTG clearance was 9.3 liters/min. However, during dose titration, patients demonstrated different relationships between plasma NTG and hemodynamic effects, with widely varying slopes and intercepts. Intravenous NTG produced a sustained reduction in blood pressure and a rise in heart rate at rest, and a reduction in blood pressure during submaximal exercise at as late as 24 hr, associated with reduced submaximal ST segment abnormality. In contrast, exercise tolerance to onset of angina showed a marked initial increase on intravenous NTG but fell progressively and did not differ from that with placebo at 24 hr. Increased exercise tolerance was associated with an increase in maximal heart rate and double product (heart rate X blood pressure), suggesting that direct coronary vasodilation and/or reduced left ventricular volume were the principal determinants of increased exercise tolerance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Evidence for the implication of endogenous vasopressin in cardiovascular response to central alpha-adrenoceptor stimulation

To determine the role of endogenous vasopressin (AVP) in cardiovascular response to central alpha-adrenoceptor stimulation, alpha 1-agonist methoxamine or alpha 2-agonist clonidine was administered intracerebroventricularly (ICV) to conscious Long-Evans (LE) rats as well as Brattleboro rats with hereditary hypothalamic diabetes insipidus (DI). In LE rats, ICV methoxamine increased blood pressure (BP) and decreased heart rate (HR), while ICV clonidine caused initial hypertension associated with bradycardia followed by prolonged hypotension with tachycardia. In DI rats, however, ICV methoxamine had no detectable effect on BP and HR, whereas ICV clonidine produced greater hypotension than in LE rats together with less initial bradycardia. Plasma levels of AVP increased 5-15 fold by methoxamine but did not change by clonidine. The intravenous (IV) but not ICV pretreatment with AVP vascular receptor antagonist d (CH2)5 Tyr (Me) AVP significantly attenuated the cardiovascular effects of methoxamine in LE rat, while neither IV nor ICV pretreatment with AVP antagonist modulated the cardiovascular effects of clonidine. These results provide the evidence for the implication of endogenous AVP in the cardiovascular response to central stimulation of alpha-adrenoceptors.     

Calcium stimulates vasopressin release

The association of acute hypercalcaemia with hypertension has long been known. Its mechanism has remained unexplained, however, since no significant pressor contribution from the renin-angiotensin system or the sympathetic nervous system has been detected. To assess the possible contribution of arginine vasopressin (AVP), we investigated the effect of a 2 h infusion of 2 ml isotonic calcium gluconate (0.46 mmol/ml Ca2+) on the mean blood pressure of anephric (n = 8) or intact (n = 7) rats and the blood pressure response to a specific vasopressin inhibitor (V1). In anephric rats, blood pressure rose by 30 +/- 3 mmHg (mean +/- s.e.m.) and plasma AVP levels rose to 34 +/- 9 pg/ml. In response to injection of the AVP inhibitor, blood pressure fell by 26 +/- 3 mmHg. In intact rats, blood pressure rose by 12 +/- 4 mmHg with plasma AVP levels 14.5 +/- 3.2 pg/ml (normal range 2.2 +/- 1.1 pg/ml), but did not respond consistently to AVP inhibition. Serum calcium levels at the end of the infusion were 25.0 +/- 4.3 mg/dl in anephric and 24.9 +/- 1.2 mg/dl in intact rats. In order to confirm that the calcium ion was indeed responsible for the AVP-dependent changes in blood pressure, another group of anephric rats (n = 8) received a 2 h infusion of CaCl2 (0.46 mmol/ml Ca2+) and exhibited a blood pressure rise of 35 +/- 3 mmHg, which responded to the AVP inhibitor with a blood pressure fall of 22 +/- 3 mmHg. Moreover, prior treatment with indomethacin greatly attenuated the pressor effect of calcium infusion and prevented the rise of AVP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Differential cardiovascular effects of centrally administered vasopressin in conscious Long Evans and Brattleboro rats

The cardiovascular effects of arginine vasopressin (AVP) administered into a lateral cerebral ventricle or into the cisterna magna were investigated in conscious Long Evans (control) rats and AVP-deficient Brattleboro rats. The effects of subpressor intracerebroventricular and intracisternal doses of AVP on cardiac baroreflex sensitivities were also determined. Intracerebroventricular and intracisternal AVP increased blood pressure of both strains of rat in a dose-dependent manner. The maximum pressor response produced by intracerebroventricular AVP in Long Evans rats was 13 +/- 2/13 +/- 1 mm Hg (systolic/diastolic, n = 6) after 100 ng AVP. The pressor response to the highest intracerebroventricular dose of AVP tested in Brattleboro rats (30 ng) was 46 +/- 13/21 +/- 6 mm Hg (n = 6). Intracerebroventricular AVP caused a tachycardia in Brattleboro rats but had no effect on heart rate of Long Evans rats. At doses greater than 1 ng, the increases in blood pressure produced by intracisternal AVP in both groups of rats were significantly greater than the increases produced by the same doses given intracerebroventricularly. Heart rate fell in a dose-dependent manner after intracisternal AVP in Long Evans rats but not in Brattleboro rats. Cardiac baroreflex sensitivities of Brattleboro rats were not significantly different from those of Long Evans rats and were not modified by intracerebroventricular (0.3 ng) or intracisternal (0.1 ng) AVP. In Long Evans rats, intracisternal AVP (0.3 ng) increased cardiac baroreflex responses to both increases and decreases in pressure. Intracerebroventricular AVP (0.3 ng) increased the sensitivity of the reflex in response to an elevation but not to a reduction in blood pressure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Evidence for dopaminergic regulation of vasopressin release in the anephric rat

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) release elicited by osmotic stimuli induces variable hypertensive responses. In normotensive anephric rats, a significantly greater blood pressure response was elicited by hypertonic saline than by mannitol infusion, and was further enhanced by previous dopaminergic receptor blockade. Plasma levels of AVP were significantly more elevated after saline than after mannitol despite more pronounced elevation of plasma osmolality in the latter animals, and were the highest in dopaminergically blocked animals. These findings indicate that dopamine exerts an inhibitory effect on the release of AVP.     

Reversal of low dose angiotension hypertension by angiotensin receptor antagonists

During acute angiotension II (Ang II) infusion (200 ng/kg/min i.v.) into anesthetized rats, mean arterial pressure rose from 124 +/- 1 to 154 +/- 2 mm Hg. The peptidic Ang II antagonist saralasin lowered arterial pressure in a dose-dependent manner. The maximal decrease in pressure was similar to that observed after the Ang II infusion was discontinued. The nonpeptide Ang II antagonist, 4'-[( 2-butyl-4-chloro-5-(hydroxymethyl)-1H-imidazole-1-yl] methyl) [1,1'-biphenyl] -2-carboxylic acid (SC-48742), lowered acutely elevated arterial pressure to a level similar to that on discontinuation of the angiotensin infusion. Chronic (8 days) infusion of Ang II (20 ng/kg/min i.v.) increased mean arterial pressure from 116 +/- 3 to 164 +/- 7 mm Hg, which then decreased to 121 +/- 6 mm Hg on termination of the infusion. Saralasin (10 micrograms/kg/min, a maximally effective dose during acute angiotensin infusion) decreased mean arterial pressure from 168 +/- 7 to 141 +/- 3 mm Hg, a pressure significantly higher (p less than 0.05) than the pressure observed after the angiotensin infusion was discontinued. SC-48742 decreased mean arterial pressure from 167 +/- 7 to 127 +/- 3 mm Hg, a pressure not statistically different from the minimum pressure observed after the angiotensin infusion was terminated. The mechanism of blood pressure elevation during acute high dose or chronic low dose Ang II infusion is different, the latter having a significant neural component as measured by the response to trimethaphan. The peptidic antagonist saralasin was fully effective in lowering acute angiotensin hypertension but only partially effective during chronic hypertension.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Blood Pressure Responses to Prolonged Infusions of Adrenaline and Noradrenaline in Conscious Dogs

Adrenaline was infused intravenously into conscious dogs to test whether chronically elevated plasma levels can produce arterial hypertension. Adrenaline infused at 12.5 μg/kg/hr from 4 days produced no change in mean arterial pressure (+1.1 ± 2.7 mmHg) despite raising plasma adrenaline concentrations from 49 ± 20 pg/ml to 1420 ± 279 pg/ml. Myocardial tissue levels of adrenaline averaged 435 ng/g, compared to 20 ng/g in vehicle infused dogs. Longer infusions of adrenaline (11 days) at doses from 1.25 μg/kg/hr to 12.5 μg/kg/hr were also without significant effect on arterial blood pressure. In contrast, infusion of noradrenaline at 6.25 μg/kg/hr for 11 days produced sustained elevation of mean arterial pressure (11.7 ± 5.1 mmHg). Although adrenaline infusion alone did not alter arterial pressure, a small rise (5.6 ± 1.6 mmHg) was measured when the dogs were also given cortisone (50 mg twice daily). These results are therefore not in accord with the hypothesis that increased plasma levels of adrenaline may cause hypertension by activation of pre-junctional β-adrenoceptors. However simultaneous administration of adrenaline and cortisone did elevate blood pressure, indicating that increases in both adrenal cortical and medullary hormones may be required to produce hypertension.     

Effects of carotid occlusion and angiotensin II on vasopressin secretion in intact and vagotomized conscious rabbits

Experiments were performed in conscious rabbits with sectioned aortic depressor nerves to determine whether there is an interaction between angiotensin II (Ang II) and the baroreceptor reflexes in the control of arginine vasopressin (AVP) secretion. Baroreceptor reflexes were activated by a 5- or 10-min period of bilateral carotid occlusion with or without background infusion of Ang II at 10 or 20 ng/kg.min. Carotid occlusion increased mean arterial pressure, right atrial pressure, and heart rate, but did not change plasma AVP (PAVP) concentration. Infusion of Ang II at 10 ng/kg.min increased PAVP from 4.0 +/- 0.9 to 6.3 +/- 1.8 pg/ml (P less than 0.05). Carotid occlusion during Ang II infusion produced the same cardiovascular changes as before Ang II, but still failed to increase PAVP. Because increased atrial pressure can inhibit AVP secretion, the experiments were repeated in acutely vagotomized rabbits. Vagotomy increased heart rate but did not change mean arterial pressure or PAVP. Carotid occlusion after vagotomy increased PAVP from 2.2 +/- 0.2 to 3.3 +/- 0.5 pg/ml (P less than 0.05). Ang II infusion again increased PAVP but did not enhance the AVP response to carotid occlusion (2.9 +/- 0.4 to 3.9 +/- 0.7 pg/ml). These results provide further evidence for a role of the carotid sinus baroreceptors and vagal afferents in the control of AVP secretion and demonstrate that Ang II stimulates AVP secretion in rabbits. However, they do not reveal any interaction between Ang II and the baroreceptor reflexes in the control of AVP secretion.     

Modulatory role of vasopressin in secretion of atrial natriuretic polypeptide in conscious rats

To investigate whether vasopressin is involved in the secretory mechanism of atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP), effects of arginine-vasopressin (AVP) administered iv on plasma ANP levels were studied in conscious, unrestrained rats. The administration of 100 ng and 1 microgram of AVP caused a dose-dependent increase of the plasma ANP level, which was blocked by a V1-receptor antagonist of AVP, and was attenuated by 5 ml blood volume reduction before the stimulation. The injection of less than 10 ng of AVP induced no significant effects on ANP secretion. However, the administration of 5 ng of AVP significantly enhanced ANP secretion induced by intravascular volume expansion with 3 ml saline infusion. These results suggest the possible physiological significance of AVP as a modulator rather than a direct stimulator of ANP secretion from the heart.