Acute arteriolar vasoconstriction following furosemide in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats

In a previous study in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), we observed an immediate decrease in the cardiac index (CI) and an increase in the total peripheral resistance index (TPRI) following the administration of furosemide. The present study was designed to evaluate the regional hemodynamic effects and the involvement of sinoaortic baroreceptors in the increase in TPRI. In SHR instrumented for the measurement of central hemodynamics, 8 mg.kg-1 furosemide decreased CI from 31.0 +/- 2.5 ml.min-1.100 g bw-1 by 9.5 +/- 1.3 ml.min-1.100 g bw-1 (n = 7). TPRI increased maximally from 5.7 +/- 0.8 by 2.7 +/- 0.5 mm Hg.min.100 g bw.ml-1. The effect on TPRI was not affected by sinoaortic denervation (SAD) to abolish arterial baroreflexes. However, furosemide induced a significantly greater decrease in CI (-12.6 +/- 1.2 ml.min-1.100 g bw-1; n = 7) after SAD. Furosemide effectively reduced the mean arterial pressure in SAD SHR (-21 +/- 9 mm Hg) but not in sham-denervated SHR. Furosemide (8 mg.kg-1) reduced renal, mesenteric and hindquarter blood flow to a comparable extent (approximately 20%) in intact SHR. The reduction in renal flow at 3.5 min after injection (-17.9 +/- 4.1%; n = 8) was significantly greater than the reduction in mesenteric (-7.1 +/- 4.7%) and hindquarter blood flow (-4.2 +/- 3.7%), suggesting that the renal bed responds faster. Thereafter, the flow reductions in the three beds were not different. The results show that furosemide causes a general vasoconstriction in conscious SHR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Angiotensin II-mediated vasodilation is reduced in adult spontaneously hypertensive rats despite enhanced expression of AT2 receptors

1. The vasodilator action of angiotensin (Ang) II has not yet been demonstrated in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), nor have any possible changes in this response during the development of hypertension. 2. In the present study, the vasodilator effect of AngII was evaluated in the rat isolated, preconstricted mesenteric arterial bed (MAB) from 6- (young) and 24-week-old (adult) SHR and compared with effects on MAB from age-matched normotensive rats (control). 3. Angiotensin II (10-300 nmol) induced vasodilation in noradrenaline (NA)-preconstricted MAB that was greater in vessels from young compared with adult rats in both the control and SHR groups. Angiotensin II-induced vasodilation was reduced by the angiotensin AT(2) receptor antagonist PD 123319 (10 micromol/L), the angiotensin-(1-7) receptor antagonist A779 (1 micromol/L) and the bradykinin B(2) receptor antagonist HOE-140 (0.01 micromol/L), but not by the AT(1) receptor antagonist losartan (30 micromol/L). Expression of AT(2) receptors was weak in vessels from adult control rats compared with that in young control rats, whereas in young SHR AT(2) receptor expression was increased compared with that in young control rats. This increased expression of AT(2) receptors was maintained in adult SHR and there was no significant difference in AT(2) receptor expression between young and old SHR. 4. The findings of the present suggest that AngII induces an AT(2) receptor-mediated vasodilator effect in the MAB via activation of angiotensin-(1-7) and bradykinin receptors, an action that is reduced in adult control rats and adult SHR. In adult control rats, the attenuated response of AngII is probably due to endothelial dysfunction and reduced expression of AT(2) receptors, whereas in adult SHR it is associated with endothelial dysfunction alone. Increased expression of AT(2) receptors in SHR may represent a counteracting response for modulating blood pressure.     

p38 Mitogen-activated protein kinase regulates vasoconstriction in spontaneously hypertensive rats

We investigated whether p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and/or p38 MAPK participates in the regulation of vascular smooth muscle contraction by endothelin-1 (ET-1) in Wistar-Kyoto rat (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). ET-1 (10 nM) induced a sustained contraction in WKY and SHR aortas. PD98059 (100 microM), an inhibitor of p42/p44 MAPK kinase, partially attenuated the ET-1-induced contraction in WKY and SHR. However, SB203580 (10 microM), an inhibitor of p38 MAPK, relaxed the ET-1-induced contraction to the resting levels in SHR, but not in WKY. ET-1 (10 nM) increased phosphorylation of both p42/p44 MAPK and p38 MAPK in WKY and SHR. However, in SHR, p38 MAPK phosphorylation in response to ET-1 stimulation was increased more than in WKY. PD98059 (100 microM) and SB203580 (10 microM) abolished the phosphorylation of p42/p44 MAPK and p38 MAPK in response to ET-1 stimulation in WKY and SHR, respectively. On the other hand, SB203580 (10 microM) did not affect myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation in response to ET-1 (10 nM) stimulation in WKY and SHR. From these results, it is concluded that p42/p44 MAPK and/or p38 MAPK partially regulates the ET-1-induced vasoconstriction in WKY. However, p38 MAPK, rather than p42/p44 MAPK, activation plays an important role for the maintenance of ET-1-induced vasoconstriction in SHR through a MLC phosphorylation-independent pathway.     

Cerebrovascular angiotensin II receptors in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The objective of this study was to characterize angiotensin II (AII) receptors in cerebral capillary endothelium and to examine whether the first step in AII responsiveness, namely AII receptor binding, is aberrant in cerebral microvessels obtained from adult spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The binding of [3H]angiotensin II to isolated cerebrocortical microvessels from Sprague-Dawley, Wistar-Kyoto, and SHR rats was used to characterize AII receptors on these vessels. Kinetic experiments yielded an equilibrium-derived Kd (dissociation rate constant/association rate constant) very close to that obtained from Scatchard analysis of saturation binding data. The data indicated that the two normotensive control strains exhibited comparable AII receptor affinity and binding capacity. In contrast, experiments with microvessels from adult SHR indicated a significantly higher Bmax for AII receptors relative to controls. Although experiments assessing functional endothelial alterations in the SHR to AII remain to be performed, the increase in AII receptor number suggests that an abnormality in vascular AII responsiveness may play an important role in this model of hypertension.     

ATP-sensitive potassium channels are involved in adenosine-induced reduction of blood pressure variability in spontaneously hypertensive rats

With a computerized analysis system, blood pressure was recorded continuously in conscious unrestrained spontaneously hypertensive rats. The effects of different adenosine receptor agonists and ATP-sensitive potassium channel opener and blocker on blood pressure variability in spontaneously hypertensive rats were studied. It was found that adenosine, 5'-N-cyclopropyl-carboxamidoadenosine (CPCA, a selective adenosine A2-receptor agonist) and pinacidil (a nonselective ATP-sensitive potassium channel opener) decreased blood pressure variability when one of them was used alone, whereas N -cyclopentyladenosine (CPA, a selective adenosine A1-receptor agonist) had no significant effects on blood pressure variability. When pretreated with glibenclamide (a nonselective ATP-sensitive potassium channel blocker), the inhibitory effects of adenosine and CPCA on blood pressure variability were significantly prevented. By itself, however, glibenclamide had no influence on blood pressure variability. These results suggest that the effect of adenosine on blood pressure variability in spontaneously hypertensive rats is due to activation of ATP-sensitive potassium channels mediated by adenosine A2-receptor.     

Blood pressure variability and baroreflex sensitivity are not different in spontaneously hypertensive rats and stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

AIM: To demonstrate and compare hemodynamic phenotypes of blood pressure (BP), blood pressure variability (BPV) and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) in genetic hypertensive rats. METHODS: BP was recorded continuously in conscious, freely moving rats using a computerized technique. BPV was expressed as the standard deviation of beat-to-beat BP values during a 1-h period. BRS was determined by measuring the heart period prolongation in response to the elevation in BP produced by an intravenous injection of phenylephrine. RESULTS: Body weight and heart period were not different between spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR-SP) at the age of 15 weeks. The BP level was markedly higher in SHR-SP than SHR, whereas there were no significant differences in BPV and BRS. Quantitatively, systolic, diastolic and mean BP were significantly elevated by 36.9%, 42.9% and 39.5%, respectively, in SHR-SP compared with SHR (P < 0.01). However, their variabilities were elevated only by 14.0%, 0.4% and 10.1%, respectively, without statistical significance (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: BPV and BRS were not changed in parallel with the BP alterations in SHR and SHR-SP.     

阿片受体在自发性高血压大鼠和正常大鼠中的不同分布(英文)

目的:比较16周自发性高血压大鼠(SHR)和对照组Wistar-Kyoto(WKY)大鼠中枢神经系统中与血压调节有关的核团内阿片受体密度的变化.方法:用放射自显影方法,运用氚标依托啡作配基检测阿片受体的分布. 结果:在海马(P<0.01)、中央灰质、孤束核、胸髓(P<0.05)几处,SHR阿片受体密度较WKY大鼠低;而在杏仁核(P<0.01)、僵核(P<0.05)和下丘脑核群包括弓状核(P<0.01),SHR却有较高的阿片受体密度. 结论:不同分布的阿片受体与自发性高血压大鼠的血压有关.     

Blockade of brain M2 muscarinic receptors lowers blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Injections of the M2 muscarinic receptor antagonist 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide (4-DAMP; 1.5-40 micrograms) into the cerebral ventricles of urethane-anesthetized rats caused a dose-related inhibition of the pressor response to intravenously injected physostigmine. A similar reduction was obtained with 1/80th the dose of methylatropine, but not with the selective M1 antagonist pirenzepine. Intraventricular injection of 4-DAMP (6.25-25 micrograms) caused a dose-related reduction in blood pressure in unanesthetized spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), but not in normotensive controls. Systolic pressure fell 42 +/- 6 mm Hg at the 25-micrograms dose. Pirenzepine did not lower blood pressure in SHR and inhibited the antihypertensive effect of 4-DAMP.     

NADPH氧化酶对自发性高血压大鼠体内氧化应激的影响

目的考察NADPH氧化酶对自发性高血压大鼠体内氧化应激的影响。方法22wk龄自发性高血压大鼠(SHR)和正常血压WKY大鼠,采用尾套法测定血压,Greiss反应测定血清一氧化氮分泌量,ABTS和FRAP法进行血清总抗氧化能力测定,血管环舒缩测定来评价超氧阴离子清除剂超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和NADPH氧化酶抑制剂夹竹桃麻素(Apo)对大鼠腹主动脉内皮依赖性舒张反应;采用RT-PCR考察内皮型一氧化氮合酶(eNOS)、NADPH氧化酶亚基p22phox以及NADPH氧化酶亚基gp91phox类似物nox4mRNA表达。结果与WKY大鼠相比,SHR血压升高,而血清总抗氧化水平及NO分泌量均降低。PCR显示SHR胸主动脉中eNOS及p22phoxmRNA表达与WKY大鼠相比差异无显著性,而nox4表达则升高。SHR腹主动脉内皮依赖性舒张反应与WKY相比降低,SOD或Apo均能明显逆转该变化。结论结果提示SHR体内氧化应激状态与NADPH氧化酶gp91phox类似物nox4mRNA过表达有关;NADPH氧化酶依赖性的氧化应激参与了SHR内皮功能障碍的发生发展;药理调节NADPH氧化酶功能或应用抗氧化治疗可明显改善SHR内皮依赖性舒张反应。     

Neuropeptide Y Y2 receptor-mediated attenuation of neurogenic plasma extravasation acting through pertussis toxin-sensitive mechanisms.

1. The effects of neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptor agonists (administered intravenously) were examined on plasma protein ([125I]-bovine serum albumin) leakage within dura mater evoked by unilateral trigeminal ganglion stimulation (0.6 mA, 5 ms, 5 Hz, 5 min), capsaicin (1 mumol kg-1, i.v.) or substance P (1 nmol kg-1, i.v.) in anaesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats. 2. NPY (EC50: 5.6 nmol kg-1) and NPY fragment 13-36 [NPY (13-36)] (ED50: 4.3 nmol kg-1), an NPY Y2 receptor agonist, dose-dependently attenuated [125I]-bovine serum albumin extravasation from meningeal vessels when administered 10 min prior to electrical stimulation. [Leu31, Pro34]-NPY, an NPY Y1 and Y3 receptor agonist, inhibited the response at a higher dose only (23 nmol kg-1) (P < 0.05). 3. NPY also significantly decreased plasma protein extravasation induced by capsaicin (1 mumol kg-1) but not by substance P (1 nmol kg-1). 4. Pertussis toxin (20 micrograms kg-1, administered intracisternally 48 h prior to stimulation) blocked completely the inhibitory effect of NPY and NPY (13-36) but did not inhibit extravasation alone. 5. We conclude that NPY inhibits neurogenically-mediated plasma protein extravasation acting through presynaptic pertussis toxin-sensitive NPY Y2 receptors, possibly by inhibition of neuropeptide release from perivascular trigeminovascular afferents.     

Mechanisms of augmented vasoconstriction induced by 5-hydroxytryptamine in aortic rings from spontaneously hypertensive rats

Background and purpose:To test whether development of enhanced vasoconstriction to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT; serotonin) in SHR was temporally related to hypertension, elevated vascular superoxide (O(2)(-)) levels, decreased NO bioavailability, or increased contractile effects of cyclooxygenase or rho-kinase and/or PKC.Experimental approach:We examined systolic blood pressure (SBP), vascular O(2)(-), and 5-HT-induced contractile responses of aortic segments from 4- and 8-week-old WKY and SHR.Key results:SBP was 35% higher in SHR than WKY at 4 weeks and 60% higher at 8 weeks. Contractile responses to 5-HT were similar in WKY and SHR at 4 weeks, but were markedly augmented in SHR at 8 weeks. The NO synthase inhibitor, L-NAME, enhanced contractile responses to 5-HT markedly in both strains at 4 weeks and in WKY at 8 weeks, but only very modestly in SHR at 8 weeks. These functional differences were associated with higher O(2)(-) levels in SHR versus WKY at 8 weeks, but not at 4 weeks. The rho-kinase inhibitor, Y-27632, and the PKC inhibitor, Ro 31-8220, each only modestly attenuated contractions in WKY and SHR in each age group, and their effects in each strain were more pronounced at 8 weeks. The cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, had no effect on contractile responses.Conclusions and implications:Development of augmented vascular contractile responses to 5-HT in SHR is preceded by hypertension. It is associated with increased vascular O(2)(-) levels and reduced modulatory effects of NO, and is unlikely to be due to enhanced activity of rho-kinase, PKC or cyclooxygenase.British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 155, 210-216; doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.247; published online 16 June 2008.     

Alterations of renal vasopressin V1A and V2 receptors in spontaneously hypertensive rats

To elucidate the role of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in a hypertensive state, the characteristics of renal cortex V(1A) and medulla V(2) receptors in young spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) during the developmental phase of hypertension were compared with those of age-matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats using the radioligand receptor assay technique. The systolic blood pressure of 8-week-old SHR was statistically significantly higher than that of WKY rats (142 +/- 1 vs. 125 +/- 2 mm Hg). The plasma AVP levels were also significantly higher in SHR than in WKY rats (3.20 +/- 0.41 vs. 1.96 +/- 0.34 pg/ml). In SHR, the maximum capacity of (3)H-d(CH(2))(5)Tyr(Me)AVP binding to cortical V(1A) receptors (B(max)) was statistically significantly higher than that of WKY rats (39.7 +/- 2.7 vs. 22.4 +/- 0.9 fmol/mg protein). Furthermore, the B(max) values of (3)H-AVP binding to medullary V(2) receptors in SHR were also significantly higher than in WKY rats (40.2 +/- 1.9 vs. 28.3 +/- 1.3 fmol/mg protein). However, the apparent dissociation constant (K(d)) values of renal cortex V(1A) and medulla V(2) receptors in SHR and WKY rats were not significantly different. These results indicate that increased amounts of renal cortex V(1A) and medulla V(2) receptors in SHR play an important role in the pathophysiology of hypertension.     

Nitric oxide-releasing aspirin inhibits vasoconstriction in perfused tail artery of normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the capacity of the 2-(acetyloxy)benzoic acid 3-(nitrooxymethyl)phenyl ester (NCX 4016), a nitric oxide (NO)-releaser derivative of aspirin, to decrease blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and to counteract the adrenergic vasoconstriction in perfused tail artery of these animals. Oral treatment for 10 consecutive days with NCX 4016 (100 micromol/kg) in SHR and their genetic controls Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats resulted in a reduction of blood pressure in SHR but not in WKY rats. In SHR, the NCX 4016 treatment increased the serum nitrite/nitrate and diminished the serum thromboxane B2, whereas aspirin did not change blood pressure but abolished the serum thromboxane B2. Perfused tail arteries excised from vehicle-treated SHR exhibited a significant impairment of endothelium-dependent vasorelaxant function. These vessels, prepared from SHR or WKY rats treated orally with NCX 4016 (10, 30 and 100 micromol/kg for 7 consecutive days), revealed a dose-dependent decrease in vasoconstriction in response to transmural nerve stimulation and norepinephrine, whereas aspirin was ineffective. Furthermore, in tail arteries of both SHR and WKY rats treated orally with NCX 4016 (100 micromol/kg for 7 consecutive days), the cGMP increased significantly. In conclusion, NCX 4016, by releasing NO and increasing cGMP in vascular tissue, reduces sympathetic-mediated vasoconstriction in resistance vessels and lowers blood pressure in SHR.     

Function of renal angiotensin AT2 receptors is not enhanced in Lyon hypertensive rats

1. Because we previously observed that angiotensin AT2 receptor stimulation decreased pressure-natriuresis, in the present study we examined the possible involvement of these receptors in altered sodium excretion shown by Lyon hypertensive (LH) rats. 2. In 9-week-old male anaesthetized LH rats and normotensive (LL) controls pretreated with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (quinapril; 10 mg/kg) and an AT1 receptor antagonist (losartan; 10 mg/kg), angiotensin (Ang) II was infused (30 ng/kg per min) to stimulate AT2 receptors. In other groups of rats, an AT2 receptor antagonist (PD123319; 50 micro g/kg per min) was added before AngII infusion. 3. During AT2 receptor stimulation, LH differed from LL rats by significantly reduced renal blood flow (RBF), glomerular filtration rate and pressure diuresis and natriuresis. The addition of PD123319 did not change total RBF, whereas it did increase pressure diuresis and natriuresis in both strains. However, the effects of PD123319 were less marked in LH rats than in LL rats. 4. These findings confirm that, under the present experimental conditions, AT2 receptors are antinatriuretic and are not of greater functional importance in hypertensive animals of the Lyon strain.     

Alpha2-adrenoceptors in platelets of spontaneously hypertensive rats

Alpha 2-adrenoceptors were studied in platelets of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SpSHR) and of normotensive Wistar Kyoto control rats (WKY). In platelets of female SpSHR with established hypertension but not in those of normotensive WKY, specific binding of the alpha 2-adrenoceptor ligand, [3H]yohimbine, was found. Compared with human platelets (KD and B max about 3 nM and 200 fmol/mg protein, respectively), [3H]yohimbine binding to SpSHR platelets was of lower affinity (KD about 20 nM) and of lower capacity (B max about 30 fmol/mg protein). The potency orders of alpha-adrenoceptor agonists (clonidine greater than adrenaline greater than phenylephrine) and antagonists (yohimbine greater than or equal to phentolamine much greater than prazosin) in competing with [3H]yohimbine indicated that the binding sites in SpSHR platelets are of the alpha 2-adrenoceptors type. Similar data were obtained in platelets of 7-9 week old hypertensive rats without established hypertension. Furthermore, adrenaline inhibited SpSHR but not WKY platelet adenylate cyclase. This inhibition, which was smaller than in human platelets, was also found in platelets of 4 week old SpSHR but not in the corresponding control rats. The data show that in SpSHR alpha 2-adrenoceptors can appear, which may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of hypertension.     

Adrenomedullary and beta-adrenergic participation in enhanced sympathetic pressor responses of spontaneously hypertensive rats

The beta-adrenergic and adrenomedullary components of pressor responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation were studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). The effects of electrical stimulation of the entire spinal cord of pithed rats pretreated with tubocurarine and atropine were studied on systolic blood pressure, heart rate and plasma cyclic AMP levels. The heart rate increase upon low frequency stimulation (1 Hz) and the blood pressure elevation upon stimulation at higher frequencies (3 and 5 Hz) were higher in SHR than in WKY whereas the increase in circulating cyclic AMP level was not different in the two strains. Pretreatment with propranolol (2.5 mg X kg-1) further enhanced the pressor responses in SHR but not in WKY, although it inhibited the heart rate acceleration and decreased the circulating level of cyclic AMP similarly in the two strains. After acute adrenalectomy, the elevations of blood pressure and circulating cyclic AMP levels were reduced to an identical level in SHR and WKY. These results show that the marked enhancement of the pressor response observed in SHR upon stimulation of the entire sympathetic outflow is mostly of adrenomedullary origin and includes a hypotensive component due to beta-adrenoceptor stimulation which is not present in WKY.     

Propranolol in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats

The disposition of dl-propranolol was studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), both after subcutaneous (s.c.) and intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of 1 mg/kg. 1. Upon s.c. injection propranolol appeared rapidly in plasma. A maximum concentration of 374 +/- 33 ng/ml (N = 10) was reached 5 min after injection. After a distribution phase with a half-life of t 1/2 alpha = 17 min propranolol was eliminated with a t 1/2 beta = 59 min. 2. Both propranolol and its metabolites were taken up rapidly into all tissues studied. Highest concentrations (10.4 +/- 1.5 micrograms/g, N = 5) were found in lungs 30 min after injection. 3. Neither propranolol nor its metabolites accumulated in any of the tissues examined. 4. Upon i.c.v. injection of propranolol, a maximal concentration of 573 +/- 47 ng/ml (N = 3) was reached in plasma already 2 min after injection. In this case t 1/2 alpha was 13 min and t 1/2 beta was 80 min. 5. Dialysis experiments indicated that propranolol is bound to plasma proteins for 92% in the concentration range of 20--100 ng/ml. With increasing concentrations binding diminishes progressively. At the highest concentration tested (345 ng/ml) only 76% was bound. It is concluded that s.c. and i.c.v. injection of an identical dose of propranolol gives a similar plasma concentration-time profile. Moreover, it is suggested that the pharmacokinetic behaviour of propranolol in SHR does not explain the delayed antihypertensive effect of this drug.