Calcium transport in erythrocytes of rats with spontaneous hypertension

In Quin-2-loaded erythrocytes of two genetically hypertensive rat strains (spontaneously hypertensive rats, SHR, and the Milan hypertensive strain, MHS) intracellular Ca2+ (Ca2+i) concentration and 45Ca influx rate were increased by 25-30 and 15-20% respectively, in comparison with normotensive controls (Wistar-Kyoto rats, WKY, and rats of the Milan normotensive strain, MNS). After 4 h incubation in the presence of 5 mmol/l sodium vanadate (Na3VO4) as an inhibitor of Ca-ATPase, 45Ca content of intact erythrocytes of SHR was twofold higher while erythrocyte count of stroke-prone SHR (SHRSP) was threefold higher than in WKY. This increase was observed in SHR during the pre-hypertensive stage. Under the same conditions, no difference was noted between MHS and MNS rats. The rate of 32P influx, as well as the concentration of exchangeable chloride, was studied. We failed to detect any significant differences in either parameter between hypertensive and normotensive rats, suggesting that altered cell membrane potential was not responsible for allied Ca fluxes. Erythrocyte shrinking, however, resulted in a two to threefold increase in the rate of 45Ca influx. Neither the rate of 45Ca influx nor Ca2+i were modified by the inhibitor of calmodulin-dependent reactions, R24571 (10 mumol/l). It is suggested that the higher rate of Ca2+ influx in Quin-2-loaded erythrocytes of SHR, as well as the increment in 45Ca content in intact erythrocytes treated with orthovanadate, is due to a change in membrane skeleton organization and cell shrinkage.     

Characteristics of the structural-functional status of erythrocyte membranes in 3 strains of rats with spontaneous genetic hypertension

Erythrocyte membrane 22Na and 45Ca transport, osmotic stability and antigenic composition were investigated in 3 strains of rats with spontaneous hereditary hypertension (SHR, SHR SP, MHS), as well as normotensive controls for SHR and SHR SP (WKY) and for MHS (MHS). All strains of spontaneously hypertensive rats showed increased passive membrane permeability for sodium, that was due to increased operation rate of the Na+, K+-cotransport system. Metabolizing sodium is increased in the erythrocytes of Japanese rats (SHR and SHR SP), and decreased in Milan rats (MHS), as compared to normotensive controls. After four hours of incubation with orthovanadate, erythrocyte 45Ca levels were 2-3 times as high in SHR and SHR SP as they were in WKY. In the presence of valinomycin, erythrocyte resistance to hypoosmotic hemolysis was essentially higher in SHR and SHR SP than it was in WKY. These differences are related to a changed rate of anion transport through the band 3 protein. There were no differences in this respect between MHS and MNS. An antigen with a molecular weight of 37-39 kD was detected in erythrocyte membranes of WKY and could not be detected in erythrocytes of other rat groups, including the MNS. It is suggested that different molecular origins of membrane disorders may be an immediate cause of different mechanisms of arterial hypertension in Japanese and Milan animals.     

Cation transport and calcium-induced hemolysis in the erythrocytes of patients with hypertension and in spontaneously hypertensive rats (comparative analysis)

A comparison was made of the physicochemical characteristics of erythrocyte membranes in two strains of spontaneously hypertensive rats, namely SHR and MHS and in patients with essential hypertension (EH). The authors confirmed the results of the previously reported studies that Na+/Li+/H+ countertransport rates were higher in the erythrocytes of patients with EH. The high rate of L1+ sodium-independent efflux hindered identification of Na+/H+ turnover in the rat erythrocytes. Na+/H+ turnover rate was higher in SHR and unchanged MHS rat erythrocytes. The rate of Na+/K+ countertransport was increased by 30-50% in SHR rats and by 90-110% in MHS rats as compared with control animals of respective lines. No difference was found in this parameter in EH patients. The erythrocytes from EH patients and SHR rats showed a higher sensitivity of their K+ channels to elevated intracellular calcium levels. This parameter was unaltered in MHS rats. In the red cells of MHS rats there was a 4-5-fold increase in hemolysis which was induced by higher intracellular calcium concentrations, which was associated with increased activity of a Ca2+-dependent form of protease. The level of Ca2+-induced hemolysis remained unchanged in the erythrocytes from SHR rats and EH patients. It has been concluded that, in terms of membrane abnormalities, in SHR rats are the most adequate model of human essential hypertension than are MHS rats.     

Renal function of isolated perfused kidneys from hypertensive (MHS) and normotensive (MNS) rats of the Milan strain: role of calcium

Abnormal sodium (Na+) and water handling by the kidney may be the cause of hypertension in rats of the Milan hypertensive strain (MHS). In addition, the plasma cell membrane Ca-ATPase at Vmax is lower in MHS than in normotensive controls (MNS). The isolated kidney preparation was used to explore the role of extracellular free calcium (Ca2+) concentrations (1.25, 1.00 and 0.75 mmol/l) in tubular Na+ transport of pre-hypertensive MHS rats. At the Ca2+ concentration of 1.0 mmol/l, the following parameters were significantly higher (P less than 0.01) in MHS: glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and urinary volume (UV), +104.8 and +147.2%, respectively; urinary Na+ excretion (UNa+), +318.0%; tubular Na+ reabsorption (TNa+), +91.0% and oxygen consumption Q O2, +42.9%. Raising the Ca2+ concentration to 1.25 mmol/l increased UV (+167.0%) and UNa+ (+231.0%) in MHS without substantially affecting MNS. The difference between the two strains was therefore considerably larger for these parameters, but disappeared for TNa+ and Q O2. The overall kidney function of MHS was poor as compared wit renal function at Ca2+ 1.0 mmol/l. The differences between the two strains virtually disappeared at the lowest Ca2+ concentration (0.75 mmol/l); only GFR and TNa+ remained slightly greater in MHS mainly because of the poor viability of MNS kidneys in this experimental condition. It thus appears that the lower activity of Ca2+-ATPase of MHS compared with MNS plasma cell membranes influences the differences in Na+ and water handling in the two strains.     

Sodium-lithium countertransport in ambulatory hypertensive and normotensive patients

Numerous studies have reported the mean value for Na+-Li+ countertransport to be increased in red blood cells from patients with essential hypertension. Although concomitant variables including age, body size, national origin, geographic location, gender, and family history of hypertension may affect Na+-Li+ countertransport values, most case-control studies have failed to assess the contribution of these factors to the differences in Na+-Li+ countertransport between hypertensive and normotensive groups. The present study was undertaken to provide estimates of Na+-Li+ countertransport in hypertensive and normotensive subjects after taking into account these potentially confounding sources of variation. In 187 subjects undergoing medical evaluation at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, the combined effects of variation in age, height, and weight accounted for 20.6% of the interindividual variability in Na+-Li+ countertransport. After adjustment to remove variability due to these concomitants, differences in national origin, region of birth, and place of current residence made no additional contribution to variability in this trait. There was no significant difference in mean adjusted Na+-Li+ countertransport between men and women (0.41 +/- 0.17 vs 0.40 +/- 0.12 [SD] mmol Li efflux/L red blood cells/hr; n = 107). The mean value for adjusted Na+-Li+ countertransport was significantly greater (p less than or equal to 0.001) in subjects with essential hypertension (0.44 +/- 0.15 mmol/L red blood cell/hr; n = 104) compared with normotensive subjects (0.31 +/- 0.07 mmol/L red blood cells/hr; n = 39) or subjects with borderline blood pressure elevation (0.35 +/- 0.11 mmol/L red blood cells/hr; n = 21). Subjects with a family history of hypertension in at least one parent or full sibling had significantly higher (p less than 0.02) Na+-Li+ countertransport values (0.42 +/- 0.16 mmol/L red blood cells/hr; n = 111) than those with no family history of hypertension (0.37 +/- 0.13 mmol/L red blood cells/hr; n = 76). These results suggest that increased mean Na+-Li+ countertransport in hypertensive subjects in this sample cannot be attributed to confounding effects of variation in age, body size, gender, national origin, birthplace, or residence. Forty-eight percent of subjects with essential hypertension had adjusted Na+-Li+ countertransport values above the range observed in normotensive controls.     

Sodium transport kinetics in erythrocytes and inside-out vesicles from Milan rats.

This paper describes the kinetics of the Na(+)-K+ pump and the Na(+)-K(+)-Cl- cotransport in sodium-loaded erythrocytes and of the Na(+)-K(+)-Cl- cotransport in erythrocyte inside-out vesicles (IOV) from Milan hypertensive (MHS) and normotensive (MNS) rats in order to evaluate the possible role of intracellular factor(s). In intact erythrocytes, no difference was detectable in the Na(+)-K+ pump kinetics between the two strains while the apparent affinity (Km) of Na(+)-K(+)-Cl- cotransport for internal sodium was significantly greater and the maximal rate of sodium transport lower in MHS when compared with MNS rats. IOV, which are depleted of cytoskeleton, showed a bumetanide-sensitive potassium- and chloride-dependent sodium uptake. However, the erythrocyte differences in Na(+)-K(+)-Cl- cotransport activity and the Km between strains disappeared in IOV, suggesting tha the altered sodium transport of MHS erythrocyte might be due to some intracellular factor or a membrane skeleton protein abnormality.     

Erythrocyte adducin differential properties in the normotensive and hypertensive rats of the Milan strain. Characterization of spleen adducin m-RNA

Previous studies have shown that erythrocytes from the Milan hypertensive strain of rats (MHS) differ from erythrocytes from the control normotensive strain (MNS). These differences are determined within the stem cells, are genetically associated with the development of hypertension, and are similar to those found between the tubular cells of the two strains. Moreover they seem to be dependent upon the presence of the membrane skeleton proteins. In this paper we describe our studies aimed at identifying some precise protein difference between the membrane skeletons of the two strains, which may cause the cellular differences described above. Milan hypertensive strain and MNS rats were immunized with ghost or membrane skeleton extracts prepared from the other or their own strains. Only MHS rats immunized with MNS ghost or membrane skeleton extracts produced an antibody against a 105 KD protein in about 95% of the animals. This protein has been identified with the recently described cytoskeletal protein adducin on the following bases: the protein binds calmodulin (CaM) and protein kinase C (PKc) in a Ca2+ dependent way. It also binds phosphatidylserine, is the substrate of exogenous PKc, and finally it is purified by high salt extraction of Triton-X100 insoluble erythrocyte cytoskeletons followed by affinity chromatography on CaM-sepharose. Using this antibody the isolation from a mouse spleen library, the characterization and sequencing of a partial cDNA clone coding for this protein has been carried out. In conclusion adducin may be considered a very useful tool to test the hypothesis that the cellular differences between MHS and MNS may be caused by a difference in a membrane skeleton protein.     

Is there increased cardiovascular risk in essential hypertensive patients with abnormal kinetics of red blood cell sodium-lithium countertransport?

Na+ transport kinetics were studied in red blood cells (RBCs) from 50 essential hypertensive patients and 30 normotensive controls. Seven hypertensive patients were characterized by the following: (1) a maximal rate of Na+-Li+ countertransport higher than an upper normal limit of 525 mumol.litre cells-1.h-1; (2) an apparent dissociation constant for internal Na+ higher than an upper normal limit of 20.4 mmol.litre cells (in only five of the seven hypertensives); (3) no other kinetic abnormality in Na+,K+ pump, Na+,K+ cotransport or passive Na+ permeability. Clinically, hypertensives with abnormal countertransport were characterized by high serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and the presence of electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Conversely, mean values of these two clinical parameters were normal in the remaining hypertensive patients, independently of the presence of other abnormalities in Na+,K+ pump, Na+,K+ cotransport or passive Na+ permeability. In conclusion, the presence of abnormal Na+-Li+ countertransport kinetics in erythrocytes may be associated with an enhanced cardiovascular risk in hypertension.     

Study of the relation of various genetic and pathophysiologic factors participating in the regulation of blood pressure in patients with hypertension

A study of 35 patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension (EH) (labile hypertension, stages IB-IIA or stable hypertension, stage IIB) demonstrated a higher rate of Na+-Li+ countertransport in patients with hypertensive hereditary predisposition to EH (group 1), as compared to those with unaggravated heredity (group 2). A suppression of plasma renin activity (53%), and a higher rate of hyperlipoproteinemia (55%) were observed in group 1, as opposed to group 2 where Na+-Li+ countertransport was lower, plasma renin activity was normal, and hyperlipoproteinemia occurred in 33%. There was a direct correlation between Na+-Li+ countertransport and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone components in group 2. A conclusion is made that aggravated heredity, RAAS components and hyperlipoproteinemia should be taken into account in the assessment of Na+-Li+ countertransport in hypertensive patients.     

Sodium transport kinetics in erythrocytes from spontaneously hypertensive rats

Rat erythrocytes with five different amounts of Na+ content have been prepared by using a new, nondetrimental Na+-loading method (net NaHPO4-influx through the anion carrier). This method allowed the determination of 1) maximal translocation rates and apparent dissociation constants for internal Na+ of the Na+-K+ pump, outward Na+-K+ cotransport, and Na+-Li+ countertransport and 2) rate constants of Na+ leak in erythrocytes from spontaneously hypertensive rats of the Okamoto strain and Wistar-Kyoto normotensive controls aged 2 to 26 weeks. Two major abnormalities were found in erythrocytes from spontaneously hypertensive rats: 1) a decreased cotransport affinity for internal Na+, which was constantly observed from 2 to 26 weeks of age (mean intracellular Na+ content for half-maximal stimulation of outward Na+-K+ cotransport = 33.1 +/- 7.0 [SD] mmol/L cells in spontaneously hypertensive rats vs 16.7 +/- 4.7 mmol/L cells in Wistar-Kyoto rats; p less than 0.001), and 2) a decreased maximal pump rate in adult (15- to 26-week-old) spontaneously hypertensive as compared with that for age-matched Wistar-Kyoto rats (9-37 vs 34-70 mmol/L cells/hr). Therefore, the low cotransport affinity for internal Na+ appears to be a stable, possibly genetic defect of spontaneously hypertensive rats. Conversely, the decreased maximal pump rate may be a secondary event, possibly reflecting the appearance of endogenous pump inhibitors in the plasma of adult spontaneously hypertensive rats.     

Glomerular number and size in Milan hypertensive and normotensive rats: their relationship to susceptibility and resistance to hypertension and renal disease

OBJECTIVE: Structural analysis, including morphometric computation of glomerular size and number, was applied to analyse the divergence between propensity to hypertension and renal damage, expressed by rats of the Milan hypertensive strain (MHS) and Milan normotensive strain (MNS), respectively. DESIGN: MHS, MNS rats and progenitor Wistar rats were investigated at age 9 weeks and 9 months. Classical morphometric methods were complemented by the dissector/fractionator technique to count glomeruli. RESULTS: At 9 weeks, when nephrogenesis was completed and hypertension established, MHS rats exhibited significantly lower kidney weight, cortical volume, glomerular number and volume compared to coeval MNS rats. In Wistar rats, these parameters were similar to those of MNS rats, except for lower glomerular volume. At 9 months, MHS rats showed significantly lower expansion of glomerular volume compared to MNS and Wistar rats. MNS rats had 10% sclerotic glomeruli, which was associated with reduced renal function and heavy proteinuria; conversely, sclerosis was rare in coeval MHS and Wistar rats. Media thickness was higher, whereas lumen diameter was lower, in intrarenal arteries of MHS versus MNS rats at both time points. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that structural changes other than a tubular defect may play a role in the development of hypertension in MHS rats. The lack of significant glomerular hypertrophy and damage in this strain, despite reduced glomerular number, could be related to their (haemodynamic) protection from hypertensive renal disease, possibly due to the hypertrophy of intrarenal arteries. The larger size of glomeruli of MNS rats may be linked to their susceptibility to glomerulosclerosis.     

H+ pump and Na(+)-H+ exchange in isolated single proximal tubules of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

OBJECTIVES: To gain insight into the pathogenesis of hypertension in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), we compared the maturation of the Na-independent H+ efflux and Na(+)-H+ exchange in microdissected superficial proximal cortical tubule (PCT) S1 and S2 segments of SHR and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. METHODS: Isolated superfused PCT segments were loaded with 2'-7'-bis-carboxyethyl-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein and incubated in nominally HCO3-free solution. We assessed Na-independent N-ethylmaleimide (NEM)-sensitive H+ efflux and Na-dependent H+ efflux by measuring the recovery rate of the intracellular pH following acid loading induced by prepulsing with NH4+. RESULTS: In young prehypertensive SHR the Na(+)-H+ exchange recovery rate in S1 at pH(i) 6.8 was significantly higher than in young WKY rats, whereas in adult rats no significant difference between the two strains could be observed. In S2 segments the Na(+)-H+ exchange recovery rate was similar between SHR and WKY rats for both age groups. In the young, no difference in the NEM-sensitive H+ efflux in S2 PCT was observed between the two strains. In contrast, in the adult, although the NEM-sensitive H+ efflux had increased profoundly with age for WKY rats, it remained markedly low in SHR. CONCLUSIONS: These studies indicate that apical Na+ reabsorption coupled with H+ efflux in the S1 segment is increased in the PCT of SHR, and demonstrate a marked impairment in the maturation of H+ pump activity in the S2 segment of the SHR compared with the normotensive strain. The impairment of these cell transport systems in the SHR may be relevant to the pathogenesis or maintenance of hypertension in this model.     

Na+-Li+ countertransport in essential hypertension

Several studies on Na+-Li+ countertransport have reported higher rates in essential hypertensive than in normotensives, with a distribution pattern which is dependent on racial and ethnic background. However, it is not well established whether this abnormality in Na+ transport is associated with an abnormal clinical setting. In the present study we have performed a kinetic analysis of the interaction of the Na+-Li+ countertransport system with internal Na+ in erythrocytes from a sample of 72 essential hypertensives and 30 normotensive controls. A significant increase in mean values of the maximal rate of Li+-stimulated Na+ efflux (Vmax; 375.1 +/- 23.8 versus 213.7 +/- 8.5 mumol/l cells per h; mean +/- s.e.m.; Mann-Whitney test: U = 500; P less than 0.0001), as well as in the apparent affinity constant for internal Na+ (KNa; 10.03 +/- 0.08 versus 6 +/- 0.4 mmol/l cells; Mann-Whitney test: U = 718; P less than 0.0079), were observed in essential hypertensives with respect to normotensives. Using the 95% confidence interval of Vmax in normotensives as the normal range, 29 (40.3%) of the essential hypertensives exhibited values above the normal upper limit. The maximal rate (Vmax) and the internal Na+ content required for half-maximal stimulation (K50%) of Na+-K+ ATPase and outward Na+-K+ cotransport, and the rate constant of Na+ leak (KPNa) in this subset were similar to the values observed in the controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Two point mutations within the adducin genes are involved in blood pressure variation.

The Milan hypertensive strain of rats (MHS) develops a genetic form of renal hypertension that, when compared to its normotensive control (MNS), shows renal dysfunction similar to that of a subset of human patients with primary hypertension. MHS and MNS were shown to be homozygous by multilocus minisatellite analysis and monolocus microsatellite markers. We show here that one point mutation in each of two genes coding for the membrane skeleton protein adducin is associated with blood pressure in the Milan strain of rats. Adducin is a heterodimer formed by alpha and beta subunits that promotes the assembly of actin with spectrin. MHS and MNS differ, respectively, by the amino acids Y and F at position 316 of the alpha subunit. In the beta-adducin locus, MHS is always homozygous for R at position 529 while in MNS either R or Q occurs in that position. The R/Q heterozygotes showed lower blood pressure than any of the homozygotes. In vitro phosphorylation studies suggest that both of these amino acid substitutions occur within protein kinase recognition sites. Analysis of an F2 generation demonstrated that Y alleles segregated with a significant increment in blood pressure. This effect is modulated by the presence of the R allele of the beta subunit. Taken together, these findings strongly support a role for adducin polymorphisms in causing variation of blood pressure in the Milan strain of rats.     

Cation transport and adenosine triphosphatase activity in rat erythrocytes: a comparison of spontaneously hypertensive rats with the normotensive Brown-Norway strain.

The activity of transport adenosine triphosphatases (ATPases) in saponin-treated erythrocytes as well as the passive membrane permeability for 86Rb+ (K+), 45Ca2+ uptake (in the presence of orthovanadate) and the rate of Na(+)-H+ exchange in intact erythrocytes were studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and Brown-Norway (BN.lx) rats. Higher Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity, lower Ca(2+)-ATPase activity, increased passive K+ permeability and greater 45Ca2+ uptake were observed in erythrocytes from SHR compared with BN.lx rats. Similar differences in the last two parameters were also disclosed by a comparison of SHR and WKY rats. The rate of Na(+)-H+ exchange in SHR erythrocytes was greater than in WKY rats but equal to that of BN.lx rats. A genetic analysis did not reveal a significant correlation between Na(+)-H+ exchange rate and blood pressure in F2 SHR x WKY hybrids.     

Abnormalities of insulin and lipid metabolism in Milan hypertensive rats

Plasma glucose, insulin, triglyceride, and cholesterol concentrations were measured in male rats of the Milan hypertensive strain (MHS) and compared to the Milan normotensive strain (MNS) of the same body weight. Both blood pressure (P less than .001) and left ventricular weight (P less than .005) were higher in rats of the MHS. Although plasma glucose concentrations were similar in both groups, mean (+/- SEM) plasma insulin concentration were significantly higher (P less than .01) in MHS as compared to MNS rats (30 +/- 4 v. 13 +/- 5 microU/mL). In addition mean (+/- SEM) plasma triglyceride concentrations were higher (P less than .01) in MHS rats (112 +/- 9 mg/dL) than in MNS rats (81 +/- 6 mg/dL), as were plasma cholesterol concentrations (114 +/- 3 v 100 +/- 2 mg/dL, P less than .001). These data demonstrate the presence of hyperinsulinemia and hypertriglyceridemia in another genetic model of rat hypertension.     

Relationship between red cell sodium transport, blood pressure, and family history of hypertension

Numerous studies have demonstrated that Na+/Li+ countertransport is increased in erythrocytes from hypertensive patients. Since Na+/Li+ countertransport is conducted through the physiologically occurring Na+/Na+ exchange, we studied the latter pathway in 20 subjects with essential hypertension and 20 normotensive subjects matched for age and sex. Ten hypertensives and six normotensives had a positive family history of hypertension. Ouabain (0.1 mM) and furosemide (0.1 mM) were used to assess the active Na+ efflux and Na+-K+-Cl- pathway. There was no significant difference between hypertensive and normotensive subjects in any of the three pathways studied. Among the 16 subjects with a positive family history of hypertension, the mean value for external Na+-dependent Na+/Na+ exchange was significantly higher than in 24 subjects with no family history of hypertension (0.0457 +/- 0.0337 versus 0.0283 +/- 0.0202; P less than 0.05). This study suggests that an inherited membrane transport defect may exist for Na+/Na+ exchange in families of hypertensive subjects.     

Na,K-ATPase activity in renal tubule cells from Milan hypertensive rats

Several abnormalities of cation transport have been described in the Milan hypertensive rats (MHS). In this study we examined Na,K-ATPase activity in proximal convoluted tubules (PCT) cells and medullary thick ascending limb of Henle cells (TAL) from MHS and from the Milan normotensive rats (MNS). Na,K-ATPase activity was determined as 32P-ATP hydrolysis in single tubule segments. Na,K-ATPase activity (pmol Pi/mm t/h) was significantly higher in MHS than MNS both in PCT (903 +/- 227 n = 8 v 506 +/- 285 n = 12) and TAL (4324 +/- 800 n = 5 v 3063 +/- 625 n = 5). Na,K-ATPase dependent respiration was determined in PCT cell from MNS and MHS. Under basal condition Na,K-ATPase dependent respiration (mumol O2/mg protein/h) was higher in MHS than in MNS (24.2 +/- 1.8 n = 5 v 16.1 +/- 0.4 n = 5). When the cells were Na loaded by amphotericin Na,K-ATPase dependent respiration increased significantly more in MHS than MNS (38.4 +/- 1.6 v 26.8 +/- 2.2 n = 4). Thus, Na,K-ATPase activity is higher in renal tubule cells both at normal intracellular Na and after the cells have been Na loaded. The results indicate that regulation of Na homeostasis in renal tubule cell is different in MHS and MNS.     

Transport of sodium and protons and hypotonic haemolysis in the valinomycin-treated erythrocytes of rats with spontaneous hypertension

After the addition of valinomycin into the incubation medium, the potassium content of rat erythrocytes rapidly decreases. The rate-limiting step of this reaction is a unidirectional efflux of anions through band 3 protein. The rate of this efflux in erythrocytes of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) of the Wistar-Kyoto strain, is not altered. The loss of KCl by rat erythrocytes is accompanied by a decrease in intracellular water, cell shrinking and activation of Na+-H+i exchange. The rate of Na+-H+ exchange in the erythrocytes of SHR in the pre-hypertensive stage (4 weeks old) was decreased by 30%. There were no differences between 14-week-old and 28-week-old SHR and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. The half-maximal increase of the valinomycin-induced Na+-H+ exchange in erythrocytes of 14-week-old WKY and SHR was observed at KCl concentrations in the incubation medium of 25 and 40 mmol, respectively. The addition of activators of protein kinase A (dibutyryl-cAMP) or protein kinase C (beta-phorbol ester) resulted in an increase in the maximal rate of Na+-H+ exchange, and did not modify its dependence on K+o concentration. In all groups of SHR, the rate of valinomycin-induced H+ efflux from erythrocytes in the sodium-free medium was 1.5-2.5-fold higher than in age-matched WKY. Under these conditions (addition of valinomycin and inhibition of Na+-H+ exchange), haemoglobin release from erythrocytes of SHR, treated with hypotonic solution, was significantly decreased. We conclude that these differences are due to the alteration of the skeleton protein organization in the erythrocyte membranes of SHR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Selective modification of renal alpha 2-adrenergic receptors in Milan hypertensive rat strain

Cerebral and renal alpha-adrenergic receptors play an important role in the control of blood pressure. We studied alpha-adrenergic receptors in the cerebral and renal cortex of Milan hypertensive strain (MHS) and normotensive strain (MNS) rats, a genetic model of spontaneous hypertension linked to a kidney abnormality. Binding of the selective alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist [3H]prazosin and the alpha 2-adrenergic antagonist [3H]rauwolscine was used for receptor studies in tissues of prehypertensive (24-day-old) and hypertensive (60-day-old) rats. In the cerebral cortex, no between-strain differences in alpha 1-adrenergic and alpha 2-adrenergic receptor density and affinity were observed in prehypertensive and hypertensive periods. The density of these receptors increased similarly with age in MHS and MNS rats. In the renal cortex, the differences between MHS and MNS rats concerned alpha 2-adrenergic receptors only. Compared with their age-matched normotensive controls, MHS rats showed 1) a lower affinity for the antagonist (p less than 0.05) in the prehypertensive period, 2) absence of the normal age-related increase in receptor density, and 3) a lower density of [3H]rauwolscine binding sites (p less than 0.001) in the hypertensive period. In this period, studies of competitive inhibition of [3H]rauwolscine binding showed that l-epinephrine bound to one class of sites in MHS rats (pseudo-Hill plot, 0.90) and to two classes in MNS rats (pseudo-Hill plot, 0.68). In addition, the lack of any guanylylimidodiphosphate effect on the l-epinephrine competition curve observed in MHS rats suggests the uncoupling of these receptors from the guanosine 5'-triphosphate binding protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)