Comparative vascular pharmacology of the atriopeptins

The atriopeptins are potent relaxants of norepinephrine-constricted aortic strips or are dilators of renal blood vessels in isolated perfused rat kidneys that are constricted by norepinephrine. This vasorelaxant property of the atriopeptins requires the presence of phenylalanine arginine (i.e., atriopeptin II, III, or ser-leu-arg-arg atriopeptin III) residues in the carboxy terminus which are considerably more effective than atriopeptin I (the 21 amino acid peptide which lacks the phe-arg C-terminus) or the core peptide (residues 3-19). However, these artificially in vitro precontracted preparations do not accurately predict the vascular effectiveness of the atriopeptins in intact rats. Intravenous administration of the atriopeptins (including atriopeptin I) to anesthetized rats produces concentration-dependent hypotension, a selective decrease in renal resistance in low doses (determined with microspheres), and pronounced diuresis. At higher doses, atriopeptins increase blood flow in other vascular beds. On the other hand, in the anesthetized dog, injection (intraarterially) of the phe-arg-containing peptides produces a concentration-dependent increase in both renal blood flow and sodium excretion, whereas atriopeptin I is inactive. Although there is a species difference in responsiveness to atriopeptin I, these data demonstrate a direct correlation between the renal vasodilation and diuresis produced by this novel family of atrial peptides.     

Evidence for the role of angiotensin II biosynthesis in the rat internal anal sphincter tone

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The internal anal sphincter tone is important for anorectal continence. This study examined the role of angiotensin II as a neurohumoral signal for the myogenic tone in the internal anal sphincter. METHODS: We determined the effect of angiotensin I, II, III, and IV and angiotensin-(1-7) on the basal tone of the rat internal anal sphincter smooth muscle before and after selective receptor antagonists and biosynthesis inhibitors. Selective pharmacological tools used were losartan (for the AT(1) receptor), PD123,319 (for AT(2)), A-779 [for angiotensin-(1-7)], captopril (for angiotensin-converting enzyme), and amastatin (for aminopeptidases A and N). Angiotensins were measured by using high-performance liquid chromatography/UV. Western blot studies were used to determine AT(1) and AT(2) receptors, ACE, and aminopeptidases A and N. RESULTS: Angiotensin I, II, and III produced concentration-dependent contraction in the internal anal sphincter mediated by AT(1) receptors. However, in the higher concentrations (from 100 nM to 10 microM), angiotensin II showed an inhibitory effect via AT(2) receptors. Captopril (1 microM) inhibited the biosynthesis of angiotensin II in the internal anal sphincter, antagonized the contractile effects of angiotensin I, and, importantly, caused a decrease in the basal tone. Amastatin inhibited the effects of angiotensin II while augmenting those of angiotensin III. In contrast, angiotensin-(1-7) and angiotensin IV had only minor effects in the internal anal sphincter. Angiotensin I, II, and III; angiotensin-converting enzyme; aminopeptidase A and aminopeptidase n; at(1); and at(2) receptors were shown to be present in the internal anal sphincter. CONCLUSIONS: Locally produced angiotensin II may partially regulate basal tone in the internal anal sphincter.     

Analogue-specific action in vitro of atrial natriuretic factor on human red blood cell Ca2+-ATPase activity

Specific atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) analogues have been found to have inhibitory activity in vitro in a calmodulin-dependent, human red blood cell membrane Ca2+-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) model. Studied at 10(-8) to 10(-6) M concentrations, atriopeptin I (residues 127-147 of rat prepro-ANF sequence) and atriopeptin III (residues 127-150) progressively inhibited Ca2+-ATPase activity by up to 20% (p less than 0.001). This degree of inhibition was consistent with activities of other (calmodulin-independent) enzyme inhibitors in this model. Therefore, the C-terminal Phe-Arg-Tyr sequence (residues 148-150) is unnecessary for atriopeptin action on Ca2+-ATPase. Human and rat atrial peptides with amino acids 123-150 were inactive, indicating that the 123-126 sequence (Ser-Leu-Arg-Arg) must be cleaved to activate atriopeptins in this system. Human ANF fragment 129-150 also had no effect on Ca2+-ATPase, defining the importance of residues 127-128 (Ser-Ser) proximal to the disulfide bridge (joining 129 to 145). The addition of purified calmodulin to red blood cell membranes in the presence of inhibitory ANF did not restore Ca2+-ATPase activity to normal levels, indicating that the ANF effect on this enzyme is calmodulin-independent. Atriopeptin I and atriopeptin III had no effect on red blood cell Na+, K+-ATPase activity in vitro. Thus, the structure-activity relationships of ANF analogues in this novel human cell membrane model are highly specific. Although the inhibitory action of ANF analogues on Ca2+-ATPase, a calcium pump-associated enzyme, may be unique to the red blood cell, the calcium dependence of the gluconeogenic effects of ANF in the kidney would be supported by inhibition of this ATPase.     

Atrial natriuretic factor inhibits the stimulated in-vivo and in-vitro release of vasopressin and oxytocin in the rat

The effect of an atrial natriuretic peptide on the secretion of the neurohypophysial peptides arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin has been studied in vivo and in vitro. Atriopeptin III was administered intracerebroventricularly to conscious rats and plasma concentrations of AVP and oxytocin were determined both in controls and in rats which had their drinking water replaced by 2% NaCl. The release of both AVP and oxytocin was inhibited when basal levels were increased by the saline treatment. The inhibition of AVP release lasted for 40 min whereas oxytocin release was inhibited for 10 min only. In a further experiment the stimulated release of AVP and oxytocin from the isolated neurointermediate lobe of the rat was also inhibited by atriopeptin III.     

Absence of prostacyclin involvement in angiotensin-induced aldosterone secretion in rat adrenal cells

The role of prostaglandins (PGs) in aldosterone secretion was studied in isolated rat adrenal glomerulosa cells. [14C]Arachidonic acid was metabolized to [14C]6-keto-PGF1 alpha, [14C]PGF2 alpha, [14C]PGE2, and [14C]PGD2. Pretreatment with indomethacin (5 X 10(-5) M) or U-51605 (5 micrograms/ml) inhibited the synthesis of these metabolites. Angiotensin II (AII) stimulated a concentration-related release of aldosterone and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, but not PGE2. Significant increases in aldosterone and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha occurred at AII concentrations of 0.2 and 2 nM. The increases in 6-keto PGF1 alpha concentrations after AII treatment were small, however (278 +/- 33 pg/10(6) cells X h for control vs. 581 +/- 90 after 2 nM AII). At higher concentrations, AII further stimulated aldosterone, but 6-keto PGF1 alpha levels declined. AII stimulated the synthesis of aldosterone and 6-keto PGF1 alpha in parallel with time of incubation. Indomethacin (3 microM) decrease basal and AII-stimulated aldosterone release by 40% and 23%, respectively, and inhibited the synthesis of PGs. U-51605 (5 micrograms/ml) failed to alter aldosterone release. Arachidonic acid increased the synthesis of PGE2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in a concentration-related manner without altering the synthesis of aldosterone. In contrast, PGH2 stimulated the release of PGE2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, and aldosterone. PGI2 and PGE2 stimulated aldosterone secretion, which was concentration related. Threshold stimulation by PGI2 and PGE2 occurred at 0.5 and 5 nM, respectively. Maximal stimulation occurred at 5 nM for PGI2 and at 5000 nM for PGE2, with PGE2 producing the greater maximal response. Treatment of the cells with trypsin eliminated the steroidogenic response to PGE2. These findings indicate that PGI2 and PGE2 are produced by the adrenal glomerulosa cells, and the synthesis of PGI2 may be stimulated by AII. However, the concentrations of PGI2 synthesized are not adequate to stimulate aldosterone secretion. Thus, PGI2 does not appear to mediate angiotensin-induced aldosterone secretion.     

Angiotensin II receptors and prolactin release in pituitary lactotrophs

Logical properties of angiotensin II receptors in the rat adenohypophysis were analyzed in cultured rat pituitary cells incubated with angiotensin II and known stimuli of pituitary hormone secretion. PRL release during incubation for 3 h with 3 nM angiotensin II was consistently increased by 68 +/- 5%, comparable with that elicited by TRH (63.1 +/- 4%). The ED50 of 0.5 nM for PRL release by angiotensin II was significantly lower than that of TRH (2.9 nM) in the same cell cultures. The antagonist analog [Sar1,Ala8]angiotensin II prevented the angiotensin-induced rise in PRL production but not that evoked by TRH, whereas dopamine and SRIF inhibited basal, angiotensin, and TRH-stimulated PRL release. Angiotensin II also caused a small increase in ACTH release but had no effect on the release of LH, TSH, and GH. Angiotensin II binding and PRL release were measured in partially purified lactotrophs prepared by elutriation, by which the initial cell suspension was separated into seven fractions. Most of the lactotrophs were present in the two fractions eluted at flow rates of 15.7 and 19.8 ml/min, as indicated by their immunoreactive PRL content. The 2.5- to 3.2-fold enrichment of lactotrophs was accompanied by a 2- to 3.5-fold increase in angiotensin II receptor concentration, with no change in binding affinity (Ka = 3.5 x 10(9) M-1). In the same fractions, angiotensin II-induced PRL release was similarly increased by 1.6- to 3.5-fold above basal, compared with values of less than 1 in the initial cell suspension and other fractions. The preferential location of angiotensin II receptors in the lactotroph-containing fractions and the close correlation between angiotensin II binding sites and stimulation of PRL release indicate the functional importance of the pituitary angiotensin II receptor sites. These findings also suggest that angiotensin II could contribute to the physiological regulation of PRL secretion.     

Membrane permeability to K+ and the control of aldosterone synthesis: effects of valinomycin and cromakalim in bovine adrenocortical cells.

Stimulation of aldosterone synthesis by angiotensin II (AII) is associated with depolarization of the cell membrane. Since the potential difference of adrenocortical cells is dependent on membrane permeability to potassium ions, the effects of agents which hyperpolarize the cell (by increasing permeability to K+) on the control of aldosterone synthesis were investigated further. Basal and AII-stimulated aldosterone synthesis was increased by 20-70% in cells incubated with 1 or 10 nM of the potassium ionophore valinomycin; higher concentrations markedly inhibited AII-stimulated synthesis. Cromakalim, a potential antihypertensive drug which facilitates the opening of K+ channels in smooth muscle cells, stimulated basal aldosterone synthesis at 2 microM but had no effect at 40 microM. AII-stimulated aldosterone synthesis was not affected by cromakalim except at 40 microM, which was inhibitory. The inhibitory effects of cromakalim, unlike those of valinomycin, were not reversible. Aldosterone synthesis from added hydroxycholesterol and pregnenolone (but not from deoxycorticosterone and corticosterone) was significantly inhibited by 40 microM cromakalim. Potassium efflux from cells preloaded with 43K was unaffected by low concentrations of valinomycin, but was markedly increased by concentrations which inhibited AII-stimulated aldosterone production. Small decreases and increases in 43K efflux, caused by 1 and 40 microM cromakalim respectively, corresponded with increases and decreases in basal aldosterone production; cromakalim did not affect 43K efflux from AII-stimulated cells. We suggest that increasing adrenocortical cell membrane permeability to K+ reduces steroidogenesis, but that valinomycin and cromakalim have other actions which complicate the relationship between 43K efflux and aldosterone production. Cromakalim appears to inhibit 21-hydroxylase activity in the biosynthetic pathway and may also affect 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity.     

Angiotensin III stimulates aldosterone secretion from adrenal gland partially via angiotensin II type 2 receptor but not angiotensin II type 1 receptor

Angiotensin II (Ang II) and Ang III stimulate aldosterone secretion by adrenal glomerulosa, but the angiotensin receptor subtypes involved and the effects of Ang IV and Ang (1-7) are not clear. In vitro, different angiotensins were added to rat adrenal glomerulosa, and aldosterone concentration in the medium was measured. Ang II-induced aldosterone release was blocked (30.3 ± 7.1%) by an Ang II type 2 receptor (AT2R) antagonist, PD123319. Candesartan, an Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R) antagonist, also blocked Ang II-induced aldosterone release (42.9 ± 4.8%). Coadministration of candesartan and PD123319 almost abolished the Ang II-induced aldosterone release. A selective AT2R agonist, CGP42112, was used to confirm the effects of AT2R. CGP42112 increased aldosterone secretion, which was almost completely inhibited by PD123319. In addition to Ang II, Ang III also induced aldosterone release, which was not blocked by candesartan. However, PD123319 blocked 22.4 ± 10.5% of the Ang III-induced aldosterone secretion. Ang IV and Ang (1-7) did not induce adrenal aldosterone secretion. In vivo, both Ang II and Ang III infusion increased plasma aldosterone concentration, but only Ang II elevated blood pressure. Ang IV and Ang (1-7) infusion did not affect blood pressure or aldosterone concentration. In conclusion, this report showed for the first time that AT2R partially mediates Ang III-induced aldosterone release, but not AT1R. Also, over 60% of Ang III-induced aldosterone release may be independent of both AT1R and AT2R. Ang III and AT2R signaling may have a role in the pathophysiology of aldosterone breakthrough.     

Pharmacological characterization of the angiotensin receptor negatively coupled with adenylate cyclase in rat anterior pituitary gland

Angiotensin II (AII) inhibited anterior pituitary adenylate cyclase. Whereas GTP was necessary to fully express the AII inhibitory effect, Na+ was not required. The magnitude of inhibition (42 +/- 6%) permitted a pharmacological characterization of the AII receptor involved in adenylate cyclase inhibition. Angiotensin I (AI) was less potent than AII, and deletion of aminoacids in the N-terminal position resulted in a progressive reduction of the Ki (peptide concentration producing half-maximal inhibition). The Ki values were 3 +/- 0.9, 10, and 700 nM for AII, angiotensin III (AIII), and des-Asp, des-Arg-AII, respectively. Sarcosine in position 1 [( Sar, Phe]AII) increased the potency of inhibition (Ki = 0.12 +/- 0.12 nM). Different antagonists of the AII receptors appeared to be partial agonists. There was a very close correlation (r = 0.98) between the respective potencies of a series of AII analogs to inhibit adenylate cyclase and the potencies of these analogs to elicit PRL or ACTH release or to bind to AII-binding sites. Dopamine and AII inhibition of anterior pituitary adenylate cyclase were not additive. This suggests that both receptors are on the same cell and likely on lactotrophs. This hypothesis agrees with the observation that vasoactive intestinal peptide stimulation of adenylate cyclase was inhibited by AII, whereas corticotropin-releasing factor stimulation was unaffected. Although dopamine and AII inhibited the same adenylate cyclase, they had opposing effects on PRL release (inhibition and stimulation, respectively). The possible significance of this observation is related to a model implying that PRL release can be elicited through either a Ca+2 or a cAMP pathway.     

Effects of angiotensin III (DES-1-asp-angiotensin II) and angiotensin III analogue (DES-1-asp-8-ile-angiotensin II) upon adrenal steroidogenesis and blood pressure.

Effects of angiotensin III and angiotensin III analogue upon adrenal steroidogenesis and blood pressure were studied in rats, rabbits and a man. Pressor effect of angiotensin III was about one fifth of that of angiotensin II in all the species. Degradation rate of pressor effect of angiotensin III in plasma was more rapid than that of angiotensin II. Different from the effects of angiotensin III upon blood pressure, its effect upon aldosterone was similar to that of angiotensin II. The effect of angiotensin III upon other adrenal steroids, such as DOC and cortisol, however, seemed to be slightly less than that of angiotensin II. Angiotensin III producted an additive effect to that of ACTH, but it didn't produce an additive effect to that of angiotensin II. Angiotensin III analogue, itself, stimulated adrenal steroidogenesis, but it inhibited the effects of angiotensin III and angiotensin II upon aldosterone. Effects of ACTH upon plasma DOC and cortisol were not inhibited by angiotenesin III analogue, but the effect of ACTH upon aldosterone was blunted slightly.     

Angiotensin stimulation of bovine adrenocortical cell growth.

Factors controlling proliferation of adrenocortical cells have been studied in monolayer cultures of bovine adrenocortical cells. Angiotensin II stimulated cell proliferation and [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA with a half-maximal effective concentration of 0.96 +/- 0.27 nM. Similar sensitivity to angiotensin III with reduced sensitivity to angiotensin I and tetradecapeptide renin substrate was observed. Although sensitivity to angiotensin II was equivalent to that for fibroblast growth factor (1.5 nM half-maximal effective concentration), maximal effects of angiotensin were less than for fibroblast growth factor and serum. High concentrations of insulin (1-10 micrometer) also stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA and cell proliferation. [Sar1,Ile5,Ile8]Angiotensin II, a competitive antagonist of angiotensin II, blocked angiotensin II stimulation of DNA synthesis but did not affect fibroblast growth factor and insulin stimulation of DNA synthesis. Corticotropin (ACTH) blocked the stimulatory effects of both angiotensin II and fibroblast growth factor. The dose-response curves for angiotensin II stimulation of steroidogenesis were similar to those for stimulation of [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA. Among the seven cell types examined, only adrenocortical cells responded to angiotension II with stimulation of DNA synthesis.     

Dopaminergic Modulation of Corticosteroid Responses to Angiotensin II in Man

This study was designed to investigate dopaminergic mechanisms involved in the control of corticosteroid secretion in man. Plasma cortisol, corticosterone, 11-deoxycorticosterone, 18-hydroxycorticosterone (18-OHB), and aldosterone responses to graded doses of angiotensin II and ACTH were evaluated in six healthy male volunteers with and without treatment with the dopamine agonist bromocriptine (BEC). Angiotensin II infusion resulted in parallel responses of 18-OHB and aldosterone without affecting other precursors of the aldosterone biosynthetic pathway. BEC (2.5 mg tid for 6 days) markedly suppressed basal supine plasma 18-OHB levels without affecting basal levels of aldosterone. Basal supine plasma corticosterone levels were increased after BEC treatment. BEC treatment inhibited the 18-OHB and aldosterone responses to graded infusions of angiotensin II. Plasma 18-OHB responses to ACTH infusion were not altered by BEC treatment. Other factors known to affect aldosterone and 18-OHB secretion such as plasma renin activity and serum electrolytes were not altered by BEC administration. These results suggest that angiotensin-mediated 18-OHB and aldosterone secretion is selectively inhibited by dopaminergic mechanisms.     

Endothelial renin-angiotensin pathway. Adrenergic regulation of angiotensin secretion

Cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) express the complete renin-angiotensin system and secrete angiotensins. In this study, we examined the adrenergic influence on the secretion of angiotensins from BAECs. Angiotensins were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and radioimmunoassay. At basal state, BAECs contain angiotensin I, angiotensin II, and angiotensin III at concentrations of 2.5 +/- 1.3, 4.8 +/- 2.3, and 3.4 +/- 1.5 pg/10(6) cells, respectively. Angiotensin I, angiotensin II, and angiotensin III concentrations in the culture medium were 8.3 +/- 4.4, 9.4 +/- 3.5, and 9.9 +/- 3.3 pg/10(6) cells, respectively. Isoproterenol (0.1-10 microM) increases secretion of angiotensins I, II, and III in a dose-dependent manner. Increase in angiotensin secretion induced by isoproterenol (10 microM) can be inhibited by beta 2-adrenoceptor antagonist ICI 118,551 (1 microM), but not by beta 1-adrenoceptor antagonist atenolol (1 microM). Forskolin (1-1,000 microM) mimics the isoproterenol-induced response. In contrast, alpha-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine (1-100 microM) inhibits the secretion. Pretreatment of BAECs with captopril (1 microM) inhibits the accumulation of angiotensin II and angiotensin III in the culture medium, but not angiotensin I. These findings suggest that BAEC production and/or secretion of angiotensins is regulated by adrenergic mechanisms.     

Effects of atrial natriuretic factor on corticosteroid and catecholamine secretion by the adrenals of Xenopus laevis.

The effects of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) on the adreno-corticosteroid and catecholamine secretion of Xenopus laevis were studied in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, the effects of rANF(99-126), from 0.1 to 50 nM, on corticosteroid secretion was investigated using a perifusion system. The basal secretion of aldosterone but not corticosterone was dose dependently decreased. A prolonged perifusion with 1 nM rANF(99-126) alternated ACTH(1-28) stimulation of secretion of both corticosteroids. Only ANF analogues with intact disulfide bridges (rANF(99-126), hANF(99-126), Atriopeptin II, frogANF(21)), and an extract of Xenopus laevis hearts significantly inhibited aldosterone release; the N-terminal (99-109) and the C-terminal ANF(116-126) fragments had no effects. In vitro norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) were released but dopamine (D) was not detected. rANF(99-126) at concentrations up to 1 microM affected neither basal nor acetylcholine stimulated catecholamine secretion. In vivo, a single injection of 3 nmol rANF(99-126) per 100 g body weight was given and the serum concentrations of corticosterone, aldosterone, D, NE, and E were determined 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hr later. Both steroids decreased after 12 hr, whereas the catecholamine concentrations were not significantly changed. ANF is concluded to act on steroidogenic but not chromaffin cells in Xenopus laevis.     

Absence of a role for the parasympathetic nervous system in the hemodynamic response to atriopeptin III in the normotensive rat

The influence of the parasympathetic nervous system on the cardiovascular response to a synthetic atrial peptide (atriopeptin III) was examined in conscious normotensive rats utilizing the technique of radiolabelled microspheres. Atriopeptin III was infused intravenously for 30 min at a rate of 1 microgram/min in rats pretreated with a bolus intravenous injection of atropine, 150 micrograms (n = 8), or of its vehicle (n = 8). Additional animals (n = 9) received the vehicle of both atropine and atriopeptin III. The atrial peptide decreased mean blood pressure to similar extent in rats pretreated with atropine (from 124 +/- 4.5 to 108 +/- 5.3 mmHg, mean +/- SEM, p less than 0.05) and in the controls (from 123 +/- 3.8 to 105 +/- 3.8 mmHg, p less than 0.05). Heart rate rose significantly after administration of atropine. After the 30 minute infusion, cardiac index was significantly lower (p less than 0.05) in both groups infused with atriopeptin III (23.4 +/- 2.3 after atropine pretreatment and 25.1 +/- 2.2 ml/min X 100 g without atropine) than in the group of rats given only the vehicle of both atropine and atriopeptin III (32.4 +/- 2.8 ml/min X 100 g). There was no significant difference in regional blood flow distribution within the three groups of rats. These data therefore indicate that in conscious rats atriopeptin III reduces blood pressure and cardiac output without concomitantly modifying regional blood flow distribution. They also suggest that the parasympathetic nervous system does not contribute to the hemodynamic response to atriopeptin III.     

Effect of atrial natriuretic peptide on renin release in a superfusion system of kidney slices and dispersed juxtaglomerular cells

The effect of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on renin release is controversial. Several reports state that ANP inhibits renin secretion, while others have shown no effect. We investigated the effect of synthetic rat ANP with 24 amino acids (atriopeptin III) on renin release in vitro in a dynamic superfusion system of renal cortical slices as well as collagenase-dispersed juxtaglomerular cells. In the superfusion system of kidney slices, isoproterenol (5 x 10(-8) M) clearly stimulated renin release from kidney slices, while angiotensin II (AII; 10(-5) M) suppressed renin release. ANP (10(-10)-10(-6) M) did not inhibit basal renin release or blunt the stimulatory effect of isoproterenol. The suppression of renin secretion by AII was never modified in the presence of ANP. The superfusion system of juxtaglomerular cells demonstrated greater sensitivity of renin release in responses to isoproterenol and AII. In this system, ANP (10(-6) M) did not alter renin release from the cells stimulated by isoproterenol (5 x 10(-8) M) or inhibited by AII (10(-8) M). However, basal renin release was slightly stimulated in the late phase of ANP superfusion and for 20 min after the ANP perfusion was stopped. Similarly, 8 bromo-cGMP (10(-6) M) did not inhibit, but, rather, stimulated basal renin release slightly. These results suggest that ANP does not inhibit renin release by a direct effect on the juxtaglomerular cell in the rat.     

Unique calcium dependencies of the activating mechanism of the early and late aldosterone biosynthetic pathways in the rat

This study compared the extracellular calcium dependency and the enzymatic locus of that dependency for N6 O2'-dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP)-, angiotensin II- and potassium-stimulated aldosterone secretion in dispersed rat glomerulosa cells. The need for extracellular calcium, calcium influx, and specifically for calcium influx through the calcium channel was examined. dbcAMP, angiotensin II and potassium, in the presence of calcium (3.5 mmol/l), significantly (P less than 0.01) increased aldosterone output by at least 1.5-fold. Yet in the absence of extracellular calcium or in the presence of lanthanum (an inhibitor of calcium influx by most mechanisms) all three stimuli failed to increase aldosterone secretion. Nifedipine, a dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist, significantly (P less than 0.01) reduced angiotensin II- and potassium-stimulated aldosterone secretion, but had no effect on dbcAMP-stimulated aldosterone secretion (100 +/- 14 vs 105 +/- 19 pmol/10(6) cells). Likewise nitrendipine failed to inhibit ACTH-stimulated aldosterone secretion. Angiotension II and potassium activation of both the early aldosterone biosynthetic pathway (as reflected by pregnenolone production in the presence of cyanoketone) and also its late pathway (as reflected by the conversion of exogenous corticosterone to aldosterone in the presence of cyanoketone) were significantly (P less than 0.01) inhibited by lanthanum, nifedipine and by reducing the extracellular calcium concentration. However, with dbcAMP stimulation, none of these manipulations modified pregnenolone production. Late pathway activation by dbcAMP was inhibited by lanthanum and a reduction in extracellular calcium, but not by nifedipine. These observations suggest that: the extracellular calcium dependency of dbcAMP-, angiotensin II- and potassium-stimulated aldosterone secretion reflects a need for calcium influx; with dbcAMP stimulation, activation of the late pathway is dependent on calcium influx by a calcium channel-independent mechanism, whereas activation of the early pathway is not dependent on extracellular calcium or calcium influx and activation of both the early and late pathway by angiotensin II and potassium is dependent on calcium influx by a calcium channel-dependent mechanism. Therefore, we conclude that the mechanism of activation of the early aldosterone biosynthetic pathway by dbcAMP is different from angiotensin II or potassium and early pathway activation is distinct from that of late pathway activation with dbcAMP stimulation.     

Regulation of aldosterone receptor in rat kidney cytosol by atrial natriuretic factor

We investigated the effect of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) on aldosterone receptors in the kidney cytosol, because the binding of aldosterone to aldosterone receptors in the cytosol is considered a critical step of its action. Rat atriopeptin III was injected into male Sprague-Dawley rats (200-250 g) via the femoral vein while under pentobarbital anesthesia, and aldosterone receptors in the kidney cytosol were determined. The maximum binding capacity and dissociation constant were calculated by the Scatchard analysis. Maximum binding capacity of both types of aldosterone receptor (Type I, high affinity and low binding capacity and Type II, low affinity and high binding capacity) gradually decreased after ANF injection, reached the lowest level after 2 hours, and then slightly recovered. When more than 2.5 micrograms/kg of rat atriopeptin III was injected, the density of aldosterone receptors significantly decreased. Injection of 12.5 micrograms/kg of rat atriopeptin III decreased maximum binding capacity of Type I receptor from 42.3 +/- 2.4 (mean +/- SD, n = 6) to 22.8 +/- 3.2 femtomole/mg protein (n = 6) (p less than 0.01), and that of Type II receptor decreased from 388 +/- 46 to 285 +/- 30 fmol/mg protein (p less than 0.01). Dissociation constant of both types of receptors did not change significantly after ANF injection. Plasma aldosterone concentration showed no significant change after ANF injection, and a significant change was noted after ANF administration on aldosterone receptors in the experiments on adrenalectomized rats 7 days after operation. Furosemide had no significant effect on aldosterone receptors in both normal and adrenalectomized rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)