In vivo and in vitro effects of nebivolol on penile structures in hypertensive rats

BACKGROUND: Erectile dysfunction is associated with high blood pressure and antihypertensive treatment, especially diuretics and traditional beta-blockers. Nevertheless, new beta-blockers such as nebivolol present some differences with respect to the classic beta-blockers. The aim of this study was to determine the functional and morphologic effects of nebivolol on penile structures in hypertensive rats. METHODS: During a 6-month period, male spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were studied. The groups were as follows: 1) untreated SHR (Untreated-SHR); 2) SHR given nebivolol 10 mg/kg/day (SHR+N); 3) SHR given amlodipine 3 mg/kg/day (SHR+AML); and 4) untreated WKY (untreated-WKY). Cavernous smooth muscle (CSM) and vascular smooth muscle (VSM) from cavernous arteries, as well as collagen type III (COL III) in cavernous tissue, were evaluated. RESULTS: After 6 months, SHR groups given nebivolol and amlodipine showed similar reductions in blood pressure compared with untreated SHR. However, only SHR+N and control WKY showed significantly lower values of CSM (P < 01), VSM (P < 01), and COL III (P < 01) when compared with untreated SHR and SHR+AML. In addition SHR+N showed a higher endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression in sinusoidal endothelium compared with SHR, and SHR+AML (P < 01). In vitro studies revealed that SHR+N displayed a better relaxation response to acetylcholine than untreated-SHR and SHR+AML (P < 01). CONCLUSION: Nebivolol presented equivalent BP control compared with amlodipine. However, only nebivolol showed a significant better functional outcome with a protective role against structural changes in erectile tissue that are caused by arterial hypertension.     

Morphological changes in cavernous tissue in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Erectile dysfunction has an increased prevalence in hypertensive patients and is associated with cardiovascular diseases. For many years the discussion has been polarized on whether in hypertensive patients, it is the arterial hypertension or the antihypertensive therapy that is the cause of male erectile dysfunction. The aim of our study was to determine the morphologic changes in cavernous tissue (CT) in an animal model of arterial hypertension. Male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) (n = 15) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats (n = 15) were studied for 8 months. Animals were allowed to drink tap water and fed a standard rat chow ad libitum. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured monthly by the tail/cuff method. At the end of the experiment all the animals were sacrificed for microscopic studies. Cavernous tissue was processed by hematoxylin and eosin, Masson’s trichrome, and monoclonal anti-α smooth muscle actin. Cavernous smooth muscle (CSM) and vascular smooth muscle (VSM) proliferation and CT fibrosis were evaluated by a semiquantitative score. SHR showed a higher proliferative score in CSM (2.7 ± 0.28 v 1.1 ± 0.07; P < .001), as well as in VSM (2.7 ± 0.25 v 1 ± 0.05; P < .001), and higher CT fibrosis score (2.8 ± 0.28 v 0.1 ± 0.07; P < .001), when compared to WKY rats. Furthermore, SHR showed a positive correlation between SBP and CSM proliferative score (r² = 0.9277), SBP and VSM proliferative score (r² = 0.8828), and SBP and CT fibrosis score (r² = 0.7775). In addition, an increase in the surrounding connective tissue at the perineurium and endoneurium of the amielinic nerves in CT was observed in the SHR group. According to these results we conclude that SHR present morphologic changes in vessels as well as in cavernous spaces of the erectile tissue that have a high positive correlation with high blood pressure. Moreover, the increase in extracellular matrix expansion seems to affect not only the interstitium but also the neural structures of the penis.     

Intraluminal pressure modulates vascular contractility of perfused mesenteric resistance arteries. Altered response in hypertension.

Intraluminal pressure may affect vascular contractility in both normotension and hypertension. To test this hypothesis, we studied mesenteric resistance arteries from normotensive humans as well as normotensive (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats (internal diameter 214 +/- 27, 201 +/- 6, and 172 +/- 6 microns, mean +/- SEM at 10 mm Hg). Vessels were mounted on glass cannulas and perfused in organ chambers filled with buffer solution at intraluminal pressures of 10 to 120 mm Hg; vasomotion was measured using a video dimension analyzer. Under baseline conditions (10 mm Hg), wall thickness was 36 +/- 4 microns in humans, 32 +/- 4 microns in WKY, and 47 +/- 2 microns in SHR (P less than .001). With increasing pressure, the diameter of human vessels increased up to 25 mm Hg and remained constant at higher pressures. In contrast, resistance arteries of normotensive and hypertensive rats exhibited an almost linear increase in diameter over the whole pressure range. In SHR, the pressure-diameter relationship was much flatter than that of WKY, indicating reduced compliance. In human arteries, the contraction to KCl was maximal at 25 mm Hg and averaged 40 +/- 6%. Both above and below 25 mm Hg, the response declined to a minimum of 17 +/- 2% at 120 mm Hg (P less than .01). Similar results were obtained in WKY rats. In contrast, the contractile response in SHR remained maximal over the entire pressure range studied (65 +/- 5%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and capillary density in hearts of spontaneously hypertensive rats

OBJECTIVE: The role of VEGF in vascular remodeling of target organs exposed to chronic hypertension is poorly understood. The authors compared capillary density (CD), capillary-to-fiber ratio (C/F), and VEGF mRNA expression in the hearts (left ventricle [LV]), and skeletal muscles (soleus and anterior tibialis [AT]) of 18-week-old male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and age-matched male Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. METHODS: CD or C/F in LV, soleus, and AT of SHR, WKY, and SD rats was determined by analysis of randomly acquired digital images of cryosections stained with FITC-conjugated GS-I lectin. VEGF mRNA expressions in the tissues were determined by Northern blot. RESULTS: VEGF mRNA expressions in LV of SHR were 3.84- and 5.05-fold higher, compared to SD and WKY rats, respectively (n = 6; p < .01). There were no significant differences in VEGF mRNA expression in soleus or AT among SHR, WKY, and SD rats (p > .05). CD in LV of SHR (4975 +/- 167) was significantly higher than WKY or SD rats, 4151 +/- 169 and 3807 +/- 187 mm(-2), respectively (p < .05). In LV of SHR, C/F increased (35%) more significantly than CD (increased 20%), compared to WKY rats. CD, or C/F in soleus or AT of SHR was similar to that observed in WKY or 8D rats. CONCLUSIONS: VEGF expression, CD, and C/F in the heart (LV) of SHR are significantly increased, compared to WKY and SD rats. The data are consistent with the possibility that VEGF may contribute to capillary growth as a compensatory response to hypertension.     

Differential structural responses of small resistance vessels to antihypertensive therapy

Regression of left ventricular hypertrophy after control of blood pressure has been documented with some antihypertensive agents but not with others. To determine whether similar differences in regression of wall thickening also occur in resistance vessels during treatment, matched groups of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were treated for 12 weeks with either hydralazine (H) or captopril and hydrochlorothiazide (C-D) and they were compared with untreated SHR and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Perfusion pressure was then determined in the hindlimbs of pithed rats under conditions of constant blood flow (4.0 ml/min) and maximal vasodilation (hemodilution to 22% hematocrit combined with continuous nitroprusside and papaverine infusion). This perfusion pressure, which has been validated as an index of thickening (hypertrophy) of resistance vessels walls, averaged 26.8 +/- 0.4(SE) mm Hg in untreated WKY (n = 12) and 37.6 +/- 0.4 mm Hg in untreated SHR (n = 11) (p less than .01). Treatment with H or C-D controlled blood pressure equally in SHR, but the two drugs had significantly different effects on both left ventricular hypertrophy and resistance vessels. Perfusion pressure was reduced from 37.6 +/- 0.4 mm Hg to 34.0 +/- 0.5 mm Hg (p less than .01) with C-D but only to 36.5 +/- 0.5 mm Hg with H (NS). Left ventricular weight was significantly reduced by C-D (2.02 +/- 0.02 vs 2.63 +/- 0.05 mg/g, p less than .01) but only to 2.44 +/- 0.05 mg/g by H.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Reduced intracellular pH in lymphocytes from the spontaneously hypertensive rat

This study was designed to determine the cytoplasmic pH (pHi) profile of lymphocytes from a rat model of genetic hypertension that is well suited for study before and after the development of spontaneous hypertension. For this purpose, pHi was measured in thymic lymphocytes obtained from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and from age-matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) control rats using 2',7'-bis carboxyethyl-5,6-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF), a pH-sensitive fluorescence probe. At the age of 16-20 weeks, pHi of lymphocytes suspended in a HCO3-free HEPES-buffered solution, was markedly lower in the SHR than in the WKY rats (7.07 +/- 0.02, n = 16 and 7.22 +/- 0.01, n = 15, respectively, p less than 0.001), whereas systolic blood pressure was higher in SHR than in WKY rats (175 +/- 5.0 and 105 +/- 3.0 mm Hg, respectively, p less than 0.001). In rats less than 5 weeks of age, pHi was also lower in SHR than in WKY rat lymphocytes (7.12 +/- 0.04, n = 11 and 7.23 +/- 0.04, n = 11, respectively, p less than 0.05), although at this age systolic blood pressure was not different between the two groups (87 +/- 4.0 and 85 +/- 3.0 mm Hg, respectively). In lymphocytes suspended in a more physiological HCO3/CO2-buffered solution, pHi was again lower in the adult SHR than in the WKY rat (7.18 +/- 0.02, n = 16 and 7.31 +/- 0.02, n = 16, respectively, p less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Calcimimetic NPS R-568 induces hypotensive effect in spontaneously hypertensive rats

BACKGROUND: The discovery of calcium receptors and calcimimetics created the possibility of "pharmacologic parathyroidectomy" (phPTX), which decreased secretion of parathormone (PTH). Parathyroid glands of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and hypertension secrete parathyroid hypertensive factor (PHF). Parathyroidectomy decreases blood pressure in these rats and in patients. The present study determined whether phPTX induced by calcimimetics decreases mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) in hypertensive rats. METHODS: Hypertensive SHR and normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were used. Clearance experiments were performed and the effect of 1 mg/kg body weight (given intravenously) synthesized NPS R-568 (NPS) on MAP in the presence or absence of thyroparathyroidectomy (TPTX) was monitored. RESULTS: The success phPTX and TPTX were proven by a significant decrease in plasma Ca(2+) concentration and a decrease in urinary fractional phosphate excretion (FE Pi). The administration of NPS significantly decreased blood pressure in SHR versus SHR/control: Delta(0-50 min of experiment) MAP -16.5 +/- 2.5 mm Hg v -3.2 +/- 1.5 mm Hg (P < .002). The TPTX decreased blood pressure in SHR versus SHR/control and was not different versus SHR/TPTX/NPS (DeltaMAP: -10.2 +/- 1.6 mm Hg v -3.2 +/- 1.5 mm Hg (P < .01) and v -8.3 +/- 2.2 mm Hg (P = not significant). In normotensive WKY rats application of NPS did not reach significance in DeltaMAP: -6.7 +/- 1.8 mm Hg v -2.6 +/- 2.8 mm Hg (P = not significant) in WKY/control. The TPTX lowered blood pressure in WKY versus WKY/control and remained unchanged versus WKY/TPTX/NPS (DeltaMAP: -11.3 +/- 1.7 mm Hg v -2.6 +/- 2.8 mm Hg (P < .04) and v -11.4 +/- 2.6 mm Hg (P = not significant). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that phPTX with NPS R-568 is responsible for a decrease of MAP in SHR.     

Baroreflex function in lifetime-captopril-treated spontaneously hypertensive rats

The effects of lifetime oral captopril treatment on baroreflex control of heart rate and lumbar sympathetic nerve activity were measured in 19-21-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). The sensitivity of baroreflex control of heart rate and lumbar sympathetic nerve activity were determined by the slopes of the relation between the change in mean arterial pressure (MAP) (mm Hg) versus the change in pulse interval (msec/beat) and the change in MAP versus the percent change in nerve activity, respectively. Untreated SHR had significantly higher MAP than WKY (157 +/- 3 vs. 115 +/- 3 mm Hg, p less than 0.001) and exhibited a decreased baroreflex control of heart rate. Lifetime treatment with captopril prevented the development of hypertension in SHR (MAP = 110 +/- 5 mm Hg) and increased the sensitivity of baroreflex function. The gains of the baroreflex control of heart rate for captopril-treated SHR and control SHR when MAP was raised or lowered by phenylephrine or nitroprusside were 2.38 +/- 0.49 vs. 1.10 +/- 0.33 msec/mm Hg (p less than 0.05) and 0.74 +/- 0.20 vs. 0.54 +/- 0.09 (NS) msec/mm Hg, respectively. The sensitivity of the baroreflex control of lumbar sympathetic nerve activity was greater in captopril-treated SHR than in control SHR when MAP was increased or decreased (-1.03 +/- 0.26 vs. -0.38 +/- 0.11, p less than 0.05; -0.84 +/- 0.2 vs. -0.04 +/- 0.58 (NS) mm Hg-1, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Sympathetic nerves and adrenal medulla: contributions to cardiovascular-conditioned emotional responses in spontaneously hypertensive rats

This report investigates the contributions of the sympathetic nerves and adrenal medulla to resting mean arterial pressure (MAP) and to emotionally conditioned MAP and heart rate (HR) responses in unrestrained spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto normotensive control rats (WKY). Resting MAP (in mm Hg), which was higher in SHR (WKY = 120 +/- 4; SHR = 163 +/- 4; p less than 0.01), did not differ in the two strains following chemosympathectomy (WKY = 105 +/- 2; SHR = 101 +/- 2; n.s.). Adrenal medullectomy did not affect resting MAP in WKY (125 +/- 6; n.s.) but lowered it in SHR (146 +/- 5; p less than 0.05), relative to controls (see above). The conditioned pressor response (in mm Hg) in controls consisted of two peaks (I, II) in both strains, but was exaggerated in SHR (I = WKY, 13 +/- 1; SHR, 25 +/- 2; p less than 0.01; II = WKY 10 +/- 2; SHR 20 +/- 2; p less than 0.01). Chemosympathectomy suppressed (relative to controls) the first peak, but not the second, in both strains (WKY: I = 4 +/- 1, p less than 0.01; II = 12 +/- 2, n.s.; SHR: I = 6 +/- 1, p less than 0.01; II = 15 +/- 2, n.s.). Adrenal medullectomy alone had little effect on the pressor response, but when combined with chemosympathectomy both peaks were largely eliminated (WKY: I = 2 +/- I; II = 5 +/- 1; SHR: I = 1 +/- 0; II = 2 +/- 0). These data indicate that: 1) hypertension in conscious, freely behaving SHR is largely sustained by the sympathetic vasomotor nerves but that the adrenal medulla contributes to the magnitude of the elevation; 2) the early component of the exaggerated pressor response during aversive stimulation is mediated by sympathetic vasomotor excitation; and 3) the later component of the exaggerated pressor response reflects coactivation of the sympathetic vasomotor nerves and the adrenal medulla.     

Potassium depletion ameliorates hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The hemodynamic effect of moderate K+ depletion in hypertension is unknown. Since severe K+ depletion reduces systemic vascular resistance in normotensive rats, we determined the effect of K+ depletion on the natural history of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) and SHR were fed a K+-replete, a moderately K+-depleted, or a severely K+-depleted diet. After 6 weeks, systemic vascular resistance was reduced by 25% in WKY on the severely K+-depleted diet while mean arterial pressure and systemic vascular resistance were comparable in WKY on the other two diets. In SHR on the severely K+-depleted diet for 6 weeks, muscle K+ was reduced by 23% and growth rate by 65%. In SHR on the moderately K+-depleted diet, growth rate was reduced by 23% after 3 weeks. By 6 weeks, however, muscle K+ was reduced by 5 to 6% and growth rate was comparable to that in SHR receiving the K+-replete diet. The administration of either K+-depleted diet prevented the development of hypertension (systolic blood pressure: severely depleted, 116 +/- 4; moderately depleted, 122 +/- 3; K+-replete, 155 +/- 5 mm Hg; p less than 0.001 compared with both K+-depleted groups) and reversed established hypertension (systolic blood pressure: severely depleted, 116 +/- 4; moderately depleted, 128 +/- 3; K+-replete, 171 +/- 5 mm Hg; p less than 0.001 compared with both K+-depleted groups). The protective effect of K+ depletion was mediated by a 40% reduction in systemic vascular resistance. These results suggest that K+ depletion has a potent antihypertensive effect in SHR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Morphometric analysis of skeletal muscle capillaries in early spontaneous hypertension

Capillary narrowing, elongation, and rarification have been described in various tissues in human and animal hypertension. The present study was undertaken to assess whether they are features of the skeletal muscle vascular bed during the developmental phase of the disease in spontaneously hypertensive rats. In neonatal (19 days old) and young adult (9-10 weeks old) rats of the hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive (WKY) strains, capillary diameter, length, and density were measured in spinotrapezius muscle by histological and intravital microscopic techniques. In neonates, capillary diameters (WKY = 3.98 +/- 0.13; SHR = 4.26 +/- 0.14 micron), lengths (WKY = 327 +/- 9; SHR = 334 +/- 6 microns), and densities (WKY = 1768 +/- 106; SHR = 1779 +/- 124 capillaries/mm2) were not significantly different in WKY and SHR. In young adults, capillary diameters (WKY = 4.28 +/- 0.09; SHR = 4.61 +/- 0.09 micron), lengths (WKY = 430 +/- 13; SHR = 443 +/- 12 microns), and densities (WKY = 1263 +/- 76; SHR = 1414 +/- 37 capillaries/mm2) were also not significantly changed in hypertension. Contrary to the findings of narrowing and decreased numbers of capillaries in human hypertensives, diameters and densities were slightly increased. The data suggest that those morphological changes at the capillary level do not occur in the developmental (period of rising arterial pressure) phase of spontaneous hypertension.     

Interaction of angiotensin II type 1 and D5 dopamine receptors in renal proximal tubule cells

Angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor and D1 and D3 dopamine receptors directly interact in renal proximal tubule (RPT) cells from normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). There is indirect evidence for a D5 and AT1 receptor interaction in WKY and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Therefore, we sought direct evidence of an interaction between AT1 and D5 receptors in RPT cells. D5 and AT1 receptors colocalized in WKY cells. Angiotensin II decreased D5 receptors in WKY cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner (EC50=2.7x10(-9) M; t(1/2)=4.9 hours), effects that were blocked by an AT1 receptor antagonist (losartan). In SHR, angiotensin II (10(-8) M/24 hours) also decreased D5 receptors (0.96+/-0.08 versus 0.72+/-0.08; n=12) and to the same degree as in WKY cells (1.44+/-0.07 versus 0.92+/-0.08). However, basal D5 receptors were decreased in SHR RPT cells (SHR 0.96+/-0.08; WKY 1.44+/-0.07; n=12 per strain; P<0.05) and renal brush border membranes of SHR compared with WKY (SHR 0.54+/-0.16 versus WKY 1.46+/-0.10; n=5 per strain; P<0.05). Angiotensin II decreased AT1 receptor expression in WKY (1.00+/-0.04 versus 0.72+/-0.08; n=8; P<0.05) but increased it in SHR (0.96+/-0.04 versus 1.32+/-0.08; n=8; P<0.05). AT(1) and D5 receptors also interacted in vivo; renal D5 receptor protein was higher in mice lacking the AT1A receptor (AT1A-/-; 1.61+/-0.31; n=6) than in wild-type littermates used as controls (AT1A+/+; 0.81+/-0.08; n=6; P<0.05), and renal cortical AT1 receptor protein was higher in D5 receptor null mice than in wild-type littermates (1.18+/-0.08 versus 0.84+/-0.07; n=4; P<0.05). We conclude that D5 and AT1 receptors interact with each other. Altered interactions between AT1 and dopamine receptors may play a role in the pathogenesis of hypertension.     

Renal sympathetic nerve responses to tempol in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Recent studies have implicated a contribution of oxidative stress to the development of hypertension. Studies were performed to determine the effects of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimetic 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (Tempol) on vascular superoxide production and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) in anesthetized Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Compared with WKY rats (n=6), SHR showed a doubled vascular superoxide production, which was normalized by treatment with Tempol (3 mmol/L, n=7). In WKY rats (n=6), Tempol (30 mg/kg IV) significantly decreased mean arterial pressure (MAP) from 108+/-5 to 88+/-6 mm Hg and HR from 304+/-9 to 282+/-6 beats/min. In SHR (n=6), Tempol significantly decreased MAP from 166+/-4 to 123+/-9 mm Hg and HR from 380+/-7 to 329+/-12 beats/min. Furthermore, Tempol significantly decreased RSNA in both WKY rats and SHR. On the basis of group comparisons, the percentage decreases in MAP (-28+/-4%), HR (-16+/-3%) and integrated RSNA (-63+/-6%) in SHR were significantly greater than in WKY rats (-17+/-3%, -9+/-2%, and -30+/-4%, respectively). In SHR, changes in integrated RSNA were highly correlated with changes in MAP (r=0.85, P<0.0001) during administration of Tempol (3, 10, and 30 mg/kg IV). In both WKY rats and SHR (n=4, respectively), intracerebroventricular injection of Tempol (300 micro g/1 micro L) did not alter MAP, HR, or RSNA. Intravenous administration of a SOD inhibitor, diethyldithio-carbamic acid (30 mg/kg), significantly increased MAP, HR, and integrated RSNA in both WKY rats and SHR (n=6, respectively). These results suggest that augmented superoxide production contributes to the development of hypertension through activation of the sympathetic nervous system.     

Perturbation of D1 dopamine and AT1 receptor interaction in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The dopaminergic and renin-angiotensin systems interact to regulate blood pressure. Because this interaction may be perturbed in genetic hypertension, we studied D1 dopamine and AT1 angiotensin receptors in immortalized renal proximal tubule (RPT) and A10 aortic vascular smooth muscle cells. In normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats, the D1-like agonist fenoldopam increased D1 receptors but decreased AT1 receptors. These effects were blocked by the D1-like antagonist SCH 23390 (10(-7) mol/L per 24 hours). In spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) RPT cells, fenoldopam also decreased AT1 receptors but no longer stimulated D1 receptor expression. Basal levels of AT1/D1 receptor coimmunoprecipitation were greater in WKY RPT cells (29+/-2 density units, DU) than in SHR RPT cells (21+/-2 DU, n=7 per group, P<0.05). The coimmunoprecipitation of D1 and AT1 receptors was increased by fenoldopam (10(-7) mol/L per 24 hours) in WKY RPT cells but decreased in SHR RPT cells. The effects of fenoldopam in RPT cells from WKY rats were similar in aortic vascular smooth muscle cells from normotensive BD IX rats, that is, fenoldopam decreased AT1 receptors and increased D1 receptors. Our studies show differential regulation of the expression of D1 and AT1 receptors in RPT cells from WKY and SHR. This regulation and D1/AT1 receptor interaction are different in RPT cells of WKY and SHR. An altered interaction of D1 and AT1 receptors may play a role in the impaired sodium excretion and enhanced vasoconstriction in hypertension.     

Aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) -344 C/T polymorphism is related to antihypertensive response: result from the Swedish Irbesartan Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Investigation versus Atenolol (SILVHIA) trial

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to determine whether the aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) -344 C/T polymorphism was associated with the blood pressure (BP)-lowering response to antihypertensive treatment. METHODS: Patients with mild-to-moderate primary hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy were randomized in a double-blind study to receive treatment with either the angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist irbesartan (n = 43), or the beta1-adrenergic receptor blocker atenolol (n = 43). The aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) -344 C/T polymorphism was analyzed using solid-phase minisequencing and related to BP reduction after 3 months treatment. Serum aldosterone levels were measured. RESULTS: After 3 months treatment the mean reductions in BP were similar for both treatment groups. When assessing the systolic BP reduction in the irbesartan group, patients with the TT variant had a more pronounced reduction (-21 +/- 19 SD mm Hg, n = 17) than both the TC (-14 +/- 18 mm Hg, n= 18) and CC (0 +/- 17 mm Hg, n = 8) genotypes (P = .04). There was no association between this polymorphism and the diastolic BP response. The -344 C/T polymorphism was not associated with the BP response to atenolol. Nor was it related to the baseline serum aldosterone level. CONCLUSIONS: The aldosterone synthase -344 C/T polymorphism was related to the BP-lowering response in hypertensive patients treated with the AT1-receptor antagonist irbesartan.     

Postovariectomy hypertension is linked to increased renal AT1 receptor and salt sensitivity

The functional balance between angiotensin II (Ang II) and nitric oxide (NO) plays a key role in modulating salt sensitivity. Estrogen has been shown to downregulate angiotensin type 1 (AT1) receptor expression and to increase the bioavailability of endothelium-derived NO, which decreases AT1 receptor expression. The present study tests the hypothesis that in the presence of genetic salt sensitivity, deficiency of endogenous estrogens after ovariectomy (OVX) fosters an upregulation of Ang II. Female Dahl salt-resistant (DR), Dahl salt-sensitive (DS), Wistar-Kyoto (WKY), and spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats underwent bilateral OVX or sham surgery (SHX) and were fed a normal salt diet (0.5% NaCl) for 14 weeks. Systolic blood pressures were measured every 2 weeks and were not significantly different between OVX and SHX for DR, WKY, and SHR groups. However, at the end of 14 weeks of normal salt diet, hypertension developed in DS OVX but not SHX rats (160+/-3 versus 136+/-3 mm Hg; P<0.05). Hypertension also developed in DS OVX rats pair-fed a normal salt diet (166+/-7 mm Hg). Development of hypertension in DS OVX rats was prevented by estrogen replacement (132+/-3 mm Hg), AT1 receptor blockade (119+/-3 mm Hg), or feeding a very low salt diet (0.1% NaCl; 129+/-4 mm Hg). Renal AT1 receptor protein expression was significantly elevated 2-fold in DS OVX relative to SHX rats and was prevented by estrogen replacement. These data strongly suggest that after OVX in salt-sensitive rats there is a lower threshold for the hypertensinogenic effect of salt that is linked to an activation of Ang II.     

Normalization of active urinary kallikrein excretion by young spontaneously hypertensive rats by chronic inhibition of conversion enzyme

This study was designed to investigate the decreased urinary kallikrein excretion (Ukall.V) in Okamoto-Aoki spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and the effect of long-term converting enzyme inhibition. From ages 4 to 7 weeks, Ukall.V was determined (amidolytic assay: nanokatals/wk) in 4 groups of 6 male rats housed into individual metabolic cages and fed a normal sodium diet: SHR and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY); SHR-C and WKY-C which were given captopril: 30 mg/kg BW every 12 hours by gavage. Ukall.V was each time lower in SHR than in age-matched WKY, even at 4 wks of age (54.6 +/- 9.1 vs 108.5 +/- 16.1 nkat/wk; p less than .01) when systolic blood pressure (s.BP) was already higher. In SHR-C, s.BP was identical or slightly lower to that in WKY. Ukall.V was still lower at wk 4 when captopril was first administered (60.9 +/- 8.4 nkat/wk; p less than .01), but identical to that in WKY at each subsequent age (105.7 +/- 25.9 vs 114.1 +/- 5.6 nkat/wk at wk 5; 219.8 +/- 44.5 vs 253.4 +/- 22.4 nkat/wk at wk 7). Excretion of active kallikrein was highly correlated to s.BP in WKY (r = .87), SHR (r = 0.91) and SHR-C (r = 0.95). The slope of the regression line relating Ukall.V with s.BP was significantly less in SHR than WKY (1.33 +/- 0.35 vs 3.36 +/- 0.84 nkat/wk/mmHg; p less than .01); the slope in SHR-C (3.35 +/- 0.77 nkat/wk/mmHg) was significantly steeper than in SHR (p less than .01) and identical to that in WKY.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Contribution of fluid shear response in leukocytes to hemodynamic resistance in the spontaneously hypertensive rat

The mechanisms for elevation of peripheral vascular resistance in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), a glucocorticoid-dependent form of hypertension, are unresolved. An increase in hemodynamic resistance caused by circulating blood may be a factor. Physiological fluid shear stress induces a variety of responses in circulating leukocytes, including pseudopod retraction. Due to high rigidity, leukocytes with pseudopods have greater difficulty to pass through capillaries. Because SHR have more circulating leukocytes with pseudopods, we hypothesize that inhibition of the leukocyte shear response by glucocorticoids in SHR impairs normal leukocyte passage through capillaries and causes enhanced resistance in capillary channels. Fluid shear leads to retraction of pseudopods in normal leukocytes, whereas shear induces pseudopod projection in SHR and dexamethasone-treated Wistar rats. The high incidence of circulating leukocytes with pseudopods results in slower cell passage through capillaries under normal blood flow and during reduced flow enhanced capillary plugging both in vivo and in vitro. SHR blood requires higher pressure (90.0+/-8.2 mm Hg) than Wistar Kyoto rat (WKY, 69.6+/-6.5 mm Hg; P<0.0001) or adrenalectomized SHR (73.5+/-2.1 mm Hg; P=0.0009) at the same flow rate in the resting hemodynamically isolated skeletal muscle microcirculation. Intravenous injection of blood from SHR, but not WKY, causes blood pressure increase in normal rats, which depends on pseudopod formation. We conclude that in addition to enhanced vascular tone, pseudopod formation with lack of normal fluid shear response may serve as mechanisms for an elevated hemodynamic resistance in SHR.     

Training-induced pressure fall in spontaneously hypertensive rats is associated with reduced angiotensinogen mRNA expression within the nucleus tractus solitarii

Knowing that exercise training reduces arterial pressure in hypertensive individuals and that pressure fall is accompanied by blockade of brain renin-angiotensin system, we sought to investigate whether training (T) affects central renin-angiotensin system. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto controls (WKY) were submitted to training or kept sedentary (S) for 3 months. After functional recordings, brain was removed and processed for autoradiography (brain stem sequential slices hybridized with (35)S-oligodeoxynucleotide probes for angiotensinogen [Aogen] and angiotensin II type 1 [AT(1A)] receptors). Resting arterial pressure and heart rate were higher in SHR(S) (177+/-2 mm Hg, 357+/-12 bpm versus 121+/-1 mm Hg, 320+/-9 bpm in WKY(S); P<0.05). Training was equally effective to enhance treadmill performance and to cause resting bradycardia (-10%) in both groups. Training-induced blood pressure fall (-6.3%) was observed only in SHR(T). In SHR(S) (versus WKY(S)) AT(1A) and Aogen mRNA expression were significantly increased within the NTS and area postrema (average of +67% and +41% for AT(1A) and Aogen, respectively; P<0.05) but unchanged in the gracilis nucleus. Training did not change AT(1A) expression but reduced NTS and area postrema Aogen mRNA densities specifically in SHR(T) (P<0.05 versus SHR(S), with values within the range of WKY groups). In SHRs, NTS Aogen mRNA expression was correlated with resting pressure (y=5.95x +41; r=0.55; P<0.05), with no significant correlation in the WKY group. Concurrent training-induced reductions of both Aogen mRNA expression in brain stem cardiovascular-controlling areas and mean arterial pressure only in SHRs suggest that training is as efficient as the renin-angiotensin blockers to reduce brain renin-angiotensin system overactivity and to decrease arterial pressure.     

Arteriolar diameter and tissue oxygen tension during muscle contraction in hypertensive rats

This study evaluated the possibility that in hypertension, mechanisms that maintain near normal arteriolar diameters at elevated arteriolar pressures limit the ability of skeletal muscle arterioles to dilate in response to an increase in tissue metabolism. The spinotrapezius muscles of 16- to 20-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) were contracted at frequencies of 1, 2, 4, and 8 Hz. The inner diameters of first-order through third-order arterioles were measured at rest and following 3 minutes of contractions. Tissue oxygen tension (PO2) at the venous end of capillaries was monitored during 8-Hz contractions. At rest, following contractions, and after maximum dilation with adenosine, the inner diameters of arterioles of equivalent branch order were not significantly different in SHR and WKY. Opening of closed arterioles during muscle contraction and adenosine application occurred in less than 5% of the observations in both groups. The resting tissue PO2 was 25.5 +/- 1.3 mm Hg in normal rats and 26.1 +/- 2.1 mm Hg in SHR. At nearly maximum vasodilation during 8-Hz stimulation, tissue PO2 recovered to 81.9 +/- 12.7% of control in WKY but only to 41.2 +/- 13.0% of control in SHR. These observations indicate that the expression of local regulatory mechanisms related to tissue metabolism is virtually normal in the spinotrapezius muscle vasculature of SHR in the context of arteriolar dilation. However, at near maximum performance, factors other than absolute arteriolar diameter preclude the normal preservation of tissue PO2 in the spinotrapezius muscle of SHR.