Angiotensin increases Na+ entry and Na+/K+ pump activity in cultures of smooth muscle from rat aorta.

Angiotensin markedly altered the Na+ permeability of smooth muscle cells cultured from explants of rat aorta. The rate of net Na+ uptake was followed in the presence of ouabain in order to block Na+ efflux via the Na+/K+ pump. Angiotensin II (AII) or angiotensin III (AIII) increased net Na+ uptake by about 3-fold. Maximal stimulation of Na+ uptake was produced by about 10 nM AII. Bradykinin and the angiotensin antagonist [Sar1, Ileu5, Ala8]AII had no significant effect on net Na+ uptake. Angiotensin also enhanced the activity of the Na+/K+ pump, which was assayed by following the rate of ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake by the cells. AII and AIII nearly doubled ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake, but bradykinin, norepinephrine, and [Sar1, Ileu5, Ala8]AII had no effect. In the presence of ouabain, 86Rb+ uptake was not significantly affected by AII or AIII, indicating that angiotensin did not alter passive permeability to Rb+. Loading the cells with Na+, either by incubation in K+-free medium or exposure to the Na+-selective ionophore monensin, markedly increased ouabain-sensitive 86RB+ uptake. This result indicates that the activity of the Na+/K+ pump is limited by the low level of Na+ that is normally in the cells. AII had no effect on the activity of the Na+/K+ pump in Na+-loaded cells. These results suggest that AII or AIII stimulates the Na+/K+ pump in cultured aortic muscle cells by increasing its Na+ supply.     

Na(+)-K+ pump and Na(+)-K+ co-transport in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells from spontaneously hypertensive and normotensive rats: baseline activity and regulation.

OBJECTIVE: This paper examines the hypothesis that aberrations in vascular smooth muscle univalent ion transport systems play an important role in the pathogenesis of hypertension. DESIGN: Baseline Na(+)-K+ pump and Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- co-transport activities and the regulation of these ion transport systems by angiotensin II and second messenger molecules have been studied in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). METHODS: Ion transport was studied using isotopic univalent cations (86Rb and 22Na). RESULTS: Baseline Na(+)-K+ pump activity was comparable between SHR- and WKY-derived VSMC. Baseline Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- and K(+)-Cl- co-transport activity as well as K+ leakage were significantly greater in SHR VSMC. Baseline Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- co-transport was sensitive to inhibition by forskolin and ethyleneglycol-bis-(beta-amino ethylester)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, whereas cyclic guanosine monophosphate and phorbol 12-myristate, 13-acetate had no effect. Angiotensin II-stimulated Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- co-transport activity did not differ between WKY and SHR VSMC. Angiotensin II increased Na(+)-K(+)-pump activity to a significantly greater extent in SHR VSMC. The stimulatory effect of angiotensin II upon Na(+)-K+ pump activity was reduced under Na(+)-free buffer conditions and in the presence of the Na(+)-H+ exchange inhibitor, ethylisopropyl amiloride. Na(+)-K+ pump activity was also stimulated by the protein kinase C activator, phorbol 12-myristate, 13-acetate, and this was completely inhibited under Na(+)-free buffer conditions. CONCLUSIONS: SHR VSMC exhibit anomalous Na(+)-K(+)-pump and Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- co-transport activities. The influence of these univalent ion transport systems upon cellular Na+ and Ca2+ homeostasis invoke their participation in the pathogenesis of hypertension.     

Angiotensin II-stimulated protein synthesis in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells

To investigate the role of vasoconstrictor hormones in vascular smooth muscle cell growth we have studied the effects of the potent vasoconstrictor angiotensin II on cell growth in a cultured rat aortic cell model. Angiotensin II was not mitogenic for these cells, as assessed by determining cell number, nor was it synergistic in this regard with 10% calf serum. However, 24-hour exposure to 100 nM angiotensin II caused an 80% increase in protein synthesis (compared with 0.4% increase with serum control) as measured by tritiated leucine incorporation. This was a "hypertrophic" response as indicated by a 30% increase in protein content and a 45% increase in cell volume. Angiotensin II-induced smooth muscle cell hypertrophy was maximal at 100 nM, had an ED50 of 1 nM, and was inhibited by the competitive antagonist [Sar1, Ile8]angiotensin II. The increase in protein synthesis required continuous presence of angiotensin II for 6 hours and required messenger RNA (mRNA) synthesis as suggested by complete inhibition after exposure to actinomycin D. Angiotensin II-stimulated protein synthesis was dependent on a rise in intracellular Ca2+ concentration evidenced by a 70% decrease in tritiated leucine incorporation after chelation of Ca2+ with 25 microM quin 2-AM. This treatment did not alter protein synthesis induced by 10% calf serum. Decreasing extracellular Na+ to prevent Na+/H+ exchange and intracellular alkalinization did not inhibit the angiotensin II response but decreased the 10% calf serum-stimulated protein synthesis by 35%. Downregulation of protein kinase C by 24-hour treatment with phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate did not inhibit angiotensin II-induced protein synthesis, while phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-stimulated protein synthesis was abolished. These findings suggest that angiotensin II-induced hypertrophy, acting via a Ca2+ mechanism, may play an important role in abnormal vascular smooth muscle cell growth in certain forms of hypertension.     

alar4, a constitutive mutant of the A system for amino acid transport, has increased abundance of the Na+,K+-ATPase and mRNA for alpha 1 subunit of this enzyme.

A constitutive mutant, alar4, for the A system of amino acid transport, has increased activity and amount of the A system. This is accompanied by increased sensitivity to ouabain, as measured by efficiency of plating, and increased activity and abundance of the Na+,K+-ATPase that is present in the parental cell line, CHO-K1 (wild type). The latter was shown by increases in (i) ouabain-inhibitable 86Rb uptake in intact cells, (ii) ouabain-inhibitable ATPase activity in mixed membrane vesicles, and (iii) number of ouabain-binding sites and by similar Kd values for ouabain binding and K1/2 for ouabain inhibition of Na+,K+-ATPase as compared to the wild type. The increase in abundance of the Na+ pump is associated with a 4-fold increase in abundance of the mRNA for the alpha 1 subunit of the Na+,K+-ATPase. We could not detect mRNA for alpha 2 or alpha 3 or for the beta subunits. The increase in abundance of the A system and Na+,K+-ATPase is associated with a negligible increase in intracellular Na+ concentration. We propose that the increase in the abundance of the A system and the Na+,K+-ATPase is the result of a mutation in regulatory gene R1 that controls the A system and the Na+,K+-ATPase and is not due to a primary effect of a possible initial increase in Na+ concentration.     

Effects of a chronic high salt intake on blood pressure and the kinetics of sodium and potassium transport in erythrocytes of young and adult subtotally nephrectomized Sprague-Dawley rats

Erythrocyte Na+ and K+ transport mediated by the Na(+)-K+ pump, the Na+,K+ cotransport system and cation leaks, together with blood pressure, were determined in young and adult rats subjected to either chronic salt deprivation or chronic salt loading combined with subtotal nephrectomy. The kinetics of ion transport were studied in Na+ media as a function of extracellular K+, replaced by extracellular Rb+, and intracellular Na+ varied around the physiological range. A high salt intake increased blood pressure in young but not in adult subtotally nephrectomized rats. Erythrocyte Na+ or K+ contents of salt-deprived and salt-loaded rats did not differ. There were no major changes in Na+,K+ cotransport or cation leaks in salt-loaded rats. Chronic salt loading caused some alterations in the kinetics of the Na(+)-K+ pump, which were greater in young than in adult rats. The most pronounced change was a decreased affinity of the Na(+)-K+ pump for intracellular Na+, which was partially balanced by an increased maximal velocity. At physiological (in vivo) ion concentrations these kinetic alterations caused a slight reduction in total ouabain-sensitive Rb+ uptake [partly due to a decrease in intracellular K+:extracellular Rb+ (1:1) exchange] but no changes in Na+ net extrusion in salt-loaded rats. The erythrocyte Na+ and K+ transport systems showed no changes in intrinsic properties that would favour the development or maintenance of salt hypertension in young over adult rats if similar alterations occurred in tissues relevant for blood pressure control.     

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.     

Increases in Na+,K+-ATPase activity of erythrocytes and skeletal muscle after chronic ethanol consumption: evidence for reduced efficiency of the enzyme.

Increased Na+,K+-ATPase activity observed after chronic ethanol consumption has been examined to determine whether the increase is due to changes in the kinetic properties of the enzyme or increases in the amount of enzyme in the membranes examined. In skeletal muscle and erythrocyte ghosts from rat, as well as from humans, increased Na+,K+-ATPase activity in ethanol-consuming individuals was not accompanied by an increase in the number of ouabain binding sites. In studies with intact human erythrocytes, similar ouabain-sensitive 22Na+ and 86Rb+ pumping rates were observed between normal and ethanol-consuming individuals and the Na+ to Rb+ pumping ratio was found to be 1.5 in all cases. However, ouabain-sensitive lactate plus Pi formation was increased in cells from alcoholic individuals. Thus these data suggest that increased enzyme activity may be due to a kinetic alteration of the Na+,K+-ATPase and that the enzyme may be less efficient in coupling ion pumping to ATP hydrolysis than the enzyme in normal cells.     

Platelet and erythrocyte Mg2+, Ca2+, Na+, K+ and cell membrane adenosine triphosphatase activity in essential hypertension in blacks.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between intracellular Mg2+, Ca2+, Na+ and K+ and cell membrane adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity in normotensive and hypertensive blacks. DESIGN: Intracellular cations and cell membrane ATPase activity were studied in black patients with untreated essential hypertension and age-, weight- and height-matched normotensive controls. Platelet, erythrocyte and serum Mg2+, Ca2+, Na+ and K+ levels as well as platelet and erythrocyte membrane Na+,K(+)-ATPase, Ca(2+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase activities were measured in all subjects. METHODS: Intracellular Na+ and K+ were measured by flame photometry and Mg+ and Ca+ by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Cell membrane ATPase activity was determined by a colorimetric method. RESULTS: The hypertensive group consistently demonstrated depressed activity of each ATPase studied, with significantly lower serum Mg2+, serum K+, erythrocyte Mg2+ and platelet Mg2+ levels compared with the normotensive group. Platelet Na+ and Ca2+ and erythrocyte Ca2+ were significantly elevated in the hypertensive group. In the hypertensive group, mean arterial pressure (MAP) was inversely correlated with platelet and erythrocyte membrane Na+,K(+)-ATPase, Ca(2+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase. Serum Mg2+, serum Ca2+ and platelet Mg2+ were negatively correlated with MAP in the hypertensive group whilst erythrocyte and platelet Ca2+ were positively correlated. In the normotensive group, platelet Mg2+ and MAP were negatively, and erythrocyte Ca2+ and MAP, positively correlated. CONCLUSIONS: Black patients with essential hypertension have widespread depression of cell membrane Na+,K(+)-ATPase, Ca(2+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase activities with serum and intracellular Mg2+ depletion and cytosolic Na+ and Ca2+ overload, which may reflect an underlying membrane abnormality in essential hypertension. These cellular abnormalities may be related to the defective transport mechanisms that in turn may be aggravated by Mg2+ depletion.     

Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange, myoplasmic Ca2+ concentration, and contraction of arterial smooth muscle.

Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange is proposed to be an important regulator of myoplasmic intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and contraction in vascular smooth muscle. We investigated the role of Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange in regulating [Ca2+]i in swine carotid arterial tissues that were loaded with aequorin to allow simultaneous measurement of [Ca2+]i and force. Reversal of Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange, by reduction of extracellular Na+ concentration ([Na+]o) to 1.2 mM, induced a large increase in aequorin-estimated [Ca2+]i and a low [Ca2+]i sensitivity. The contraction induced by 1.2 mM [Na+]o was partially caused by depolarization and opening of L-type Ca2+ channels because 10 microM diltiazem partially attenuated the 1.2 mM [Na+]o-induced increases in [Ca2+]i. High dose ouabain (10 microM), a putative endogenous Na+,K(+)-ATPase inhibitor, increased both [Ca2+]i and force. However, the increases in [Ca2+]i and force were mostly blocked by 10 microM phentolamine, suggesting the predominant effect of ouabain was to increase norepinephrine release from nerve terminals. In the presence of 10 microM phentolamine, 10 microM ouabain slightly accentuated 1 microM histamine-induced increases in [Ca2+]i and force. The ouabain dose necessary to induce contraction in the absence of phentolamine was significantly less than the ouabain dose necessary to accentuate histamine-induced contractions in the presence of phentolamine. These results suggest that Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange exists in swine arterial smooth muscle. These data also suggest that ouabain (which should increase [Na+]i and inhibit Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange) primarily enhances contractile function in the swine carotid artery by releasing catecholamines from nerve terminals; direct action of Na+,K(+)-ATPase inhibitors on smooth muscle appears to occur only with very high doses.     

Digoxin in the elderly and in renal failure. Contribution of erythrocyte 86-rubidium uptake tests

Na+,K+-ATPase activity was assessed indirectly in three groups of subjects of differing age, and in a group of patients with renal failure, by measuring the 86-rubidium uptake in the patients' own erythrocytes. The inhibiting action of digoxin on this activity was also measured in vitro. Erythrocyte 86Rb uptake was found to be lower in the elderly as was the calculated volume of distribution of digoxin. Sensitivity to the inhibiting action of digoxin increased with age. In the renal failure group 86Rb uptake was diminished and the sensitivity to digoxin was variable. This suggested that Na+,K+-ATPase activity could be one determinant of the volume of distribution of digoxin and that quantitative and qualitative changes of this enzyme could explain features of the pharmacokinetics of digoxin in renal failure and in old age.     

Altered sensitivity of system A amino acid transport to ouabain in normal and transformed C3H-10T1/2 cells during the cell cycle.

Quiescent C3H-10T1/2 mouse fibroblasts that have not undergone any type of stress have a relatively low rate of 2-aminoisobutyrate (Aib) uptake by means of system A, which is primarily energized by the transmembrane Na+ chemical gradient potential. System A activity in these cells is not sensitive to ouabain or proton ionophores. In contrast, methylcholanthrene-transformed and confluent C3H-10T1/2 cells treated with 0.4 mM ouabain for 16-20 hr utilize the membrane potential generated by the Na+, K+-ATPase pump to drive Aib transport by means of system A as shown by the sensitivity of transport activity to ouabain and proton ionophores. Since glucose is present during the assay, the proton ionophores do not affect the availability of ATP, as indicated by the undiminished uptake of 86Rb+ by the Na+, K+-ATPase pump. As cells progress through the G1 phase of the cell cycle, they show an increased system A activity prior to entry into the S phase, which is also dependent on the electrogenicity of the Na+, K+-ATPase pump. There appears to be in all these cases a qualitative shift in the bioenergetic mechanism for the uptake of Aib as well as a marked quantitative increase in Aib uptake. The high activity after ouabain treatment was sustained in the transformed cells after removal of the ouabain, whereas in the confluent 10T1/2 cells the rate of uptake decayed rapidly, suggesting a difference in the mode of regulation. We conclude that transformed cells and normal cells in late G1 or under stress make use of the membrane potential generated by the Na+, K+-ATPase pump to drive amino acid uptake by means of system A.     

Role of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in sodium nitroprusside-induced relaxation of pulmonary artery under hypoxia

BACKGROUND: The sodium pump (Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase) plays a part in the regulation of smooth muscle contractility, and alterations of enzyme activity by hypoxia could contribute to the mechanism of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in the sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced relaxation of pulmonary artery in hypoxia. METHODS: Using isolated canine pulmonary arterial rings, we measured the relaxant responses of KCI-contracted tissues to SNP under hyperoxic (95% O2, 5% O2) and hypoxic conditions (5% O2, 5% CO2, 90% N2 in vitro. Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity was assessed by measuring ouabain-sensitive (86)Rb uptake. RESULTS: The SNP-induced relaxation was reduced under hypoxia, so that the maximal relaxation decreased from 80.1 +/- 8.6 to 57.8 +/- 6.8% (p < 0.01) and the concentration of SNP required to produce 50% relaxation increased from 1.9 +/- 0.4 x 10(-6) to 2.6 +/- 0.6 x 10(-5) M (p < 0.01). Addition of ouabain, an Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase inhibitor, attenuated the relaxant response to SNP and this inhibition was still observed under hypoxia. Incubation of endothelium-denuded rings with SNP caused dose-dependent increases in intracellular cGMP levels and ouabain-sensitive (86)Rb uptake, and these effects were not significantly altered by hypoxia. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that sarcolemmal Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity may be implicated in the mechanism of nitrovasodilator-induced vasodilation of pulmonary artery and may still be functioning under hypoxia.     

Studies on the specificity of the effects of oxygen metabolites on cardiac sodium pump

Isolated myocytes of rat heart, and sealed sarcolemmal vesicles of bovine heart, were used to examine the selectivity of the effects of partially reduced oxygen species (generated by a mixture of xanthine and xanthine oxidase) on cardiac sodium pump and several other ion transporters of the plasma membrane. When myocytes were exposed to xanthine plus xanthine oxidase, there were time-dependent inhibitions of ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake and (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity that could be prevented by allopurinol, or by catalase and superoxide dismutase; suggesting the involvements of H2O2 or oxygen free radicals in the inhibition of the pump. This inhibition preceded any significant decrease in cellular ATP or in the number of viable cells. While ouabain increased 45Ca2+ uptake by myocytes as expected, exposure to xanthine plus xanthine oxidase decreased 45Ca2+ uptake; suggesting that the Na+, Ca2(+)-exchanger of the intact myocytes is also inhibited by oxygen metabolites. Simultaneous inhibitions of the pump, the Na+, Ca2(+)-exchange, the Na+, H(+)-exchange, and the Na+, Pi-cotransport activities also occurred in sarcolemmal vesicles that were treated with xanthine plus xanthine oxidase. These findings indicate that inactivations of the sodium pump and other sarcolemmal ion carriers are early events in the oxidant-induced damage to the cardiomyocyte. In the rat heart myocytes, a fraction of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase that seems to be more sensitive to ouabain, was inactivated more rapidly upon exposure of myocytes to xanthine plus xanthine oxidase; raising the possibility of the existence of different pump populations with different sensitivities to extracellularly generated oxygen metabolites.     

Serum stimulates the Na+,K+ pump in quiescent fibroblasts by increasing Na+ entry.

Two ionophores (monensin and gramicidin) that carry Na+ into 3T3 cells markedly enhance the rate of 86Rb+ uptake. Ouabain prevents both ionophores from increasing 86Rb+ uptake, indicating that the ionophores activate the Na+,K+ pump. Measurements of 86Rb+ uptake and cell Na+ and K+ over a range of monensin concentrations show that the activity of the Na+,K+ pump in 3T3 cells is limited by the supply of internal Na+ and is extremely sensitive to small changes in internal Na+. Serum rapidly enhances the rate of 22Na+ uptake and net Na+ entry when Na+ exit is inhibited by ouabain. At 0.3 microgram/ml, monensin increases the rate of net Na+ entry and activates the Na+,K+ pump by the same degree as serum. The stimulation of 86Rb+ uptake by serum or the ionophores has an absolute requirement for external Na+. Thus, serum appears to stimulate the Na+,K+ pump in quiescent 3T3 cells by increasing its supply of Na+.     

Activation of the sodium pump blocks the growth hormone-induced increase in cytosolic free calcium in rat adipocytes

GH promptly increases cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) in freshly isolated rat adipocytes. Adipocytes deprived of GH for 3 h or longer are incapable of increasing [Ca2+]i in response to GH, but instead respond in an insulin-like manner. Insulin blocks the GH-induced increase in [Ca2+]i in GH-replete cells and stimulates the sodium pump (i.e. Na+/K+-ATPase), thereby hyperpolarizing the cell membrane. Blockade of the Na+/K+-ATPase with 100 microM ouabain reversed these effects of insulin and enabled GH to increase [Ca2+]i in GH-deprived adipocytes. Both insulin and GH activated the sodium pump in GH-deprived adipocytes, as indicated by increased uptake of 86Rb+. Decreasing availability of intracellular Na+ by blockade of Na+/K+/ 2Cl- symporters or Na+/H+ antiporters abolished the effects of both hormones on 86Rb+ uptake and enabled both GH and insulin to increase [Ca2+]i in GH-deprived adipocytes. The data suggest that hormonal stimulation of Na+/K+-ATPase activity interferes with activation of voltage-sensitive calcium channels by either membrane hyperpolarization or some unknown interaction between the sodium pump and calcium channels.     

C-Peptide stimulates Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>,K<Superscript>+</Superscript>-ATPase activity via PKC alpha in rat medullary thick ascending limb

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: C-peptide, the cleavage product of proinsulin processing exerts physiological effects including stimulation of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase in erythrocytes and renal proximal tubules. This study was undertaken to assess the physiological effects of connecting peptide on Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity in the medullary thick ascending limb of Henle's loop. METHODS: Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity was measured as the ouabain-sensitive generation of (32)Pi from gamma[(32)P]-ATP and (86)Rb uptake on isolated rat medullary thick ascending limbs. The cell-surface expression of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase was evaluated by Western blotting of biotinylated proteins, and its phosphorylation amount was measured by autoradiography. The membrane-associated fraction of protein kinase C isoforms was evaluated by Western blotting. RESULTS: Rat connecting peptide concentration-dependently stimulated Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity with a threshold at 10(-9) mol/l and a maximal effect at 10(-7) mol/l. C-peptide (10(-7) mol/l) already stimulates Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity after 5 min with a plateau from 15 to 60 min. C-peptide (10(-7) mol/l) stimulated Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity and (86)Rb uptake to the same extent, but did not alter Na(+),K(+)-ATPase cell surface expression. The stimulation of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity was associated with an increase in Na(+),K(+)-ATPase alpha-subunit phosphorylation and both effects were abolished by a specific protein kinase C inhibitor. Furthermore, connecting peptide induced selective membrane translocation of PKC-alpha. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: This study provides evidence that in rat medullary thick ascending limb, C-peptide stimulates Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity within a physiological concentration range. This effect is due to an increase in Na(+),K(+)-ATPase turnover rate that is most likely mediated by protein kinase C-alpha phosphorylation of the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase alpha-subunit, suggesting that C-peptide could control Na(+) reabsorption during non-fasting periods.     

Reduced Na+, K+ -ATPase activity in intact red cells and isolated membranes from obese man

Na+, K+ -ATPase activity was measured in red blood cells from 20 nondiabetic euthyroid male Pima Indians with varying degrees of obesity; their body mass indices ranged from 22-60 kg/m2. The na+, K+ -ATPase, measured both by 86Rb uptake in intact cells and ATP hydrolysis by purified membranes, was inversely correlated with body mass index (r = -0.62; P less than 0.005 and r = -0.75; P less than 0.0001, respectively). These results confirm that obesity is associated with decreased Na+, K+ -ATPase in intact red blood cells, and provide the first demonstration of a reduced sodium pump in isolated red cell membrane preparations from obese men.     

Phorbol ester inhibits furosemide-sensitive potassium transport in BALB/c 3T3 preadipose cells.

The tumor promoter phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) rapidly decreased the rate of 86Rb+ uptake into BALB/c 3T3 preadipose cells. The component of total 86Rb+ influx affected by PMA is insensitive to ouabain but sensitive to the diuretic furosemide. Experiments designed to investigate the characteristics of the K+ transport system sensitive to PMA revealed that: (i) 86Rb+ uptake is highly dependent on external Na+, (ii) 86Rb+ uptake is highly dependent on external Cl-, (iii) 22Na+ uptake is dependent on external K+, and (iv) a major component of 86Rb+ efflux that is sensitive to PMA and furosemide is not dependent on extracellular K+. These features strongly implicate a Na+K+/Cl- cotransport system as the target of PMA and furosemide in these experiments. PMA caused a net intracellular accumulation of K+ within 15 min in these cells, presumably via its inhibitory effect on furosemide-sensitive K+ transport. Within 30 min after PMA treatment, the mean cell volume was significantly reduced in treated compared to control cells, with a maximum decrease of 21% attained at 4 hr after PMA. The significance of these findings for biologic changes induced by PMA is discussed.     

Inhibition of Na+,K+ pump affects nucleic acid synthesis and smooth muscle cell proliferation via elevation of the [Na+]i/[K+]i ratio: possible implication in vascular remodelling

OBJECTIVES : Na+,K+ pump inhibition is known to delay the development of apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). This study examines Na+,K+ pump involvement in the regulation of VSMC macromolecular synthesis and proliferation. METHODS : DNA, RNA and protein synthesis in VSMC from the rat aorta was studied by the incorporation of [3H]-labelled thymidine, uridine and leucine. Cell cycle progression was estimated by flow cytometry. Intracellular Na+ and K+ content and Na+,K+ pump activity were quantified as the steady-state distribution of 22Na and 86Rb and the rate of ouabain-sensitive 86Rb uptake in Na+-loaded cells, respectively. RESULTS : Ouabain inhibited the Na+,K+ pump with a Ki of 0.1 mmol/l. At concentrations less than 0.1 mmol/l, neither [Na+]i nor [K+]i was affected by ouabain; elevation of ouabain concentration sharply increased the [Na+]i/[K+]i ratio with a K0.5 of approximately 0.3 mmol/l. At concentrations higher than 0.1 mmol/l, ouabain time- and dose-dependently activated RNA and DNA syntheses in serum-deprived VSMC and inhibited cell cycle progression triggered by serum. In quiescent VSMC, ouabain did not affect protein synthesis, total cell number, but slightly increased the percentage of cells in the S-phase (4.25 versus 1.46%) and attenuated cell death assessed by staining with trypan blue and lactate dehydrogenase release. CONCLUSIONS : Elevation of the [Na+]i/[K+]i ratio caused by Na+,K+ pump inhibition markedly enhances nucleic acid synthesis in quiescent VSMC and blocks cell cycle progression in serum-supplied VSMC. The relative contribution of this phenomenon as well as the anti-apoptotic action of increased [Na+]i/[K+]i ratio to vascular remodelling under augmented content of endogenous Na+,K+ pump inhibitors, seen in volume-expanded hypertension, should be investigated by in-vivo studies.     

Altered cations and muscle membrane ATPase activity in deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The role of ions and cell membrane function in the pathogenesis of benign and malignant hypertension was investigated in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Ten-week-old male SHR (n = 50) and SHR treated with deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA; n = 70) and 1% NaCl drinking water were studied weekly for 14 weeks. Malignant hypertension developed only in DOCA-salt SHR and was characterised by severe hypertension, failure to thrive and renal fibrinoid necrosis. Fourteen DOCA-salt SHR and one SHR died. Extracellular (serum) and intracellular (erythrocyte and muscle) Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+ and muscle membrane Na+,K(+)-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), Ca(2+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase were measured at various stages in the development of malignant hypertension. Three developmental phases were defined: benign, premalignant and malignant. DOCA-salt SHR showed persistent hypokalaemia. In the benign phase, there were no differences in Na+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ between SHR and DOCA-salt SHR. In the premalignant phase, serum and erythrocyte Mg2+ and ATPase activity were significantly lower in DOCA-salt SHR compared with SHR. During the late premalignant and malignant phases, intracellular Ca2+ and Na+ were significantly higher in the DOCA-salt SHR compared with SHR. In view of these findings, the abnormalities in DOCA-salt SHR during the early phases of blood pressure elevation could be contributory factors to the development of malignant hypertension.