The cardiovascular effects of oxytocin in conscious male rats

In conscious, chronically instrumented normotensive male Wistar rats intravenous (i.v.) administration of oxytocin (OXT) (greater than or equal to 100 ng) induced a dose-related biphasic change in mean arterial pressure (MAP). This consisted of an initial pressor effect accompanied by bradycardia and a decrease in cardiac output (CO), followed by a more prolonged fall in MAP which reached a maximum 30 min after injection and was accompanied by an increase in CO. The more specific (Thr4,Gly7]OXT analogue (0.01-10 micrograms i.v.) caused a dose-related fall in MAP and a rise in CO which reached a maximum after 15-30 min. Similarly in spontaneously hypertensive rats of the stroke prone strain (SHRSP) an initial pressor effect and delayed fall in MAP were apparent after OXT (0.1 and 10 micrograms i.v.) only the decrease in MAP being evident with the [Thr4,Gly7]OXT analogue. These responses were significantly larger than those observed in Wistar Kyoto controls. The pressor effects are therefore interpreted to be due to vasopressin receptor activation while the depressor effects appear to be oxytocin specific. In sinoaortic denervated rats, OXT (0.1 and 10 micrograms i.v.) induced an enhanced initial pressor effect with a much reduced reflex bradycardia and fall in CO. A larger and more prolonged delayed fall in MAP was apparent with both OXT and [Thr4,Gly7]OXT accompanied by a decrease in CO when compared to sham-operated controls. Intracisternally (i.c.) administered OXT (0.05-10 ng) had no effect on MAP or heart rate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Endorphins and the hypotensive response to stimulation of alpha-receptors in the brainstem by alpha-methylnoradrenaline

Opioid peptide involvement in the fall in blood pressure resulting from stimulation of alpha-receptors in the brainstem has been investigated in the urethane-anaesthetised rat. Unilateral microinjection of alpha-methylnoradrenaline into the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) induced a dose-related fall in blood pressure and heart rate. The depressor response induced by the amine was prevented by pretreatment with naloxone, administered either subcutaneously or directly into the nucleus. Pretreatment with antiserum to beta-endorphin, applied locally, also blocked the depressor response, however a similar dilution of antiserum to met-enkephalin was ineffective in this respect. The local application of phentolamine into the n. tractus solitarii caused an initial fall in both blood pressure and heart rate, and blocked the cardiovascular changes induced by alpha-methylnoradrenaline for at least 90 min. Pretreatment with the alpha-receptor antagonist attenuated the fall in blood pressure produced by microinjection of beta-endorphin. These results suggest that the fall in blood pressure observed after administration of alpha-methylnoradrenaline involves a beta-endorphin-like peptide, a probable site of this interaction being the n. tractus solitarii.

Opioid peptides and central control of blood pressure

The role of endogenous opioids in central modulation of baroreceptor reflex function has been assessed in rabbits and in man using stable enkephalin analogues and synthetic opiates with a range of mu, delta and kappa opiate receptor agonist specificity. In addition the effects of naloxone, a mu opiate receptor antagonist, have been studied. In rabbits descarboxy-leu-enkephalin (RX783016) given by intracisternal injection reduced baroreflex sensitivity as assessed by heart rate responses to phenylephrine, sodium nitroprusside and controlled haemorrhage. These effects were prevented by intravenous naloxone. Naloxone alone increased the slope of the heart period: mean arterial pressure relationship and thus increased baroreflex sensitivity. In conscious man essentially similar results were found following intravenous dosing with a stable met-enkephalin analogue (DAMME, FK33824) or naloxone with decreases and increases respectively in the sensitivity of baroreflex responses to sodium nitroprusside. In rabbits and man arterial baroreceptor reflexes mediating heart rate responses can be pharmacologically modified by exogenous opiates and may be under some tonic endogenous opiate peptide influences.

Differential effects of vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OXT) on the baroreceptor reflex in conscious rats

In conscious chronically instrumented, male Wistar rats the intracisternal (ic) administration of AVP (10ng) caused an increase in baroreflex sensitivity in response to both a rise and fall in blood pressure induced by intravenous phenylephrine (1/ug) and sodium nitroprusside (13/ug) respectively. Conversely a synthetic OXT analogue (Thr4 - Gly7) OXT (10ng) injected ic depressed baroreceptor reflex function. It appears that AVP and OXT are involved in the central connections of the baroreceptor reflex arc, where they may act as physiological antagonists.

Enkephalins induce a centrally mediated rise in blood pressure in rats

The cardiovascular effects of enkephalins after administration directly into the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) of urethane anesthetized rats were investigated. Unilateral microinjection of Met-enkephalin and its stable analogue D-Ala2-Met5-enkephalin resulted in a dose-related rise in mean arterial pressure which in the case of the analogue was accompanied by tachycardia. The elevation in blood pressure was anatomically specific and restricted to the intermediate third of the NTS, as verified histologically. These cardiovascular changes were prevented by pretreatment with locally applied naloxone (10 ng). A similar pressor effect was obtained with Leu-enkephalin. Antiserum to Met-enkephalin (1:50 dilution) caused a fall in blood pressure on injection into the NTS, and completely blocked the pressor response and tachycardia induced by D-Ala2-Met5-enkephalin. These results suggest that enkephalins have a pressor role in the central nervous system.

Role of opioid peptides in brain mechanisms regulating blood pressure

Beta-endorphin and related opioid peptides are neuropeptides which appear to play a role in cardiovascular regulation which is supported by altered nociceptive responsiveness in hypertensive animals. In spontaneously hypertensive rats the pain threshold for electric stimulation is elevated; these rats show increased response latency time in a hot plate test. The opiate antagonist naloxone reverses these values to that of the normotensive controls. In other forms of experimental hypertension, eg, renal hypertension (one-clip, two-kidney model), no change in pain sensitivity is apparent. Sinoaortic baroreceptor denervation causes a labile hypertension without changes in hot plate response. Administration of beta-endorphin into the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) gradually decreases blood pressure and heart rate without affecting respiratory frequency. These cardiovascular effects are blocked by naloxone as well as by an antibody to beta-endorphin. In contrast to the effects of beta-endorphin, microinjection of enkephalins into the NTS increases blood pressure and heart rate. The data suggest the existence of two separate endorphin systems at the level of the NTS, one a depressor and another a pressor system. The depressor influence of beta-endorphin may play a role in the mechanism of action of antihypertensive agents such as methyldopa and clonidine. Our data support a role of endorphins as neuropeptides involved in cardiovascular regulation, exerting a dual influence at the level of the NTS.

Pain sensitivity is not affected by sino-aortic denervation in rats

Genetic hypertension in rats appears to be associated with diminished pain sensitivity. Acute stimulation of the baroreceptors has also been reported to decrease responsiveness to a noxious stimulus. In this study the effect of sino-aortic denervation on pain sensitivity, as measured by means of a hot plate and threshold electric footshock method has been investigated. Deafferentation resulted in a labile hypertension and tachycardia. However, hot plate response latency times were not significantly different in the sino-aortic denervated rats as compared to sham operated controls under subchronic conditions. When tested for pain sensitivity three weeks after surgery using both methods on one occasion only, again the responsiveness to noxious stimuli was not different between the two groups. At the end of the experiments, the efficacy of denervation was confirmed by assessing lability of blood pressure and measuring heart rate responses to pharmacological manipulation of blood pressure. It is concluded that surgical interruption of the baroreceptor nerves in rats does not alter pain sensitivity under subchronic conditions.

The blood pressure changes resulting from the microinjection of fragments of the beta endorphin molecule into the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS)

Unilateral microinjection of gamma endorphin (1-17) into the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) of the urethane anaesthetised rat produces a dose-related pressor response. This effect has been examined in the present study, by means of fragments of the molecule. Unilateral application of the peptides 6-16, 10-16, 6-17 and 10-17 (1 ng) all produced an equivalent rise in blood pressure, however the time course of 6-16 and 10-16 was more rapid than that of gamma endorphin or the fragments containing the 17th amino acid. Naloxone (10 ng) administered into the NTS, did not affect the maximum rise in pressure induced by 6-17 (1 ng). It is concluded that in addition to a depressor region, which is dependent on the N-terminal tyrosine, the beta endorphin molecule (1-31) also has a pressor region, which is present within the amino acid sequence 10-16, and is a non-opiate effect.

Cardiovascular effects of beta-endorphin after microinjection into the nucleus tractus solitarii of the anaesthetised rat

The cardiovascular effects of beta-endorphin after administration directly into the nucleus tractus solitari (NTS) of urethane-anaesthetised rats were investigated. Unilateral injection resulted in a U-shaped dose-response relationship with a fall in mean arterial pressure and heart rate occurring at low doses (less than 10 ng). No change in respiratory frequency was observed at any of the doses examined. The hypotensive effects of beta-endorphin were anatomically specific and restricted to the NTS. The depressor response was prevented and bradycardia reduced by naloxone (1 mg/kg s.c. or 10 ng injected into the NTS) and also by beta-endorphin antiserum (1:50 dilution) but not by antiserum to [Met5]enkephalin (1:50 dilution) applied locally into the NTS. The beta-endorphin antiserum caused a rise in blood pressure when administered alone. Conversely microinjection of antiserum to [Met 5]enkephalin resulted in a brief depressor response. Doses of beta-endorphin larger than 10 ng induced a rise in blood pressure accompanied by variable effects on heart rate. Similarly unilateral administration of Des-tyr-endorphin (100 pg) resulted in a blood pressure increase and [D-Ala2,Met5]enkephalin produced a dose-related pressor response and tachycardia. The results indicate that at least two separate endorphin systems are involved in cardiovascular control at the level of NTS, one being depressor in nature (beta-endorphin-like) and the other pressor ([met5]enkephalin-like).

Central and peripheral alpha-adrenoceptor number and responsiveness after sinoaortic denervation in the rabbit

The effects of bilateral sinoaortic denervation were examined in rabbits in vivo and in vitro. In the in vivo studies the effects of intravenous administration of the alpha-adrenoceptor agonists phenylephrine and guanabenz and the antagonists prazosin and phentolamine on mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and plasma catecholamine levels were investigated in intact sham-operated rabbits and after bilateral baroreceptor deafferentation. In in vitro studies the maximum number of prazosin and clonidine binding sites and their dissociation constants were investigated using radioligand binding techniques. Mean arterial pressure was labile and significantly elevated in the sinoaortic denervated rabbits. Heart rate and basal plasma noradrenaline were also raised, but plasma adrenaline and tissue noradrenaline levels were similar in intact and debuffered animals. alpha-Adrenoceptor antagonists were more effective at lowering mean arterial pressure in the sinoaortic-denervated animals. This was at least in part the result of a lack of compensatory changes in sympathetic activity and heart rate in these animals. Pressor responses to the alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonist and more markedly to the alpha 2-adrenoceptor selective agonist were increased after sinoaortic denervation. These changes could not be related to alteration in alpha 1- or alpha 2-receptor binding in either heart, spleen, or brain tissue as there was no change in number of binding sites or affinity.

The effect of opiates on arterial baroreceptor reflex function in the rabbit

The contribution of exogenous and endogenous opioid peptides to the central modulation of the baroreceptor reflex was investigated in rabbits. Baroreceptor sensitivity was assessed in pentobarbitone anaesthetised animals by measuring heart period in response to rises in arterial pressure after bolus intravenous injections of phenylephrine and falls induced by intravenous sodium nitroprusside and controlled haemorrhage. The slope of the linear relationship between arterial pressure and heart period was used as an index of baroreflex sensitivity. Thirty minutes after the intracisternal administration of 50 microgram/kg RX783016 (a mu-opiate receptor agonist) baroreceptor sensitivity was reduced to all three methods of blood pressure manipulation. Ketazocine (50 microgram/kg) a kappa-opiate agonist and [D-Ala2, D-Leu5] enkephalin (1 microgram/kg) a delta-opiate agonist, 15 min after intracisternal injection caused an increase in baroreflex sensitivity in response to a rise in pressure and a reduction in response to a fall. Intravenous injection of naloxone (80 microgram/kg) caused an increase in varoreflex gain. However, a higher dose (200 microgram/kg) was required to attenuate the effects of RX783016 and [D-Ala2, D-Leu5] enkephalin but not ketazocine. No change in baseline arterial pressure or heart rate occurred after the opiates or naloxone. It appears that exogenous and endogenous opiates modify baroreceptor reflex function, through a mechanism which involves central opiate receptors of the mu- and kappa-types.

An inhibitory role of beta-endorphin in central cardiovascular regulation

The cardiovascular effects of beta-endorphin after administration directly into the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) of urethane anaesthetised rats were investigated. Unilateral injection resulted in a dose related fall in mean arterial pressure and heart rate. No change in respiratory frequency was prevented and the bradycardia reduced by pretreatment with locally applied naloxone (10 ng). This dose of the opiate antagonist had no effect on mean arterial pressure or heart rate when administered alone. Antiserum to beta-endorphin (1:50 dilution) caused a rise in pressure and a tendency towards tachycardia on injection into the NTS, while it completely blocked the depressor response and bradycardia induced by beta-endorphin. These results are consistent with the view that a beta-endorphin-like peptide has a depressor role in the central nervous system. The hypotension may result from an effect within the central connections of the baroreceptor reflex arc, probably at the level of the NTS.

Beta-Endorphin, an endogenous depressor agent in the rat?

1. The role of opiates in cardiovascular regulation has been investigated. 2. In urethane-anaesthetized renal hypertensive rats (two-kidney, one-clip Goldblatt model), intracerebroventricular beta-endorphin (10 microgram) caused a greater fall in mean arterial pressure than in sham-operated controls. 3. Unilateral injection of beta-endorphin into the nucleus tractus solitarii of the urethane-anaesthetized rat resulted in a U-shaped dose--response relationship, with a fall in mean arterial pressure and heart rate occurring at low doses. Doses above 10 ng caused a rise in pressure, accompanied by a variable effect on heart rate. 4. The fall in blood pressure and heart rate was prevented by prior subcutaneous administration of naloxone. Naloxone caused an increase in blood pressure when administered alone. 5. These results suggest a depressor role of an endogenous brain opiate, possibly beta endorphin; a site of action is probably the nucleus tractus solitarii.

Captopril and baroreceptor reflex responses to pressor and depressor stimuli in the rabbit

1. The reflex effects of intravenous phenylephrine, sodium nitroprusside or acute haemorrhage in rabbits were examined as indices of baroreceptors reflex function. 2. The slope of the linear regression of heart period: mean arterial pressure relationship was significantly greater (P less than 0.01) when buffering the pressor stimulus than either depressor stress. 3. Captopril (1 mg/kg i.v.) had no effect on the slope of the relationship to either pressor or depressor stimuli. 4. The clinical and experimental observation of hypotension without bradycardia after captopril could not be confirmed in the present study to be a result of changes in baroreflex sensitivity.

Opiate analogs, substance P, and baroreceptor reflexes in the rabbit

The putative transmitters, enkephalins and substance P, and their binding sites have been identified in the nucleus of the solitary tract. Their role in the modulation of baroreceptor reflex activity is the subject of this study in the rabbit. A stable decarboxy analog of leu-enkephalin, RX 783016, which has mu receptor specificity, was used to attenuate the baroreflex sensitivity to intravenous phenylephrine. RX 783016, 50 micrograms/kg intracisternally, did not alter resting heart rate of blood pressure. Intravenous administration of the opiate receptor antagonist, naloxone, prevented the effects of RX 783016. Naloxone given alone significantly increased reflex sensitivity. Substance P given intracisternally in low doses (1 to 10 ng/kg) caused a dose-dependent pressor response, which was reduced by pretreatment with morphine and enhanced by naloxone. Bilateral sinoaortic denervation also enhanced the pressor response to substance P, but after deafferentation, naloxone had no further effect. It is proposed that enkephalin-containing neurons, acting through mu receptors, and substance P neurons influence baroreceptor reflex activity by modulating respectively the primary and second order neurons of the baroreceptor reflex.

Captopril and the maintenance of blood pressure after sinoaortic denervation in the rabbit

1. At a dose of 1 mg/kg intravenously, captopril lowered blood pressure in conscious rabbits, that had undergone denervation of sinoaortic baroreceptors, but had no effect on heart rate. In sham-operated controls, this dose caused only an increase in heart rate. 2. In the same experiments, captopril caused a substantial inhibition of plasma angiotensin converting enzyme (CE) activity of rapid onset and gradual decline over 2 to 3 h. The time course of recovery of blood pressure and plasma CE activity were similar. 3. Saralasin, by intravenous infusion, lowered blood pressure in sinoaortic rabbits but to a smaller extent than captopril. 4. The fall in blood pressure observed after captopril is not dependent on the integrity of baroreceptor afferents.

Effect of baroreceptor deafferentation on central catecholamines in the rat

1. Sinoaortic deafferentation in the rat leads to increased blood pressure and heart rate. 2. Early increases in tyrosine hydroxylase activity both in brain stem and hypothalamus suggest that increased noradrenaline synthesis may contribute to the development of neurogenic hypertension. 3. After 4 weeks, phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase activity was reduced in the hypothalamus. 4. Noradrenaline- and adrenaline, but not dopamine-containing neurones may participate in regulation of sympathetic efferent activity.

Participation of adrenergic and noradrenergic neurones in central connections of arterial baroreceptor reflexes in the rat

We examined activities of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and phenylethanolamine-N-methyl transferase (PNMT) and concentrations of norepinephrine (NE) in seven brain regions and the spinal cord of Wistar rats with elevated blood pressures 1 week and 4 weeks after denervation of carotid and aortic baroreceptors, and compared them to values in sham-operated control rats. TH activity was increased in the solitary tract nucleus (to 188% of control), parahypoglossal nucleus (to 254%), locus ceruleus (to 191%), and posterior hypothalamus (to 225%) at 1 week but not at 4 weeks after denervation. Similarly, NE concentrations were significantly altered in a number of brain regions at 1 week but not at 4 weeks after denervation. The only change in NE concentration at 4 weeks was in spinal cord where the level was reduced to 80% of control in the denervated rats. In contrast, the only change in PNMT activity 1 week after denervation was in posterior hypothalamus (to 59% of control), whereas at 4 weeks there was in increase in the spinal cord (to 159%) and a decrease in both the anterior and posterior hypothalamus (to 59% and 64% of control, respectively). The experiments suggest that increased activity of noradrenergic neurones in the brain may play a significant role in initiating the increase in pressure produced by baroreceptor denervation, whereas decreased activity of hypothalamic adrenergic neurones may be more important in maintaining the raised pressure. An increase in the activity of both adrenergic and noradrenergic nerves in the spinal cord, however, could contribute to maintaining the increase in blood pressure 4 weeks after denervation.

Catecholamine synthesizing enzymes in brain stem and hypothalamus during the development of renovascular hypertension

The activities of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) have been measured in brain stem and hypothalamic nuclei during the development of renovascular hypertension. TH activity fell at 72 h in the posterior hypothalamic and peri- and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus, but had returned to control levels by 7 days. PNMT activity was raised in the nucleus of the solitary tract at 7 days and was also elevated in the nucleus of the solitary tract, parahypoglossal nucleus, locus coeruleus and cerebellar cortex at 4 weeks. No change in PNMT was noted in hypothalamus. It appears from these results that both central noradrenergic and adrenergic pathways are involved in the development of this model of experimental hypertension.

Brain catecholamines and catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes in renovascular hypertension in the rat

1. Noradrenaline content of several rat brain stem and hypothalamic nuclei falls transiently at 72 h after initiation of renovascular hypertension (one-kidney Goldblatt model). 2. Tyrosine hydroxylase activity is significantly reduced in posterior, paraventricular and periventricular nuclei of hypothalamus at this time but returns to control value by 7 days. 3. Treatment with hydrallazine, 5 mg/kg intraperitoneally, twice daily or methaoxamine, 5 mg/kg, three times daily for 3 days respectively raises and lowers the noradrenaline content of brain nuclei, suggesting that short-term changes in noradrenaline may be secondary to afferent baroreceptor input. 4. At later times after the development of renovascular hypertension (7 and 28 days) activity of phenylethanolamine-N-methyl transferase is increased in the nucleus of the solitary tract and the locus coeruleus. 5. Brain catecholamines may participate both early in the development and later in the maintenance of renovascular hypertension.