Synergism of intraventricular NaCl infusion and subpressor angiotensins in rats

Novel insights into the mechanisms mediating the local antihypertrophic effects of cardiac atrial natriuretic peptide: role of cGMP-dependent protein kinase and RGS2

Cardiac atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) locally counteracts cardiac hypertrophy via the guanylyl cyclase-A (GC-A) receptor and cGMP production, but the downstream signalling pathways are unknown. Here, we examined the influence of ANP on β-adrenergic versus Angiotensin II (Ang II)-dependent (G_s vs. G_αq mediated) modulation of Ca²⁺_i-handling in cardiomyocytes and of hypertrophy in intact hearts. L-type Ca²⁺ currents and Ca²⁺_i transients in adult isolated murine ventricular myocytes were studied by voltage-clamp recordings and fluorescence microscopy. ANP suppressed Ang II-stimulated Ca²⁺ currents and transients, but had no effect on isoproterenol stimulation. Ang II suppression by ANP was abolished in cardiomyocytes of mice deficient in GC-A, in cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase I (PKG I) or in the regulator of G protein signalling (RGS) 2, a target of PKG I. Cardiac hypertrophy in response to exogenous Ang II was significantly exacerbated in mice with conditional, cardiomyocyte-restricted GC-A deletion (CM GC-A KO). This was concomitant to increased activation of the Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent prohypertrophic signal transducer CaMKII. In contrast, β-adrenoreceptor-induced hypertrophy was not enhanced in CM GC-A KO mice. Lastly, while the stimulatory effects of Ang II on Ca²⁺-handling were absent in myocytes of mice deficient in TRPC3/TRPC6, the effects of isoproterenol were unchanged. Our data demonstrate a direct myocardial role for ANP/GC-A/cGMP to antagonize the Ca²⁺_i-dependent hypertrophic growth response to Ang II, but not to β-adrenergic stimulation. The selectivity of this interaction is determined by PKG I and RGS2-dependent modulation of Ang II/AT₁ signalling. Furthermore, they strengthen published observations in neonatal cardiomyocytes showing that TRPC3/TRPC6 channels are essential for Ang II, but not for β-adrenergic Ca²⁺_i-stimulation in adult myocytes.

Hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus mediates sodium-induced changes in cardiovascular and renal function in conscious sheep

The contribution of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) in mediating cardiovascular, renal, hormonal, and sympathetic nerve responses to increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) [Na+] was investigated in conscious sheep. Intracerebroventricular hypertonic NaCl (0.5 mol/l, 20 μl/min for 60 min) increased arterial blood pressure [AP; +13.4 (sd 2.0) mmHg, P < 0.001] and central venous pressure [CVP; +2.8 (sd 1.3) mmHg, P < 0.001], but did not significantly change heart rate or cardiac output ( n = 6). Elevated CSF [Na+] also lowered plasma ANG II levels [−3.3 (sd 1.6) pmol/l, P = 0.004] and increased creatinine clearance [+31.5 (sd 32.7) ml/min, P = 0.03] and renal sodium excretion [+9.2 (sd 9.2) mmol/h, P = 0.003]. Lidocaine injection (1 μl, 2%) into the PVN prior to the ICV infusion had no apparent effect per se, but it abolished the AP, CVP, creatinine clearance, and ANG II responses to hypertonic NaCl, as well as reducing the increase in renal sodium excretion ( n = 6). Subsequent studies were performed in conscious sheep with chronically implanted electrodes for measurement of renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA). The effects of ICV hypertonic NaCl on AP and RSNA were measured before and after PVN-injection of glycine (250 nmol in 500 nl artificial CSF). ICV NaCl increased AP and decreased RSNA ( P < 0.001). These effects were significantly reduced by glycine ( P = 0.02–0.001, n = 5). Saline injected into the PVN ( n = 5) or lidocaine injected outside the PVN ( n = 6) had no effect on the response to ICV hypertonic NaCl. These results indicate that the PVN is an important mediator of cerebrally induced homeostatic responses to elevated sodium concentration/hyperosmolality.