Altered biochemical and functional responses in aorta from hypertensive rats

Role of the alpha1D-adrenergic receptor in the development of salt-induced hypertension

In an attempt to elucidate whether there is a specific alpha1-adrenergic receptor (alpha1-AR) subtype involved in the genesis or maintenance of hypertension, the alpha1D-AR subtype was evaluated in a model of salt-induced hypertension. The alpha1D-AR-deficient (alpha1D-/-) and control (alpha1D+/+) mice (n=8 to 14 in each group) were submitted to subtotal nephrectomy and given 1% saline as drinking water for 35 days. Blood pressure (BP) was monitored by tail-cuff readings and confirmed at the end point by direct intraarterial BP recording. The alpha1D-/- mice had a significantly (P=0.0004) attenuated increase in BP response in this protocol (baseline 94.6+/-2.8 versus end point 107.4+/-4.5 mm Hg) compared with that of their wild-type counterparts (alpha1D+/+), from a baseline 97.4+/-2.9 to an end point 139.4+/-4.5 mm Hg. Seven of 15 alpha1D+/+ mice died with edema, probably owing to renal failure, whereas 14 of 15 alpha1D-/- mice were maintained for 35 days. Body weight, renal remnant weight, and residual renal function were similar in the 2 groups, whereas the values of plasma catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine) were higher in alpha1D+/+ than in the alpha1D-/- mice. These data suggest that alpha1D-AR plays an important role in developing a high BP in response to dietary salt-loading, and that agents having selective alpha1D-AR antagonism could have significant therapeutic potential in the treatment of hypertension.

Vascular alpha 1D-adrenoceptors: are they related to hypertension?

Heterogeneity of vascular alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes has been revealed by pharmacological and molecular biology studies (i.e., alpha 1A-, alpha 1B-, and alpha 1D-adrenoceptors). The alpha 1D-adrenoceptor subtype is predominantly involved in the contraction of a variety of vessels and its role in the control of blood pressure has been suggested, a phenomenon probably related to aging. Recent advances in the use of young pre-hypertensive rats and adult spontaneously hypertensive rats with one kidney and Grollman-type renal hypertension suggest vascular alpha 1D-adrenoceptor involvement in the increased blood pressure. The possible role of alpha 1D-adrenoceptors in the genesis/maintenance of hypertension is discussed in this review.

A1 adenosine receptor-mediated Ins(1,4,5)P3 generation in allergic rabbit airway smooth muscle

The signal transduction pathway for A1 adenosine receptor in airway smooth muscle from allergic rabbits was studied by investigating the effect of the selective A1 adenosine-receptor agonist N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) on tissue levels of inositol 1,4, 5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] measured by protein binding assay. CPA caused a rapid, transient, and concentration-dependent elevation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 in airways from allergic rabbits. The agonist also produced a concentration-dependent contraction of the airway preparations from these animals. Both the Ins(1,4,5)P3 and contractile responses generated by CPA were attenuated by the phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor U-73122, indicating the coupling of these responses to PLC. The CPA-induced Ins(1,4,5)P3 production observed in the allergic rabbit tissues was also inhibited by the adenosine-receptor antagonist 8-( p-sulfophenyl)-theophylline, suggesting that the effect was mediated by A1 adenosine receptors. On the other hand, the A2 adenosine-receptor agonist CGS-21680 was ineffective in altering the tissue concentration of Ins(1,4,5)P3, indicating that A2 adenosine receptors may not be involved in the activation of PLC in the allergic rabbit airway smooth muscle. In this preparation, the Gi-Go inhibitor pertussis toxin (PTX) attenuated the CPA-induced Ins(1,4,5)P3 accumulation, providing evidence that the generation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 by A1 adenosine-receptor stimulation is coupled to a PTX-sensitive G protein(s). The results suggest that activation of A1 adenosine receptors in allergic rabbit airway smooth muscle causes the production of Ins(1,4,5)P3 via a PTX-sensitive G protein-coupled PLC, and this signaling mechanism may be involved, at least in part, in the generation of contractile responses. It is hypothesized that this process may contribute to adenosine-induced bronchoconstriction in allergic asthma.

Endothelin-1 activates phospholipases and channels at similar concentrations in porcine coronary arteries

Sensitivity of endothelin-1 (ET-1)-ion channel interactions has been proposed to exceed that of ET-1-phospholipase activation in vascular smooth muscle. We wanted to determine whether short-circuiting ion channels with staphylococcal alpha-toxin pores would shift the ET-1-force relation to the right as predicted from the above proposal. Medium size porcine coronary arteries (outer diameter 0.7-1.5 mm) were mounted on isometric force transducers. ET-1 concentration response curves were compared between intact rings and those subjected to alpha-toxin treatment with Ca buffered at 0.1 microM. The EC50 for treated rings (1.5 +/- 1.0 nM, n = 5 pigs) was similar to that for intact rings (1.9 +/- 0.4 nM). The Ca sensitivity of the alpha-toxin-treated rings (EC50 = 0.43 +/- 0.08 microM) was similar to that reported by other laboratories for intact and alpha-toxin-treated arteries and was shifted eightfold to the left by a high concentration of ET-1 (10 nM). Measurements of [32P]phosphatidic acid ([32P]PA) levels were used to evaluate phospholipase activity in intact arteries. The time courses for [32P]PA production and contraction were similar in response to high (100 nM) and to low (1 nM) ET-1. Significant increases in both steady-state contraction and [32P]PA occurred over a wide range of ET-1 concentrations tested (0.3-100 nM). Our findings support the concept that ET-1-phospholipase coupling is operative over the whole concentration range that induces contractile responses. It is suggested that both Ca entry and Ca sensitization processes are activated by ET-1 at low concentrations (<EC50) and that both processes contribute significantly to the integrated response.

Differential contribution of endothelial function to vascular reactivity in conduit and resistance arteries from deoxycorticosterone-salt hypertensive rats

The purpose of these studies was to compare changes in conduit and resistance artery function in deoxycorticosterone-salt hypertensive rats. We hypothesized that if there was a common mechanism producing changes in vascular function in hypertension, then there would be similar alterations in reactivity of conduit and resistance arteries. Helically cut strips of common carotid artery were prepared for measurement of isometric force generation, and segments of small mesenteric arteries were pressurized for video dimension analysis. Sensitivity of arteries to phenylephrine and acetylcholine was determined. Carotid arteries from deoxycorticosterone-salt hypertensive rats were more sensitive to phenylephrine than arteries from control rats, whereas mesenteric resistance arteries from hypertensive rats were less sensitive to phenylephrine. In carotid arteries, endothelial denudation or incubation with N psi-nitro-L-arginine increased phenylephrine sensitivity in control rats to the level seen in deoxycorticosterone-salt rats. These manipulations had no effect on phenylephrine sensitivity in arteries from deoxycorticosterone-salt rats. In mesenteric resistance arteries, endothelium denudation normalized the depressed phenylephrine sensitivity in arteries from hypertensive rats but had no effect on arteries from normotensive rats. This depressed phenylephrine sensitivity in deoxycorticosterone-salt mesenteric arteries was not reversed by incubation with Npsi-nitro-L-arginine. Acetylcholine-induced relaxation was depressed in carotid arteries from deoxycorticosterone-salt hypertensive rats, and Npsi-nitro-L-arginine blocked these relaxations. In contrast, acetylcholine relaxation in the mesenteric arteries from normotensive and hypertensive rats did not differ. N psi-nitro-L-arginine slightly but significantly attenuated acetylcholine dilation only in mesenteric resistance arteries from the hypertensive rats. We conclude that qualitatively different changes in vasoconstrictor sensitivity to phenylephrine occur in carotid arteries and mesenteric resistance arteries of deoxycorticosterone-salt hypertensive rats. The increased phenylephrine sensitivity in carotid arteries in this model of hypertension is due to the loss of endothelium-derived nitric oxide production. In contrast, the decreased phenylephrine sensitivity in mesenteric resistance arteries from deoxy-corticosterone-salt rats is due to a non-nitric oxide-mediated influence of the endothelium that is absent in arteries from normotensive rats.

Noradrenergic transmission in the tail artery of hypertensive rats transgenic for the mouse renin gene Ren-2

1. The aim of the present study was to analyse the noradrenergic transmission in the tail artery of hypertensive rats transgenic for the mouse renin gene Ren-2 (TGR) in comparison with its control, the Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat. 2. Electrical field stimulation (EFS) of vascular segments produced frequency-dependent vasoconstrictions that were significantly greater in TGR arteries. 3. These contractions were abolished by tetrodotoxin (0.1 microM). Phentolamine (50 nM) and prazosin (1 - 10 nM) produced an inhibition of these responses that was significantly greater in SD arteries, whereas that produced by yohimbine (0.5-1 microM) was higher in TGR arteries. In both strains, propranolol (1 microM) potentiated the responses to EFS, and this increase was observed at lower frequencies in TGR arteries. 4. The EFS-evoked [3H]-noradrenaline (NA) release was significantly greater in TGR than in SD rats. However, NA (10 nM-10 microM) reduced and yohimbine and phentolamine (10 nM-10 microM) increased the tritium outflow to a similar degree in both strains. 5. Exogenous NA also induced greater vasoconstriction in TGR arteries. 6. These results suggest the existence in TGR tail artery of an increase in: (a) NA-release and alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated contractions, which could contribute to the elevated blood pressure in these rats; and (b) beta-adrenoceptor-mediated vasodilatations, which may be a mechanism to counteract high blood pressure.

Redistribution of protein kinase C isoforms in association with vascular hypertrophy of rat aorta

Freshly enzymatically isolated cells from the aorta of a rat model of vascular hypertrophy were used to investigate the role of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms during a physiologically relevant growth response. With the combination of immunofluorescence with digital imaging microscopy, PKC isoforms alpha, delta, and zeta were found to be present in single cells from control and hypertrophied rat aortas. The alpha- and zeta-isoforms were distributed in the cytoplasm of control cells; however, in hypertrophied cells, sustained translocations of alpha-PKC to the surface membrane and zeta-PKC to the intranuclear area were seen. delta-PKC was concentrated in the perinuclear area in control cells but appeared to translocate to a more diffuse localization in the cytosol of hypertrophied cells. Staining of mitochondria with rhodamine 123 indicated some similarity in the spatial distribution compared with that of delta-PKC. In control cells, translocation of isoforms alpha and delta was activated by phenylephrine or 12-deoxyphorbol 13-isobutyrate 20-acetate. Agonist stimulation produced translocation of no isoforms in the hypertrophied cells. These results indicate that isoform-specific spatial distribution and translocation of PKC occur in association with the growth response of vascular hypertrophy.

Stimulation of phospholipase D activity and phosphatidic acid production by norepinephrine in rat aorta

We sought to relate norepinephrine (NE) stimulation of phosphatidic acid (PA) production to functional responses of rat aorta and pathways for PA production. The time course for changes in PA was closely related to Ca-dependent tonic responses in 42K efflux and contraction. NE (30 microM for 1 min) increased PA and reduced phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylinositol (PI) based on Pi analyses and 32P labeling of phospholipids. The 32P-to-Pi ratio in PA (0.8 +/- 0.2, n = 13) was similar to PC (0.8 +/- 0.1, n = 14) but was significantly lower (P < 0.001) than PI (4.6 +/- 0.5, n = 14). The 32P-to-Pi ratio in PA was also lower (P < 0.02) than phosphatidylinositol phosphate and phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate. NE also increased [3H]PA twofold (P < 0.05) when PC was selectively labeled with [3H]myristic acid. These observations are more consistent with PA being formed from the hydrolysis of PC by phospholipase D (PLD) than by the phosphorylation of diacylglycerol produced by the action of phospholipase C. PLD was assayed by the formation of phosphatidylethanol (PEt) via a transphosphatidylation reaction with ethanol (half-maximal stimulation at 0.4-0.5% vol/vol). The time course for PLD stimulation by NE was similar to PA, with significant increases (P < 0.002) during 10 s to 30 min exposure. Once formed, PEt was degraded slowly, with a half time > 3 h. It is concluded that NE stimulates PLD in rat aorta, which forms a significant amount of PA from the hydrolysis of PC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The interaction between noradrenaline and ATP upon polyphosphoinositide metabolism and contraction in tail arteries from normo- and hypertensive rats

The effects of, and interaction between, noradrenaline and alpha,beta-methylene ATP upon polyphosphoinositide (PPI) breakdown, investigated by measuring the accumulation of inositol phosphates, and contraction, were studied in tail arteries from normo- (WKY) and spontaneously-hypertensive (SHR) rats. Noradrenaline (10(-7)-10(-3) M) evoked a prazosin (10(-6) M)-sensitive, concentration-dependent increase in total inositol phosphate accumulation in both WKY and SHR rats. No significant differences were observed in either the maximal response or in the concentration range over which noradrenaline evoked this response, between these two populations. Noradrenaline (5 x 10(-7)-5 x 10(-5) M) evoked a concentration-dependent contraction of arteries from both SHR and WKY rats. The responses to noradrenaline were about 2-fold greater at all effective concentrations of noradrenaline in SHR compared with WKY rats. alpha,beta-Methylene ATP (10(-6) M) did not alter noradrenaline-stimulated total inositol phosphate accumulation, in arteries from either SHR or WKY rats, measured either as the maximal response or as the EC50. alpha,beta-Methylene ATP (5 x 10(-6) M), by itself, evoked a contractile response, which was quantitatively similar in SHR and WKY rats, and was additive with the contractile responses to noradrenaline (5 x 10(-7)-5 x 10(-5) M). The maximum response produced by a combination of noradrenaline and alpha,beta-Methylene ATP was quantitatively similar to that produced by noradrenaline alone. No evidence of synergism between alpha,beta-Methylene ATP and noradrenaline upon contraction was observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Increased contraction and inositol phosphate formation of tracheal smooth muscle from hyperresponsive guinea pigs

Tracheal smooth muscle from guinea pigs with documented airway hyperresponsiveness in vivo after multiple antigen challenges produced 30% to 50% greater force than tracheas from control guinea pigs, when stimulated with carbachol, histamine, or leukotriene D4. When cultured smooth muscle cells were incubated with myo[2-3H]inositol, basal uptake of [3H]inositol was similar in cells from normal and hyperresponsive guinea pigs, but when these cells were stimulated with contractile agonists, there was increased uptake of inositol in hyperresponsive cells. Analysis of inositol phosphates by column chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography revealed the presence of inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate, inositol-1,3,4-trisphosphate, inositol-1,4-bisphosphate, and inositol-1-monophosphate. The release of inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate, inositol-1,4-biphosphate, and inositol-1-monophosphate by smooth muscle cells stimulated with carbachol, leukotriene D4, or histamine was 20% to 40% greater in cells derived from hyperresponsive animals than cells from normal animals. These data demonstrate that the increased muscle contraction of hyperresponsive guinea pig tracheas is associated with increased inositol phosphate metabolism in these cells. Delineating the mechanisms of airway smooth muscle contraction should provide new pharmacologic targets for the inhibition of bronchoconstriction in asthma.

Norepinephrine stimulates the direct breakdown of phosphatidyl inositol in rat tail artery

When segments of rat tail artery were labeled with [3H]inositol and then stimulated with norepinephrine (NE), the inositol phosphates produced were primarily IP and IP2, together with a small but significant amount of Ins(1,4,5)P3 and a very small amount of Ins(1,3,4,5)P4. It has been unclear in many studies whether or not the relatively large levels of IP and IP2 produced in [3H]inositol-labeled tissue represent indirect products of phosphatidyl inositol(4,5)bis phosphate breakdown (through Ins(1,4,5)P3) or direct products of phosphatidyl inositol 4 monophosphate and phosphatidyl inositol breakdown. In order to answer this question tail artery segments were prelabeled with [3H]inositol and then permeabilized with beta escin and stimulated with norepinephrine and GTP gamma S, so that increases in IP, IP2, and Ins(1,4,5)P3 were still observed. If these permeable segments were stimulated with agonist in the presence of compounds known to inhibit Ins(1,4,5)P3 5-phosphatase, such as glucose 6P, (2,3)diphosphoglycerate, or Ins(1,4,5)P3, the levels of labeled Ins(1,4,5)P3 and labeled IP2 were increased, while the level of stimulated labeled IP was unchanged. This indicated that some of the IP2 and IP formed in these cells was produced from PIP2 but that some of these compounds might be formed from PIP or PI. When the isomers of inositol monophosphate, Ins 1P and Ins 4P, were separated by HPLC, it was shown that after prelabeled tail artery was stimulated by norepinephrine for periods of 1-2 min, the predominant isomer formed was Ins 4P, indicating either PIP2 or PIP as the source. However, after 5-20 min stimulation, both Ins 1P and Ins 4P were formed in equal amounts, suggesting that during sustained stimulation of smooth muscle PI itself was broken down directly. Therefore it appears that within 1-2 min of norepinephrine addition to vascular smooth muscle the bulk of the IP and IP2 produced are derived from PIP2 via IP3, while after 20 min of norepinephrine treatment much of the IP comes directly from PI. This suggests that the regulation of PLC in this tissue is more complicated than has been previously believed.

Vascular responsiveness in rats resistant to aldosterone-salt hypertension

Wistar-Furth rats have been shown to be resistant to mineralocorticoid-salt hypertension, but the mechanism for this resistance is unknown. In the current experiments, adult male Wistar and Wistar-Furth rats were given a subcutaneous aldosterone infusion (0.15 microgram/hr) for 4 weeks, and changes in blood pressure and vascular reactivity were studied. Rats received a 1% NaCl, 0.2% KCl solution to drink. After 4 weeks of aldosterone infusion, systolic blood pressure measured using a tail-cuff technique had increased by 60 mm Hg in Wistar rats but was unchanged in Wistar-Furth rats. Hypokalemia occurred in both strains in response to the aldosterone infusion. Isolated, helically cut strips of common carotid artery and aorta were prepared for isometric force recording. Cumulative concentration-response curves to norepinephrine, serotonin, KCl, calcium, nitroprusside, and acetylcholine were performed in carotid artery strips, and concentration-response curves to ouabain were performed in aortic strips. Increased vascular contractile sensitivity to KCl, ouabain, norepinephrine, and serotonin was observed in vessels from Wistar rats treated with aldosterone and salt. The same treatment in Wistar-Furth rats produced only increased vascular sensitivity to ouabain and serotonin, and these changes were of smaller magnitude than those seen in Wistar rats. Aldosterone-salt treatment produced decreased vascular sensitivity to acetylcholine and nitroprusside in both Wistar and Wistar-Furth rats. These results support the hypothesis that resistance of Wistar-Furth rats to aldosterone-salt hypertension is due to resistance to the effects of aldosterone-salt treatment that normally result in increased vasoconstrictor sensitivity.

Alpha-adrenergic receptors and 45Ca2+ efflux in arteries from deoxycorticosterone acetate hypertensive rats

Increased vascular sensitivity to catecholamines characterizes mineralocorticoid hypertension. The present study investigated three possible sites that may account for this abnormality: agonist affinity, Ca2+ release from intracellular stores, and Ca2+ sensitivity of the contractile proteins. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent uninephrectomy and were implanted subcutaneously with deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA; 200 mg/kg, 1% NaCl:0.2% KCl drinking water, 4-6 weeks). Control rats were sham treated. Helical strips of mesenteric arteries were placed in muscle baths for measurement of isometric force development. Although the ED50 for norepinephrine was significantly lower in arteries from DOCA rats (pD2, 8.21 +/- 0.15) than in those from sham controls (pD2, 7.24 +/- 0.11), agonist affinity, determined by partial blockade with phenoxybenzamine, did not differ between the two groups. In contrast, norepinephrine-stimulated 45Ca2+ efflux in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ was significantly greater in arteries from DOCA rats than in those from sham rats. In the presence of ryanodine to deplete intracellular Ca2+ stores, force development to Ca2+ was not different in saponin-permeabilized vessels from DOCA rats, indicating that the Ca2+ sensitivity of the contractile proteins was not altered in DOCA hypertension. We conclude that increased vascular sensitivity to norepinephrine in mineralocorticoid hypertension is related to increased release of Ca2+ from a subcellular store and not to changes in agonist affinity or to the contractile protein interaction. Based on previous reports, it is likely that this abnormality reflects a postreceptor change in signal transduction, but there is also evidence to suggest that an increase in the number of alpha-adrenergic receptors may be involved.

Activation of multiple mechanisms including phospholipase D by endothelin-1 in rat aorta

This study investigated the cellular mechanisms underlying the endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced contraction of rat aorta with focus on the involvement of phospholipase D (PLD). Preincubating rat aorta in Ca(2+)-free solution reduced the contraction by 80%, whereas diltiazem (10 microM), a voltage-operated Ca2+ channel blocker, caused only a small reduction (27%, P less than 0.05) of the contraction. In myo-[3H]inositol-labeled aorta, ET-1 stimulated the formation of [3H]inositol bisphosphate and [3H]inositol trisphosphate, indicating the activation of phospholipase C (PLC). In aorta labeled with 32PO4, [3H] myristic acid or [32P]lyso-platelet-activating factor followed by exposure to ethanol (0.5%), ET-1 stimulated phosphatidylethanol (PEt) production, suggesting that ET-1 activates PLD. The PEt response was not attenuated by staurosporine (ST, 0.1 microM), an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC) but was inhibited by removal of Ca2+. The ET-1-induced PEt response was at least additive to that induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (1 microM). ET-1 also stimulated the release of 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha) into the tissue medium. Unlike the PEt responses, the 6-keto-PGF1 alpha response could be inhibited by ST. Removal of Ca2+ abolished the response. These results suggest that 1) ET-1 activates multiple cellular mechanisms including PLC, PLD, and the arachidonate cascade; 2) PKC activation may not be essential for the ET-1 activation of PLD but may play an important role in the ET-1 stimulation of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha release; and 3) Ca2+ is an important factor in the ET-1-induced PLD activity and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha release.

Fibronectin biosynthesis in the rat aorta in vitro. Changes due to experimental hypertension

This study was undertaken to determine if changes in fibronectin biosynthesis accompany the phenotypic changes that occur in aortic tissue following experimental hypertension. An in vitro procedure was developed to measure fibronectin synthesis in aortic rings obtained from normotensive or hypertensive rats. There was a three to sixfold increase in fibronectin biosynthesis by aortic rings taken from rats treated with deoxycorticosterone/salt for 7 and 21 d, the change being more pronounced at 21 d. In contrast, there was no major change at either time point in net incorporation into total protein. Studies comparing fibronectin biosynthesis in aortic rings from Wistar rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats at ages between 10 and 40 wk showed increased fibronectin biosynthesis in older animals of both strains, but only slight differences between strains. Studies using rats infused with angiotensin II showed a correlation between blood pressure elevation and increased aortic fibronectin biosynthesis. Western blot analysis of aortic extracts showed that the fibronectin content was increased in the hypertensive models. The in vitro procedure for measuring fibronectin biosynthesis appears to provide a reliable reflection of in vivo changes in fibronectin expression, and the methodology could prove useful for studying the factors influencing protein expression in vascular tissue.

Agonist-sensitive calcium stores in arteries from steroid hypertensive rats

The present study characterizes cellular calcium stores that are sensitive to norepinephrine and caffeine in arteries from deoxycorticosterone acetate hypertensive rats. Mesenteric arteries from normotensive and hypertensive rats were excised and cut into helical strips for isometric force recording. In calcium-free solution, phasic contractile responses to norepinephrine (5.9 x 10(-9) to 5.9 x 10(-6) M), but not caffeine (0.3-30 mM), were greater in hypertensive arteries. D-600, a calcium channel blocker, or removal of the endothelium did not alter phasic contractions to norepinephrine or caffeine. In contrast, contractions to both norepinephrine and caffeine were inhibited by ryanodine, a drug that depletes calcium from intracellular stores. An inhibitor of phospholipase C (2-nitro-4-carboxyphenyl N,N-diphenylcarbamate) attenuated contractions to norepinephrine but not those to caffeine. The augmented response to norepinephrine in hypertensive rats did not occur early after implantation of the mineralocorticoid, suggesting that this vascular change may not play a role in the development of high blood pressure in this experimental model. The augmented response to norepinephrine was reduced in mineralocorticoid-treated rats maintained on a low sodium diet, and these rats had blood pressures in the normotensive range. Because contractile responses to caffeine were not enhanced in arteries from hypertensive rats, we conclude that the cellular store for calcium is not enlarged compared with that in normotensive arteries. In contrast, the mobilization of calcium from cellular stores by norepinephrine is augmented in mineralocorticoid hypertension. This augmented response may be linked to altered phospholipase C activity and thus to an augmented action of inositol trisphosphate that releases calcium from intracellular sites.

Increased Ca2+ signaling after alpha-adrenoceptor activation in vascular hypertrophy

In an effort to explain the increased sensitivity to agonists of hypertrophic vascular muscle, intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i)-signaling mechanisms were studied in normal and hypertrophic rat aortas from normotensive and coarctation-hypertensive rats. Based on both fura 2 fluorescence and aequorin luminescence measurements, qualitatively different patterns of Ca2+ mobilization occur in normal and hypertrophic rat aortic muscle. Normal rat aortic muscle contracts to phenylephrine with little or no increase in [Ca2+]i, whereas the angiotensin II-induced contraction is accompanied by a marked [Ca2+]i transient. In contrast, hypertrophic rat aortic muscle shows a dramatic increase in Ca2+ signaling after phenylephrine stimulation. Moreover, both the amplitude of the angiotensin-induced [Ca2+]i transient and the contractile sensitivity to this agonist are decreased in the hypertrophic muscle. Our results strongly suggest that the amplitude of the [Ca2+]i transient after agonist stimulation determines the contractile sensitivity and that there is an altered coupling of the alpha-adrenoceptor in the hypertrophic vascular muscle.

Influence of diabetes on norepinephrine-induced inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate levels in rat aorta

The effects of norepinephrine on total tissue levels of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate were measured by protein binding assay in aortas from rats with chronic streptozotocin-induced diabetes and from age-matched control rats. In both control and diabetic aortas, norepinephrine induced a rapid, transient and concentration-dependent elevation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate content during contraction. Maximum production of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in response to norepinephrine was greater in diabetic than in control aortas. However, the sensitivities of control and diabetic aortas to norepinephrine for inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production were not significantly different. Enhanced norepinephrine-induced production of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in diabetic aortas may contribute to the increased maximum contractile responsiveness of these arteries to the agonist. However, since enhanced contractile responses of diabetic aortas to norepinephrine were also detected at times when inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate levels were not significantly increased, other factors also appear to be involved in mediating enhanced contractions of diabetic arteries to norepinephrine.

Altered phospholipase activities related to alpha 1-adrenergic receptor supersensitivity of aortas from aldosterone-salt hypertensive rats

Many of the concepts presented in this paper are summarized in Fig. 7. Some aspects are well supported while others are speculative. The operation of PLC in VSM is well established, and in some hypertensive models (AHR, SHRSP) PLC assays exhibited altered activation. Currently this pathway leading to the production of IP3 and DAG is considered to be the major regulator of Ca release from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and Ca entry by channels (CaC). Regulation of PKC by [Ca]i and DAG is thought to play a major role in controlling Ca entry. PKC has also been proposed to regulate PLA2 as well as PLD in conjunction with elevated [Ca]i. An important issue to be resolved is whether receptor regulation of other lipases occurs independently of the PLC-[Ca]i-PKC axis. Currently information supporting receptor regulation is lacking for VSM, but few studies have been conducted. Our observation that NE stimulation of PLD activity occurs in VSM indicates that the control of VSM by biochemical messengers is much more complicated than previously proposed. This seemingly redundant pathway may allow VSM to use alternate substrates for producing PA and DAG than are readily available to PLC. It also allows PA to be produced directly without phosphorylation of DAG. Although the role of PA in the regulation of Ca entry was proposed earlier, definitive studies establishing this linkage are still required. Any PLD activity on PIP2 would produce biochemical messengers (PA, DAG) which could stimulate Ca entry without producing the messenger, IP3, associated with Ca release (inactive IP2 would be produced). If PLC and PLD were independently regulated by receptor-guanine nucleotide-regulatory protein (G-protein) complexes, this would offer the potential for some agonists to excite VSM by Ca release and Ca entry mechanisms while others may excite by Ca entry alone. This system would also circumvent the problem of limited substrate for cellular regulation of [Ca]i if PIP2 were the primary substrate. This limitation does not exist with other phospholipids such as phosphatidylcholine which is a preferred substrate for PLD. The presence of multiple phospholipases under separate receptor regulation allows for a wider range of tissue responses to various agonists, than a system which is linked only through the PLC-[Ca]i-PKC axis. The presence of a PLD pathway also reopens the interpretation of previous studies which demonstrated a resetting between receptor occupancy and production of second messengers by PLC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Differences in inositol phosphate production in rat tail artery and thoracic aorta

Pharmacomechanical coupling of vascular smooth muscle is believed to be mediated by inositol trisphosphate (IP3). Numerous studies have demonstrated an increase in inositol phosphates following tissue stimulation using either intact aortic strips or cultured cells from aorta. However, little information is available concerning inositol phosphates in vascular tissue other than in the large conduit vessel, the aorta. This present study was designed to examine the role of inositol phosphate metabolism following adrenergic stimulation of the muscular rat tail artery as compared to the aorta. Segments of thoracic aorta and tail artery from male Sprague Dawley rats were labeled with [3H]inositol and stimulated with norepinephrine. The norepinephrine concentration that resulted in a half-maximal stimulation of inositol phosphates was approximately 10(-6) M in both the aorta and tail artery. Although the sensitivity of the two vessels to norepinephrine stimulation were similar, the stimulated levels of IP, IP2, and IP3 were from 1 to 2 orders of magnitude greater in the tail artery than in aorta. IP production in aorta and tail artery was a linear function of time (from 0 to 30 min). Significant levels of IP3 (the 1,4,5-IP3 isomer as determined by HPLC) could only be detected in the tail artery and appeared to be produced optimally after 5 min of stimulation. The several order of magnitude increase in adrenergic stimulated inositol phosphate production in the tail artery was not due to either an increased magnitude of [3H]inositol incorporated into PI, PIP, and PIP2 or to a greater percentage of smooth muscle cells per unit tissue of the rat tail artery. We believe the results of this study demonstrate that the increased inositol phosphate metabolism in the vascular smooth muscle cells of the tail artery is an intrinsic property of the cell. Moreover, due to the significant levels of all inositol phosphates produced in the tail artery, this muscular artery may be a better model, as compared to the aorta, for future studies investigating pharmacomechanical coupling of vascular smooth muscle.

Peripheral adrenergic receptors in hypertension

Increased sympathoadrenal activity appears to play an important role in the development or maintenance of elevated blood pressure in hypertensive patients and various animal models of hypertension. Alterations of adrenergic receptor number or responsiveness might contribute to this increased activity. We therefore reviewed the data on adrenergic receptor alterations in hypertension with special emphasis on several key cardiovascular tissues (i.e., heart, vascular smooth muscle, and kidney) and on lymphocytes and platelets as human tissues available for such studies. The data suggest that the number of alpha-adrenergic receptors in hypertension is regulated by catecholamines, dietary salt intake, and genetic factors. Increases in renal alpha-adrenergic receptor number may be etiologic in genetic forms of essential hypertension. beta-Adrenergic receptor alterations in states of elevated blood pressure do not appear to be specific for genetic hypertension. Desensitization of beta-adrenergic receptor function in hypertensive animals and patients contrasts with reports of decreased, unchanged, and increased beta-adrenergic receptor number, suggesting that signal transduction of beta-adrenergic (and possibly other) receptors that stimulate adenylyl cyclase is disturbed in hypertension. The mechanisms of such heterologous desensitization in states of elevated blood pressure remain to be elucidated.

Increased calcium sensitivity in isolated resistance arteries from spontaneously hypertensive rats: effects of dihydropyridines

We recorded the contractile responses to calcium in mesenteric resistance arteries of Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) during depolarization or stimulation with noradrenaline. The effects of Bay-K8644 and nimodipine on these responses were evaluated. Calcium sensitivity was greater in noradrenaline-stimulated than in depolarized vessels. Nimodipine decreased and Bay-K8644 increased calcium sensitivity. Both substances were more potent in the presence of potassium than in the presence of noradrenaline. Calcium sensitivity was greater in SHR than in WKY vessels only during stimulation with noradrenaline. The rhythmic responses of SHR vessels during stimulation with noradrenaline were abolished by nimodipine. Rhythmicity could be induced in WKY vessels by Bay-K8644. Modulation of calcium sensitivity by dihydropyridines during electrochemical as well as pharmacological stimulation suggests that, in resistance arterial smooth muscle, the function of potential-operated calcium channels can be modulated by noradrenaline. This modulation could differ quantitatively between mesenteric resistance arteries of SHR and WKY.