Connecting tubule glomerular feedback antagonizes tubuloglomerular feedback in vivo

In vitro experiments showed that the connecting tubule (CNT) sends a signal that dilates the afferent arteriole (Af-Art) when Na(+) reabsorption in the CNT lumen increases. We call this process CNT glomerular feedback (CTGF) to differentiate it from tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF), which is a cross talk between the macula densa (MD) and the Af-Art. In TGF, the MD signals the Af-Art to constrict when NaCl transport by the MD is enhanced by increased luminal NaCl. CTGF is mediated by CNT Na(+) transport via epithelial Na(+) channels (ENaC). However, we do not know whether CTGF occurs in vivo or whether it opposes the increase in Af-Art resistance caused by TGF. We hypothesized that CTGF occurs in vivo and opposes TGF. To test our hypothesis, we conducted in vivo micropuncture of individual rat nephrons, measuring stop-flow pressure (P(SF)) as an index of glomerular filtration pressure. To test whether activation of CTGF opposes TGF, we used benzamil to block CNT Na(+) transport and thus CTGF. CTGF inhibition with the ENaC blocker benzamil (1 μM) potentiated the decrease in P(SF) at 40 and 80 nl/min. Next, we tested whether we could augment CTGF by inhibiting NaCl reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, 1 mM) to enhance NaCl delivery to the CNT. In the presence of HCTZ, benzamil potentiated the decrease in P(SF) at 20, 40, and 80 nl/min. We concluded that in vivo CTGF occurs and opposes the vasoconstrictor effect of TGF.

Crosstalk between the connecting tubule and the afferent arteriole regulates renal microcirculation

The renal afferent arterioles (Af-Arts) account for most of the renal vascular resistance, which is controlled similar to other arterioles and by tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF). The latter signal is generated by sensing sodium chloride concentrations in the macula densa; this in turn results in a signal which acts through the extraglomerular mesangium leading to constriction of the Af-Art. In the outer renal cortex, the connecting tubule (CNT) returns to the glomerular hilus and contacts the Af-Art suggesting that crosstalk may exist here as well. To investigate this, we simultaneously perfused a microdissected Af-Art and adherent CNT. Increasing the sodium chloride concentration perfusing the CNT significantly dilated preconstricted Af-Arts. We called this crosstalk 'connecting tubule glomerular feedback' (CTGF) to differentiate it from TGF. We tested whether entry of Na(+) and/or CI(-) into the CNT is required to induce CTGF by replacing Na(+) with choline(+). Increasing choline chloride concentration did not dilate the Af-Art. To test whether epithelial Na channels (ENaCs) mediate CTGF, we blocked ENaC with amiloride and found that the dilatation induced by CTGF was completely blocked. Inhibiting sodium chloride cotransporters with hydrochlorothiazide failed to prevent Af-Art dilatation. Finally, we tested whether nitric oxide released by the CNT mediates CTGF by the addition of a non-selective nitric oxide synthase inhibitor to the CNT. This potentiated CTGF rather than blocking it. We suggest that crosstalk exists between CNTs and attached Af-Arts, which is initiated by sodium reabsorption through amiloride-sensitive channels and this can contribute to the regulation of renal blood flow and glomerular filtration.

Possible mechanism of efferent arteriole (Ef-Art) tubuloglomerular feedback

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is liberated from macula densa cells in response to increased tubular NaCl delivery. However, it is not known whether ATP from the macula densa is broken down to adenosine, or whether this adenosine mediates efferent arteriole (Ef-Art) tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF). We hypothesized that increased macula densa Ca(2+), release of ATP and degradation of ATP to adenosine are necessary for Ef-Art TGF. Rabbit Ef-Arts and adherent tubular segments (with the macula densa) were simultaneously microperfused in vitro while changing the NaCl concentration at the macula densa. The Ef-Art was perfused orthograde through the end of the afferent arteriole (Af-Art). In Ef-Arts preconstricted with norepinephrine (NE), increasing NaCl concentration from 10 to 80 mM at the macula densa dilated Ef-Arts from 7.5+/-0.7 to 11.1+/-0.3 microm. Buffering increases in macula densa Ca(2+) with the cell-permeant Ca(2+) chelator BAPTA-AM diminished Ef-Art TGF from 3.1+/-0.3 to 0.1+/-0.2 microm. Blocking adenosine formation by adding alpha-beta-methyleneadenosine 5'-diphosphate (MADP) blocked Ef-Art TGF from 2.9+/-0.5 to 0.1+/-0.2 microm. Increasing luminal NaCl at the macula densa from 10 to 45 mM caused a moderate Ef-Art TGF response, 1.3+/-0.1 microm. It was potentiated to 4.0+/-0.3 microm by adding hexokinase, which enhances conversion of ATP into adenosine. Our data show that in vitro changes in macula densa Ca(2+) and ATP release are necessary for Ef-Art TGF. ATP is broken down to form adenosine, which mediates signal transmission of Ef-Art TGF.

Nystatin and valinomycin induce tubuloglomerular feedback

The macula densa expresses a luminal Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransporter and a basolateral Cl(-) conductance. Although it is known that cotransport of Na(+), K(+), and Cl(-) is the first step in tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF), subsequent steps are unclear. We hypothesized that Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) entry via the luminal Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransporter elevates intracellular Cl(-), increases electrogenic Cl(-) efflux across the basolateral membrane, and depolarizes the macula densa, initiating TGF. We perfused afferent arterioles with macula densa attached. The macula densa was perfused with solutions containing either 5 mM Na(+) and 3 mM Cl(-) (low NaCl) or 80 mM Na(+) and 77 mM Cl(-) (high NaCl). When the macula densa perfusate was changed from low to high NaCl, afferent arteriole diameter decreased from 15.8 +/- 0.8 to 13.1 +/- 0.7 mm (P < 0.05). Adding 10 microM furosemide to the macula densa lumen blocked TGF. When nystatin, a group I cation ionophore, was added to the macula densa lumen together with furosemide in the presence of low NaCl, it induced TGF (from 18.0 +/- 1.5 to 15.6 +/- 1.6 mm; P = 0.003). When valinomycin, a K(+)-selective ionophore, was added to the macula densa lumen together with furosemide in the presence of low NaCl containing 5 mM K(+), it did not induce TGF. Subsequent addition of 50 mM KCl to the macula densa perfusate induced TGF (from 21.7 +/- 0.8 to 17.5 +/- 1.3 mm; P = 0.0047; n = 6). Adding 50 mM KCl without valinomycin did not induce TGF. When 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoic acid (NPPB; 1 microM), a Cl(-) channel blocker, was added to the bath, it blocked TGF induced by high NaCl, but did not block TGF induced by valinomycin plus 50 mM KCl. NPPB did not alter afferent arteriole constriction induced by norepinephrine. We concluded that increased NaCl in the lumen of the macula densa leads to influx of Cl(-) via the Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransporter. The accelerated transport increases intracellular Cl(-). The subsequent exit of Cl(-) across the basolateral membrane via Cl( -) channels in turn leads to depolarization of the macula densa and thereby induces TGF.

Role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the macula densa

BACKGROUND

There is evidence that macula densa nitric oxide (NO) inhibits tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF). However, TGF response is not altered in mice deficient in neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) (-/-). Furthermore, nNOS expression in the macula densa is inversely related to salt intake, yet micropuncture studies have shown that NOS inhibition potentiates TGF in rats on high sodium intake but not in rats on a low-salt diet. These inconsistencies may be due to confounding systemic factors, such as changes in circulating renin. To further clarify the role of macula densa nNOS in TGF response, independent of systemic factors, we tested the hypothesis that (1) TGF response is inversely related to sodium intake, and (2) during low sodium intake, NO produced by macula densa nNOS tonically controls the basal diameter of the afferent arteriole (Af-Art).

METHODS

Af-Arts and attached macula densas were simultaneously microperfused in vitro. TGF response was determined by measuring Af-Art diameter before and after increasing NaCl in the macula densa perfusate. TGF response was studied in wild-type (+/+) and nNOS knockout mice (-/-), as well as in juxtaglomerular apparatuses (JGAs) from rabbits fed a low-, normal-, or high-NaCl diet.

RESULTS

TGF responses were similar in nNOS +/+ and -/- mice. However, in nNOS +/+ mice, 7-nitroindazole (7-NI) perfused into the macula densa significantly potentiated the TGF response (P = 0.001), while in nNOS -/- mice, this potentiation was absent. In rabbits on three different sodium diets, TGF responses were similar and were potentiated equally by 7-NI. However, in JGAs from rabbits on a low-NaCl diet, adding 7-NI to the macula densa while perfusing it with low-NaCl fluid caused Af-Art vasoconstriction, decreasing the diameter by 14% (from 21.7 +/- 1.3 to 18.6 +/- 1.5 microm; P < 0.001). This effect was not observed in JGAs from rabbits fed a normal- (19.0 +/- 0.5 vs. 19.3 +/- 0.8 microm after 7-NI) or high-NaCl diet (18.6 +/- 0.7 vs. 18.4 +/- 0.7 microm).

CONCLUSIONS

First, in this in vitro preparation, chronic changes in macula densa nNOS do not play a major role in the regulation of TGF. Compensatory mechanisms may develop during chronic alteration of nNOS that keep TGF relatively constant. Second, nNOS regulates TGF response acutely. Third, the results obtained in the +/+ and -/- mice also confirm that the effect of 7-NI is due to inhibition of macula densa nNOS. Finally, during low sodium intake (without induction of TGF), the regulation of basal Af-Art resistance by macula densa nNOS suggests that NO in the macula densa helps maintain renal blood flow during the high renin secretion caused by low sodium intake.

Nitric oxide synthase gene knockout mice do not become hypertensive during pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to test whether omitting the vasodilator nitric oxide that is derived from any 1 of the 3 isoforms of nitric oxide synthase results in hypertension during pregnancy.

STUDY DESIGN

We measured systolic blood pressure before, during, and after pregnancy using an automated tail cuff method in 3 mutant (gene knockout) mouse strains in which the gene for neuronal nitric oxide, inducible nitric oxide, or endothelial nitric oxide was disrupted by gene targeting.

RESULTS

In neuronal nitric oxide gene knockout mice (n = 10), blood pressure was 100 +/- 3 mm Hg, not significantly different from 101 +/- 3 mm Hg in matched wild-type control mice (n = 10). Pregnancy did not change blood pressure or heart rate in either group. In inducible nitric oxide gene knockout mice (n = 9), blood pressure was 110 +/- 3 mm Hg, the same as in the wild-type control mice (110 +/- 2 mm Hg; n = 14). Blood pressure was unaffected by pregnancy in either group of mice. However, heart rate was significantly less in knockout mice (647 +/- 11 beats/min vs 666 +/- 9 beats/min; P <.005); this difference persisted through pregnancy. In endothelial nitric oxide gene knockout mice (n = 8), blood pressure was higher before pregnancy (114 +/- 4 mm Hg vs 103 +/- 4 mm Hg; P <.05) than in wild-type control mice (n = 9), but this difference disappeared during pregnancy, returning only after delivery. Heart rates were not different before pregnancy and were unaffected by pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

There was no apparent increase in systolic blood pressure in any of the 3 nitric oxide synthase gene knockout strains during pregnancy compared to the wild-type control mice. This suggests that, at least in the mouse, genetic deficiency of any 1 isoform of nitric oxide synthase does not result in pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Angiotensin II enhances tubuloglomerular feedback via luminal AT(1) receptors on the macula densa

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have revealed angiotensin II subtype 1 (AT1) receptors on macula densa cells, raising the possibility that angiotensin II (Ang II) could enhance tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) by affecting macula densa cell function. We hypothesized that Ang II enhances TGF via activation of AT1 receptors on the luminal membrane of the macula densa.

METHODS

Rabbit afferent arterioles and the attached macula densa were simultaneously microperfused in vitro, keeping pressure in the afferent arteriole at 60 mm Hg.

RESULTS

The afferent arteriole diameter was measured while the macula densa was perfused with low NaCl (Na+, 5 mmol/L; Cl-, 3 mmol/L) and then with high NaCl (Na+, 79 mmol/L; Cl-, 77 mmol/L) to induce a TGF response. When TGF was induced in the absence of Ang II, the afferent arteriole diameter decreased by 2.4 +/- 0.5 microm (from 17.3 +/- 1.0 to 14.9 +/- 1.2 microm). With Ang II (0.1 nmol/L) present in the lumen of the macula densa, the diameter decreased by 3.8 +/- 0.7 microm (from 17.3 +/- 1.0 to 13.5 +/- 1.2 microm, P < 0.05 vs. TGF with no Ang II, N = 8). To test whether Ang II enhances TGF via activation of AT1 receptors on the luminal membrane of the macula densa, Ang II plus losartan (1 micromol/L) was added to the lumen. Losartan itself did not alter TGF. When TGF was induced in the absence of Ang II and losartan, the afferent arteriole diameter decreased by 2.3 +/- 0.3 microm (from 15.9 +/- 1.0 to 13.6 +/- 1.2 microm). When Ang II and losartan were both present in the macula densa perfusate, the diameter decreased by 2.4 +/- 0.4 microm (from 15.8 +/- 0.9 to 13.4 +/- 0.7 microm, P> 0.8 vs. TGF with no Ang II and losartan, N = 7). We then examined whether AT2 receptors on the macula densa influence the effect of luminal Ang II on TGF. When TGF was induced in the absence of Ang II plus PD 0123319-0121B (1 micromol/L), the afferent arteriole diameter decreased by 2.4 +/- 0.2 microm (from 17.0 +/- 0.9 to 14.6 +/- 0.8 microm). When Ang II and PD 0123319-0121B were both present in the macula densa lumen, the diameter decreased by 3.9 +/- 0.2 microm (from 16.8 +/- 0.9 to 12.9 +/- 0.9 microm, P < 0.001 vs. TGF with no Ang II and PD 0123319-0121B, N = 8). PD 0123319-0121B itself had no effect on TGF. To assure that this effect of Ang II was not due to leakage into the bath, losartan was added to the bath. When TGF was induced in the absence of Ang II with losartan in the bath, the afferent arteriole diameter decreased by 2.8 +/- 0.5 microm (from 19.3 +/- 1.2 to 16.5 +/- 0.8 microm). After Ang II was added to the macula densa perfusate and losartan to the bath, the diameter decreased by 4.0 +/- 0.7 microm (from 18.9 +/- 1.1 to 14.9 +/- 0.5 microm, P < 0.01 vs. TGF with no Ang II in the lumen and losartan in the bath, N = 8).

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate that Ang II enhances TGF via activation of AT1 receptors on the luminal membrane of the macula densa.

Long-term effect of N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline on left ventricular collagen deposition in rats with 2-kidney, 1-clip hypertension

BACKGROUND

N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP) is a natural inhibitor of pluripotent hematopoietic stem cell proliferation. Ac-SDKP plasma concentration is increased 5-fold after angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition. Here we studied the effect of Ac-SDKP on monocyte/macrophage infiltration, fibroblast proliferation, and collagen deposition in the rat heart in renovascular hypertension.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We investigated whether long-term Ac-SDKP administration would prevent left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and interstitial collagen deposition in rats with 2-kidney, 1-clip (2K-1C) hypertension. Ac-SDKP (400 microgram. kg(-1). d(-1)) did not affect development of hypertension. Mean blood pressure was similar in rats with 2K-1C hypertension whether they were given vehicle or Ac-SDKP and was higher than in controls. Both LV weight and cardiomyocyte size were significantly increased in rats with 2K-1C hypertension compared with controls and were unaffected by Ac-SDKP. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen- and monocyte/macrophage-positive cells were increased in the LV of 2K-1C hypertensive rats; this increase was significantly blunted by Ac-SDKP (P<0.001). LV interstitial collagen fraction was also increased in 2K-1C hypertensive rats given vehicle (10.1+/-0.8%) compared with sham (5.3+/-0.1%, P<0.0001), and this increase was prevented by Ac-SDKP (5.4+/-0.4%, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Ac-SDKP inhibited monocyte/macrophage infiltration, cell proliferation, and collagen deposition in the LV of hypertensive rats without affecting blood pressure or cardiac hypertrophy, suggesting that it may be partly responsible for the cardioprotective effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.

Diminished Cardioprotective Response to Inhibition of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme and Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor in B 2 Kinin Receptor Gene Knockout Mice

Abstract —Using B 2 kinin receptor gene knockout mice (B 2 −/− ), we tested the hypothesis that (l) lack of B 2 receptors may affect blood pressure and cardiac function and aggravate cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI), and (2) kinins partially mediate the cardiac beneficial effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) or angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonists (AT 1 -ant), whereas lack of B 2 receptors may diminish this cardioprotective effect. Chronic heart failure (HF) was induced by MI, which was caused by coronary artery ligation in both B 2 −/− and 129/SvEvTac mice (wild-type control, B 2 +/+ ). An ACEi (ramipril, 2.5 mg/kg/d) or AT 1 -ant (L-158809, 3 mg/kg/d) was given 1 week after MI and was continued for 12 weeks. Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, cardiac output (CO), diastolic LV dimension (LVDd), and LV mass were evaluated by echocardiography. Myocyte cross-sectional area and interstitial collagen fraction were studied histopathologically. We found that basal blood pressure and cardiac function were similar in B 2 +/+ and B 2 −/− mice. After MI, development of HF and remodeling were also similar between the 2 strains. The ACEi improved cardiac function and remodeling in both strains; however, its effects were attenuated in B 2 −/− mice (respective values for B 2 +/+ versus B 2 −/− mice: overall increase in ejection fraction, 64±10% versus 21±5% [ P <0.01]; increase in CO, 69±17% versus 23±9% [ P <0.01]; overall decrease in LVDd, −24±3% versus −7±4% [ P <0.01]; and decrease in LV mass, −38±3% versus −6±6% [ P <0.01]). AT 1 -ant had a beneficial cardiac effect similar to that produced by ACEi, and this effect was also diminished in B 2 −/− mice (respective values for B 2 +/+ versus B 2 −/− mice: overall increase in ejection fraction, 46±10% versus 25±9% [ P <0.01]; increase in CO, 44±14% versus 15±5% [ P <0.01]; overall decrease in LVDd, −14±4% versus −6±3% [ P <0.01]; and decrease in LV mass, −33±4 versus −16±7% [ P <0.01]). The effect of ACEi or AT 1 -ant on myocyte cross-sectional area was similar between strains; however, their effect on the interstitial collagen fraction was diminished in B 2 −/− mice. We concluded that (1) lack of B 2 kinin receptors does not affect cardiac phenotype or function, either under normal physiological conditions or during the development of HF; and (2) kinins acting via the B 2 receptor play an important role in the cardioprotective effect of ACEi and AT 1 -ant.

Effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin type 1 receptor antagonist in deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt hypertensive mice lacking Ren-2 gene

We previously reported that inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) prevented the hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy induced by deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt (DOCA-salt) in 129/SvEvTac mice, which have 2 renin genes (Ren-1 and Ren-2). In the present study, we induced hypertension by uninephrectomy and DOCA-salt in mice having only the Ren-1 gene (C57BL/6J) and investigated the effect of an ACE inhibitor (ramipril, 4 mg. kg(-)(1). d(-)(1)) and an angiotensin type 1 (AT(1)) receptor antagonist (L-158809, 4 mg. kg(-)(1). d(-)(1)) on the development of hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, and renal injury. After 4 weeks of treatment, systolic blood pressure in DOCA-salt mice was significantly increased (128+/-2 mm Hg) compared with controls (109+/-2 mm Hg) (P:<0.001), while plasma renin concentration was decreased by 97% (P:<0.001). DOCA-salt also induced left ventricular and renal hypertrophy and renal damage as manifested by proteinuria. Collagen content in the left ventricle and kidney was significantly higher in DOCA-salt mice (P:<0.001). Urinary albumin (P:<0.05) and proliferating cell nucleic antigen-positive cells in the tubules and interstitium of the renal cortex (P:<0.001) were significantly increased in the DOCA-salt group. Neither the ACE inhibitor nor the AT(1) antagonist had any antihypertensive effect; however, they partially prevented cardiac hypertrophy and completely inhibited left ventricular collagen deposition. In the kidney, both the ACE inhibitor and AT(1) antagonist partially reduced the increase in collagen but had no effect on hypertrophy. They also significantly prevented the effect of DOCA-salt on urinary albumin and proliferating cell nucleic antigen expression in the kidney. Despite the lack of an antihypertensive effect, both ACE inhibitor and AT(1) antagonist prevented cardiac remodeling and renal damage. Our results indicate that ACE inhibitors and AT(1) antagonists exert beneficial effects on the heart and kidney in DOCA-salt hypertensive mice independently of their effects on blood pressure.

Effect of N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline on DNA and collagen synthesis in rat cardiac fibroblasts

N:-Acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP) is a natural inhibitor of pluripotent hematopoietic stem cell entry into the S phase of the cell cycle and is normally present in human plasma. Ac-SDKP is exclusively hydrolyzed by ACE, and its plasma concentration is increased 5-fold after ACE inhibition in humans. We examined the effect of 0.05 to 100 nmol/L Ac-SDKP on 24-hour (3)H-thymidine incorporation (DNA synthesis) by cardiac fibroblasts both in the absence and presence of 5% FCS. Captopril (1 micromol/L) was added in all cases to prevent the degradation of Ac-SDKP. Treatment of cardiac fibroblasts with 5% FCS increased thymidine incorporation from a control value of 12 469+/-594 to 24 598+/-1051 cpm (P:<0.001). Cotreatment with 1 nmol/L Ac-SDKP reduced stimulation to control levels (10 373+/-200 cpm, P:<0.001). We measured hydroxyproline content and incorporation of (3)H-proline into collagenous fibroblast proteins and found that Ac-SDKP blocked endothelin-1 (10(-8) mol/L)-induced collagen synthesis in a biphasic and dose-dependent manner, causing inhibition at low doses, whereas high doses had little or no effect. It also blunted the activity of p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein kinase in a biphasic and dose-dependent manner in serum-stimulated fibroblasts, suggesting that the inhibitory effect of DNA and collagen synthesis may depend in part on blocking mitogen-activated protein kinase activity. Participation of p44/p42 in collagen synthesis was confirmed, because a specific inhibitor for p44/p42 activation (PD 98059, 25 micromol/L) was able to block endothelin-1-induced collagen synthesis, similar to the effect of Ac-SDKP. The fact that Ac-SDKP inhibits DNA and collagen synthesis in cardiac fibroblasts suggests that it may be an important endogenous regulator of fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis in the heart. Ac-SDKP may participate in the cardioprotective effect of ACE inhibitors by limiting fibroblast proliferation (and hence collagen production), and therefore it would reduce fibrosis in patients with hypertension.

Antifibrotic effects of N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-Lysyl-proline on the heart and kidney in aldosterone-salt hypertensive rats

N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP) inhibits not only hematopoietic cell proliferation but also fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis in vitro. Ac-SDKP also prevents collagen deposition and cell proliferation in the left ventricle (LV) in rats with renovascular hypertension (renin dependent). However, it is not clear whether Ac-SDKP has similar effects in a model of renin-independent hypertension (aldosterone-salt). Using a hypertensive rat model of cardiac and renal fibrosis created by chronic elevation of circulating aldosterone (ALDO) levels, we examined the effect of Ac-SDKP on blood pressure, cardiac and renal fibrosis and hypertrophy, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in the LV and left kidney. Uninephrectomized rats were divided into 4 groups: (1) controls that received tap water, (2) rats that received ALDO (0.75 microgram/h SC) and 1% NaCl/0.2% KCl in drinking water (ALDO-salt), (3) rats that received ALDO-salt plus Ac-SDKP 400 microgram. kg(-1). day(-1) SC, and (4) rats that received ALDO-salt plus Ac-SDKP 800 microgram. kg(-1). d(-1) SC. After 6 weeks of treatment, the ALDO-salt group was found to have significantly increased blood pressure with decreased body weight and plasma renin concentration (P<0.05), LV and renal hypertrophy as well as renal injury, significantly increased collagen content in both ventricles and kidney as well as increased collagen volume fraction in the LV (P<0.0001), and significantly increased interstitial and perivascular PCNA-positive cells in the LV and kidney (P<0.0001). Ac-SDKP at 800 microgram. kg(-1). d(-1) markedly prevented cardiac and renal fibrosis (P<0.005) without affecting blood pressure or organ hypertrophy. It also suppressed PCNA expression in the LV and kidney in a dose-dependent manner. We concluded that Ac-SDKP prevents increased collagen deposition and cell proliferation in the heart and kidney in ALDO-salt hypertensive rats. Because ACE inhibitors increase plasma and tissue Ac-SDKP and decrease cardiac and renal fibrosis, we speculate that Ac-SDKP may participate in the antifibrotic effect of ACE inhibitors.

Inducible regulation of human brain natriuretic peptide promoter in transgenic mice

Studies have shown that brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) gene expression is rapidly induced in the infarcted heart and that plasma BNP levels reflect the degree of left ventricular dysfunction. Our previous in vitro work using transiently transfected neonatal rat cardiac myocytes has shown that the human BNP (hBNP) promoter, in particular a region extending from -127 to -40 relative to the start site of transcription, is more active in cardiac myocytes than in fibroblasts. To study tissue-specific and transcriptional regulation of the hBNP gene in vivo, we generated transgenic mice containing the proximal hBNP promoter (-408 to +100) coupled to a luciferase reporter gene. In four lines of transgenic mice, luciferase activity was approximately 33- to 100-fold higher in the heart than in other tissues, including the whole brain. To test whether the transgene responded to a pathophysiological stimulus, we induced infarction by coronary artery ligation. Luciferase activity was fivefold higher in the infarcted region of the left ventricle at 48 h than in sham-operated animals and remained elevated for 4 wk. Endogenous BNP mRNA was similarly increased in the infarcted hearts of a separate group of mice. We conclude that 1) the proximal 408-bp region of the hBNP promoter confers cardiac-specific expression and 2) myocardial infarction activates the proximal hBNP promoter in vivo. These data suggest that we have a valid model for the study of basal and inducible regulation of the hBNP gene in vivo.

Efferent arteriole tubuloglomerular feedback in the renal nephron

BACKGROUND

Afferent and efferent arteriole resistance exerts critical and opposite actions in the regulation of glomerular capillary pressure (PGC) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) plays an important role in the regulation of afferent arteriole resistance; however, the role of TGF in the regulation of efferent arteriole resistance is less well established. We hypothesized that TGF caused by increased NaCl in the tubular fluid stimulates the macula densa to initiate a cascade of events resulting in efferent arteriole vasodilation, mediated by adenosine via its A2 receptor.

METHODS

Rabbit efferent arterioles and adherent tubular segments with macula densa were simultaneously microperfused in vitro while changing NaCl concentration at the macula densa. To study whether autacoids produced by the glomerulus participate in the effect of TGF on efferent arterioles, they were perfused orthograde or retrograde. To eliminate the hemodynamic influence of the afferent arteriole during orthograde perfusion, the perfusion pipette was advanced to the distal end of the afferent arteriole, and the tip of the pressure pipette was placed beyond the afferent arteriole; for retrograde perfusion, the efferent arteriole was perfused from its distal end.

RESULTS

In efferent arterioles perfused orthograde and preconstricted with norepinephrine (NE), increasing NaCl concentration at the macula densa increased the diameter by 33%. In preconstricted efferent arterioles perfused retrograde, increasing NaCl at the macula densa increased the diameter by 33%. Efferent arteriole vasodilation was completely blocked by a selective adenosine A2 receptor antagonist (3, 7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine) but not by an adenosine A1 receptor antagonist (FK838).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data show that in vitro, preconstricted efferent arterioles dilate in response to increased macula densa NaCl, and this process is mediated by activation of adenosine A2 receptors. Thus, TGF changes efferent arteriole resistance in the opposite direction from the afferent arteriole, possibly amplifying TGF regulation of PGC and GFR. In vivo efferent arteriole TGF may only buffer the signals that cause efferent arteriole resistance to parallel changes in afferent arteriole resistance. Effects of TGF on efferent arterioles perfused orthograde or retrograde were similar, suggesting that glomerular autacoids do not participate in this process.

Role of neuropeptide Y in the development of two-kidney, one-clip renovascular hypertension in the rat

OBJECTIVE

Along with the renin-angiotensin system, sympathetic stimulation may contribute to renovascular hypertension. The vasoactive peptide neuropeptide Y (NPY) is co-released with and potentiates the pressor effects of norepinephrine through the Y-1 receptor. NPY, by exaggerating sympathetic activity, may contribute to renovascular hypertension, possibly by augmenting adrenergic-mediated renin release. This was studied by determining the effect of continuous Y-1 blockade on the development of two-kidney, one-clip renovascular hypertension and the effect of NPY on in vitro renin release.

METHODS

Mean arterial pressure and renal blood flow responses to NPY (10 microg/kg, administered intravenously) were measured in five anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats before and after BIBO3304TF administration to test the Y-1 antagonist BIBO3304TF. In hypertension studies, 28 rats underwent left renal artery clipping. Of these, 13 were implanted with a mini-osmotic pump for continuous BIBO3304TF infusion (0.3 microg/h, administered intravenously); the other 15 underwent sham implantation. Systolic blood pressure was then monitored for 4 weeks. Finally, in vitro renin release was measured from renal cortical slices (n = 6-12) incubated with NPY (10(-8) to 10(-6) mol/L) or NPY plus the adrenergic agonist isoproterenol (10(-4) mol/L).

RESULTS

BIBO3304TF attenuated the NPY-induced increase in mean arterial pressure by 54% (P <.02) and the NPY-induced decrease in renal blood flow by 38% (P <.05). In 4-week hypertension studies, systolic blood pressure in clipped controls increased from 130 +/- 3 mm Hg to 167 +/- 6 mm Hg (P <.01), whereas BIBO3304TF-treated rats had no significant increase (125 +/- 3 mm Hg to 141 +/- 8 mm Hg). Final systolic blood pressure was 26 mm Hg lower in BIBO3304TF-treated rats than in controls (P <.01). In renal cortical slices, no NPY effect was observed in basal or isoproterenol-stimulated renin release.

CONCLUSIONS

The Y-1 receptor antagonist BIBO3304TF attenuated acute pressor responses to NPY and blunted the development of two-kidney, one-clip renovascular hypertension in rats. NPY may contribute to the hypertensive response in this renovascular hypertension model. Our in vitro data do not suggest that this is due to NPY enhancement of renin release.

Role of macula densa nitric oxide and cGMP in the regulation of tubuloglomerular feedback

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have suggested that nitric oxide (NO) produced within cells of the macula densa (MD) modulates tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF). We tested the hypothesis that NO produced in the MD acts locally as an autacoid to activate soluble guanylate cyclase and cGMP-dependent protein kinase in the MD itself.

METHODS

Rabbit afferent arterioles (Af-Arts) and attached MD were simultaneously microperfused in vitro. The TGF response was determined by measuring the Af-Art diameter before and after increasing NaCl in the MD perfusate (from 17 mmol/L of Na and 2 of Cl to 65 mmol/L of Na and 50 of Cl). TGF was studied before (control TGF) and after inhibiting components of the NO-cGMP-dependent cascade in the tubular or vascular compartment.

RESULTS

Increasing NaCl concentration in the MD perfusate decreased the Af-Art diameter by 3.2 +/- 0.5 microm (from 18.5 +/- 1.3 to 15.4 +/- 1.3 microm, P < 0.001). Adding a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor (LY83583) to the MD increased TGF response to 6.3 +/- 1.1 microm (P < 0.031 vs. control TGF). Similarly, when cGMP-dependent protein kinase was inhibited with KT5823, TGF was augmented from 2.6 +/- 0.3 to 4.0 +/- 0.7 microm (P < 0.023). An analogue of cGMP in the MD reversed the TGF-potentiating effect of both 7-nitroindazole (7NI; an nNOS inhibitor) and LY83583. Inhibition of MD guanylate cyclase did not alter the effect of acetylcholine (a NO-cGMP-dependent vasodilator) on the Af-Art. Perfusing the Af-Art with the guanylate cyclase inhibitor did not potentiate TGF, suggesting that the effect of NO occurred at the MD via a cGMP-dependent mechanism. To determine whether the effect of NO in the MD was entirely mediated by cGMP, TGF was studied after giving (1) LY83583 or (2) LY83583 plus 7NI. Adding the nNOS inhibitor to the MD did not potentiate the TGF response further.

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded the following: (1) NO produced by the MD inhibits TGF via stimulation of soluble guanylate cyclase, generating cGMP and activating cGMP-dependent protein kinase; (2) NO acts on the MD itself rather than by diffusing to the Af-Art; and (3) most, if not all, of the effect of NO in the MD is due to a cGMP-dependent mechanism rather than to other NO mediators.

Upregulation of p67(phox) and gp91(phox) in aortas from angiotensin II-infused mice

Although NAD(P)H oxidase-derived superoxide (O(2)(-)) is increased during the development of angiotensin II (ANG II)-dependent hypertension, vascular regulation at the protein level has not been reported. We have shown that four major components of NAD(P)H oxidase are located primarily in the vascular adventitia as a primary source of vascular O(2)(-). Here we compare vascular levels of O(2)(-) and NAD(P)H oxidase in normotensive and ANG II-infused hypertensive mice and show that, after 7 days of ANG II infusion (750 microg. kg(-1). day(-1) ip) in C57B1/6 mice, systolic blood pressure was increased compared with that after sham infusion, concomitant with increased O(2)(-) in the thoracic aorta as measured using lucigenin (25 microM)-enhanced chemiluminescence. Both p67(phox) and gp91(phox) were detectable by Western blotting in aortic homogenates, and we observed increased protein levels of NAD(P)H oxidase subunits. These ANG II-induced increases were normalized by simultaneous treatment with the AT(1) receptor antagonist losartan. Moreover, the primary location of these subunits was the adventitia as detected immunohistochemically. Our results suggest that ANG II-induced increases in O(2)(-) are due to increased adventitial NAD(P)H oxidase activity, brought about by the heightened expression and interaction of its components.

Effects of ACE inhibitor, AT1 antagonist, and combined treatment in mice with heart failure

We tested the hypothesis that a combination of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) and angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist (AT1-ant) may have an additive cardioprotective effect in mice with heart failure (HF), because these two agents could have other mechanisms of action besides interrupting the renin-angiotensin system. ACEi prevent degradation of bradykinin. During treatment with AT1-ant, increased angiotensin II could activate AT2 receptors, with an antitrophic effect. To test this hypothesis, we used a mouse model of HF induced by myocardial infarction. Seven days after surgery, mice were divided into six groups and treated for 23 weeks: (a) sham ligation; (b) HF-vehicle; (c) HF-ACEi; (d) HF-AT1-ant; (e) HF-ACEi + AT1-ant (half dose of each); and (f) HF-ACEi + AT1-ant (full dose of each). Cardiac function was evaluated in conscious mice during the treatment period. The HF-vehicle group showed significantly decreased left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF), shortening fraction (SF), and cardiac output (CO) and increased LV dimensions, interstitial collagen, and myocyte cross-sectional area (MCSA) compared with controls. Treatment with ACEi or AT1-ant significantly increased EF, SF, and CO and decreased LV dimensions and MCSA in mice with HF. However, a combination of these drugs did not improve cardiac function more than ACEi or AT1-ant alone. We concluded that ACEi and AT1-ant have similar cardioprotective effects and may reach maximal effect when given individually; thus no further improvement can be achieved with combined therapy in mice with HF.

Chronic cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition blunts low sodium-stimulated renin without changing renal haemodynamics

BACKGROUND

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), the inducible isoform of cyclooxygenase, is found in the macula densa of the renal cortex and is upregulated by dietary sodium restriction. Because of this discrete cortical localization, we hypothesized that COX-2 plays a role in the chronic stimulation of renin via the macula densa pathway.

METHODS

We examined the effect of the selective COX-2 inhibitor NS 398 in male Sprague-Dawley rats.

RESULTS

A low sodium diet (0.02% NaCl) for 14 days elevated plasma-renin activity (PRA) nine-fold, from 6.1 +/- 2.0 to 54.9 +/- 6.5 ng angiotensin I (Ang I)/ml per h (P < 0.0001). Selective COX-2 inhibition with NS 398 had no effect on PRA in animals on normal sodium (5.1 +/- 1.3 ng Ang I/ml per h), but decreased PRA by 41% in sodium-restricted rats, to 33.3 +/- 3.6 ng Ang I/ml per h (P < 0.05). Chronic treatment with NS 398 did not decrease renal renin content (31.8 +/- 1.8 versus 33.5 +/- 2.6 ng Ang I/ mg per h, with NS 398 versus controls), nor did it influence systemic blood pressure or renal haemodynamics. Neither urinary sodium excretion nor prostaglandin (PG)E2 excretion was altered in rats given NS 398. Chronic treatment with the non-selective COX inhibitor indomethacin during sodium restriction over 5 days reduced PRA by 35%, from 29.36 +/- 4.81, to 19.13 +/- 2.88 ng Ang I/ml per h (P < 0.05). Indomethacin had no effect on blood pressure or renal blood flow but reduced urinary PGE2 excretion by 70%.

CONCLUSIONS

One component of the chronic stimulation of PRA by dietary sodium restriction via the macula densa pathway appears to involve the induction of COX-2.

Cardiac interstitial bradykinin release during ischemia is enhanced by ischemic preconditioning

Ischemic preconditioning is known to protect the myocardium from ischemia-reperfusion injury. We examined the transmural release of bradykinin during myocardial ischemia and the influence of ischemic preconditioning on bradykinin release during subsequent myocardial ischemia. Myocardial ischemia was induced by occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery in anesthetized cats. Cardiac microdialysis was performed by implantation and perfusion of dialysis probes in the epicardium and endocardium. In eight animals, bradykinin release was greater in the endocardium than in the epicardium (14.4 +/- 2.8 vs. 7.3 +/- 1.7 ng/ml, P < 0.05) during 30 min of ischemia. In seven animals subjected to preconditioning, myocardial bradykinin release was potentiated significantly from 2.4 +/- 0.6 ng/ml during the control period to 23.1 +/- 2.5 ng/ml during 30 min of myocardial ischemia compared with the non-preconditioning group (from 2.7 +/- 0.6 to 13.4 +/- 1.9 ng/ml, P < 0.05, n = 6). Thus this study provides further evidence that transmural gradients of bradykinin are produced during ischemia. The results also suggest that ischemic preconditioning enhances bradykinin release in the myocardial interstitial fluid during subsequent ischemia, which is likely one of the mechanisms of cardioprotection of ischemic preconditioning.

Role of kinins in chronic heart failure and in the therapeutic effect of ACE inhibitors in kininogen-deficient rats

Using Brown Norway Katholiek (BNK) rats, which are deficient in kininogen (kinin precursor) due to a mutation in the kininogen gene, we examined the role of endogenous kinins in 1) normal cardiac function; 2) myocardial infarction (MI) caused by coronary artery ligation; 3) cardiac remodeling in the development of heart failure (HF) after MI; and 4) the cardioprotective effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) on HF after MI. Two months after MI, rats were randomly treated with vehicle or the ACEI ramipril for 2 mo. Brown Norway rats (BN), which have normal kininogen, were used as controls. Left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), end-diastolic pressure (EDP), and ejection fraction (EF) as well as myocardial infarct size (IS), interstitial collagen fraction (ICF), cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area (MCA), and oxygen diffusion distance (ODD) were measured. We found that 1) cardiac hemodynamics, function, and histology were the same in sham-ligated BN and BNK rats; 2) IS was similar in BN and BNK; 3) in rats with HF treated with vehicle, the decrease in LVEF and the increase in LVEDV, LVESV, LVEDP, ICF, MCA, and ODD did not differ between BNK and BN; and 4) ACEI increased EF, decreased LVEDV and LVESV, and improved cardiac remodeling in BN-HF rats, and these effects were partially blocked by the bradykinin B(2) receptor antagonist icatibant (HOE-140). In BNK-HF rats, ACEI failed to produce these beneficial cardiac effects. We concluded that in rats, lack of kinins does not influence regulation of normal cardiac function, myocardial infarct size, or development of HF; however, kinins appear to play an important role in the cardioprotective effect of ACEI, since 1) this effect was significantly diminished in kininogen-deficient rats and 2) it was blocked by a B(2) kinin receptor antagonist in BN rats.

Centrally produced neuronal nitric oxide in the control of baroreceptor reflex sensitivity and blood pressure in normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats

We studied the effect of chronic nitric oxide synthase (NOS) blockade in the brain on mean arterial pressure [MAP (mmHg)], heart rate [HR (bpm)] and baroreceptor reflex sensitivity [BRS (mean slope: bpm/mmHg)] in Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of the nonselective NOS inhibitor N-Nitro-L-arginine-methylester (L-NAME) (50 microg/kg per day, 11-12 days) increased MAP in WKY and SHR (125+/-2.1 vs 118+/-1.1 controls, P<0.01 and 179+/-3.59 vs 156+/-4.0 controls, P<0.001, respectively) without affecting HR. In L-NAME-treated WKY, BRS to bradycardia was suppressed (-0.79+/-0.09 vs -1.76+/-0.17 controls, P=0.001), whereas in SHR, L-NAME did not affect BRS to bradycardia. BRS to tachycardia remained unaffected in either strain. In WKY, 7-nitroindazole (7-NI x Na+) (34 microg i.c.v./kg per day, 11-12 days), a selective nNOS inhibitor, did not affect MAP or HR, but BRS to bradycardia and tachycardia was decreased (-0.37+/-0.20 vs -0.97+/-0.41 controls, P<0.01 and -1.78+/-0.20 vs -2.52+/-0.40 controls, P=0.05, respectively). In SHR, the same dose of 7-NI x Na+ increased resting MAP (171+/-5.00 vs 150+/-7.00 controls, P<0.05) without affecting HR or BRS to bradycardia or tachycardia. Thus in WKY, BRS to acute changes in systemic blood pressure (BP) is regulated by NO produced by nNOS in the brain, serving as a neurotransmitter in sympathetic and parasympathetic efferent pathways. In SHR, systemic BP is regulated in part by NO released by the type I NOS isoenzyme in the brain.

Echocardiographic assessment of cardiac function in conscious and anesthetized mice

Using a high-frequency linear transducer (15L8), we studied 1) the feasibility of performing echocardiography in nonanesthetized mice compared with mice given pentobarbital sodium (Pento) or a mixture of ketamine and xylazine and 2) the feasibility of echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, dilatation, and function in mice with two-kidney, one-clip hypertension or myocardial infarction (MI). Heart rate (HR) in awake mice was 658 +/- 9 beats/min; Pento and ketamine plus xylazine reduced HR to 377 +/- 11 and 293 +/- 19 beats/min, respectively, associated with a significant decrease in shortening fraction (SF), ejection fraction (EF), and cardiac output (CO) and an increase in LV end-diastolic (LVEDD) and end-systolic dimensions (LVESD). Mice with 4 wk of two-kidney, one-clip hypertension had increased LV mass (15.62 +/- 0. 62 vs. 22.17 +/- 1.79 mg) without altered LV dimensions, SF, EF, or CO. Mice studied 4 wk post-MI exhibited obvious LV dilatation and systolic dysfunction, as evidenced by increased LVEDD and LVESD and decreased SF, EF, and CO. Our findings clearly show the adverse impact of anesthesia on basal cardiac function and the difficulty in interpreting data obtained from anesthetized mice. We believe this is the first study to demonstrate the feasibility of using echocardiography to assess cardiovascular function in the nonanesthetized mouse.

Reactive oxygen species: role in the relaxation induced by bradykinin or arachidonic acid via EDHF in isolated porcine coronary arteries

Although endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) is thought to be a cytochrome P-450 product (arachidonic acid metabolite) in some tissues, in porcine coronary arteries (PCAs) its nature remains unclear. Because phospholipase A2 and C are involved in the synthesis and/or release of EDHF in the PCA, the arachidonic acid (AA) pathway may be involved. In the presence of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (10(-5) M) and the NOS inhibitor Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 10(-4) M), both bradykinin (BK; 10(-9)-10(-6) M) and AA (10(-7)-10(-4) M) induced dose-dependent relaxation of PGF2alpha-contracted PCA rings, which was blocked by a high extracellular concentration of KCl (30 mM) or pretreatment with ouabain, a Na+/K+-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) inhibitor (5 x 10(-7) M). Eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA; 20 microM), which inhibits all AA pathways, slightly affected the response to BK and AA; however, lipoxygenase or cytochrome P-450 inhibitors had no effect, suggesting that relaxation is independent of these enzymatic pathways. Because endothelial cells can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) via metabolism of AA and independent of cyclooxygenase activity, we also studied (a) whether ROS can relax the PCA, as well as the mechanism(s) involved, and (b) the role of ROS in BK- and AA-induced relaxation. Xanthine (X; 100 microM) plus xanthine oxidase (XO; 0.02 U/ml) induced time-dependent relaxation of PGF2alpha-contracted PCA rings in the presence of indomethacin and L-NAME. Dilatation was not affected by superoxide dismutase (SOD; 500 U/ml) but was abolished by catalase (300 U/ml), suggesting that hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is involved. When rings were contracted by depolarizing them with 30 mM KCl, X/XO failed to elicit relaxation. Ouabain abolished the response to X/XO, suggesting that X/XO may induce relaxation by hyperpolarizing vascular smooth muscle cells via stimulation of the Na+/K+-ATPase pump. We therefore questioned whether ROS might be involved in BK- and AA-induced relaxation. Because catalase combined with SOD had little or no effect, we concluded that in the PCA, the relaxation induced by BK via EDHF involves some mechanism independent of NO, AA metabolism, or ROS.

Role of nitric oxide in the control of cardiac oxygen consumption in B(2)-kinin receptor knockout mice

The aim of this study was to determine whether bradykinin, the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor ramiprilat, and the calcium-channel antagonist amlodipine reduce myocardial oxygen consumption (MV(O2)) via a B(2)-kinin receptor/nitric oxide-dependent mechanism. Left ventricular free wall and septum were isolated from normal and B(2)-kinin receptor knockout (B(2) -/-) mice. Myocardial tissue oxygen consumption was measured in an airtight chamber with a Clark-type oxygen electrode. Baseline MV(O2) was not significantly different between normal (239+/-13 nmol of O(2). min(-1). g(-1)) and B(2) -/- (263+/-24 nmol of O(2). min(-1). g(-1)) mice. S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine (10(-7) to 10(-4) mol/L) reduced oxygen consumption in a concentration-dependent manner in both normal (maximum, 36+/-3%) and B(2) -/- mice (28+/-3%). This was also true for the endothelium-dependent vasodilator substance P (10(-10) to 10(-7) mol/L; 22+/-7% in normal mice and 20+/-4% in B(2) -/- mice). Bradykinin (10(-7) to 10(-4) mol/L), ramiprilat (10(-7) to 10(-4) mol/L), and amlodipine (10(-7) to 10(-5) mol/L) all caused concentration-dependent decreases in MV(O2)in normal mice. At the highest concentration, tissue O(2) consumption was decreased by 18+/-3%, 20+/-5%, and 28+/-3%, respectively. The reduction in MV(O2) to all 3 drugs was attenuated in the presence of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester. However, in the B(2) -/- mice, bradykinin, ramiprilat, and amlodipine had virtually no effect on MV(O2). Therefore, nitric oxide, through a bradykinin-receptor-dependent mechanism, regulates cardiac oxygen consumption. This physiological mechanism is absent in B(2) -/- mice and may be evidence of an important therapeutic mechanism of action of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and amlodipine.

Endothelial nitric oxide gene knockout mice: cardiac phenotypes and the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury

We tested the hypothesis that nitric oxide (NO) released by endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) is not only important in blood pressure regulation but also involved in cardiac function and remodeling and in the cardioprotective effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi). With the use of a 2D Doppler echocardiography system equipped with a 15-MHz linear transducer, we evaluated left ventricular (LV) morphology and function in conscious eNOS knockout mice (eNOS(-/-); n=15) and their wild-type littermates (eNOS(+/+); n=16). We also studied whether in eNOS(-/-) mice (1) myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury is more severe and (2) the cardioprotective effect of ACEi is diminished or absent. In comparison with the wild type, eNOS(-/-) mice had significantly increased systolic blood pressure (128+/-3 versus 108+/-5 mm Hg; P<0.001) and decreased heart rate (531+/-22 versus 629+/-18 bpm; P<0.001) associated with increased LV posterior wall thickness (0.80+/-0.04 versus 0.64+/-0.02 mm; P<0.001) and LV mass (18.3+/-0.9 versus 13.1+/-0.5 mg/10 g body weight; P<0.01). Despite hypertension and LV hypertrophy, LV chamber dimension, shortening fraction and ejection fraction (indicators of LV contractility), and cardiac output did not differ between the 2 strains, which indicates that LV function in eNOS(-/-) mice is well compensated. We also found that in eNOS(+/+) mice, ACEi decreased the ratio of myocardial infarct size to area at risk from 62.7+/-3.9% to 36.3+/-1.6% (P<0. 001), whereas in eNOS(-/-) mice this effect of ACEi was almost abolished: the ratio of myocardial infarct size to area at risk was 67.2+/-2.9% in the vehicle-treated group and 62.7+/-3.9% in mice treated with ACEi. Moreover, infarct size in vehicle-treated eNOS(-/-) mice was not significantly different from eNOS(+/+) mice given the same treatment. We concluded that (1) endothelium-derived NO plays an important role in the regulation of blood pressure homeostasis; (2) NO released under basal conditions has no significant impact on cardiac function; and (3) ACEi protect the heart against ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice and that this effect is mediated in part by endothelium-derived NO.

An enhanced effect of arginine vasopressin in bradykinin B2 receptor null mutant mice

Under water restriction, arginine vasopressin (AVP) is released and promotes water reabsorption in the distal nephron, mainly through AVP V2-receptors. It has been proposed that renal kinins counteract the hydro-osmotic effect of AVP. We hypothesized that kinins acting through B2 receptors antagonize the urinary concentrating effect of AVP. To test this, bradykinin B2 receptor knockout mice (B2-KO) and 129/SvEv mice (controls) were placed in metabolic cages and urine collected for 24 hours (water ad libitum). After that, urine was again collected from the same mice during 24 hours of water restriction. Urinary volume (UV), urinary osmolarity (UOsm), and urinary Na+ (UNaV) and K+ (UKV) excretion were determined. On water restriction, UV in controls decreased by approximately 25%, whereas in B2-KO mice there was almost a 60% drop in urinary output (P=0.001 versus controls). In the controls, water restriction increased UOsm by 347 mOsm/kg H2O, approximately 14% above baseline (NS), whereas in knockout mice the increase was 3 times that seen in the controls: >1000 mOsm/kg H2O (P=0.001 versus controls). Compared with normohydration, UNaV and UKV in the water-restricted state increased more in controls than in B2-KO mice. This difference in electrolyte excretion could be explained by greater dehydration in the controls (dehydration natriuresis). In a second protocol, we tried to mimic the effect of endogenous AVP by exogenous administration of an AVP V2-receptor agonist, desmopressin (DDAVP). To suppress endogenous AVP levels before DDAVP administration, mice were volume-overloaded with dextrose and alcohol. UOsm was 685+/-125 and 561+/-58 mOsm/kg H2O in water-loaded controls and B2-KO mice, respectively. After DDAVP was injected subcutaneously at a dose of 1 microgram/kg, UOsm increased to 1175+/-86 mOsm/kg H2O (Delta+490 mOsm) in the controls and 2347+/-518 mOsm/kg H2O (Delta+1786 mOsm) in B2-KO mice (P<0.05 versus controls). We concluded that water restriction or exogenous administration of an AVP V2-receptor agonist has a greater urinary concentrating effect in B2-KO mice than in controls, suggesting that endogenous kinins acting through B2 receptors oppose the antidiuretic effect of AVP in vivo.

Reduction of myocardial infarct size by inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase

The inducible nitric oxide synthase isoform (iNOS) is upregulated by cytokines and endotoxins in many types of cells, including cardiac myocytes. Nitric oxide (NO) induced by cytokines can be cytotoxic, and has been implicated in the pathophysiology of myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, and septic shock. To examine the role of iNOS in the ischemic myocardium, we studied: 1) the time course of expression of iNOS mRNA after myocardial infarction (MI) in male Sprague-Dawley rat hearts and expression of iNOS protein in the infarcted region; 2) whether hypoxia in vitro is a potential mediator of the induction of iNOS mRNA; and 3) whether inhibition of iNOS by two different selective inhibitors (aminoguanidine and S-methylisothiourea sulfate) in vivo influences infarct size. Myocardial infarction was induced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), and tissue was collected at selected times thereafter from both ligated and sham-operated rats. iNOS mRNA was induced in the infarcted region of the left ventricle for 7 days; iNOS protein was also detected in the infarcted area. We next tested whether hypoxia would induce iNOS in vitro. In cultured neonatal ventricular myocytes, iNOS mRNA was slightly induced by 6 to 24 h of hypoxia; however, iNOS protein was only detected when the cytokine interleukin-1beta was present. To study whether iNOS activity contributed to myocardial damage (eg, infarct size), we administered the first dose of the NOS inhibitors 24 h before LAD occlusion and then a second dose after surgery. Inhibition of iNOS activity with aminoguanidine reduced infarct size by 20% but had no effect on infiltration by neutrophils, whereas the more selective inhibitor S-methylisothiourea sulfate reduced infarct size by 41%. These data suggest that NO derived from the iNOS isoform contributes to some of the myocardial injury following MI, possibly by causing myocardial cell death in areas bordering the ischemic region of the heart.

Effect of ACE inhibitor on DOCA-salt- and aortic coarctation-induced hypertension in mice: do kinin B2 receptors play a role?

Kinins have been shown to play an important role in the cardioprotective effect of ACE inhibitors (ACEi) during heart failure and ischemia-reperfusion. However, it is controversial as to whether kinins oppose the hypertensinogenic effect of deoxycorticosterone acetate plus salt (DOCA-salt) or aortic coarctation and whether they mediate both chronic antihypertensive and cardiac antihypertrophic effects of ACEi in hypertension. Using normal 129/SvEvTac mice and mice lacking the bradykinin B2 receptor gene (B2-KO), we investigated whether (1) the hypertensinogenic effect of DOCA-salt or aortic coarctation is enhanced in B2-KO mice and (2) the chronic antihypertensive and antihypertrophic effects of an ACEi (ramipril, 4 mg. kg-1. d-1) are mediated by B2 receptors in aortic coarctation (6 weeks)- and DOCA-salt (4 weeks)-induced hypertension. Before surgery, there was no difference between 129/SvEvTac and B2-KO mice in terms of blood pressure and heart weight, suggesting that kinins are not essential to maintaining normal blood pressure. DOCA-salt (volume expansion) or aortic coarctation (renin-dependent) induced similar hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in 129/SvEvTac and B2-KO mice, suggesting that kinins do not play an essential role in the development of DOCA-salt- or aortic coarctation-induced hypertension. We found that B2 receptors mediate only the early (1 week) but not the late phase (4 weeks) of the chronic hypotensive effect of ACEi in DOCA-salt hypertension. On the other hand, chronic ACE inhibition prevented the development of hypertension and LVH in both 129/SvEvTac and B2-KO mice given DOCA-salt or subjected to aortic coarctation, suggesting that kinins do not participate in the chronic antihypertensive and antihypertrophic effects of ACEi in these 2 models of hypertension. Thus, in mice, kinins acting via B2 receptors do not participate in (1) maintenance of normal basal blood pressure, (2) establishment and maintenance of hypertension induced by DOCA-salt or aortic coarctation, and (3) chronic antihypertensive and cardiac antihypertrophic effects of ACEi in DOCA-salt and aortic coarctation hypertension.

Role of nNOS in blood pressure regulation in eNOS null mutant mice

The role of neural nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in regulating blood pressure (BP) remains uncertain. Recently it was reported that in mice lacking functional endothelial NOS (eNOS) genes (-/-), acute administration of a nonselective NOS inhibitor, Nw-nitro-L-arginine, decreased mean BP, suggesting that NO released by non-eNOS isoforms increases BP. Because the inducible NOS isoform is not constitutively expressed and when induced causes hypotension, we hypothesize that it is NO produced by nNOS that increases BP in the absence of eNOS activity. To test this hypothesis, we studied the acute effect of selective and nonselective nNOS inhibitors on BP and cerebellar NOS activity in eNOS (-/-), wild-type (+/+), and heterozygous (+/-) mice as well as in +/+ mice with renovascular hypertension. Because it is not known whether the decrease in BP caused by acute NOS inhibition in -/- mice can occur chronically, we also studied the effect of chronic NOS inhibition on both BP and cerebellar NOS activity. eNOS (-/-) mice had higher BP than +/+ or +/-mice, and acute administration of the selective nNOS inhibitor 7-nitroindazole (7-NI) decreased their mean BP from 137+/-13 to 124+/-12 mm Hg (P<0.01). In +/+, +/-, or renovascular hypertensive +/+ mice, 7-NI caused a small but insignificant rise from 105+/-5 to 110+/-6 mm Hg, from 115+/-9 to 119+/-13 mm Hg, and from 146+/-6 to 150+/-6 mm Hg, respectively. Fifteen minutes after administration of 7-NI, cerebellar NOS activity decreased by 70%; however, this inhibitory effect was brief, since 2 hours after 7-NI administration NOS returned toward control values. Chronic oral or intraperitoneal administration of 7-NI did not inhibit cerebellar NOS activity, whereas the nonselective NOS inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) decreased this activity by 50%. Therefore, we studied the effect of chronic L-NAME administration (4 weeks) on BP. In -/- mice, chronic L-NAME administration decreased BP from 135+/-4 to 120+/-3 mm Hg (P<0.05), whereas in +/+ and +/-mice, as expected, it increased BP from 109+/-2 to 125+/-3 mm Hg (P<0.001) and from 107+/-6 to 119+/-5 mm Hg (P<0.02), respectively. After L-NAME administration was stopped, BP returned to baseline. These results suggest that in eNOS -/- mice, NO derived from nNOS increases BP both acutely and chronically.

Biphasic effect of bradykinin on rabbit afferent arterioles

Bradykinin plays an important role in the regulation of renal hemodynamics. However, there have been few studies of the effect of bradykinin on isolated afferent arterioles, vascular segments that are important for the regulation of renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate. Our purpose was to study (1) the effects of bradykinin on isolated perfused rabbit afferent arterioles and (2) the mechanisms of actions. Afferent arterioles dissected from rabbits were perfused in vitro at 60 mm Hg. In afferent arterioles preconstricted with phenylephrine, 10(-12) to 10(-10) mol/L bradykinin increased luminal diameter from 9.0+/-1.0 to 14.3+/-1.2 microm (P<0.003). In contrast, 10(-9) and 10(-8) mol/L bradykinin decreased luminal diameter to 10.8+/-1.4 and 9.7+/-1.2 microm, respectively (P<0.001). Bradykinin added to the bath had no effect on preconstricted afferent arterioles. The addition of [des-Arg9]-bradykinin (10(-9) and 10(-8) mol/L), a B1 receptor agonist, to the lumen decreased diameter from 9.7+/-1.2 to 6.7+/-1.2 microm at 10(-8) mol/L (P<0.002). Icatibant (Hoe 140), a B2 receptor antagonist, blocked both the vasodilation and vasoconstriction induced by bradykinin as well as the vasoconstriction induced by [des-Arg9]-bradykinin. L-NAME had no effect on bradykinin-induced dilation or constriction. Indomethacin blocked both the dilation induced by 10(-12) to 10(-10) mol/L bradykinin and the constriction induced by 10(-9) to 10(-8) mol/L bradykinin. In fact, in the presence of indomethacin, 10(-9) and 10(-8) mol/L bradykinin increased luminal diameter from 6.2+/-0.7 to 10.7+/-0.6 microm at 10(-8) mol/L (P<0.001), which was attenuated by L-NAME. Finally, in the presence of SQ29548, a prostaglandin H2/thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist, bradykinin caused dilation at all concentrations tested. In conclusion, bradykinin has a biphasic effect on afferent arterioles. Both dilation and constriction may be mediated by bradykinin B2 receptors. The mechanisms of vasodilation and vasoconstriction are due to cyclooxygenase products, not nitric oxide.

Linoleic acid induces relaxation and hyperpolarization of the pig coronary artery

Linoleic acid, a polyunsaturated C18 fatty acid, is one of the major fatty acids in the coronary arterial wall. Although diets rich in linoleic acid reduce blood pressure and prevent coronary artery disease in both humans and animals, very little is known about its mechanism of action. We believed that its beneficial effects might be mediated by changes in vascular tone. We investigated whether linoleic acid induces relaxation of porcine coronary artery rings and the mechanism involved in this process. Linoleic acid and two of its metabolites, 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (13-HODE) and 13-hydroperoxyoctadecadienoic acid (13-HPODE), induced dose-dependent relaxation of prostaglandin (PG) F2alpha-precontracted rings that was not affected by indomethacin (10[-5] mol/L), a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, or cinnamyl-3,4-dihydroxy-alpha-cyanocinnamate (CDC; 10[-5] mol/L), a lipoxygenase inhibitor. Removal of endothelial cells had no effect on vasorelaxation, suggesting a direct effect on the vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). When rings were contracted with KCl, linoleic acid failed to induce relaxation. Although tetrabutylammonium (5 x 10[-3] mol/L), a nonselective K+ channel blocker, slightly inhibited the relaxation caused by linoleic acid, glibenclamide (10[-6] mol/L), an ATP-sensitive K+ channel blocker, and charybdotoxin (7.5x10[-8] mol/L) or tetraethylammonium (5x10[-3] mol/L), two different Ca2+-activated K+ channel blockers, had no effect. However, relaxation was completely blocked by ouabain (5x10[-7] mol/L), a Na+/K+-ATPase inhibitor, or by a K+-free solution. In addition, linoleic acid (10[-6] mol/L) caused sustained hyperpolarization of porcine coronary VSMC (from -49.5+/-2.0 to -60.7+/-4.2 mV), which was also abolished by ouabain. We concluded that linoleic acid induces relaxation and hyperpolarization of porcine coronary VSMC via a mechanism that involves activation of the Na+/K+-ATPase pump.

Heterogeneity of angiotensin action in renal circulation

Reported concentrations of angiotensin II (Ang II) in renal interstitial fluid are as high as 10 nM. Despite such high concentrations, intrarenal arterial infusion of Ang II at rates that induce far less change in renal Ang II concentration still elicits renal vasoconstriction. We examined whether the glomerular afferent arterioles (Af-Art) was more sensitive to intraluminal than extraluminal Ang II in superficial or juxtamedullary nephrons. Rat superficial Af-Arts with the intact glomerulus were microdissected and perfused in vitro at 70 mmHg, while juxtamedullary Af-Arts were visualized in isolated perfused kidneys (at 100 mm Hg) according to the method of Casellas and Navar. Increasing doses of Ang II (1 pM to 10 nM) or norepinephrine (NE; 1 nM to 1 microM) were added to either bath (extraluminal) or arteriolar perfusate (intraluminal). Decreases in luminal diameter induced by Ang II were significantly larger with intraluminal than extraluminal administration in superficial Af-Art: at 100 pM the diameter decreased by 52 +/- 8% (N = 6) and 7 +/- 3% with intraluminal and extraluminal administration, respectively. In contrast, in the juxtamedullary Af-Arts intraluminal and extraluminal Ang II caused similar constriction. On the other hand, there was no difference in intraluminal versus extraluminal NE action in either superficial or juxtamedullary nephrons. In conclusion, glomerular Af-Arts seem to have a higher sensitivity to luminal than interstitial Ang II in superficial but not juxtamedullary nephrons. Such heterogeneities in Ang II action may be important in the control of glomerular hemodynamics under various physiological and pathological conditions.

Autacoids mediate coronary vasoconstriction induced by nitric oxide synthesis inhibition

Inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis results in coronary vasoconstriction. Using a Langendorff rat heart preparation, we tested the hypothesis that this vasoconstriction is caused by the unopposed effect of the autacoids prostaglandin H2 (PGH2) or thromboxane A2 (TxA2) or both through a mechanism that involves oxygen free radicals. The vasoconstriction induced by NO synthesis inhibition was studied with two different NO synthase inhibitors, N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and N(omega)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA). We found that the decrease in coronary flow (CF) induced by L-NAME (from 19.3 +/- 0.9 to 13.2 +/- 0.9 ml/min; p < 0.001) and L-NMMA (from 20.1 +/- 0.4 to 15.0 +/- 0.3 ml/min; p < 0.001) was completely blocked by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. A different cyclooxygenase inhibitor (ibuprofen), a PGH2/TxA2-receptor antagonist (SQ29548), and a TxA2 synthase inhibitor (CGS 13080) also completely abolished the vasoconstrictor effect of L-NAME, suggesting that this vasoconstriction is mediated by TxA2. Two different scavengers of superoxide radical anions (O2-), the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) and a cell-permeable SOD mimic, 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (Tempol), also blocked the vasoconstriction induced by NO synthesis inhibition. In contrast, catalase, which inactivates hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), failed to do so, indicating that O2- is needed for the vasoconstrictor effect of L-NAME, whereas H2O2 is not. To determine whether O2- acts on the conversion of PGH2 to TxA2 or at the receptor or postreceptor level, we studied whether the vasoconstriction induced by exogenous PGH2 or the TxA2 receptor agonist U46619 is blocked by scavengers of O2-. CF decreased by 50% with PGH2 (from 21 +/- 2.1 to 10.6 +/- 5.8 ml/min; p < 0.01), and this decrease was abolished by SOD and Tempol but not catalase. However, SOD had no effect on the vasoconstriction induced by U46619, which decreased CF by 45% (from 17.3 +/- 2.5 to 9.5 +/- 1.8 ml/min; p < 0.01). In addition, PGH2 increased the release of TxB2 (the stable metabolite of TxA2) in the coronary effluent (from 5.1 +/- 1.2 to 136.1 +/- 11.8 pg/ml/min). The release of TxB2 was significantly lower in hearts treated with SOD (76.8 +/- 14.2 pg/ml/min) and CGS (65.7 +/- 13.9 pg/ml/min). We conclude that the coronary vasoconstriction induced by inhibition of NO synthesis is the result of the unopposed effect of the autacoid TxA2 through activation of its receptor, and that O2- is necessary for conversion of PGH2 to TxA2.

Role of kinins in the cardioprotective effect of preconditioning: study of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in B2 kinin receptor knockout mice and kininogen-deficient rats

Kinins acting on the B2 receptor appear to be involved in the cardioprotective effect of preconditioning on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. We tested the hypothesis that in mice lacking the gene encoding for the B2 kinin receptor (B2 knockout mice; B2-KO) as well as in rats deficient in high-molecular-weight (HMW) kininogen (Brown Norway Katholiek rats; BNK), the cardioprotective effect of preconditioning is diminished or abolished. 129SvEvTac (SV129) mice and Brown Norway rats (BN) served as controls. We confirmed that plasma HMW kininogen in BNK rats was 100-fold lower than in BN and 140-fold lower than in Sprague-Dawley rats (33+/-4 versus 1814+/-253 and 2397+/-302 ng/mL, P<.01). Each strain of mice was divided into (1) controls (without preconditioning); (2) one cycle of preconditioning (3 minutes ligation and 5 minutes reperfusion); and (3) three cycles of preconditioning. Each strain of rats was divided into (1) controls; and (2) three cycles of preconditioning. All animals were subjected to 30 minutes of ischemia and 120 minutes of reperfusion. In SV129 controls, the ratio of infarct size to risk area (IS/AR) was 55.6+/-4.6%. One and three cycles of preconditioning reduced IS/AR to 38.6+/-3.2% and 31.1+/-2.3%, respectively (P<.05 and P<.01 versus control). This protective effect was absent in B2-KO mice: IS/AR was 54.8+/-2.9% in controls, 58.5+/-3.6% with one cycle of preconditioning, and 58.5+/-3.4% with three cycles. In BN rats without preconditioning, IS/AR was 84.7+/-3.9%; preconditioning reduced it to 61.6+/-3.4% (P<.01). In BNK rats, IS/AR was 87.1+/-4.8% in controls and 84.3+/-4.1% with preconditioning. Preconditioning also prevented reperfusion arrhythmias in BN but not BNK rats. Within species, risk area, mean blood pressure, and heart rate were similar between strains. We concluded that (1) preconditioning protects the heart against ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice and rats; (2) activation of prekallikrein, which in turn generates kinins from HMW kininogen, may contribute to the effect of preconditioning; and (3) an intact kallikrein-kinin system is necessary for the cardioprotective effect of preconditioning.

Role of nitric oxide in the control of glomerular microcirculation

1. Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in the control of glomerular haemodynamics and is synthesized from the amino acid L-arginine by a family of enzymes, NO synthase (NOS). 2. Nitric oxide synthase is present in the endothelium and also in the macula densa, a plaque of specialized tubular epithelial cells. Endothelial NOS is known to be stimulated by shear stress and hormones, while the factor that regulates the activity of macula densa NOS remains undefined. 3. Studies with the in vitro microperfusion of glomerular arterioles have shown that the constriction of afferent arterioles (Af-Art) induced by myogenic responses and angiotensin II (AngII) is stronger in the absence rather than in the presence of luminal flow. Furthermore, endothelial disruption or NOS inhibition abolishes such differences, suggesting that flow through the lumen stimulates the endothelium to synthesize and release NO, which in turn attenuates both the myogenic response and the action of AngII in the Af-Art. 4. In contrast, NOS inhibitors have no effect on efferent arteriolar (Ef-Art) constriction induced by AngII. 5. In preparations in which Af-Art and the macula densa are simultaneously microperfused, selective inhibition of macula densa NOS has been shown to augment Af-Art constriction when the NaCl concentration at the macula densa is high, suggesting that the macula densa produces NO, which in turn modulates tubuloglomerular feedback. 6. Thus, the differential actions of NO in the Af-Art, Ef-Art and the macula densa may be important in the control of glomerular haemodynamics under various physiological and pathological conditions.

Tissue targeting of angiotensin peptides

Angiotensin II (Ang II) is an octapeptide generated by the sequential proteolytic action of renin and angiotensin converting enzyme on the glycoprotein angiotensinogen. While numerous mammalian tissues have been shown to express some or all of the components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), the function of most of these tissue RAS remains a matter of conjecture. To test for tissue-specific functions of Ang II and as an alternative to co-expressing all the components of RAS, we have engineered a fusion protein that leads to direct Ang II release within specific tissues. The angiotensin peptide is cleaved from the fusion protein within the secretory pathway by the ubiquitous endoprotease furin and is released from the cell by constitutive secretion. Direct injection of an expression vector encoding such a fusion protein into rat cardiac ventricles results in a highly localized expression of atrial natriuretic peptide mRNA (an angiotensin responsive marker of cardiac hypertrophy), demonstrating the utility of this approach for local targeting of mature peptides to tissues in animal models.

Effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonists in rats with heart failure. Role of kinins and angiotensin II type 2 receptors

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) improve cardiac function and remodeling and prolong survival in patients with heart failure (HF). Blockade of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) with an angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist (AT1-ant) may have a similar beneficial effect. In addition to inhibition of the RAS, ACEi may also act by inhibiting kinin destruction, whereas AT1-ant may block the RAS at the level of the AT1 receptor and activate the angiotensin II type 2 (AT2) receptor. Using a model of HF induced by myocardial infarction (MI) in rats, we studied the role of kinins in the cardioprotective effect of ACEi. We also investigated whether an AT1-ant has a similar effect and whether these effects are partly due to activation of the AT2 receptor. Two months after MI, rats were treated for 2 mo with: (a) vehicle; (b) the ACEi ramipril, with and without the B2 receptor antagonist icatibant (B2-ant); or (c) an AT1-ant with and without an AT2-antagonist (AT2-ant) or B2-ant. Vehicle-treated rats had a significant increase in left ventricular end-diastolic (LVEDV) and end-systolic volume (LVESV) as well as interstitial collagen deposition and cardiomyocyte size, whereas ejection fraction was decreased. Left ventricular remodeling and cardiac function were improved by the ACEi and AT1-ant. The B2-ant blocked most of the cardioprotective effect of the ACEi, whereas the effect of the AT1-ant was blocked by the AT2-ant. The decreases in LVEDV and LVESV caused by the AT1-ant were also partially blocked by the B2-ant. We concluded that (a) in HF both ACEi and AT1-ant have a cardioprotective effect, which could be due to either a direct action on the heart or secondary to altered hemodynamics, or both; and (b) the effect of the ACEi is mediated in part by kinins, whereas that of the AT1-ant is triggered by activation of the AT2 receptor and is also mediated in part by kinins. We speculate that in HF, blockade of AT1 receptors increases both renin and angiotensins; these angiotensins stimulate the AT2 receptor, which in turn may play an important role in the therapeutic effect of the AT1-ant via kinins and other autacoids.

Effect of neutral endopeptidase 24.11 inhibition on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury: the role of kinins

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) protect the heart against ischemia/reperfusion injury. Part of this cardioprotective effect may be mediated through kinins. Because kinins are also metabolized by neutral endopeptidase (NEP) 24.11 in vivo, we hypothesized that (a) inhibition of NEP-24.11 would afford cardioprotection similar to that of ACEi and potentiate the effect of ACEi; and (b) these effects are mediated by kinins or atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) or both. In Lewis inbred rats, the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was occluded for 30 min, followed by 120-min reperfusion. Immediately before reperfusion rats received vehicle, the ACEi ramiprilat, the NEP-24.11 inhibitor (NEPi) CGS24592, or both. To test whether the effect of NEPi could be suppressed by blocking kinins or ANP, the kinin-receptor antagonist icatibant or ANP antagonist HS-142-1 was administered before LAD occlusion. In controls, infarct size/risk area was 69 +/- 4%; NEPi reduced this to 24 +/- 4% (p < 0.001) and ramiprilat to 20 +/- 3% (P < 0.001). NEPi did not potentiate the effect of ramiprilat (infarct size/risk area, 18 +/- 4%). The protective effect of NEPi was blocked by icatibant; infarct size/risk area, 61 +/-4%, significantly larger than NEPi along (p < 0.001) but no different from controls. The effect of NEPi was slightly diminished by the ANP antagonist HS-142-1 (infarct size/risk area, 35 +/- 3%; NS vs. NEPi alone). Thus NEP-24.11 participates in catabolism of kinins in the heart; inhibition of NEP-24.11 may increases cardiac kinins, which are responsible for the cardioprotective effect of NEPi.

Chronic heart failure induced by coronary artery ligation in Lewis inbred rats

Rat models of heart failure (HF) secondary to myocardial infarction (MI) are useful in studying the progression of cardiac dysfunction and in testing therapeutic approaches. Sprague-Dawley rats are frequently used; however, this model is hampered by high mortality and a marked variability in infarct size and cardiac dysfunction, necessitating large numbers of rats and prolonged follow-up when studying the progression of dysfunction. In the present work, we developed a model of HF utilizing Lewis inbred rats. Ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery in Lewis rats produced more uniform and larger infarcts (40 +/- 1.7 vs. 28 +/- 2.3%; P < 0.001) and lower mortality (16 vs. 36%; P < 0.001) than in Sprague-Dawley rats. Using this rat model, we further studied the course of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and enlargement from 1 wk to 6 mo after MI with cineventriculography. LV end-systolic volume and end-diastolic volume were determined with the area-length method. LV ejection fraction ranged between 0.57 and 0.62 in control rats; after MI, it decreased significantly to 0.48 +/- 0.04 at 1 wk, 0.36 +/- 0.02 at 2 wk, 0.48 +/- 0.02 at 1 mo, 0.35 +/- 0.03 at 2 mo, 0.30 +/- 0.02 at 3 mo, 0.31 +/- 0.02 at 4 mo, and 0.24 +/- 0.02 at 6 mo (P < 0.001, MI vs. sham). LV end-diastolic volume in control rats ranged between 0.32 and 0.42 ml; it increased to 0.48 +/- 0.04 ml at 1 wk, 0.46 +/- 0.02 ml at 2 wk, and 0.46 +/- 0.03 ml at 1 mo. It markedly increased to 0.79 +/- 0.03, 0.79 +/- 0.06, 0.78 +/- 0.03, and 0.80 +/- 0.05 ml at 2, 3, 4, and 6 mo, respectively, after MI (P < 0.001 vs. sham). LV end-diastolic pressure was significantly elevated at all time points. Thus coronary ligation in Lewis inbred rats produces uniformly large infarcts with low mortality, progressive LV dysfunction, and increased LV chamber size. This model may be useful in studying chronic HF secondary to MI.

Effect of high salt intake in mutant mice lacking bradykinin-B2 receptors

Renal kinins release prostaglandins and nitric oxide via the B2 receptor, promoting diuresis and natriuresis; hence, they may also contribute significantly to blood pressure regulation. We hypothesized that mutant mice lacking the gene encoding for the bradykinin-B2 receptor (B2-KO) become hypertensive when placed on a long-term high-salt diet. To test this, B2-KO and control mice were placed on either a normal (0.2%) or high-Na+ diet (3.15% in food plus 1% saline as drinking water) for 8 weeks. Systolic blood pressure was determined during weeks 6 and 8 by a computerized tail-cuff system. At the end of the 8-week period, mice were anesthetized for determination of mean blood pressure, renal blood flow, and renal vascular resistance. In B2-KO mice maintained on high Na+, systolic blood pressure was 15 mm Hg higher than in knockout animals on normal Na+ (P < .01). In contrast, there was no difference in blood pressure in control mice fed either a normal or a high-Na+ diet. Consistent with the systolic blood pressure data, direct mean arterial pressure revealed that B2-KO mice on high Na+ were hypertensive (115 +/- 6 in B2-KO on high-Na+ diet versus 79 +/- 2.8 in B2-KO on normal Na+, P < .0001); renal blood flow was reduced by 20% (P < .05) and renal vascular resistance was doubled (P < .0001) compared with B2-KO mice on normal Na+. In contrast, control mice on high Na+ were normotensive and tended to have increased renal blood flow and decreased renal vascular resistance compared with control mice on a normal Na+ diet. These findings indicate that kinins play an important role in preventing salt-sensitive hypertension; this may be achieved by maintaining renal blood flow under conditions of high salt intake.

Cyclooxygenase-2 mediates increased renal renin content induced by low-sodium diet

We hypothesized that neuronal nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2, which both exist in the renal cortex, predominantly in the macula densa, play a role in the control of renal renin tissue content. We studied the possible role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in regulating renal renin content by using mice in which the neuronal nitric oxide synthase gene has been disrupted (nNOS-/-) compared with its two progenitor strains, the 129/SvEv and the C57BL/6, to determine if the absence of neuronal nitric oxide synthase would result in decreased renal renin content or blunt the increase observed during low sodium intake. Renal renin content from cortical slices was determined in adult mice from all three strains maintained on a normal sodium diet. Renal renin content was significantly reduced in the nNOS-/- mice compared with the 129/SvEv and the C57BL/6 mice (3.11 +/- 0.23 versus 5.66 +/- 0.50 and 7.55 +/- 1.17 micrograms angiotensin l/mg dry weight, respectively; P < .005), suggesting that neuronal nitric oxide synthase may stimulate renal renin content under basal conditions. Neither selective pharmacological inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase using 7-nitroindazole or disruption of the neuronal nitric oxide synthase gene affected the increase in renal content observed during dietary sodium restriction. The influence of cyclooxygenase-2 on renal renin content through a macula densa-mediated pathway was studied using a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, NS398, in 129/SvEv mice. A low-sodium diet increased renal renin content from 6.97 +/- 0.52 to 11.59 +/- 0.79 micrograms angiotensin l/mg dry weight (P < .005); but this increase was blocked by NS398. In addition, treatment with NS398 reduced renin mRNA in response to a low-sodium diet. Thus, increased renal renin content in response to dietary sodium restriction appears to require the induction of cyclooxygenase-2, while neuronal nitric oxide synthase appears to affect basal but not stimulated renal renin content.

Salt-sensitive hypertension in bradykinin B2 receptor knockout mice

The kallikrein-kinin system regulates water and sodium excretion and thus plays a role in blood pressure (BP) homeostasis. We tested the hypothesis that mice lacking the gene encoding for the bradykinin B2 receptor (B2-KO) have a greater hypertensive response to chronic high Na+ intake (salt sensitivity) compared to controls. We also obtained dose-response curves for different vasoactive substances in both groups. The hypertensive effect of high Na+ intake was almost doubled in B2-KO mice compared to controls. A high-Na+ diet increased heart and kidney weight in B2-KO, but not in controls, suggesting an increased afterload in B2-KO mice. The BP response to bradykinin was completely abolished in B2-KO, but that to acetylcholine was conserved. The hypertensive response to angiotensin II was not exaggerated in B2-KO mice. This study describes a new salt-sensitive animal model and suggests that in mice kinins play a role in preventing salt-sensitive hypertension.

Myocardial contractility is modulated by angiotensin II via nitric oxide

We hypothesized that in cardiac muscles, angiotensin II partially inhibits the contractile response to beta-agonists. We studied the contractile response of isolated rat left ventricular papillary muscles to isoproterenol and the effect of angiotensin II on this response. We also investigated whether the effect of angiotensin II is mediated by bradykinin, prostaglandins, nitric oxide, and/or cGMP. Contractility of isolated papillary muscles was recorded with a force transducer, and rest tension, maximal developed tension (DT), maximal rate of rise in developed tension [T(+)], and maximal velocity of relaxation [T(-)] were measured (1) under basal conditions, (2) after pretreatment with various drugs, and (3) after cumulative doses of isoproterenol. Pretreatment groups included (1) vehicle (controls); (2) angiotensin II; (3) angiotensin II and N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine, an inhibitor of nitric oxide release; (4) L-arginine, the substrate for nitric oxide synthase; (5) L-arginine and N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine; (6) 8-bromo-cGMP, analogous to the second messenger of nitric oxide; (7) angiotensin II and icatibant (Hoe 140), a bradykinin B2 antagonist; and (8) angiotensin II and indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor. There were no differences in contractile parameters before and after any of the pretreatments. Isoproterenol increased DT, T(+), and T(-), and these effects were attenuated by angiotensin II, L-arginine, and 8-bromo-cGMP. The effects of angiotensin II and L-arginine were blocked by inhibition of nitric oxide release with N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine. Neither the bradykinin B2 antagonist nor the cyclooxygenase inhibitor altered the effects of angiotensin II. We concluded that angiotensin II partially inhibits the contractile response of cardiac papillary muscles to isoproterenol This effect is likely mediated by nitric oxide release, perhaps acting via cGMP. Kinins and prostaglandins do not appear to participate in the inhibitory effect of angiotensin II. Attenuation of the contractile effect of isoproterenol by angiotensin II may help explain why cardiac function improves in heart failure after blockade of the renin-angiotensin system.

Mechanisms of action of atrial natriuretic factor and C-type natriuretic peptide

After secretion by the heart, atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) circulates in plasma, whereas C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), which is found in abundance in the endothelium, may regulate vascular tone in a paracrine manner. However, there is little information on the effect of CNP on renal microvessels. We hypothesized that CNP dilates the afferent arteriole via the nitric oxide pathway, whereas ANF acts directly on vascular smooth muscle cells. When we perfused rat kidneys with minimal essential medium and bovine serum albumin at 100 mm Hg and examined the juxtamedullary afferent arterioles, neither CNP nor ANF was found to have any effect. When the peptides were added to arterioles preconstricted with norepinephrine, CNP and ANF dilated them in a similar fashion; diameters increased by 25 +/- 4% (n=7) and 29 +/- 6% (n=6) at 10(-7) mol/L, respectively (P < .008). Pretreatment with 10(-4) mol/L N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or 5 x 10(-6) mol/L indomethacin blocked CNP-induced dilation; dilation by ANF was unaffected by indomethacin (52 +/- 25%, n=5) and potentiated by L-NAME (73 +/- 14%, n=5). Thus, CNP dilates the afferent arterioles via the prostaglandin/nitric oxide pathway, whereas ANF dilates them directly. This difference may be important in controlling glomerular hemodynamics.

Influence of NaCl concentration at the macula densa on angiotensin II-induced constriction of the afferent arteriole

The macula densa, a plaque of specialized tubular epithelial cells, monitors NaCl concentrations in tubular fluid and controls resistance of the glomerular afferent arteriole (AA). In vivo micropuncture studies suggest that there are significant interactions between angiotensin II (Ang II) and macula densa control of glomerular hemodynamics. We tested the hypothesis that Ang II causes stronger constriction of the AA when NaCl concentration at the macula densa is elevated. Rabbit AAs and the attached macula densa were simultaneously microperfused in vitro, and dose-response curves to Ang II were obtained when the macula densa was not perfused or was perfused with either low NaCl (Na+, 26 mEq/L; Cl-, 7 mEq/L) or high NaCl (Na+, 84 mEq/L; Cl-, 65 mEq/L). Ang II induced stronger constriction when the macula densa was perfused with high NaCl; the decrease in diameter at 100 pmol/L was 29 +/- 5.6% (n= 7) compared with 2.1 +/- 1.2% (n=8) for the nonperfused macula densa or 6.1 +/- 4.2% (n=7) for low NaCl (P < .002). However, there was no such difference in the action of norepinephrine. Adding furosemide (10 micromol/L) to the macula densa perfusate abolished the difference in Ang II action between low and high NaCl at the macula densa. Since AA tone is higher when the NaCl concentration at the macula densa is elevated, we tested whether augmented Ang II action is due to higher AA tone. Preconstriction of the AA by 20% with norepinephrine had no effect on Ang II action. Thus, our results demonstrate that sensitivity of the AA to Ang II increases when NaCl concentration at the macula densa is elevated. Such modulation of Ang II action by macula densa NaCl concentration may be important in the control of glomerular hemodynamics.

Mechanism of the nitric oxide-induced blockade of collecting duct water permeability

Nitric oxide has a diuretic effect in vivo. We have shown that nitric oxide inhibits antidiuretic hormone-stimulated osmotic water permeability in the collecting duct; however, the mechanism by which this occurs is unknown. We hypothesized that inhibition of antidiuretic hormone-stimulated water permeability by nitric oxide in the collecting duct is the result of activation of cGMP-dependent protein kinase, which in turn decreases intracellular cAMP. To test this hypothesis, we microperfused cortical collecting ducts. Antidiuretic hormone-stimulated water permeability was 317 +/- 47 microm/s (P < .001). Addition of spermine NONOate, a nitric oxide donor, to the bath decreased water permeability to 74 +/- 38 microm/s (P < .002). In the presence of LY 83583, an inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase, spermine NONOate did not change water permeability. Addition of spermine NONOate increased cGMP production (P < .01). In the presence of the cGMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor, spermine NONOate did not change water permeability. Since antidiuretic hormone increases water permeability by increasing cAMP, we hypothesized that nitric oxide inhibits water permeability by decreasing cAMP. In tubules pretreated with antidiuretic hormone, intracellular cAMP was 18.9 +/- 3.9 fmol/mm. In tubules treated with antidiuretic hormone and spermine NONOate, cAMP was 9.3 +/- 1.7 fmol/mm (P < .03). We also examined the effect of spermine NONOate on dibutyryl-cAMP-stimulated water permeability. In the presence of dibutyryl-cAMP, water permeability was 388 +/- 30 microm/s. Addition of spermine NONOate had no significant effect on water permeability. Time controls and inhibitors by themselves did not change antidiuretic hormone-stimulated water permeability. We concluded that nitric oxide decreases antidiuretic hormone-stimulated water permeability by increasing cGMP via soluble guanylate cyclase, activating cGMP-dependent protein kinase and decreasing cAMP.