Insulin-independent, MAPK-dependent stimulation of NKCC activity in skeletal muscle.

Na(+)-K(+)-Cl(-) cotransporter (NKCC) activity in quiescent skeletal muscle is modest. However, ex vivo stimulation of muscle for as little as 18 contractions (1 min, 0.3 Hz) dramatically increased the activity of the cotransporter, measured as the bumetanide-sensitive (86)Rb influx, in both soleus and plantaris muscles. This activation of cotransporter activity remained relatively constant for up to 10-Hz stimulation for 1 min, falling off at higher frequencies (30-Hz stimulation for 1 min). Similarly, stimulation of skeletal muscle with adrenergic receptor agonists phenylephrine, isoproterenol, or epinephrine produced a dramatic stimulation of NKCC activity. It did not appear that stimulation of NKCC activity was a reflection of increased Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity because insulin treatment did not stimulate NKCC activity, despite insulin's well-known stimulation of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity. Stimulation of NKCC activity could be blocked by pretreatment with inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2) activity, indicating that activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) MAPKs may be required. These data indicate a regulated NKCC activity in skeletal muscle that may provide a significant pathway for potassium transport into skeletal muscle fibers.

Direct modulation of basal and angiotensin II-stimulated aldosterone secretion by hydrogen ions.

Disturbances in acid-base balance in vivo are associated with changes in plasma aldosterone concentration, and in vitro changes in extracellular pH (pH(o)) influence the secretion of aldosterone by adrenocortical tissue or glomerulosa cells. There is considerable disparity, however, as to the direction of the effect. Furthermore, the mechanisms by which pH(o) independently affects aldosterone secretion or interacts with other secretagogues are not defined. Thus, bovine glomerulosa cells maintained in primary monolayer culture were used to examine the direct effects of pH(o) on cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i))( )and aldosterone secretion under basal and angiotensin II (AngII)-stimulated conditions. pH(o) was varied from 7.0 to 7.8 (corresponding inversely to changes in extracellular H(+) concentration from 16 nM to 100 nM). Whereas an elevation of pH(o) from 7.4 to 7.8 had no consistent effect, reductions of pH(o) from 7.4 to 7.2 or 7.0 caused proportionate increases in aldosterone secretion that were accompanied by increases in transmembrane Ca(2+) fluxes and [Ca(2+)](i). These effects were abolished by removal of extracellular Ca(2+). A decrease in pH(o) from 7.4 to 7.0 also enhanced AngII-stimulated aldosterone secretion. This effect was more pronounced at low concentrations of AngII and was manifested as an increase in the magnitude of the secretory response with no effect on potency. In contrast to its effect on AngII-stimulated aldosterone secretion, a reduction of pH(o) from 7.4 to 7.0 inhibited the Ca(2+) signal elicited by low concentrations (

Molecular and functional evidence for Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransporter expression in rat skeletal muscle.

Doubt has been raised about the expression of a functional Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransporter in rat skeletal muscle. In this study we present molecular and functional evidence for expression of a protein having the characteristics of a cotransporter. RT-PCR of RNA isolated from rat soleus muscle with primers to a conserved putative membrane-spanning domain resulted in a single product of predicted size. Sequencing of the product showed that it bears >90% homology with known rodent NKCC1 (BSC2) cotransporters. RNase protection assay of RNA isolated from the rat soleus muscle also identified this sequence. Immunologic detection of the cotransporter with two different antibodies indicated the presence of cotransporter protein, perhaps more than one, in blots of total muscle protein. Immunohistochemical detection by confocal microscopy localized the majority of expression of the protein to the muscle fibers. Functional studies of cotransport activity also indicate the appropriate sensitivity to inhibitors and ion dependence. Taken together, these data support the presence and function of Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransporter activity in the soleus muscle of the rat.

Unique 5'-end of a Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransporter-like mRNA expressed in rat skeletal muscle.

Functional evidence presented by others indicates that rat slow-twitch skeletal muscle lacks typical Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransporter activity, as determined by loop diuretic-sensitive potassium transport. This report presents a unique 5' mRNA sequence of a Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransporter-like molecule expressed in the rat soleus muscle and the deduced N-terminus of the protein. In addition to its unique 5' mRNA sequence, the coding region of the N-terminus is quite short compared with other known Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransporters. Nonetheless, the mRNA possesses conserved cotransporter-like membrane spanning domains, though one domains corresponding to a reported exon is divergent. Therefore, it appears that skeletal muscle does express a Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransporter-like mRNA that may code for a protein with atypical Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransporter properties.

Potassium-induced aldosterone secretion involves a Cl(-)-dependent mechanism.

Stimulation of aldosterone secretion by increases in extracellular potassium concentration is associated with increases in the volume of the adrenal glomerulosa cell. Because increases in cell volume have been associated with increases in aldosterone secretion, the effect of preventing the potassium-induced increase in cell volume by removal of chloride from the medium on the response of dispersed bovine glomerulosa cells grown in primary culture was determined. Totally replacing the chloride ion with the methylsulfate ion prevented the increase in cell volume and significantly suppressed the increase in aldosterone secretion normally associated with increasing [K] to 10 mM. In the absence of Cl-, the increase in cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]c) normally induced by increasing the [K] to 10 mM was also significantly suppressed. The replacement of 10 mM methylsulfate by Cl- restored the potassium-induced increase in both cell volume and aldosterone secretion to values not different from those found in the presence of 108 mM Cl-. The potassium-induced increase in cell volume was dependent also on the presence of extracellular calcium. Thus a component of the glomerulosa cell response to an increase in [K] may be caused by a chloride-dependent increase in cell volume that is triggered by the initial depolarization-induced increase in [Ca2+]c. The increase in cell volume enhances the increase in [Ca2+]c and amplifies the increase in aldosterone secretion.

Globulin-enriched protein supplements shorten the pre-compaction mitotic interval and promote hatching of murine embryos.

PROBLEM: To determine whether Synthetic Serum Substitute (SSS), which contains human globulins in addition to Human Serum Albumin (HSA), is superior to HSA alone as a protein supplement for embryo culture. METHOD: Development of mouse zygotes to eight-cell/compacting morulae and to hatching/hatched blastocysts was assessed in Human Tubal Fluid (HTF) medium containing either SSS of HSA. RESULTS: Although there was no difference in the overall blastocyst rate at 120 h in HTF+SSS versus HTF+HSA, significantly more embryos at 54 h were at the eight-cell/compacting morula stage in HTF+SSS. At 120 h, there were more hatching/hatched blastocysts in HTF+SSS, and hatching correlated with SSS concentration. Addition of isolated globulins to HSA significantly stimulated the number of hatching/hatched blastocysts. Hatching could be "rescued" by transfer of embryos grown in HTF+HSA to globulin-containing media and prevented by removal of globulins as late as the compacted morula stage (54 h). CONCLUSIONS: SSS is superior to HSA alone for embryo culture. The stimulatory effects on mitosis and hatching may be mediated directly by globulins or by other components in the globulin-enriched fraction.

Osmolality-induced changes in aldosterone secretion involve a chloride-dependent process.

Alterations in extracellular osmolality have a powerful inverse effect on aldosterone secretion that is associated with sustained changes in cell volume. With dispersed bovine glomerulosa cells grown in primary culture, the effects of alterations in osmolality on cell volume measured by the distribution of [14C]urea and [3H]mannitol were determined in the presence and absence of chloride. In the presence of chloride, decreases in osmolality increased cell volume, whereas angiotensin II (< 4 x 10(-9) M) did not affect cell volume. When chloride was removed from the medium (replacing chloride with the impermeant methyl sulfate ion), cell volume decreased significantly, but basal aldosterone secretion was not altered. In the absence of chloride, the increases in cell volume, cytosolic calcium concentration, and aldosterone secretion induced by decreases in osmolality were significantly suppressed. The replacement of chloride with the methyl sulfate ion suppressed the increases in both cytosolic calcium concentration and aldosterone secretion induced by low (< 4 x 10(-9) M) but not high (4 x 10(-8) M) concentrations of angiotensin II. The results suggest that reductions in osmolality increase cell volume, partly by inducing an influx of chloride ions that contributes to the total net influx of water. Reductions in cell volume caused by an increase in osmolality or by replacing the chloride ion with the impermeant methyl sulfate ion may induce alterations in membrane stretch that may decrease the angiotensin II-induced increase in cytosolic calcium concentrations, which in turn suppresses aldosterone secretion.

Osmolality and potassium cause alterations in the volume of glomerulosa cells.

Alterations in extracellular osmolality have a powerful inverse effect on aldosterone secretion and potassium- and angiotensin-stimulated aldosterone secretion. Whether alterations in extracellular osmolality produced sustained changes in cell volume that may contribute to the regulation of aldosterone secretion is not known. Using dispersed bovine glomerulosa cells grown in primary culture, the effect of alterations in osmolality on cell volume, measured by the distribution of [14C]urea and [3H]inulin and videometric analysis of the surface area of glomerulosa cells, was determined. Alterations in osmolality had an inverse effect on cell volume and surface area. Changes in cell volume induced by exposure to anisotonic medium were 52% greater (P > 0.02) than that predicted by the changes in osmolality. Increases in potassium concentration also caused sustained (1-h) concentration-dependent increases in cell volume and surface area. Angiotensin-II did not increase glomerulosa cell volume, but did produce a small dose-dependent transient increase in cell surface area. The results demonstrate that alterations in osmolality do cause sustained changes in cell volume, and thus, membrane stretch could be an important part of the cellular mechanism responsible for causing osmolality-induced changes in the cytosolic calcium concentration and subsequent alterations in aldosterone secretion. Alterations in membrane stretch may also be an important component of potassium-induced, but not angiotensin II-induced, aldosterone secretion.

Fatty acids may regulate aldosterone secretion and mediate some of insulin's effects on blood pressure.

Experiments in vitro and observation made in humans suggest that some unesterified fatty acids (FA) participate, as inhibitors, in the regulation of aldosterone secretion. Removal of FA from adrenal glomerulosa cells with albumin increases the responses to angiotensin II (AII) and dibutyryl cyclic AMP. Micromolar concentrations of some FA including arachidonic, oleic, linoleic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic inhibit aldosterone secretion by adrenal glomerulosa cells. Inhibition is specific--some acids like stearic are inactive, and the adrenal fasciculata is relatively resistant to inhibition. Oleic acid rapidly and reversibly inhibits aldosterone secretion by perfused dog adrenals. Observations in vivo suggest a reciprocal relationship between plasma levels of FA and aldosterone: insulin infusion into dogs lowers plasma FA and increases adrenal responsiveness to All; salt infusions into humans increase plasma FA as aldosterone falls; plasma FA are low in low-renin essential hypertension where adrenal responsiveness to All is high; plasma FA are inversely correlated with ratios of aldosterone to renin in black hypertensives; and plasma FA are high in some seriously ill patients whose aldosterone levels are inexplicably low. All receptors and the final step of aldosterone biosynthesis, oxidation at the 18 position, are the adrenal sites most sensitive to FA. Insulin's antinatriuresis may be mediated in part by its ability to lower plasma FA and thereby enhance adrenal response to secretagogues.

Effect of osmolality on cytosolic free calcium and aldosterone secretion.

Alterations in extracellular osmolality have powerful inverse effects on basal and potassium- and angiotensin-stimulated aldosterone secretion. With the use of bovine glomerulosa cells grown in primary culture, the effects of alterations in osmolality on cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]c), efflux and uptake of 45Ca2+, and aldosterone secretion were determined. Alterations in osmolality, independent of sodium concentration, have inverse effects on aldosterone secretion, which are correlated with simultaneous changes in [Ca2+]c measured using fura-2. Reductions in osmolality cause dose-dependent biphasic increases in [Ca2+]c different from the monophasic increases in [Ca2+]c produced by increases in potassium concentration. Like potassium- and angiotensin-stimulated increases in [Ca2+]c, hypotonically induced increases in [Ca2+]c are associated with an increase in 45Ca2+ efflux. Reductions in osmolality also increased the uptake of 45Ca2+, an effect apparent at 2 min and persistent for at least 30 min. In the absence of extracellular calcium, reductions in osmolality, as increases in potassium concentration but not angiotensin, fail to increase [Ca2+]c, efflux of 45Ca2+, or aldosterone secretion. In conclusion, osmolality-induced alterations in aldosterone secretion are associated with parallel changes in [Ca2+]c, effects caused by alteration in the influx of extracellular calcium. On the basis of these and previous studies, we hypothesize that osmolality affects calcium influx by activating voltage-dependent or stretch-activated calcium channels.

Insulin prevents glucose induced inhibition of angiotensin II-stimulated aldosterone secretion.

In humans with diabetes mellitus or in individuals given infusions of insulin or insulin plus glucose, plasma aldosterone levels have been reported to be suppressed. Whether insulin has a direct effect to suppress aldosterone secretion by the adrenal gland has not been established. The effect of insulin on glucose-induced inhibition of angiotensin II-stimulated aldosterone secretion was examined. The effect of glucose and insulin plus glucose on angiotensin II-stimulated aldosterone secretion was examined in isolated perfused canine adrenal glands. In the absence of insulin, 15.6 mM glucose decreased angiotensin II-stimulated aldosterone secretion by 35 +/- 7%, while in the presence of insulin the same glucose concentration had no significant effect on angiotensin II-stimulated aldosterone secretion. In contrast, insulin had no effect on NaCl-induced inhibition of angiotensin II-stimulated aldosterone secretion. Neither insulin alone nor saline vehicle affected angiotensin II-stimulated aldosterone secretion. These results (1) demonstrate that insulin can prevent inhibition of glucose-induced angiotensin II-stimulated aldosterone secretion, possibly by preventing a glucose-induced decrease in cell volume, and (2) suggest that the suppressed plasma level of aldosterone found in individuals with diabetes mellitus may in part be due to the direct effects of hyperglycemia on the adrenal gland secretion of aldosterone.

Altered sensitivity of osmotically stimulated vasopressin release in quadriplegic subjects.

Osmoregulation of vasopressin release was studied in 15 quadriplegic subjects (Quad) and 7 healthy control subjects (Con). Hypertonic NaCl (0.85 M) was infused intravenously (0.05 ml.kg-1.min-1) over 90 min in studies on supine subjects and in comparable studies on the same subjects erect (sitting). Erect posture in Quad, but not in Con, was accompanied by orthostatic reductions in arterial blood pressure and by significantly increased plasma aldosterone (P less than 0.001) and cortisol (P less than 0.001) concentrations and increased plasma renin activity (P less than 0.025). Changes in plasma arginine vasopressin concentration (PAVP) during hypertonic NaCl infusions were also greater in erect than in supine Quad (P less than 0.005), despite identical changes in plasma osmolality (Posm). Linear regression analysis of the PAVP/Posm relationship during hypertonic NaCl infusions showed highly significant correlations (P less than 0.0002) in both Quad and Con. Mean slope values for regression lines, however, were significantly higher in erect than in supine Quad (P less than 0.005) but did not differ in relation to posture in Con. Differences in posture were not associated with differences in abscissal intercepts in either Quad or Con. These studies show significant alterations in the sensitivity of osmotically stimulated vasopressin release related to differences in posture in Quad, characterized by enhanced sensitivity in erect posture due to nonosmotic stimuli not evident in Con.

Calcium dependence of osmolality-, potassium-, and angiotensin II-induced aldosterone secretion.

Different calcium-dependent mechanisms may be involved in mediating stimulus-induced aldosterone secretion. Using isolated perfused canine adrenal glands, we determined the effect of reductions in extracellular [Ca2+] and of infusion of a voltage-dependent calcium channel antagonist, nifedipine, on aldosterone secretion induced by decreases in osmolality, by increases in [K+], or by infusion of angiotensin II (ANG II). Aldosterone secretion was stimulated to a similar level by reducing osmolality, by increasing [K+], or by infusing ANG II. After 50 min of stimulation, lowering [Ca2+] from 1.25 to 0.10 mM caused a marked and similar inhibition of osmolality- and [K+]-induced aldosterone secretion that was significantly greater than inhibition of ANG II-induced aldosterone secretion. Similarly, nifedipine at 3.3 X 10(-8) M caused marked and similar inhibition of osmolality- and [K+]-induced aldosterone secretion that was significantly greater than the inhibition of ANG II-induced aldosterone secretion. These data demonstrate that calcium-dependent processes are involved in osmolality-, [K+]-, and ANG II-induced aldosterone secretion. However, the calcium-dependent process(es) evoked by reductions in osmolality or increases in [K+] are considerably different from that evoked by ANG II. Osmolality and potassium appear to induce aldosterone secretion primarily by activating voltage-dependent calcium channels.

Absence of a direct effect of recombinant interleukins and cultured peritoneal macrophages on early embryonic development in the mouse.

On the basis of their recent studies, several researchers have suggested that the infertility associated with mild endometriosis is due to the alteration of peritoneal fluid, resulting in impairment of the viability of gametes or embryos. Elevated numbers of macrophages and lymphocytes have been reported in the peritoneal fluid of patients with endometriosis. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) a major product of activated macrophages and Interleukin-2 (IL-2), a product of most activated T-cells, have been postulated to play a role in the infertility associated with this disease, possibly by acting as direct embryotoxic agents. We have examined the effect of purified recombinant IL-1 and IL-2, which are not species-specific, on in vitro development of mouse embryos. Both interleukins had no effect on development to the blastocyst stage or on early stages of implantation, as measured in vitro by attachment and outgrowth of blastocysts to fibronectin-coated dishes. Moreover, co-culture of mouse embryos with activated human peritoneal macrophages had no effect on embryogenesis. We conclude that neither IL-1, nor other products of human macrophages activated by lipopolysaccharide, nor IL-2 are directly toxic to early mouse embryonic development.

Effect of vasopressin on adrenal steroidogenesis.

The direct effect of vasopressin on adrenal steroidogenesis and its effect on angiotensin II- and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-stimulated steroidogenesis was evaluated by using an isolated perfused canine adrenal gland preparation. Infusions of vasopressin alone (50, 100, or 250 pg/ml perfusate) had no significant effect on the secretion of either aldosterone or cortisol. Infusions of vasopressin at 75 or 250 pg/ml perfusate during stimulation of steroidogenesis by angiotensin II or by ACTH did not cause a consistent increase in aldosterone secretion. In contrast, infusion of 250 but not 75 pg vasopressin/ml perfusate caused a consistent enhancement of ACTH-stimulated cortisol secretion. The infusion of a vasopressin V1-receptor agonist, but not of either a vasopressin V2-receptor agonist or oxytocin, also caused a significant enhancement of ACTH-stimulated cortisol secretion. These results suggest that the sensitivity of fasciculata cells to vasopressin is greater than that of glomerulosa cells. Finally, levels of vasopressin reported to occur in plasma during severe hemorrhage appear to be capable of enhancing cortisol secretion by a direct action on the adrenal gland via a V1-receptor mechanism.

Dissociation of osmotic and ionic modulation of aldosterone secretion.

Although other investigators have suggested that reductions in either Na or chloride concentration stimulate aldosterone secretion, we previously found that small reductions in NaCl (3-7 mM) that enhanced angiotensin II-(ANG II) and [K]- but not adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-stimulated aldosterone secretion are due to a change in osmolality. In the present study, aldosterone secretion by an isolated perfused canine adrenal gland was stimulated by low doses of ANG II or ACTH or by small increases in perfusate [K], and during this stimulation, replacing 25 mM NaCl with an isosmotic amount of mannitol enhanced aldosterone secretion induced by each of the above secretagogues. Choline chloride significantly enhanced ANG II-stimulated aldosterone secretion when used in place of 25 mM NaCl, but sodium methylsulfate did not. Large isosmotic reductions in [NaCl] failed to alter ACTH-stimulated cortisol secretion or the conversion of either exogenous corticosterone or 11-deoxycorticosterone to aldosterone. Thus, reductions in Na, but not in chloride concentration, specifically enhance the ability of the adrenal glomerulosa to secrete aldosterone in response to ANG II, K, and ACTH by an action on some site in the steroidogenic cascade that is sensitive to ANG II, potassium, and ACTH.

Uptake and metabolism of nucleosides by embryos of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus.

Uptake and metabolism of thymidine and adenosine have been studied in embryos of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. Uptake of these nucleosides is found to be mutually competitive, with the Km for uptake of thymidine similar to its Ki for inhibition of adenosine uptake and vice versa. The metabolic studies show that adenosine is rapidly and completely phosphorylated upon entry, even at high exogenous concentrations which saturate the uptake mechanism. In contrast, at concentrations which saturate nucleoside uptake, thymidine becomes appreciably catabolized (up to 60%) to thymine and beta-amino-isobutyric acid in addition to its phosphorylation to thymine nucleotides. Negligible amounts of endogenous thymidine appear to remain unmetabolized following uptake in these embryos. The data provide strong in vivo evidence for separate metabolic pathways for thymidine and adenosine which have not previously been described in this organism. The observation of mutual competition during uptake, together with different routes of metabolism for these nucleosides, would suggest that the rate-limiting step in the uptake process is transport rather than metabolism. The specificity of this transport system for its nucleoside substrate has been examined in some detail in the present report. All naturally occurring nucleosides but only a limited number of nucleoside analogs are recognized by this membrane carrier. Neither purine nor pyrimidine bases are substrates for this transport system. Previous work by this laboratory has demonstrated the strict Na+-dependence of this carrier, its high affinity for nucleoside substrate, and its activation at fertilization. These observations and the substrate specificity studies of the present work together describe a unique transport system for nucleosides in sea urchin embryos which is quite different from those previously described in mammalian cells.

Specificity of effect of osmolality on aldosterone secretion.

Small (3-7 mM) changes in [NaCl] have a marked inverse effect on angiotensin II- or K-stimulated aldosterone secretion by the isolated, perfused canine adrenal gland. The effect is due to the accompanying changes in osmolality rather than to the changes in [Na] or [Cl]. The present study was undertaken to determine whether osmolality is a specific and discrete signal that modulates the secretion of aldosterone only or is simply a nonspecific physical factor that alters the secretion of other adrenocortical hormones as well. The study also determined whether small changes in osmolality affect the conversion of corticosterone to aldosterone. The secretion of both cortisol and aldosterone by isolated canine adrenal glands responded in a dose-dependent fashion to adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), but in contrast to the rapid and potent modulating action of osmolality reported previously for angiotensin II- or K-stimulated aldosterone secretion, changes in osmolality at the midpoint of ACTH infusion had no detectable effect on either cortisol secretion or, unexpectedly, aldosterone secretion. This indicates that osmolality is a highly specific signal that modulates responsiveness of the zona glomerulosa to the factors, angiotensin II and K, which are considered to be most important in the acute regulation of aldosterone secretion, but does not influence secretion of cortisol by inner zones of the adrenal cortex. In glands treated with agents that block aldosterone production from endogenous precursors, small changes in osmolality had no detectable effect on the conversion of exogenous corticosterone to aldosterone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of hydrogen ion concentration on aldosterone secretion by isolated perfused canine adrenal glands.

The direct effects of changes in extracellular hydrogen ion (H+) concentration on aldosterone secretion under basal, angiotensin II- and potassium-stimulated conditions were studied in isolated, perfused canine adrenal glands. Changes in extracellular H+ concentration were induced by altering either the partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) or the HCO3- concentration of the perfusate. Acid-base disturbances had a more pronounced effect on aldosterone secretion under stimulated than under basal conditions. Increasing H+ concentration enhanced angiotensin II- and potassium-stimulated aldosterone secretion, whereas decreasing H+ concentration markedly inhibited the secretory response to these stimuli. Because changes in H+ concentration, whether produced by varying extracellular pCO2 or extracellular HCO3- concentration, had similar effects on angiotensin II-stimulated aldosterone secretion, the data suggest that H+ concentration per se is the important determinant of the aldosterone secretory rate. Interestingly, during the immediate recovery period from pCO2-induced alkalosis under both angiotensin II- and potassium-stimulated conditions, aldosterone secretion always returned to a value significantly higher than that obtained just before alkalosis. The results of this study demonstrate that changes in extracellular H+ concentration influence the rate of aldosterone secretion, possibly via changes in intracellular pH, by a direct action on the canine adrenal gland. Therefore, when evaluating the control of aldosterone secretion, the acid-base status of the whole animal or of in-vitro adrenal tissue must be considered.

Effect of osmolality on angiotensin-stimulated aldosterone production by primary cultures of bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells.

Studies were performed to examine the relationship between osmolality and aldosterone production using primary cultures of bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells. Cell monolayers were incubated under hypo- (234 mOsm), iso- (274 mOsm), or hyperosmotic (318 mOsm) conditions in the absence or presence of angiotensin II (10(-12) M to 10(-9) M). Although basal steroidogenesis was unaffected, angiotensin II-stimulated aldosterone production was inversely related to osmolality. Mannitol and NaCl were equally effective as osmotic particles. Thus, modulation of angiotensin II-stimulated aldosterone secretion produced in vivo by changes in plasma osmolality result, in part, from a direct effect on the glomerulosa cells.