Impact of anesthesia and sex on sympathetic efferent and hemodynamic responses to renal chemo- and mechanosensitive stimuli.

Activation of renal sensory nerves by chemo- and mechanosensitive stimuli produces changes in efferent sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) and arterial blood pressure (ABP). Anesthesia and sex influence autonomic function and cardiovascular hemodynamics, but it is unclear to what extent anesthesia and sex impact SNA and ABP responses to renal sensory stimuli. We measured renal, splanchnic, and lumbar SNA and ABP in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats during contralateral renal infusion of capsaicin and bradykinin or during elevation in renal pelvic pressure. Responses were evaluated with a decerebrate preparation or Inactin, urethane, or isoflurane anesthesia. Intrarenal arterial infusion of capsaicin (0.1-30.0 µM) increased renal SNA, splanchnic SNA, or ABP but decreased lumbar SNA in the Inactin group. Intrarenal arterial infusion of bradykinin (0.1-30.0 µM) increased renal SNA, splanchnic SNA, and ABP but decreased lumbar SNA in the Inactin group. Elevated renal pelvic pressure (0-20 mmHg, 30 s) significantly increased renal SNA and splanchnic SNA but not lumbar SNA in the Inactin group. In marked contrast, SNA and ABP responses to every renal stimulus were severely blunted in the urethane and decerebrate groups and absent in the isoflurane group. In the Inactin group, the magnitude of SNA responses to chemo- and mechanosensory stimuli were not different between male and female rats. Thus, chemo- and mechanosensitive stimuli produce differential changes in renal, splanchnic, and lumbar SNA. Experimentally, future investigations should consider Inactin anesthesia to examine sympathetic and hemodynamic responses to renal sensory stimuli.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The findings highlight the impact of anesthesia, and to a lesser extent sex, on sympathetic efferent and hemodynamic responses to chemosensory and mechanosensory renal stimuli. Sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) and arterial blood pressure (ABP) responses were present in Inactin-anesthetized rats but largely absent in decerebrate, isoflurane, or urethane preparations. Renal chemosensory stimuli differentially changed SNA: renal and splanchnic SNA increased, but lumbar SNA decreased. Future investigations should consider Inactin anesthesia to study SNA and hemodynamic responses to renal sensory nerve activation.

Impact of anesthesia, sex, and circadian cycle on renal afferent nerve sensitivity.

Elevated renal afferent nerve (ARNA) activity or dysfunctional reno-renal reflexes via altered ARNA sensitivity contribute to hypertension and chronic kidney disease. These nerves contain mechano- and chemosensitive fibers that respond to ischemia, changes in intrarenal pressures, and chemokines. Most studies have utilized various anesthetized preparations and exclusively male animals to characterize ARNA responses. Therefore, this study assessed the impact of anesthesia, sex, and circadian period on ARNA responses and sensitivity. Multifiber ARNA recordings were performed in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats (250-400 g) and compared across decerebrate versus Inactin, isoflurane, and urethane anesthesia groups. Intrarenal artery infusion of capsaicin (0.1-50.0 µM, 0.05 mL) produced concentration-dependent increases in ARNA; however, the ARNA sensitivity was significantly greater in decerebrate versus Inactin, isoflurane, and urethane groups. Increases in renal pelvic pressure (0-30 mmHg, 30 s) produced pressure-dependent increases in ARNA; however, ARNA sensitivity was again greater in decerebrate and Inactin groups versus isoflurane and urethane. Acute renal artery occlusion (30 s) increased ARNA, but responses did not differ across groups. Analysis of ARNA responses to increased pelvic pressure between male and female rats revealed significant sex differences only in isoflurane and urethane groups. ARNA responses to intrarenal capsaicin infusion were significantly blunted at nighttime versus daytime; however, ARNA responses to increased pelvic pressure or renal artery occlusion were not different between daytime and nighttime. These results demonstrate that ARNA sensitivity is greatest in decerebrate and Inactin-anesthetized groups but was not consistently influenced by sex.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We determined the impact of anesthesia, sex, and circadian cycle on renal afferent nerve (ARNA) sensitivity to chemical and mechanical stimuli. ARNA sensitivity to renal capsaicin infusion was greatest in decerebrate > Inactin > urethane or isoflurane groups. Elevated renal pelvic pressure significantly increased ARNA; decerebrate and Inactin groups exhibited the greatest ARNA sensitivity. Sex differences in renal afferent responses were not consistently observed. Circadian cycle altered chemosensory but not mechanosensory responses.

Effects of anesthesia on renal function and metabolism in rats assessed by hyperpolarized MRI.

PURPOSE: Anesthesia is necessary for most animal studies requiring invasive procedures. It is well documented that various types of anesthesia modulate a wide variety of important metabolic and functional processes in the body, and as such, represent a potential limitation in the study design. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the renal functional and metabolic consequences of 3 typical rodent anesthetics used in preclinical MRI: sevoflurane, inaction, and a mixture of fentanyl, fluanisone, and midazolam (FFM). METHODS: The renal effects of 3 different classes of anesthetics (inactin, servoflurane, and FFM) were investigated using functional and metabolic MRI. The renal glucose metabolism and hemodynamics was characterized with hyperpolarized [1-13 C]pyruvate MRI and by DCE imaging. RESULTS: Rats receiving sevoflurane or FFM had blood glucose levels that were 1.3-fold to 1.4-fold higher than rats receiving inactin. A 2.9-fold and 4.8-fold increased 13 C-lactate/13 C-pyruvate ratio was found in the FFM mixture anesthetized group compared with the sevoflurane and the inactin anesthetized groups. The FFM anesthesia resulted in a 50% lower renal plasma flow compared with the sevoflurane and the inactin anesthetized groups. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates different renal metabolic and hemodynamic changes under 3 different anesthetics, using hyperpolarized MR in rats. Inactin and sevoflurane were found to affect the renal hemodynamic and metabolic status to a lesser degree than FFM. Sevoflurane anesthesia is particularly easy to induce and maintain during the whole anesthesia procedure, and as such, represents a good alternative to inaction, although it alters the blood glucose level.

Resting-state functional MRI as a tool for evaluating brain hemodynamic responsiveness to external stimuli in rats.

PURPOSE: Anesthesia is a major confounding factor in functional MRI (fMRI) experiments attributed to its effects on brain function. Recent evidence suggests that parameters obtained with resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) are coupled with anesthetic depth. Therefore, we investigated whether parameters obtained with rs-fMRI, such as functional connectivity (FC), are also directly related to blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) responses. METHODS: A simple rs-fMRI protocol was implemented in a pharmacological fMRI study to evaluate the coupling between hemodynamic responses and FC under five anesthetics (α-chloralose, isoflurane, medetomidine, thiobutabarbital, and urethane). Temporal change in the FC was evaluated at 1-hour interval. Supplementary forepaw stimulation experiments were also conducted. RESULTS: Under thiobutabarbital anesthesia, FC was clearly coupled with nicotine-induced BOLD responses. Good correlation values were also obtained under isoflurane and medetomidine anesthesia. The observations in the thiobutabarbital group were supported by forepaw stimulation experiments. Additionally, the rs-fMRI protocol revealed significant temporal changes in the FC in the α-chloralose, thiobutabarbital, and urethane groups. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that FC can be used to estimate brain hemodynamic responsiveness to stimuli and evaluate the level and temporal changes of anesthesia. Therefore, analysis of the fMRI baseline signal may be highly valuable tool for controlling the outcome of preclinical fMRI experiments. Magn Reson Med 78:1136-1146, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

New Morphine Analogs Produce Peripheral Antinociception within a Certain Dose Range of Their Systemic Administration.

Growing data support peripheral opioid antinociceptive effects, particularly in inflammatory pain models. Here, we examined the antinociceptive effects of subcutaneously administered, recently synthesized 14-O-methylmorphine-6-O-sulfate (14-O-MeM6SU) compared with morphine-6-O-sulfate (M6SU) in a rat model of inflammatory pain induced by an injection of complete Freund's adjuvant and in a mouse model of visceral pain evoked by acetic acid. Subcutaneous doses of 14-O-MeM6SU and M6SU up to 126 and 547 nmol/kg, respectively, produced significant and subcutaneous or intraplantar naloxone methiodide (NAL-M)-reversible antinociception in inflamed paws compared with noninflamed paws. Neither of these doses significantly affected thiobutabarbital-induced sleeping time or rat pulmonary parameters. However, the antinociceptive effects of higher doses were only partially reversed by NAL-M, indicating contribution of the central nervous system. In the mouse writhing test, 14-O-MeM6SU was more potent than M6SU after subcutaneous or intracerebroventricular injections. Both displayed high subcutaneous/intracerebroventricular ED50 ratios. The antinociceptive effects of subcutaneous 14-O-MeM6SU and M6SU up to 136 and 3043 nmol/kg, respectively, were fully antagonized by subcutaneous NAL-M. In addition, the test compounds inhibited mouse gastrointestinal transit in antinociceptive doses. Taken together, these findings suggest that systemic administration of the novel compound 14-O-MeM6SU similar to M6SU in specific dose ranges shows peripheral antinociception in rat and mouse inflammatory pain models without central adverse effects. These findings apply to male animals and must be confirmed in female animals. Therefore, titration of systemic doses of opioid compounds with limited access to the brain might offer peripheral antinociception of clinical importance.

Total synthesis of (-)-brevenal: a concise synthetic entry to the pentacyclic polyether core.

Total synthesis of (-)-brevenal, a novel marine polycyclic ether natural product, is described. Highly efficient and scalable entries to the AB-ring exo-olefin and the DE-ring enol phosphate and a rapid construction of the C-ring by means of our Suzuki-Miyaura coupling-based strategy realized a concise synthesis of the pentacyclic skeleton of (-)-brevenal. The present synthesis is considerably more efficient than our previous synthesis (longest linear sequence: 50 steps from 2-deoxy-d-ribose).

The effect of inactin on kidney mitochondrial function and production of reactive oxygen species.

Inactin is a long lasting anesthetic agent commonly used in rat studies, but is also shown to exert physiological effects such as reducing renal blood flow, glomerular filtration rate and depressing tubular transport capacity. The effect of inactin on isolated kidney mitochondria is unknown and may be important when studying related topics in anaesthetized animals. The aim of this study was to determine whether inactin exerts effects on mitochondrial function and production of reactive oxygen species. Kidney mitochondrial function and production of reactive oxygen after acutely (5 min) or longer (1.5 hour) anesthetizing rats with inactin was evaluated using high-resolution respirometry. The results demonstrate that inactin significantly improves respiratory control ratio, inhibits complex I in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, reduce both unregulated proton leak and time dependently reduce the regulated proton leak via uncoupling protein-2 and adenine nucleotide translocase. Inactin also contributes to increased mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide production. In conclusion, inactin exerts persistent effects on mitochondrial function and these profound effects on mitochondrial function should to be considered when studying mitochondria isolated from animals anesthesized with inactin.

Murine double nullizygotes of the angiotensin type 1A and 1B receptor genes duplicate severe abnormal phenotypes of angiotensinogen nullizygotes.

Rodents are the unique species carrying duplicated angiotensin (Ang) type 1 (AT1) receptor genes, Agtr1a and Agtr1b. After separately generating Agtr1a and Agtr1b null mutant mice by gene targeting, we produced double mutant mice homozygous for both Agtr1a and Agtr1b null mutation (Agtr1a-/-; Agtr1b-/-) by mating the single gene mutants. Agtr1a-/-, Agtr1b-/- mice are characterized by normal in utero survival but decreased ex utero survival rate. After birth they are characterized by low body weight gain, marked hypotension, and abnormal kidney morphology including delayed maturity in glomerular growth, hypoplastic papilla, and renal arterial hypertrophy. These abnormal phenotypes are quantitatively similar to those found in mutant mice homozygous for the angiotensinogen gene (Agt-/-), indicating that major biological functions of endogenous Ang elucidated by the abnormal phenotypes of Agt-/- are mediated by the AT1 receptors. Infusion of Ang II, AT1 blockers, or an AT2 blocker was without effect on blood pressure in Agtr1a-/-; Agtr1b-/- mice, indicating that AT2 receptor does not exert acute depressor effects in these mice lacking AT1 receptors. Also, unlike Agt-/- mice, some Agtr1a-/-; Agtr1b-/- mice have a large ventricular septum defect, suggesting that another receptor such as AT2 is functionally activated in Agtr1a-/-, Agtr1b-/- mice.

Peripheral melatonin mediates neural stimulation of duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion.

Melatonin is released from intestinal enterochromaffin cells and from the pineal gland, but its role in gastrointestinal function is largely unknown. Our aim was to study the involvement of intestinal and central nervous melatonin in the neurohumoral control of the duodenal mucosa-protective bicarbonate secretion. Working in anesthetized rats, we cannulated a 12-mm segment of duodenum with an intact blood supply and titrated the local bicarbonate secretion with pH-stat. Melatonin and receptor ligands were supplied to the duodenum by close intra-arterial infusion. Even at low doses, melatonin and the full agonist 2-iodo-N-butanoyl-5-methoxytryptamine increased duodenal bicarbonate secretion. Responses were inhibited by the predominantly MT2-selective antagonist luzindole but not by prazosin, acting at MT3 receptors. Also, luzindole almost abolished the marked rise in secretion induced by intracerebroventricular infusion of the adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine. This response was also abolished by sublaryngeal ligation of all nerves around the carotid arteries. However, it was insensitive to truncal vagotomy alone or sympathectomy alone and was unaffected by removal of either the pineal gland or pituitary gland. Thus, melatonin stimulates duodenal bicarbonate secretion via action at enterocyte MT2-receptors and mediates neural stimulation of the secretion.

The inhibition of CHO-K1-BH4 cell proliferation and induction of chromosomal aberrations by brevetoxins in vitro.

Brevetoxins (PbTxs) are highly potent trans-syn polyether neurotoxins produced during blooms of several species of marine dinoflagellates, most notably Karenia brevis. These neurotoxins act on voltage-sensitive sodium channels prolonging the active state. During red tides, the commercial fishing and tourism industries experience millions of dollars of lost revenue. Human consumption of shellfish contaminated with PbTxs results in neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP). Additionally, blooms of K. brevis are potentially responsible for adverse human health effects such as respiratory irritation and airway constriction in coastal residents. There is little information regarding the full range of potential toxic effects caused by PbTxs. Recent evidence suggests that PbTxs are genotoxic substances. The purpose of this study was to determine if PbTxs could induce chromosomal aberrations and inhibit cellular proliferation in CHO-K1-BH4 cells, and if so, could the damage be negated or reduced by the PbTx antagonist brevenal. Results from the chromosomal aberrations assay demonstrated that PbTxs are potent inducers of CHO-K1-BH4 chromosome damage. Results from the inhibition of cellular proliferation assays demonstrated that PbTxs inhibit the ability of CHO-K1-BH4 cells to proliferate, an effect which can be reduced with brevenal.

Differential effects of isoflurane and ketamine/inactin anesthesia on cAMP and cardiac function in FVB/N mice during basal state and beta-adrenergic stimulation.

We evaluated the effect of the inhalant anesthetic isoflurane and the injectable combination of anesthetics ketamine/inactin on cardiac function by measuring left ventricular (LV) pressure in situ during control conditions and during beta-adrenergic stimulation with isoproterenol (ISO). The control heart rate (HR) and the maximal rate of contraction were significantly higher in the isoflurane group, but there was no difference in the rate of relaxation. During the ISO (0.32 ng g body wt(-1) min(-1)) stimulation the developed pressure (DP) increased 9.8 +/- 1.8% (n = 11) in the ketamine/inactin group and was unchanged in the isoflurane group. The HR increased 28.4 +/- 4.8% (n = 11) in the ketamine/inactin group and only 3.4 +/- 0.6% (n = 11) in the isoflurane group. The rate of contraction increased 103.2 +/- 9.3% (n = 11) and 13.6 +/- 4.6% (n = 11) in the ketamine/inactin and isoflurane groups, respectively. At this dose of ISO the rate of relaxation did not change significantly. In control conditions there was no difference in levels of cAMP between the groups (2.29 +/- 0.25 pmol/mg protein (n = 5) in the ketamine/inactin group and 2.79 +/- 0.35 pmol/mg protein (n = 6) in the isoflurane group). However, during the ISO stimulation the cAMP level increased only in the ketamine/ inactin group of animals (3.50 +/- 0.30 pmol/mg protein; n = 5). This level was significantly higher than the level in the isoflurane group stimulated with ISO (2.22 +/- 0.30 pmol/mg protein; n = 6). In summary, our results indicate that the anesthetics differ significantly in the extent of depression of the basal and beta-adrenergic stimulated state with the second messenger cAMP playing a prominent role.

Natural and derivative brevetoxins: historical background, multiplicity, and effects.

Symptoms consistent with inhalation toxicity have long been associated with Florida red tides, and various causal agents have been proposed. Research since 1981 has centered on a group of naturally occurring trans-fused cyclic polyether compounds called brevetoxins that are produced by a marine dinoflagellate known as Karenia brevis. Numerous individual brevetoxins have been identified from cultures as well as from natural bloom events. A spectrum of brevetoxin derivatives produced by chemical modification of the natural toxins has been prepared to examine the effects of functional group modification on physiologic activity. Certain structural features of natural and synthetic derivatives of brevetoxin appear to ascribe specific physiologic consequences to each toxin. Differential physiologic effects have been documented with many of the natural toxins and derivatives, reinforcing the hypothesis that metabolism or modification of toxin structures modulates both the specific toxicity (lethality on a per milligram basis) and potentially the molecular mechanism(s) of action. A series of naturally occurring fused-ring polyether compounds with fewer rings than brevetoxin, known as brevenals, exhibit antagonistic properties and counteract the effects of the brevetoxins in neuronal and pulmonary model systems. Taken together, the inhalation toxicity of Florida red tides would appear to depend on the amount of each toxin present, as well as on the spectrum of molecular activities elicited by each toxin. Toxicity in a bloom is diminished by the amount brevenal present.

Combined renin and converting enzyme inhibition in rats.

The effects of combined renin inhibition and converting enzyme inhibition on mean arterial pressure and the plasma renin-angiotensin system were studied in conscious rats. In sodium-replete rats the infusion of the renin inhibitor CP71362 (100 micrograms/kg/min) decreased blood pressure by 13 +/- 1 mm Hg (p less than 0.0001), reduced plasma renin activity to undetectable levels, but did not lower plasma angiotensin II. In rats treated chronically with enalapril (30 mg/kg/day), CP71362 decreased blood pressure by an additional 5 +/- 2 mm Hg (p less than 0.025) and reduced plasma renin activity and angiotensin II concentrations to undetectable levels. The effects of renin inhibition were also tested under conditions where the renin-angiotensin system was stimulated. In rats on a low sodium diet, CP71362 decreased blood pressure by 15 +/- 2 mm Hg (p less than 0.0001), a decrease similar to that in rats on a normal diet. Plasma renin activity was decreased below detectable limits, but plasma angiotensin II concentrations were not reduced. In rats on a low sodium diet treated chronically with enalapril, CP71362 did not further decrease blood pressure although angiotensin II levels were significantly reduced. An additive effect of combined converting enzyme and renin inhibition on blood pressure lowering and inhibition of plasma angiotensin II was found in rats anesthetized with Inactin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pharmacological evidence that the sympathetic nervous system mediates the increase in renin secretion produced by immobilization and head-up tilt in rats.

To determine the mechanism by which immobilization and head-up tilt under inactin anesthesia increase plasma renin activity (PRA), the effect of these stimuli on plasma levels of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) were measured and the effect of the beta-adrenergic blocking drug, propranolol on the response of plasma renin activity determined. Increases in circulating VIP are known to stimulate secretion of renin. After 10 min of immobilization, plasma renin activity was increased and VIP in plasma was unchanged. After 30 min of tilting, plasma renin activity was also increased and VIP in plasma was unchanged. The increases in plasma renin activity were blocked by propranolol. Inactin anesthesia by itself increased plasma renin activity and this response was unaffected by propranolol and associated with a small decrease, rather than an increase in VIP in plasma. The results indicate that the responses of plasma renin activity to immobilization and head-up tilt are due to increased secretion of renin mediated by the sympathetic nervous system. On the other hand, the increase in secretion of renin produced by inactin anesthesia does not appear to be mediated by the sympathetic nervous system. There was no evidence that VIP was responsible for any of the increases.

A study of the interaction between the hypotensive actions of doxazosin and enalaprilat in anaesthetized rats.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: This study was designed to test whether previous work, which showed that the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor enalaprilat potentiated the alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist activity of doxazosin in isolated rat tail arteries, could be extended to demonstrate a synergistic hypotensive effect of these two drugs. METHODS: Groups of untreated or chronically deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt-treated female Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Rats were anaesthetized with Inactin (barbiturate); drugs were administered via a jugular venous catheter; blood pressure was monitored via a carotid arterial catheter. RESULTS: In previously untreated rats, pretreatment with enalaprilat shifted the dose-response curve for the hypotensive effect of doxazosin to the left, indicating synergism. In rats dosed with DOCA-salt (which suppresses renin and angiotensin II production): (1) there was no synergism between the hypotensive actions of enalaprilat and doxazosin; (2) doxazosin was more potent than in untreated rats; and (3) enalaprilat lowered blood pressure, suggesting a hypotensive mechanism separate from ACE inhibition. CONCLUSION: In the absence of angiotensin II (resulting from enalaprilat administration or from chronic DOCA-salt), doxazosin had a greater hypotensive action than in the presence of angiotensin II. This is consistent with the concept that angiotensin II modulates alpha 1-adrenoceptor activity.

Natriuretic effect of rilmenidine in anesthetized rats.

Rilmenidine binds to alpha 2-adrenoceptors and imidazoline receptors in the central nervous system and the kidney. To test the hypothesis that rilmenidine would increase sodium excretion, renal function was studied in rats with innervated and denervated kidneys to distinguish between indirect (via renal sympathetic nerves) and direct effects of rilmenidine on the kidney. Standard clearance techniques were used in Wistar rats anesthetized with thiobutabarbital to measure renal function during 80 minutes of infusion of 0.9% NaCl or rilmenidine (20 or 50 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 intravenously). Snares on abdominal arteries were used to offset hypotension induced by rilmenidine. Heart rate decreased by 80-120 beats/min with either dose of rilmenidine. At 20 micrograms.kg-1.min-1, rilmenidine increased total and fractional excretion of sodium and clearance of osmoles while decreasing free water clearance from innervated kidneys. There were no changes in these variables in chronically denervated kidneys. Direct recording of renal sympathetic nerve activity showed a progressive, marked decrease in nerve activity during the low-dose infusion of rilmenidine. At 50 micrograms.kg-1.min-1, rilmenidine produced a differential effect on the clearance of osmoles by innervated and denervated kidneys but both kidneys had an increase in free water clearance. The data indicate that rilmenidine increases sodium excretion indirectly in anesthetized rats by decreasing renal sympathetic nerve activity. At doses and infusion periods used in these studies, there was no evidence for a direct effect of rilmenidine on sodium excretion. The increase in free water clearance seen with the high dose of rilmenidine suggests that the inhibitory effect of alpha 2-adrenoceptor activation on vasopressin is involved at this dose.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Role of endothelin ET(A)- and ET(B)-receptors in haemodynamic compensation following haemorrhage in anaesthetized rats.

1. This study examined the role of endothelin ET(A) and ET(B) receptors on haemodynamic compensation following haemorrhage (-17.5 ml kg(-1)) in thiobutabarbitone-anaesthetized rats. Rats were divided into four groups (n=6 each): time-control, haemorrhage-control, haemorrhage after treatment with FR 139317 (ET(A)-receptor antagonist), and haemorrhage after treatment with BQ-788 (ET(B)-receptor antagonist). 2. In the time-control rats, there were no significant changes in any haemodynamics for the duration of the experiments. Relative to the time-control rats, rats given haemorrhage had reduced mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac output (CO) and mean circulatory filling pressure (MCFP), but increased systemic vascular resistance (R(SV)). Venous resistance (R(V)) was slightly (but insignificantly) reduced by haemorrhage. MAP, however, gradually returned towards baseline (-17+/-4 and -3+/-2 mmHg at 10 and 60 min after haemorrhage, respectively) as a result of a further increase in R(SV). 3. Pre-treatment with FR 139317 (i.v. 1 mg kg(-1), followed by 1 mg kg(-1) h(-1)) accentuated haemorrhage-induced hypotension through abolition of the increase in R(SV). FR 139317 did not modify haemorrhage-induced changes in CO, MCFP and R(V). 4. Pre-treatment of BQ-788 (3 mg kg(-1)) did not affect MAP or MCFP following haemorrhage; however, CO was lower, and R(SV) as well as R(V) were higher relative to the readings in the haemorrhaged-control rats. 5. These results show that following compensated haemorrhage, ET maintains arterial resistance and blood pressure via the activation of ET(A) but not ET(B) receptors.

Urine pH and the relationship between urine flow and urinary prostaglandin E excretion in the rat.

The relationship between urine flow and urinary prostaglandin E (PGE) excretion was investigated at constant urine pH in the anaesthetized rat. The urine pH was maintained at approximately pH 6 or pH 8 by the intravenous infusion of either ammonium chloride or sodium bicarbonate respectively. Two distinct patterns in the relationship between PGE excretion and urine flow were observed. The first showed a fall in urinary PGE excretion as the urine flow increased over the low flow range of 2-5 ml/h, and was common to both experiments. The second relationship, however, showed a marked difference between the ammonium chloride and sodium bicarbonate experiments since: (a) in acidic urine (pH 6), PGE excretion increased (P less than 0.002) with the urine flow, attaining a rate of 87 +/- 6 pmol/h (n = 6) at the highest level of flow achieved (12 ml/h); (b) in alkaline urine (pH 8), PGE excretion was significantly (P less than 0.01) higher but did not increase with urine flow, remaining constant at approximately 90 pmol/h (n = 6). The lack of any additive effect on urinary PGE excretion between increasing the urine flow and making the urine alkaline may be explained by both stimuli acting through a common mechanism, a concept which is consistent with the hypothesis that PGE may be reabsorbed in the distal nephron. The flow-dependency of urinary PGE excretion could therefore result from a reduction in reabsorption rather than the increase in passive secretion proposed previously.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Parathyroid hormone effects on calcium metabolism in the rat are impaired by 5-ethyl-5'-(1-methylpropyl)-2-thiobarbiturate (inaktin).

The mechanism by which inaktin, a thiobarbiturate, promotes a moderate drop in serum calcium has been investigated. The effect was cancelled in hypocalcemic parathyroidectomized rats. On the other hand inaktin antagonized the serum calcium raising effects of parathyroid extract in these animals. In rats wit intact parathyroid glands inaktin caused a two-fold increase in urinary calcium excretion and a marked decrease in body and bone calcium turnover (measured with 45 Ca). These results support the view that inaktin impairs the parathyroid hormone effects on calcium metabolism.

Oxytocin-induced renin secretion by denervated kidney in anaesthetized rat.

The effects of oxytocin on renin secretion by denervated kidney were investigated in vivo, by infusing the peptide directly into the renal artery of anaesthetized rats. Renin secretion was calculated by the renal veno-arterial difference in plasma renin activity multiplied by renal plasma flow. The intra-renal arterial (i.r.a.) infusion of oxytocin (1.5 or 15 ng/kg/min, 10 min) induced a sixfold increase in renin secretion as compared to vehicle-treated controls, without effects on renal blood flow, mean arterial blood pressure, glomerular filtration rate or natriuresis. The effect of oxytocin (1.5 ng/kg/min) was prevented by pretreatment with an oxytocin receptor antagonist, desGly-NH(2),d(CH(2))(5)[D-Tyr(2),Thr(4),Orn(8)]vasotocin] (5.6 microg/kg bolus i.v. 20 min before oxytocin infusion, followed by 2.8 microg/kg/min i.r.a.). Nadolol (2.5 mg/kg i.v.), a beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, also blocked the oxytocin-induced increase in renin secretion. These results show that oxytocin is able to stimulate renin release by activating oxytocin receptors but that beta-adrenoceptors also seem to be involved.