Metformin prevents vascular prostanoid release alterations induced by a high-fat diet in rats.

Perivascular adipose tissue dysfunction induced by high-fat feeding leads to alterations in the modulation of inflammation, contractile activity of the vascular smooth muscle and endothelial function, all risk factors in the development of hypertension. Metformin, an activator of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), is currently the first-line drug treatment for type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and metabolic syndrome. Besides its glucose-lowering effect, there is an interest in actions of this drug with potential relevance in cardiovascular diseases. The high-fat (HF) diet is an experimental model that resembles human metabolic syndrome. We have previously reported an altered pattern of prostanoid release in mesenteric vessels in this model. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of metformin on mesenteric vascular bed prostanoid release, adiposity index and its relation to blood pressure in Sprague-Dawley rats fed a HF diet for 8 and 12 weeks. Eight groups were used: control (C8, C1), HF diet (HF8, HF12, 50% w/w bovine fat), metformin-treated (CMf8, CMf12, 500 mg/kg/day) and metformin-treated HF diet (HFMf8, HFMf12, both treatments). HF diet increased mesenteric vascular bed adiposity index (%, HF8: 1.7±0.1 vs C8: 0.9±0.04 and HF12: 1.8±0.1 vs C12: 0.8±0.1, P<.001); systolic blood pressure (SBP, mm Hg, HF8: 145±6 vs C8: 118±4, P<.01 and HF12: 151±1 vs C12: 121±3, P<.001). We found a positive correlation between these two parameters. Moreover HF diet increased the release of vasoconstrictor prostanoids such as thromboxane (TX) B2 (ng PR/mg of tissue, HF8: 117±6 vs C8: 66±2 and HF12: 123±6 vs C12: 62±5, P<.001) and prostaglandin (PG) F2α (ng/mg, HF8: 153±9 vs C8: 88±3 and HF12: 160±11 vs C12: 83±5, P<.001). We also found that this increase in the release of vasoconstrictor prostanoids positively correlates with the elevation of SBP. In addition, HF diet increases the release of PGE2 and decreases the prostacyclin (PGI2 )/TXA2 release ratio at 8 and 12 weeks of treatment compared to control groups. In the HFMf group, metformin treatment prevented all these increases in mesenteric vascular bed adiposity index (%, HFMf8: 1.3±0.2 vs HF8 and HFMf12: 1.3±0.1 vs HF12, P<.05); SBP (mm Hg, HFMf8: 127±2 vs HF8 and HFMf12: 132±1 vs HF12, P<.001); TXB2 release (ng PR/mg of tissue, HFMf8: 65±12 vs HF8, P<.05 and HFMf12: 53±3 vs HF12, P<.001) and PGF2 α (ng PR/mg of tissue, HFMf8: 99±13 vs HF8, P<.01 and HFMf12: 77±8 vs HF12, P<.001). Meanwhile metformin prevented the increment in PGE2 release only at 12 weeks. On the other hand, metformin improved the PGI2 /TXA2 ratio in both periods studied. In conclusion, metformin could exert beneficial effects on adipose tissue and the vascular system by improving endothelial dysfunction induced by an imbalance of vasoactive substances in mesenteric perivascular adipose tissue in this model.

A high-fat plus fructose diet produces a vascular prostanoid alterations in the rat.

In the rat, a high-fat (HF) plus fructose (F) diet produces cardiovascular and metabolic alterations that resemble human metabolic syndrome. Prostanoids (PR), cyclo-oxygenase-derived arachidonic acid metabolites, have vasoactive properties and mediate inflammation. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of a HF+F diet on blood pressure (BP), metabolic parameters and mesenteric vascular bed PR production in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Four groups were studied over 9 weeks (n = 6 each): control (C), standard diet (SD) and tap water to drink; F+SD and 10% w/v F solution to drink; HF 50% (w/w) bovine fat added to SD and tap water; and HFF, both treatments. PR were determined by HPLC. Blood pressure was elevated in all experimental groups. Triglyceridaemia, insulinaemia and HOMA-IR were increased in the F and HF groups. HF+F animals showed elevated glycaemia, insulinaemia, HOMA-IR and triglyceridaemia. F decreased the vasodilator prostanoids PGI2 and PGE2 in the mesenteric vascular bed. Body weight was not significantly altered. In HFF, production of PGE2 , PGF2 alpha and TXB2 was elevated. The increased BP in HF and HFF could be partly attributed to the imbalance in vascular PR production towards vasoconstrictors. On the other hand, this dietary modification could induce inflammation, which would explain the elevation of PGE2 . In the F group, hypertension could be related to decreased vasodilator PRs. The simultaneous administration of HF and F in the rat produces deleterious effects greater than observed when treatments are applied separately.

Sodium molybdate prevents hypertension and vascular prostanoid imbalance in fructose-overloaded rats.

(1) Fructose (F) overload produces elevated blood pressure (BP), hyperglycaemia, hypertriglyceridemia and insulin resistance, resembling human metabolic syndrome. Previously, we found altered vascular prostanoid (PR) production in this model. (2) Sodium molybdate (Mo), as well as sodium tungstate, causes insulin-like effects and normalizes plasma glucose levels in streptozotocin-treated diabetic rats. We studied the effects of Mo on BP, metabolic parameters and release of PR from the mesenteric vascular bed (MVB) in F-overloaded rats. (3) Four groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats were analysed: Control, tap water to drink; F, F solution 10% W/V to drink; CMo, Mo 100 mg kg day(-1) and FMo, both treatments. After 9 weeks, the animals were killed and MVBs removed and the released PRs measured. (4) F increased BP, glycemia, triglyceridemia and insulinemia. Mo treatment prevented the increases in BP and glycemia, but did not modify triglyceridemia or insulinemia. In addition, Mo decreased BP in controls. (5) Prostaglandins (PG) F2 alpha and E2, PG 6-ketoF1 alpha and thromboxane (TX) B2 , as well as inactive metabolites of prostacyclin (PGI2 ) and TXA2 were detected. F decreased the production of vasodilator PRs PGI2 and PGE2 in MVB. Mo prevented these alterations and increased PGE2 in controls. Vasoconstrict or PRs PGF2 alpha and TXA2 release was not modified. (6) Mo treatment, beyond its known lowering effect on glycemia, prevents the reduction in the vascular release of vasodilator PR observed in this model. This could be one of the mechanisms by which Mo avoids the increase in BP caused by F overload in the rat.

Metformin reduces vascular production of vasoconstrictor prostanoids in fructose overloaded rats.

Metformin is a hypoglycaemic drug currently used to increase insulin sensitivity in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Its main mechanism of action is through activation of AMP-activated protein kinase, an enzyme that regulates cellular and whole organ metabolism. The fructose-overloaded rat is an experimental model with features that resemble human metabolic syndrome. We have previously reported alterations in vascular prostanoids (PR) in this model. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of metformin treatment on blood pressure, metabolic parameters and PR production in aorta and mesenteric vascular bed (MVB) from fructose-overloaded animals. Four groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats were used: control, fructose overloaded (10% w/v fructose), metformin treated (50 mg kg(-1) day(-1) ) and fructose-overloaded treated with metformin. Rats with fructose overload had significantly elevated systolic blood pressure, glycaemia, triglyceridaemia, cholesterolaemia and insulinaemia compared with controls. Except for insulinaemia, metformin limited all these increases in fructose-overloaded animals. Fructose overload reduced prostacyclin levels in aorta and MVB, but prostaglandin E(2) levels were only reduced in MVB. Metformin treatment reduced the levels of the vasoconstrictor prostaglandins, PGF(2) α and thromboxane, in both vascular preparations from fructose-overloaded rats. PGF(2) α levels were significantly reduced by metformin in controls. In conclusion, one of the mechanisms by which metformin reduced blood pressure in this model is by decreasing vasoconstrictor prostaglandin production.

Fructose overload modifies vascular morphology and prostaglandin production in rats.

1. A fructose (Fru)-enriched diet induces a mild increase in blood pressure associated with hyperglycaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia, and insulin resistance, resembling the human 'syndrome X', being an useful model to study hypertension and type 2 diabetes. 2. A sustained elevation of blood pressure is associated with cardiovascular structural modifications such as left ventricular hypertrophy and increased wall thickness:lumen diameter ratio in blood vessels. 3. Prostanoids (PR), metabolites of arachidonic acid through the cyclooxygenase pathway, include vasoactive substances synthesized and released by the vessel walls. 4. The aim of the present study was to analyse, in Fru-treated rats: (i) the morphology of mesenteric vessels and; (ii) the PR production in aorta and mesenteric vessels, in order to assess whether these parameters are related with the haemodynamic alterations observed in this experimental model. 5. Blood pressure, glycaemia and triglyceridaemia, were significantly elevated in both (4 and 22 weeks) Fru-treated groups. Meanwhile body and heart weight as well as insulinaemia were similar between experimental animals and controls. 6. The mesenteric vessels of Fru-treated rats (22 weeks) showed an increased thickness and area of the media when compared with the controls; meanwhile, the lumen diameter was similar in both groups. 7. The Fru treatment for 4 weeks did not modify PR production in aorta, whereas in the mesenteric bed it diminished prostaglandin (PG) E(2) release significantly compared with the controls. However, in the group treated for 22 weeks, Fru reduced PGI(2) production in the aorta, as assessed by 6-keto-PGF(1)alpha measurements. Meanwhile, in the mesenteric bed, the chronic Fru treatment decreased PGE(2) release but, rather surprisingly, increased the output of PGI(2) when compared with its corresponding controls. 8. In conclusion, the present study shows the existence of an alteration in the morphology of mesenteric vessels in Fru-treated rats, which could be related to an increase in peripheral resistance and the consequent mild hypertension observed in this model. However, a diminished release of vasodilator PRs, such as PGE(2) in mesenteric vessels at 4 and 22 weeks and PGI(2) in aorta at 22 weeks could further impair the vessel response. The increase in PGI(2) observed in the chronic group in mesenteric vessels could be attributed to a compensatory mechanism.

Central natriuretic peptides regulation of peripheral atrial natriuretic factor release.

Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) receptors have been described in encephalic areas and nuclei related to the regulation of cardiovascular as well as sodium and water homeostasis. Stimulation of the anterior ventral third ventricular region of the brain modifies plasma ANF concentration, suggesting the participation of the central nervous system in the regulation of circulating ANF. The aim of this work was to study the effect of centrally applied ANF or CNP on plasma ANF. Normal and blood volume expanded rats (0.8 ml isotonic saline/100 g body weight) were intra cerebralventricularly injected with 1, 10 or 100 ng/microl/min ANF. Blood volume expanded animals were also centrally injected with the same doses of CNP. Blood samples were collected at 5 and 15 min. after intracerebralventricular administration of either ANF or CNP. Centrally applied ANF did not affect circulating ANF in normal blood volume rats. In blood volume expanded animals both ANF (1, 10 or 100 ng/microl/min) and CNP (1 ng/microl/min) decreased plasma ANF concentration after 15 min. Moreover, CNP (10 and 100 ng/microl/min) lowered circulating ANF levels not only at 15 min but also at 5 min. Neither ANF nor CNP elicited any change in mean arterial pressure and heart rate in normal and blood volume expanded rats. These results suggest the existence of a central regulation exerted by natriuretic peptides on circulating ANF levels. Furthermore, this is the first study reporting an effect on plasma ANF induced by centrally applied CNP.

Increased plasma atrial natriuretic factor in catecholamine-producing tumor patients.

The aim of this study was to evaluate plasma levels of ANF in patients with catecholamine-secreting tumors with and without hypertension and to relate ANF secretion to levels of plasma and urinary catecholamines and blood pressure. Twenty-one pheochromocytoma (15 with sustained, 6 with paroxysmal hypertension), 6 neuroblastoma (1 hypertensive) patients and 28 aged-matched controls were studied in basal conditions. Plasma and urinary norepinephrine (NE),epinephrine (E), dopamine (DA) and DOPA were determined by HPLC-ED and plasma ANF by RIA. Both neuroblastoma and pheochromocytoma patients had significantly higher plasma ANF levels than controls. Neuroblastomas showed higher ANF concentration than pheochromocytomas. No differences were found in plasma ANF between hypertensive and normotensive patients. Pheochromocytomas with ANF levels within the normal range had plasma and urinary NE and urinary DA and DOPA levels significantly higher than patients with high ANF. Plasma ANF levels were unrelated to systolic or diastolic blood pressure or heart rate. A negative correlation between plasma ANF and urinary DA was found only in the patients groups. In conclusion, plasma ANF was increased in pheochromocytoma and neuroblastoma patients. Our data suggest that the excessive catecholamine secretion is not responsible for the increased ANF secretion in these patients. The significance of the relationships among plasma ANF and urinary and plasma catecholamines requires further investigation.