Central ANG-(1-7) infusion improves blood pressure regulation in antenatal betamethasone-exposed sheep and reveals sex-dependent effects on oxidative stress.

Fetal exposure to betamethasone (BMX) as a consequence of glucocorticoid administration to women threatening premature delivery may lead to long-term deleterious effects on the cardiovascular system and dysregulation of blood pressure in exposed adults. Indeed, adult offspring of BMX sheep exhibit increased mean arterial pressure (MAP) and attenuated baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) that are associated with lower medullary and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) angiotensin-(1-7) [(ANG-(1-7)] content. Thus we determined the effects of ANG-(1-7) supplementation in the CSF on MAP, BRS, blood pressure (BPV) and heart rate variability (HRV) in conscious animals. The peptide or artificial CSF (aCSF) was infused continuously into the lateral ventricle (intracerebroventricular) of 4-mo-old male and female BMX sheep for 2 wk. Analysis of data from males and females combined revealed that intracerebroventricular ANG-(1-7) significantly lowered MAP and heart rate and improved BRS as compared with baseline; intracerebroventricular aCSF did not change these indexes. Similar patterns were observed for altered hemodynamics and autonomic function produced by intracerebroventricular ANG-(1-7) in both sexes. Oxidative stress and MAP kinase (MAPK) activation were lower in tissues from the dorsomedial medulla (DMM) of ANG-(1-7)-treated males but were unchanged in the treated females, when assessed at the end of the treatment period. We conclude that in the face of ANG-(1-7) deficiency in CSF and medullary tissue in BMX sheep intracerebroventricular supplementation of ANG-(1-7) lowers MAP and restores the impaired autonomic function to a similar degree in both males and females; however, the attenuation of MAPK and oxidative stress within the DMM was evident only in males. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We demonstrate that intracerebroventricular angiotensin-(1-7) [(ANG-(1-7)] treatment for 2 wk in antenatal betamethasone-exposed sheep provides beneficial effects on blood pressure and autonomic function. The physiological improvements are accompanied by an attenuation of oxidative stress in males but not females. The finding that ANG-(1-7) supplementation lowers blood pressure and restores the impaired autonomic function in a model of fetal programming previously shown to exhibit a deficiency in cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissue illustrates the potential for new therapeutic strategies for reducing cardiovascular dysfunction arising from prenatal events.

Evidence for intraventricular secretion of angiotensinogen and angiotensin by the subfornical organ using transgenic mice.

Direct intracerebroventricular injection of angiotensin II (ANG II) causes increases in blood pressure and salt and water intake, presumably mimicking an effect mediated by an endogenous mechanism. The subfornical organ (SFO) is a potential source of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), ANG I, and ANG II, and thus we hypothesized that the SFO has a secretory function. Endogenous levels of angiotensinogen (AGT) and renin are very low in the brain. We therefore examined the immunohistochemical localization of angiotensin peptides and AGT in the SFO, and AGT in the CSF in two transgenic models that overexpress either human AGT (A+ mice), or both human AGT (hAGT) and human renin (SRA mice) in the brain. Measurements were made at baseline and following volumetric depletion of CSF. Ultrastructural analysis with immunoelectron microscopy revealed that superficially located ANG I/ANG II and AGT immunoreactive cells in the SFO were vacuolated and opened directly into the ventricle. Withdrawal of CSF produced an increase in AGT in the CSF that was accompanied by a large decline in AGT immunoreactivity within SFO cells. Our data provide support for the hypothesis that the SFO is a secretory organ that releases AGT and possibly ANG I/ANG II into the ventricle at least under conditions when genes that control the renin-angiotensin system are overexpressed in mice.

Evidence for an angiotensin-(1-7) neuropeptidase expressed in the brain medulla and CSF of sheep.

Angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] is an alternative product of the brain renin-angiotensin system that exhibits central actions to lower blood pressure and improve baroreflex sensitivity. We previously identified a peptidase that metabolizes Ang-(1-7) to the inactive metabolite product Ang-(1-4) in CSF of adult sheep. This study purified the peptidase 1445-fold from sheep brain medulla and characterized this activity. The peptidase was sensitive to the chelating agents o-phenanthroline and EDTA, as well as the mercury compound p-chloromercuribenzoic acid (PCMB). Selective inhibitors to angiotensin-converting enzyme, neprilysin, neurolysin, and thimet oligopeptidase did not attenuate activity; however, the metallopeptidase agent JMV-390 was a potent inhibitor of Ang-(1-7) hydrolysis (Ki = 0.8 nM). Kinetic studies using (125) I-labeled Ang-(1-7), Ang II, and Ang I revealed comparable apparent Km values (2.6, 2.8, and 4.3 µM, respectively), but a higher apparent Vmax for Ang-(1-7) (72 vs. 30 and 6 nmol/min/mg, respectively; p < 0.01). HPLC analysis of the activity confirmed the processing of unlabeled Ang-(1-7) to Ang-(1-4) by the peptidase, but revealed < 5% hydrolysis of Ang II or Ang I, and no hydrolysis of neurotensin, bradykinin or apelin-13. The unique characteristics of the purified neuropeptidase may portend a novel pathway to influence actions of Ang-(1-7) within the brain. Angiotensin-(1-7) actions are mediated by the AT7 /Mas receptor and include reduced blood pressure, decreased oxidative stress, enhanced baroreflex sensitivity, and increased nitric oxide (NO). Ang-(1-7) is directly formed from Ang I by neprilysin (NEP). We identify a new pathway for Ang-(1-7) metabolism in the brain distinct from angiotensin-converting enzyme-dependent hydrolysis. The Ang-(1-7) endopeptidase (A7-EP) degrades the peptide to Ang-(1-4) and may influence central Ang-(1-7) tone.

Antenatal betamethasone exposure is associated with lower ANG-(1-7) and increased ACE in the CSF of adult sheep.

Antenatal betamethasone (BM) therapy accelerates lung development in preterm infants but may induce early programming events with long-term cardiovascular consequences. To elucidate these events, we developed a model of programming whereby pregnant ewes are administered BM (2 doses of 0.17 mg/kg) or vehicle at the 80th day of gestation and offspring are delivered at term. BM-exposed (BMX) offspring develop elevated blood pressure; decreased baroreflex sensitivity; and alterations in the circulating, renal, and brain renin-angiotensin systems (RAS) by 6 mo of age. We compared components of the choroid plexus fourth ventricle (ChP4) and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) RAS between control and BMX male offspring at 6 mo of age. In the choroid plexus, high-molecular-weight renin protein and ANG I-intact angiotensinogen were unchanged between BMX and control animals. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) activity was threefold higher than either neprilysin (NEP) or angiotensin 1-converting enzyme (ACE) in control and BMX animals. Moreover, all three enzymes were equally enriched by approximately 2.5-fold in ChP4 brush-border membrane preparations. CSF ANG-(1-7) levels were significantly lower in BMX animals (351.8 ± 76.8 vs. 77.5 ± 29.7 fmol/mg; P < 0.05) and ACE activity was significantly higher (6.6 ± 0.5 vs. 8.9 ± 0.5 fmol·min(-1)·ml(-1); P < 0.05), whereas ACE2 and NEP activities were below measurable limits. A thiol-sensitive peptidase contributed to the majority of ANG-(1-7) metabolism in the CSF, with higher activity in BMX animals. We conclude that in utero BM exposure alters CSF but not ChP RAS components, resulting in lower ANG-(1-7) levels in exposed animals.

Changes in central and peripheral renin-angiotensin system after furosemide injection.

To examine the effects of acute stimulation on the peripheral and central renin-angiotensin system, simultaneous sampling of blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for measurements of plasma renin activity (PRA), plasma angiotensin I-immunoreactivity (PAng I-ir), plasma angiotensin II-immunoreactivity (PAng II-ir), plasma angiotensinogen and cerebrospinal fluid angiotensin II-ir (CSF Ang II-ir) and CSF angiotensinogen was carried out following intravenous injection of furosemide (5 mg/kg) in conscious dogs. Administration of furosemide induced marked increases in PRA, Ang I-ir, PAng II-ir and CSF Ang II-ir, however, neither plasma nor CSF angiotensinogen was changed. Furthermore, a relatively large dose (20 mg/kg/min) of intravenously infused synthetic Ang II for 20 min produced a five-fold increase in PAng II-ir compared with no significant increase in CSF Ang II-ir. In spite of significant suppression of PRA and PAng I-ir, there were no significant changes in either plasma or CSF angiotensinogen. These results primarily suggest that the peripheral and the brain renin-angiotensin systems may be linked and that acute changes in the peripheral renin-angiotensin system do not alter either plasma or CSF angiotensinogen.

Angiotensin synthesis in the brain and increased turnover in hypertensive rats.

The missing link in the evidence for an active endogenous renin angiotensin system in the brain has been the demonstration of local angiotensin synthesis in the central nervous system in vivo. In this report the extraction and characterization of angiotensin I and angiotensin II from the brain of rats is described. The accumulation of angiotensin I was enhanced in hypertensive rats when the conversion to angiotensin II was blocked in vivo by the converting enzyme inhibitor captopril.

CSF renin activity in hypertensive and normotensive patients.

CSF samples of hypertensive and normotensive matched groups were assayed and compared for renin activity (RA). The measurements yield low values of RA in both groups without significant difference between them. There was no correlation between the CSF level of RA of each patient and his own concomitant plasma renin activity (PRA). Although the presence of RA in the CSF was confirmed in this study, no direct correlation seems to exist between it values and the elevated blood pressure; therefore, the pathophysiological significance of the renin-angiotensin system in the CSF and its relation to centrally generated hypertension remains questionable.

Angiotensin II in human cerebrospinal fluid may be an immunoassay artifact.

1. Concentrations of angiotensin II (ANG II) were measured by radioimmunoassay in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma from neurosurgical patients and patients having spinal anaesthesia. Cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of renin, renin substrate and ANG I were also measured. 2. Cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of ANG II measured with antiserum 30/VI were low in neurosurgical patients (mean 6 pmol/l, range < 2 - 12 pmol/l, n = 7) and lower in spinal anaesthesia patients (mean 1 pmol/l, range < 2 - 4 pmol/l, n = 14) and unrelated to concurrent plasma concentrations of ANG II. 3. A second more sensitive immunoassay with ANG II antiserum 9/P gave higher cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of ANG II in spinal anaesthesia patients (mean 15 +/- 1 pmol/l, n = 7, P < 0.01). 4. Paper chromatography showed that the ANG II immunoreactive material measured with antiserum 9/P was not ANG I, ANG II, ANG II-(2-8), ANG II-(3-8) or ANG II-(4-8). 5. The concentration of ANG I in cerebrospinal fluid was low (4 +/- 0.04 pmol/l, n = 7). No renin was detected (n = 32) and the concentration of renin substrate was 45 +/- 2.6 nmol/l (n = 24). 6. Much of the immunoreactive ANG II in human cerebrospinal fluid is an immunoassay artifact.

Components of the renin-angiotensin system in the cerebrospinal fluid of rats and dogs with special consideration of the origin and the fate of angiotensin II.

From the in vitro and in vivo measurements of the components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of rats and dogs, it was concluded that angiotension II (ANG II) is not generated within the CSF in significant amounts, since renin was found to be unmeasurable in CSF under most circumstances. The specific concentrations of angiotensinogen and of converting enzyme (CE) were high. Angiotensin I (ANG I) concentrations were low in CSF, while ANG II levels were comparable to those measured in plasma under control conditions. Neither ANG I nor ANG II penetrated from the blood into the brain ventricles of rats, provided that no unrealistically high doses of ANG II were administered intravenously. This holds true even if high blood pressure increases were induced by intravenous ANG II infusion in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) and salt-treated rats. However, increased ANG II concentrations were measured in CSF perfusate, when the blood-brain barrier (BBB) was opened by the intracarotid injection of a hyperosmolar urea solution. The brain ventricular perfusion of increasing concentrations of ANG II revealed constant recovery of less than 40%. CSF did not contain angiotensinase activity, but ANG II degradation was high in some periventricular regions. ANG II, the ANG II antagonist saralasin, and the CE inhibitor captopril, respectively, escaped from CSF into circulation when high doses of these substances were applied intraventricularly. We conclude that ANG II in the CSF does not originate from and is not related to plasma ANG II. It is probably not generated within the CSF. ANG II may be synthetized in the brain tissue and be released into the brain ventricles where its rapid degradation occurs in contact with circumventricular structures.

The brain renin-angiotensin system: a critical analysis.

The concept of a brain renin-angiotensin system originated with the observation that the components necessary for the formation of angiotensin II are present in the central nervous system. This observation has been confirmed and extended, and it is now frequently assumed that there is a functional brain renin-angiotensin system. However, careful analysis of the available evidence has revealed a number of significant problems. It appears that most of the renin-like activity measured in extracts of brain is due to the acid protease cathepsin D; this is unlikely to function as an angiotensin-forming enzyme in vivo. Experiments involving central administration of renin substrate have not provided convincing evidence for a significant renin-renin substrate interaction in vivo. Attempts to demonstrate the presence of angiotensin in the brain have been plagued with problems of specificity and it is still not clear if the peptide is actually present in the central nervous system. These problems do not rule out the possibility that there is a brain renin-angiotensin system, but more definitive evidence is required before it can be concluded that such a tensin system exists.