Changes in glomerular hemodynamic response to angiotensin II after subacute renal denervation in rats.

We examined the changes in glomerular hemodynamics produced by angiotensin II (AII) in both normal Munich-Wistar rats and rats which were unilaterally renal denervated (measured kidney) 4-6 d prior to the measurement periods. Measurements of glomerular dynamics were performed in a control period after plasma volume expansion and during infusion of 11 ng X 100 g body wt-1 X min-1 of AII. The glomerular hydrostatic pressure gradient increased from 38 +/- 1 to 49 +/- 1 mmHg in denervated rats compared with a lesser response in controls (from 39 +/- 1 to 45 +/- 1 mmHg, P less than 0.05). Single nephron plasma flow decreased from 213 +/- 17 to 87 +/- 4 nl X min-1 X g kidney wt (KW)-1 in denervated kidneys versus a more modest decrease in control kidneys (from 161 +/- 9 to 102 +/- 5 nl X min X gKW-1). These changes were due to a greater increase in both afferent and efferent arteriolar resistance after AII infusion in denervated compared with control kidneys. Glomerular AII receptor maximum binding was 1,196 +/- 267 fmol/mg protein in denervated kidneys compared with 612 +/- 89 fmol/mg protein (P less than 0.01) in controls with no change in receptor affinity. We conclude the subacute unilateral renal denervation results in renal vasodilation, denervation magnifies the vasoconstrictive effect of AII infusion on glomerular hemodynamics, and the observed increased response to AII after denervation is associated with increases in glomerular AII receptors.

Role of the D1A dopamine receptor in the pathogenesis of genetic hypertension.

Since dopamine produced by the kidney is an intrarenal regulator of sodium transport, an abnormality of the dopaminergic system may be important in the pathogenesis of hypertension. In the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), in spite of normal renal production of dopamine and receptor density, there is defective transduction of the D1 receptor signal in renal proximal tubules, resulting in decreased inhibition of sodium transport (Na+/H+ exchanger [NHE] and Na+/K+ATPase activity) by dopamine. To determine if impaired D1 receptor regulation of NHE in proximal tubules is related to hypertension, studies were performed in a F2 generation from female Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and male SHR crosses. A D1 agonist, SKF 81297, inhibited (37.6 +/- 4.7%) NHE activity in brush border membranes of normotensive F2s (systolic blood pressure < 140 mm Hg, n = 7) but not in hypertensive F2s (n = 21). Furthermore, a D1 agonist, SKF 38393, when infused into the renal artery, dose dependently increased sodium excretion in normotensive F2s (n = 3) without altering renal blood flow but was inactive in hypertensive F2s (n = 21). Since the major D1 receptor gene expressed in renal proximal tubules is the D1A subtype, we determined the importance of this gene in the control of blood pressure in mice lacking functional D1A receptors. Systolic blood pressure was greater in homozygous (n = 6) and heterozygous (n = 5) mice compared to normal sex matched litter mate controls (n = 12); moreover, the mice lacking one or both D1A alleles developed diastolic hypertension. The cosegregation with hypertension of an impaired D1 receptor regulation of renal sodium transport and the development of elevated systolic and diastolic pressure in mice lacking one or both D1A alleles suggest a causal relationship of the D1A receptor gene with hypertension.

Fibroblast growth factor 2 retargeted adenovirus has redirected cellular tropism: evidence for reduced toxicity and enhanced antitumor activity in mice.

Adenovirus (Ad) have been used as vectors to deliver genes to a wide variety of tissues. Despite achieving high expression levels in vivo, Ad vectors display normal tissue toxicity, transient expression, and antivector immune responses that limit therapeutic potential. To circumvent these problems, several retargeting strategies to abrogate native tropism and redirect Ad uptake through defined receptors have been attempted. Despite success in cell culture, in vivo results have generally not shown sufficient selectivity for target tissues. We have previously identified (C. K. Goldman et al., Cancer Res., 57: 1447-1451, 1997) the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) ligand and receptor families as conferring sufficient specificity and binding affinity to be useful for targeting DNA in vivo. In the present studies, we retargeted Ad using basic FGF (FGF2) as a targeting ligand. Cellular uptake is redirected through high-affinity FGF receptors (FGFRs) and not the more ubiquitous lower-affinity Ad receptors. Initial in vitro experiments demonstrated a 10- to 100-fold increase in gene expression in numerous FGFR positive (FGFR+) cell lines using FGF2-Ad when compared with Ad. To determine whether increased selectivity could be detected in vivo, FGF2-Ad was administered i.v. to normal mice. FGF2-Ad demonstrates markedly decreased hepatic toxicity and liver transgene expression compared with Ad treatment. Importantly, FGF2-Ad encoding the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (TK) gene transduces Ad-resistant FGFR+ tumor cells both ex vivo and in vivo, which results in substantially enhanced survival (180-260%) when the prodrug ganciclovir is administered. Because FGFRs are up-regulated on many types of malignant or injured cells, this broadly useful method to redirect native Ad tropism and to increase the potency of gene expression may offer significant therapeutic advantages.

Arachidonic acid metabolism in guinea pig skin.

Studies were conducted to examine the metabolism of radioactively labelled arachidonic acid via the lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase pathways and the metabolic conversions of radioactively labelled prostaglandin H2 in the epidermal and dermal layers of the guinea-pig skin. Arachidonic acid was metabolized preferentially via lipoxygenase to hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE). The major product of the cyclooxygenase pathway was prostaglandin D2; prostaglandin E2 was formed in lesser amounts. Epidermis exhibited much higher activities of these enzymes on a milligram protein basis than the dermis. In contrast, both skin layers showed the same very high activity of GSH-dependent prostaglandin H2/prostaglandin D2 isomerase; Prostaglandin D2 was virtually the only product formed by skin homogenates from prostaglandin H2. Guinea-pig skin is a highly active site of arachidonic acid metabolism. These findings will provide the basis for pathobiochemical studies in inflammatory and hyperproliferative dermatoses.

Evidence for the glycoprotein nature of kidney renin.

The glycoprotein nature of renin isolated from either rabbit or human kidney has been demonstrated by affinity chromatography on concanavalin A-Sepharose. The bulk of rabbit renin activity bound to concanavalin A is released by 20 to 50 mM alpha-methyl-D-mannoside. Adsorption of renin is prevented by periodate oxidation prior to chromatography. Mild acid treatment (pH 2.5) prior to chromatography does not alter the concanavalin A binding profile although the pI values of native rabbit renin (5.1-5.6) are shifted into a broader distribution (4.7-6.4). The molecular weight values of rabbit renin obtained by gel filtration and those from zone centrifugation are identical (37000 +/- 1000), consistent with a low percent of carbohydrate in the glycoprotein. A hydrophobic contribution to the binding of renin by concanavalin A is evident since, in the presence of mM Ca2+ and Mn2+, higher concentrations of alpha-methyl-D-mannoside are required to affect the same release of renin at 23 degrees C compared to that at 4 degrees C. Furthermore, 25% ethylene glycol releases renin in the absence of alpha-methyl-D-mannoside. It is concluded that renin contains a small number of carbohydrate residues in relatively close proximity to a hydrophobic surface which enhances the interaction with concanavalin A.

Epidermal arachidonate lipoxygenase.

Guinea pig skin was found to display a high lipoxygenase activity, evidenced by the formation of a hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) from exogenous [14C]arachidonic acid. The lipoxygenase activity was localized to the epidermal layer of the skin, was completely inhibited by eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA) and slightly enhanced by indomethacin. Susceptibility to inactivation by sulfhydryl-directed reagents indicated that an essential sulfhydryl is present in a hydrophobic region of the molecule. The enzyme exhibited a broad pH activity optimum and a Km of 2.48 . 10(-5) M. The cytosolic enzyme has been partly purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and two steps of of column chromatography and exhibited an apparent high molecular weight. The lipoxygenase and hydroperoxidase activities were resolvable from one another. The physiological and pathophysiological roles of the enzyme remain to be elucidated.

Prostaglandin endoperoxide metabolism by bovine cerebral microvessels.

Isolated bovine cerebral microvessels were found to contain two prostaglandin endoperoxide-metabolizing activities: prostaglandin H2-E2 isomerase and prostacyclin synthetase. At low tissue protein concentrations (i.e., less than 1 mg/ml) and in the presence of reduced glutathione, formation of prostaglandin E2 was favored (about 80% of total prostaglandin products), whereas at higher protein concentrations, in the presence or absence of reduced glutathione, 6-keto-prostaglanding F1 alpha, the stable breakdown product of prostacyclin, was the major product (40-50% of total). Despite an increase in apparent prostacyclin formation, glutathione-enhanced prostaglandin E2 production was still evident at protein concentrations exceeding 1 mg/ml. No apparent enzymatic prostaglandin E2 forming activity was evident in whole cerebral cortex or pial artery homogenates although some GSH-enhanced prostaglandin E2 formation could be demonstrated in microsomes prepared from these tissues. These findings indicate that prostaglandin E2 formation is a dominant enzymatic endoperoxide-metabolizing activity in microvessels, and that this pathway may be primarily localized to the microvasculature. However, they also indicate that enzyme/substrate ratios and endogenous cofactor availability may affect the outcome of endoperoxide metabolism in the bovine cerebral microvasculature, Prostaglandin E2 and prostacyclin generated in the microvasculature could participate in the regulation of various functions, e.g., regional flow and capillary permeability.

Fibroblast growth factor 2-retargeted adenoviral vectors exhibit a modified biolocalization pattern and display reduced toxicity relative to native adenoviral vectors.

Targeted vectors provide a number of advantages for systemic and local gene delivery strategies. Several groups have investigated the utility of using various ligands to alter the tropism of adenovirus (Ad) vectors. We have previously demonstrated that fibroblast growth factor (FGF) ligands can specifically target DNA transfection and Ad transduction through high-affinity FGF receptors (FGFRs). FGFRs are overexpressed in abnormally proliferating tissues, such as malignancies. The present studies explore the effects of retargeting with FGF2 on the tissue localization pattern and the systemic toxicity of Ad in mice. Results of semiquantitative PCR analyses indicate that the distribution of FGF2-Ad vector genome sequences after intravenous administration in mice is altered. Markedly lower amounts (10- to 20-fold) of FGF2-Ad localize to the liver when compared with native Ad. This decrease in liver deposition translates into a significant reduction in subsequent toxicity as measured by serum transaminases and histopathology in mice injected with FGF2-AdHSV-thymidine kinase with and without ganciclovir administration. In an intraperitoneal model of ovarian cancer, FGF2-Ad generates increased transgene expression in tumor tissue when compared with Ad. Taken together, these results indicate that the retargeting of Ad with FGF2 results in a more efficient vector system for systemic and regional gene therapy applications, with concomitant lower levels of systemic toxicity.

Matrix immobilization enhances the tissue repair activity of growth factor gene therapy vectors.

Although growth factor proteins display potent tissue repair activities, difficulty in sustaining localized therapeutic concentrations limits their therapeutic activity. We reasoned that enhanced histogenesis might be achieved by combining growth factor genes with biocompatible matrices capable of immobilizing vectors at delivery sites. When delivered to subcutaneously implanted sponges, a platelet-derived growth factor B-encoding adenovirus (AdPDGF-B) formulated in a collagen matrix enhanced granulation tissue deposition 3- to 4-fold (p < or = 0.0002), whereas vectors encoding fibroblast growth factor 2 or vascular endothelial growth factor promoted primarily angiogenic responses. By day 8 posttreatment of ischemic excisional wounds, collagen-formulated AdPDGF-B enhanced granulation tissue and epithelial areas up to 13- and 6-fold (p < 0.009), respectively, and wound closure up to 2-fold (p < 0.05). At longer times, complete healing without excessive scar formation was achieved. Collagen matrices were shown to retain both vector and transgene products within delivery sites, enabling the transduction and stimulation of infiltrating repair cells. Quantitative PCR and RT-PCR demonstrated both vector DNA and transgene mRNA within wound beds as late as 28 days posttreatment. By contrast, aqueous formulations allowed vector seepage from application sites, leading to PDGF-induced hyperplasia in surrounding tissues but not wound beds. Finally, repeated applications of PDGF-BB protein were required for neotissue induction approaching equivalence to a single application of collagen-immobilized AdPDGF-B, confirming the utility of this gene transfer approach. Overall, these studies demonstrate that immobilizing matrices enable the controlled delivery and activity of tissue promoting genes for the effective regeneration of injured tissues.

Changes in arachidonic acid metabolism in UV-irradiated hairless mouse skin.

This study was conducted to investigate the metabolism of arachidonic acid in the skin of hairless mice exposed to UVA, PUVA, UVB, and UVC irradiation. The main products of arachidonic acid in the epidermis were hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE), PGE2, and PGD2. Dermis displayed a lower lipoxygenase activity (expressed as HETE production) than the epidermis and showed no detectable cyclooxygenase activity, i.e., no prostaglandin production. The main changes observed in UV-induced inflammatory reactions were as follows. 1. A 5-fold increase in dermal HETE production in PUVA-treated animals and a 29% reduction in epidermal HETE formation after UVC treatment. 2. A marked decrease of PGD2 and a marked increase of PGE2 formation due to alterations of PGH2 metabolism in the UVB-treated group; however, cyclooxygenase activity was unchanged. These changes in arachidonic acid metabolism in the skin may be of pathophysiologic importance in UV-induced inflammatory reaction.

Chronic estrogen treatment reduces angiotensin II receptors in the anterior pituitary.

We have demonstrated previously that angiotensin II (ANG II) receptors in the rat pituitary fluctuate with the stage of the estrous cycle, with the highest binding level found in diestrus and the lowest found in estrus. These findings were extended in the present study by examining the role of estrogens in variations of ANG II binding. Ovariectomized rats were treated with a Silastic implant containing estradiol benzoate for 4 or 14 days before death, and pituitary [125I]ANG II binding was measured. Compared to that in ovariectomized controls, ANG II binding in the anterior pituitary was found to be significantly reduced after either 4 or 14 days of estrogen treatment. This reduction was mainly an effect on receptor density rather than receptor affinity. The observed apparent Kd and receptor density were as follows: ovariectomized controls, 0.8 nM and 92 fmol/mg protein; 4 days of estrogen treatment, 1.0 nM and 25 fmol/mg protein; 14 days of estrogen treatment, 0.8 nM and 12 fmol/mg protein. We conclude that estrogen treatment leads to a reduction in ANG II-binding sites in the anterior pituitary, and this effect may account for the reduction of pituitary ANG II receptors at estrus.

Autoradiographic localization of [125I]-angiotensin II binding sites in the rat adrenal gland.

To gain greater insight into sites of action of circulating angiotensin II (Ang II) within the adrenal, we have localized the [125I]-Ang II binding site using in vitro autoradiography. Autoradiograms were generated either by apposition of isotope-sensitive film or with emulsion-coated coverslips to slide-mounted adrenal sections labeled in vitro with 1.0 nM [125I]-Ang II. Analysis of the autoradiograms showed that Ang II binding sites were concentrated in a thin band in the outer cortex (over the cells of the zona glomerulosa) and in the adrenal medulla, which at higher power was seen as dense patches. Few sites were evident in the inner cortex. The existence of Ang II binding sites in the adrenal medulla was confirmed by conventional homogenate binding techniques which revealed a single class of high affinity Ang II binding site (Kd = 0.7nM, Bmax = 168.7 fmol/mg). These results suggest that the adrenal medulla may be a target for direct receptor-mediated actions of Ang II.

Distribution of immunoreactive angiotensin II, angiotensin I, angiotensinogen and renin in the central nervous system of intact and nephrectomized rats.

Evidence for an intracellular pathway for angiotensin synthesis in the central nervous system (CNS) was examined using immunohistochemistry to compare the distribution of angiotensin I (AI), AII, angiotensinogen, and renin in the hypothalamic paraventricular nuclei (PVN) and supraoptic nuclei (SON), median eminence (ME), and pituitary gland in intact and nephrectomized rats. In intact rats injected intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) with colchicine, AII neurons were found in the parvocellular PVN, and terminals were seen in the external lamina of the ME. In the pituitary gland, AII was localized within cells of the anterior and intermediate lobes, whereas the posterior pituitary was unstained. In contrast, 24 to 48 hours following nephrectomy, AII-labeled neurons were observed in the magnocellular PVN and SON, even without the aid of i.c.v. colchicine. Likewise, axons within the internal layer of the ME were now labeled, but the pituitary was completely devoid of staining except for the intermediate lobe. AI-labeled neurons were observed only in the parvocellular PVN. Angiotensinogen was localized in the mediobasal hypothalamus, but the PVN and SON were not labeled. Immunoreactive renin was localized within the magnocellular PVN, SON, and posterior lobe of the pituitary in nephrectomized and intact animals. Because of the close overlap of AI and AII staining, these results suggest that AI and AII could represent a precursor product relationship in the CNS. In contrast, in the intact animals, renin and angiotensinogen do not appear to be associated with AII. However, a possible relationship between AII and renin may exist in the magnocellular PVN and SON, since labeled neurons were seen in these nuclei following nephrectomy.

Exaggerated response to alerting stimuli in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The startle response, consisting of behavioral and cardiovascular components, was used to study the reaction of the cardiovascular system to a mild environmental stressor. We used tactile air puff startle to study responses in adult Wistar-Kyoto and spontaneously hypertensive rats. In both strains, air puff elicits a transient motor response with rapid habituation over the test session of 30 trials. Spontaneously hypertensive rats exhibit exaggerated motor responses compared with Wistar-Kyoto rats. Similarly, a 2-3-second duration pressor response was significantly greater in spontaneously hypertensive rats than in Wistar-Kyoto rats (47.7 +/- 2.0 versus 37.1 +/- 1.5 mm Hg, respectively). However, spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar-Kyoto rats exhibited strikingly dissimilar heart rate responses. Wistar-Kyoto rats exhibited a transient bradycardia (-42 +/- 7 beats/min) on early trials yielding to tachycardia on later trials (35 +/- 11 beats/min). In contrast, spontaneously hypertensive rats exhibited only tachycardia to all stimuli with an absence of bradycardia. Adrenal medullary secretions chronically modulate cardiac responses in both strains. Sinoaortic denervation did not alter the magnitude or profile of the heart rate responses. Spontaneously hypertensive--Wistar-Kyoto rat differences were not secondary to hypertension because renovascular hypertensive Wistar-Kyoto rats show normal responses to air puff. Four-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats exhibit enhanced pressor and suppressed bradycardia responses relative to age-matched Wistar-Kyoto rats, indicating chronotropic differences precede development of established hypertension. Our results indicate parasympathetic activation by the mild startle stimuli rather than sympathetic withdrawal allows bradycardia to mask a latent tachycardia in Wistar-Kyoto rats. Spontaneously hypertensive rats exhibit a parasympathetic insufficiency in the startle response to novel alerting stimuli. Thus, mild air puff startle identifies a unique and discriminatory phenotypic difference between inbred normotensive and hypertensive rats.

Angiotensinogen levels in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid of the genetically hypertensive rat.

The present experiments were designed to document changes in the regional distribution of angiotensinogen in the rat brain with the development of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) relative to age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Levels of angiotensinogen were measured in discrete brain nuclei and cerebrospinal fluid from rats at 4, 7, and 16 weeks of age and in cerebrospinal fluid obtained by cisternal puncture at 7 and 16 weeks. Age-dependent changes in angiotensinogen were found, with levels higher in both strains at 4 weeks of age compared with 7 or 16 weeks. In contrast, plasma levels of angiotensinogen were essentially the inverse of the brain levels, low at 4 weeks and higher at 7 and 16 weeks. Levels in a number of regions adjacent to the rostral third ventricle from the 4-week-old SHR (prehypertensive phase) were significantly elevated relative to the WKY (p less than 0.05), while levels in the amygdala and posterior hypothalamus were significantly lower in the SHR (p less than 0.05). In 7-week-old rats (evolving phase), levels in nine brain regions were significantly elevated in the SHR relative to the WKY and included the nucleus tractus solitarii (p less than 0.01). Unlike the prehypertensive and evolving phases, in 16-week-old rats (maintenance phase) only two brain areas, the nucleus of the diagonal band and the lateral hypothalamus, had significantly elevated levels in the SHR (p less than 0.05). Cerebrospinal fluid levels of angiotensinogen did not correlate well with brain levels of angiotensinogen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bradykinin-induced reductions in collagen gene expression involve prostacyclin.

Cardiac fibrosis after myocardial infarction and in chronic hypertension involves an increase in the synthesis and deposition of collagen within the myocardium. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors limit hypertrophy and fibrosis; their mechanism of action remains controversial, although kinins have been implicated to play a role. Because both bradykinin and prostaglandins (PG) have been shown to reduce collagen gene expression in cardiac fibroblasts, the goal of this study was to determine whether the bradykinin effect was mediated through enhanced prostaglandin formation by cardiac fibroblasts. Bradykinin increased [3H]arachidonic acid metabolite release 2.3-fold over control and stimulated a dose-dependent increase in 6-keto PGF1alpha (the stable metabolite of PGI2) release from these cells, in which 1 nmol/L bradykinin produced a 4-fold increase in 6-keto PGF1alpha release. Beraprost (a PGI2 analogue) reduced steady-state proalpha1(I) and proalpha1(III) collagen mRNA levels by 35.6+/-6.6% and 34.2+/-10.0%, respectively. Bradykinin-induced reductions in collagen type I and III gene expression were reversed by pretreatment with indomethacin. Our results indicate that one mechanism by which bradykinin modulates collagen biosynthesis via the rabbit cardiac fibroblast involves formation of arachidonic acid metabolites, particularly PGI2. The results of the present study argue that stabilization of endogenous kinins (as by ACE inhibitors) would enhance prostacyclin production and result in the attenuation of collagen gene expression, with potential implications for collagen synthesis and deposition within the myocardium.

Diurnal cardiovascular patterns in spontaneously hypertensive and Wistar-Kyoto rats.

This study was designed to determine whether diurnal patterns of blood pressure, heart rate, or locomotor activity differed among two substrains of Wistar-Kyoto rats, derived originally from Charles River or Taconic Farms stock, or the spontaneously hypertensive rat. Cardiovascular parameters were continuously monitored over 24 hours. Resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure values were statistically different among the three groups both during the lights-on (rest) and lights-off (active) phases of the cycle with blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats greater than that of Wistar-Kyoto rats from Taconic Farms, which was greater than that of Wistar-Kyoto rats from Charles River. The largest difference in arterial pressure between Wistar-Kyoto/Taconic Farms and Wistar-Kyoto/Charles River was during the lights-on period. Heart rates of all rats decreased during the lights-on period; Wistar-Kyoto/Charles River had the largest decrease (-70 +/- 5 beats/min), Wistar-Kyoto/Taconic Farms had the least (-17 +/- 2 beats/min), and in spontaneously hypertensive rats the decrease was intermediate (-29 +/- 3 beats/min). The pronounced diurnal variation in pressure and heart rate exhibited by Wistar-Kyoto/Charles River was not present in either Wistar-Kyoto/Taconic Farms or spontaneously hypertensive rats. Blood pressure magnitude correlated with locomotor activity during both periods, although all groups showed minimal activity during the rest period. Observed differences between Wistar-Kyoto/Charles River and Wistar-Kyoto/Taconic Farms were not due to a lack of or an abnormality in baroreceptor reflex function.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Augmented responses to intrathecal nicotinic agonists in spontaneous hypertension.

Abnormal central cholinergic activity has been reported to be responsible in part for the pathogenesis of high blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Administration of cholinergic agonists in brain and spinal cord results in exaggerated pressor responses in SHR. Studies to date have focused largely on the muscarinic cholinergic system. Recently, we demonstrated that intrathecal administration of nicotinic agonists results in pressor, tachycardic, and irritation responses. In the present study we examine the cardiovascular and behavioral responses to nicotine and cytisine administered intrathecally in La Jolla strain (LJ) SHRLJ and age-matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKYLJ) rats. Nicotinic agonists produced augmented pressor, heart rate, and irritation responses in SHRLJ compared with normotensive rats. In both SHRLJ and WKYLJ rats, cytisine elicited a greater nociceptive response and greater spinobulbar component to the pressor response than nicotine. SHRLJ and WKYLJ rats also differ in that the SHRLJ strain shows a diminished tendency for desensitization to cytisine. As in Sprague-Dawley rats, in SHRLJ and WKYLJ rats the cardiovascular and behavioral responses to intrathecal nicotine were significantly inhibited by mecamylamine, dihydro-beta-erthyroidine, and methyllycaconitine. However, methyllycaconitine, which effectively blocked cytisine-elicited cardiovascular and behavioral responses in Sprague-Dawley and WKYLJ rats, was unable to inhibit the maximal rise in cystine-elicited blood pressure, heart rate, and irritation responses in SHRLJ. In contrast to the heightened cardiovascular and behavioral responses, the number of nicotinic binding sites in spinal cord membranes was significantly decreased in the hypertensive rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Prostacyclin release by rat cardiac fibroblasts: inhibition of collagen expression.

Cardiac fibroblasts, as the source of extracellular matrix for the left ventricle, subserve important functions to cardiac remodeling and fibrotic development following myocardial infarction or with pressure-overload cardiac hypertrophy. The fibroblast may be the target cell for angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) that are cardioprotective and reverse collagen deposition and remodeling but whose mechanisms of action remain controversial. Because we previously documented phenotypic differences between cardiac fibroblasts from the spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) left ventricle, the present study evaluated whether phenotypic differences also exist in the release of endogenous arachidonic acid metabolites or in the activation of phospholipase D, and the importance of observed differences to the formation of collagen and the mechanism of action of ACEI. The experimental design compared endogenous sources of arachidonic acid with exogenous prelabeling of cells. Angiotensin II stimulated greater arachidonic acid release than bradykinin, and WKY cells were more responsive than SHR. The major prostanoid formed by cardiac fibroblasts was prostaglandin I2 (PGI2), with more prostacyclin production by WKY cells than SHR cells both under nonstimulated conditions and in response to angiotensin II or bradykinin. Beraprost, a PGI2 analogue, was shown to decrease growth rate and DNA synthesis of fibroblasts and to inhibit mRNA expression for collagen types I and III, with SHR cells being less responsive to beraprost than WKY cells. These results potentially implicate eicosanoid metabolism, particularly PGI2, in collagen formation, fibrotic development, and cardiac remodeling, and they imply that the SHR genetic hypertension model may be predisposed to excess cardiac fibrosis.

Regional changes in rat brain angiotensinogen following bilateral nephrectomy.

One approach to establish the existence and functionality of a brain angiotensin system is to demonstrate selective alterations in that system following perturbation of peripheral cardiovascular functions. The present study utilized this approach to quantify regional angiotensinogen levels in the rat brain following bilateral nephrectomy, a perturbation that severely disrupts salt and water homeostasis. Angiotensinogen, the precursor of any centrally-derived angiotensin, was analyzed since it should provide a marker for a putative angiotensin peptidergic system. Net brain angiotensinogen was determined by correcting total tissue concentrations of angiotensinogen with accurate values of contaminating plasma angiotensinogen. The latter was determined by quantifying regional plasma space utilizing tritiated inulin as a marker of cerebral vascular space. It was found that there were no detectable alterations in regional net brain angiotensinogen in the first 24 hours following nephrectomy despite over a twofold increase in plasma angiotensinogen and the absence of significant plasma renin. By 32 hours postnephrectomy, certain areas of the rat hypothalamus and midbrain exhibited significant elevations in net angiotensinogen content. These areas coincided with regions traversed by neural pathways shown to mediate angiotensin-induced drinking or blood pressure elevations. The results lend further support to the concept of an independent brain angiotensin system.