Morphological and functional characteristics of isolated resistance vessels in advanced uraemia

1986 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 657-663 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Aalkjær ◽  
E. B. Pedersen ◽  
H. Danielsen ◽  
O. Fjeldborg ◽  
B. Jespersen ◽  
...  

1. In order to obtain direct information on the properties of the resistance vasculature of patients with advanced uraemia, a technique was developed to dissect out small arteries (internal diameter about 165 μm) from biopsies of subcutaneous fat. 2. Such arteries responded in a concentration-dependent manner to noradrenaline and angiotensin II, and the maximal force developed suggested that the vessels were fully viable. 3. Although the biopsies were normally taken during operations under general anaesthesia, biopsies taken under local anaesthesia also appeared to be fully viable, suggesting that this technique may prove useful as a general method for studying the intrinsic vascular properties of humans. 4. Biopsies were taken from 20 patients with uraemia, all of whom were treated with chronic intermittent dialysis, and 11 control subjects; up to three vessels were examined per biopsy. 5. The uraemic state was not associated with changes in vascular morphology, or in vascular reactivity or sensitivity to noradrenaline, angiotensin II, potassium or calcium. However, for the uraemic patients and for the controls there was a positive correlation between mean blood pressure and the ratio of vessel media thickness to lumen diameter, as well as a negative correlation between mean blood pressure and vessel active media stress. 6. The results suggest that uraemia treated with dialysis may not be associated with altered properties of the resistance vasculature. However, it appears that uraemic hypertension is associated with both morphological and functional abnormalities of the resistance vasculature.

Hypertension ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 66 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria P Kraemer ◽  
Fred Lamb ◽  
Richard M Breyer

Prostaglandins are key modulators of blood pressure and arterial tone. Prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ), is a prostanoid that has vasodepressor effects; however, under certain circumstances PGE 2 can induce vasopressor responses. Recent reports demonstrated that sub-threshold concentrations of vasoconstrictors augment PGE 2 -mediated constriction in rat femoral arteries. However, whether angiotensin II (Ang II) could affect PGE 2 -mediated contraction is not known. Using a wire myograph, we demonstrated that PGE 2 had no significant effect on mouse femoral arterial rings at doses up to 1 μM. However, priming of arterial rings with 1 nM Ang II potentiated PGE 2 -evoked constriction in a concentration dependent manner (Area Under the Curve, AUC untreated 1.784 ± 0.353, AUC Ang II 23.27± 9.820, P<0.05). We tested femoral arteries from EP1, EP2, and EP3 receptor knockout mice. Only the EP3-/- arteries were unable to respond to PGE 2 after Ang II priming (figure below). Pretreatment of arterial rings with 1 μM losartan, an angiotensin receptor antagonist, blocked PGE 2 -induced constrictor effects primed with Ang II (% of KCl, Ang II 21.72 ± 5.296, Ang II + losartan 3.025 ± 1.046, n=3). We have determined that re-addition of extracellular Ca 2+ to a Ca 2+ -free artery restores PGE 2 -induced contractions (n=5) and that the Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632 blocks contraction (n=3). Taken together these data are consistent with angiotensin AT1 and prostaglandin EP3 receptors mediating a synergistic Rho-kinase-dependent contractile response. We are continuing to investigate the relationship between Ang II and PGE 2 to determine the physiological relevance this may have in modulating blood pressure.


Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (15) ◽  
pp. 2748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Romero ◽  
Javier Palacios ◽  
Ignacio Jofré ◽  
Cristian Paz ◽  
Chukwuemeka R. Nwokocha ◽  
...  

Alkaloids derived from plants have shown great medicinal benefits, and are often reported for their use in cardiovascular disease management. Aristotelia chilensis (Molina) Stuntz (Maqui) has shown important medicinal properties in traditional useage. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the indole-alkaloid aristoteline (ARI), isolated from leaves of Maqui, on vascular reactivity of isolated aortic rings from normotensive rats. ARI induced relaxation (100%) in a concentration-dependent manner in intact or denuded-endothelium aortic rings pre-contracted with phenylephrine (PE; 1 μM). However, a specific soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor (ODQ; 1 μM) significantly reduced the relaxation to ARI in aortic rings pre-contracted with PE. In the presence of ARI, the contraction induced by KCl or PE was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased. Interestingly, the potassium channel blockade with 10 μM BaCl2 (Kir), 10 μM glibenclamide (KATP), 1 mM tetraethylammonium (TEA; KCa1.1), or 1 mM 4-aminopyridine (4-AP; Kv) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the ARI-induced relaxation. ARI significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the contractile response to agonist of CaV1.2 channels (Bay K8644; 10 nM), likely reducing the influx of extracellular calcium through plasma membrane. The mechanisms associated with this process suggest an activation of the potassium channels, a calcium-induced antagonism and endothelium independent vasodilation that possibly involves the nitric oxide-independent soluble guanylate cyclase pathway.


Author(s):  
Emmanuel Guivarc'h ◽  
Julie Favre ◽  
Anne‐Laure Guihot ◽  
Emilie Vessières ◽  
Linda Grimaud ◽  
...  

Background The cardiovascular protective effects of estrogens in premenopausal women depend mainly on estrogen receptor α (ERα). ERα activates nuclear gene transcription regulation and membrane‐initiated signaling. The latter plays a key role in estrogen‐dependent activation of endothelial NO synthase. The goal of the present work was to determine the respective roles of the 2 ERα activities in endothelial function and cardiac and kidney damage in young and old female mice with hypertension, which is a major risk factor in postmenopausal women. Methods and Results Five‐ and 18‐month‐old female mice lacking either ERα (ERα −/− ), the nuclear activating function AF2 of ERα (AF2°), or membrane‐located ERα (C451A) were treated with angiotensin II (0.5 mg/kg per day) for 1 month. Systolic blood pressure, left ventricle weight, vascular reactivity, and kidney function were then assessed. Angiotensin II increased systolic blood pressure, ventricle weight, and vascular contractility in ERα −/− and AF2° mice more than in wild‐type and C451A mice, independent of age. In both the aorta and mesenteric resistance arteries, angiotensin II and aging reduced endothelium‐dependent relaxation in all groups, but this effect was more pronounced in ERα −/− and AF2° than in the wild‐type and C451A mice. Kidney inflammation and oxidative stress, as well as blood urea and creatinine levels, were also more pronounced in old hypertensive ERα −/− and AF2° than in old hypertensive wild‐type and C451A mice. Conclusions The nuclear ERα‐AF2 dependent function attenuates angiotensin II–dependent hypertension and protects target organs in aging mice, whereas membrane ERα signaling does not seem to play a role.


1998 ◽  
Vol 274 (6) ◽  
pp. F1078-F1085 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Reslerova ◽  
Rodger Loutzenhiser

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a potent vasodilator that is suggested to act via ATP-sensitive K channels (KATP). In the present study, we examined the actions of CGRP on pressure- and angiotensin II-induced vasoconstriction, using the in vitro perfused hydronephrotic rat kidney. Elevated pressure (from 80 to 180 mmHg) and 0.1 nM angiotensin II elicited similar decreases in afferent diameter in this model. CGRP inhibited myogenic reactivity in a concentration-dependent manner, completely preventing pressure-induced constriction at 10 nM (95 ± 10% inhibition). These effects were partially attenuated by 10 μM glibenclamide (62 ± 16% inhibition, P = 0.025), indicating both KATP-dependent and -independent actions of CGRP. In contrast, 10 nM CGRP inhibited angiotensin II-induced vasoconstriction by only 54 ± 11%, and this action was not affected by glibenclamide (41 ± 11%, P = 0.31). CGRP also inhibited the efferent arteriolar response to angiotensin II in the absence and presence of glibenclamide. Pinacidil (1.0 μM), a KATP opener also preferentially inhibited pressure- vs. angiotensin II-induced vasoconstriction (97 ± 5 and 59 ± 13% inhibition, respectively; P = 0.034). We conclude that the renal vasodilatory mechanisms of CGRP are pleiotropic and involve both KATP-dependent and -independent pathways. The effectiveness of CGRP in opposing renal vasoconstriction and the role of KATP in this action appear to depend on the nature the underlying vasoconstriction. We suggest that this phenomenon reflects an inhibition of KATP activation by angiotensin II.


PPAR Research ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Sánchez-Aguilar ◽  
Luz Ibarra-Lara ◽  
Leonardo Del Valle-Mondragón ◽  
María Esther Rubio-Ruiz ◽  
Alicia G. Aguilar-Navarro ◽  
...  

Rosiglitazone (RGZ), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) ligand, has been reported to act as insulin sensitizer and exert cardiovascular actions. In this work, we hypothesized that RGZ exerts a PPARγ–dependent regulation of blood pressure through modulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-type 2 (ACE2)/angiotensin-(1-7)/angiotensin II type-2 receptor (AT2R) axis in an experimental model of high blood pressure. We carried on experiments in normotensive (Sham) and aortic coarctation (AoCo)-induced hypertensive male Wistar rats. Both sham and AoCo rats were treated 7 days with vehicle (V), RGZ (5 mg/kg/day), or RGZ+BADGE (120 mg/kg/day) post-coarctation. We measured blood pressure and vascular reactivity on aortic rings, as well as the expression of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) proteins. We found that RGZ treatment in AoCo group decreases blood pressure values and improves vascular response to acetylcholine, both parameters dependent on PPARγ-stimulation. RGZ lowered serum angiotensin II (AngII) but increased Ang-(1-7) levels. It also decreased 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-2dG), malondialdehyde (MDA), and improved the antioxidant capacity. Regarding protein expression of RAS, RGZ decreases ACE and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and improved ACE2, AT2R, and Mas receptor in AoCo rats. Additionally, an in silico analysis revealed that 5′UTR regions of RAS and PPARγ share motifs with a transcriptional regulatory role. We conclude that RGZ lowers blood pressure values by increasing the expression of RAS axis proteins ACE2 and AT2R, decreasing the levels of AngII and increasing levels of Ang-(1-7) in a PPARγ-dependent manner. The in silico analysis is a valuable tool to predict the interaction between PPARγ and RAS.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunzhao Yang ◽  
Shaoqun Tang ◽  
Chunchun Zhai ◽  
Xin Zeng ◽  
Qingjian Liu ◽  
...  

Background. Multiple interleukin (IL) family members were reported to be closely related to hypertension. We aimed to investigate whether IL-9 affects angiotensin II- (Ang II-) induced hypertension in mice. Methods. Mice were treated with Ang II, and IL-9 expression was determined. In addition, effects of IL-9 knockout (KO) on blood pressure were observed in Ang II-infused mice. To determine whether the effects of IL-9 on blood pressure was mediated by the signal transducer and activator of the transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway, Ang II-treated mice were given S31-201. Furthermore, circulating IL-9 levels in patients with hypertension were measured. Results. Ang II treatment increased serum and aortic IL-9 expression in a dose-dependent manner; IL-9 levels were the highest in the second week and continued to remain high into the fourth week after the treatment. IL-9 KO downregulated proinflammatory cytokine expression, whereas it upregulated anti-inflammatory cytokine levels, relieved vascular dysfunction, and decreased blood pressure in Ang II-infused mice. IL-9 also reduced smooth muscle 22α (SM22α) expression and increased osteopontin (OPN) levels both in mice and in vitro. The effects of IL-9 KO on blood pressure and inflammatory response were significantly reduced by S31-201 treatment. Circulating IL-9 levels were significantly increased in patients with the hypertension group than in the control group, and elevated IL-9 levels positively correlated with both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in patients with hypertension. Conclusions. IL-9 KO alleviates inflammatory response, prevents phenotypic transformation of smooth muscle, reduces vascular dysfunction, and lowers blood pressure via the STAT3 pathway in Ang II-infused mice. IL-9 might be a novel target for the treatment and prevention of clinical hypertension.


1995 ◽  
Vol 268 (5) ◽  
pp. H2009-H2016
Author(s):  
M. E. Ullian ◽  
L. G. Walsh ◽  
K. C. Wong ◽  
C. J. Allan

Previous studies have suggested that lithium prolongs or enhances vascular contractions stimulated by alpha-adrenergic agents. The present study was performed to determine whether a similar phenomenon occurs with angiotensin II (ANG II)-stimulated contractions and whether this phenomenon results from interactions with the phosphoinositide signaling system. Contractions of rat aortic rings with 100 nM ANG II were 38% greater in the presence of 20 mM LiCl than in its absence (0.47 +/- 0.07 vs. 0.34 +/- 0.05 g tension/mg dry tissue wt, P < 0.01). The effects of lithium on inositol phosphate responses, diacylglycerol responses, and intracellular calcium concentration on single or repeated stimulations with ANG II were then examined in vascular smooth muscle cells cultured from rat aorta. Cells exposed twice to 100 nM ANG II contained 50% lower inositol trisphosphate levels (InsP3) and 10% lower diacylglycerol levels than cells exposed to ANG II only once. LiCl or lithium acetate abolished these desensitizations in a concentration-dependent manner. Similarly, InsP3 and diacylglycerol responses to a single exposure of ANG II were heightened by lithium (by 75 and 25%, respectively), and the duration of the responses was prolonged by lithium (5- and 2-fold, respectively). In contrast, ANG II-stimulated calcium transients were not enhanced or prolonged by lithium, nor was desensitization of ANG II-stimulated cytosolic calcium mobilization upon serial exposures abolished by lithium. When ring contraction studies were repeated in the presence of the protein kinase C inhibitor staurosporine (150 nM), lithium no longer potentiated ANG II contractions [0.38 +/- 0.03 (control) vs. 0.35 +/- 0.06 g tension/mg dry tissue wt (lithium)].(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


1980 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 308-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. Leuenberger ◽  
S. A. Stalcup ◽  
L. M. Greenbaum ◽  
R. B. Mellins ◽  
G. M. Turino

To determine if angiotension converting enzyme activity is altered by acute pathophysiological insults, we assessed angiotensin I conversion using a blood pressure response technique in anesthetized dogs studied during acute 100% O2 breathing and acute acid-base derangements. Also, we determined systemic vascular reactivity to angiotensin II by measuring the magnitude and duration of the arterial blood pressure response to intra-arterial injections of angiotensin II under these same conditions. Angiotensin I conversion found in normoxia [91 +/- 7 (SD)%] was unchanged by acute acidosis, alkalosis, and hyperoxia. During acute hyperoxia the mean half time of the hypertensive response increased from 68 +/- 25 (SD) s at a PaO2 of 112 +/- 18 (SD) Torr to 100 +/- 34 (SD) s at a PaO2 of 491 +/- 47 (SD) Torr (P less than 0.01). No other pathophysiological condition studied had any effect on reactivity of systemic vasculature to angiotensin II. We conclude that, except during acute hypoxia as previously shown, converting enzyme activity is resistant to other pathophysiological insults and that vascular responsiveness to angiotensin II is enhanced by hyperoxia.


2007 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sohag Nafis Saleh ◽  
Anthony P Albert ◽  
Claire M Peppiatt‐ Wildman ◽  
William A Large

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