scholarly journals Combined Suppression of the Intrarenal and Circulating Vasoconstrictor Renin-ACE-ANG II Axis and Augmentation of the Vasodilator ACE2-ANG 1-7-Mas Axis Attenuates the Systemic Hypertension in Ren-2 Transgenic Rats Exposed to Chronic Hypoxia

2015 ◽  
pp. 11-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. ČERVENKA ◽  
J. BÍBOVÁ ◽  
Z. HUSKOVÁ ◽  
Z. VAŇOURKOVÁ ◽  
H. J. KRAMER ◽  
...  

The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that chronic hypoxia would aggravate hypertension in Ren-2 transgenic rats (TGR), a well-defined monogenetic model of hypertension with increased activity of endogenous renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Systolic blood pressure (SBP) in conscious rats and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in anesthetized TGR and normotensive Hannover Sprague-Dawley (HanSD) rats were determined under normoxia that was either continuous or interrupted by two weeks´ hypoxia. Expression, activities and concentrations of individual components of RAS were studied in plasma and kidney of TGR and HanSD rats under normoxic conditions and after exposure to chronic hypoxia. In HanSD rats two weeks´ exposure to chronic hypoxia did not alter SBP and MAP. Surprisingly, in TGR it decreased markedly SBP and MAP; this was associated with substantial reduction in plasma and kidney renin activities and also of angiotensin II (ANG II) levels, without altering angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activities. Simultaneously, in TGR the exposure to hypoxia increased kidney ACE type 2 (ACE2) activity and angiotensin 1-7 (ANG 1-7) concentrations as compared with TGR under continuous normoxia. Based on these results, we propose that suppression of the hypertensiogenic ACE-ANG II axis in the circulation and kidney tissue, combined with augmentation of the intrarenal vasodilator ACE2-ANG 1-7 axis, is the main mechanism responsible for the blood pressure-lowering effects of chronic hypoxia in TGR.

2007 ◽  
Vol 292 (2) ◽  
pp. F861-F867 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melvin R. Hayden ◽  
Nazif A. Chowdhury ◽  
Shawna A. Cooper ◽  
Adam Whaley-Connell ◽  
Javad Habibi ◽  
...  

TG(mRen2)27 (Ren2) transgenic rats overexpress the mouse renin gene, with subsequent elevated tissue ANG II, hypertension, and nephropathy. The proximal tubule cell (PTC) is responsible for the reabsorption of 5–8 g of glomerular filtered albumin each day. Excess filtered albumin may contribute to PTC damage and tubulointerstitial disease. This investigation examined the role of ANG II-induced oxidative stress in PTC structural remodeling: whether such changes could be modified with in vivo treatment with ANG type 1 receptor (AT1R) blockade (valsartan) or SOD/catalase mimetic (tempol). Male Ren2 (6–7 wk old) and age-matched Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with valsartan (30 mg/kg), tempol (1 mmol/l), or placebo for 3 wk. Systolic blood pressure, albuminuria, N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase, and kidney tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured, and ×60,000 transmission electron microscopy images were used to assess PTC microvilli structure. There were significant differences in systolic blood pressure, albuminuria, lipid peroxidation (MDA and nitrotyrosine staining), and PTC structure in Ren2 vs. Sprague-Dawley rats (each P < 0.05). Increased mean diameter of PTC microvilli in the placebo-treated Ren2 rats ( P < 0.05) correlated strongly with albuminuria ( r2 = 0.83) and moderately with MDA ( r2 = 0.49), and there was an increase in the ratio of abnormal forms of microvilli in placebo-treated Ren2 rats compared with Sprague-Dawley control rats ( P < 0.05). AT1R blockade, but not tempol treatment, abrogated albuminuria and N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase; both therapies corrected abnormalities in oxidative stress and PTC microvilli remodeling. These data indicate that PTC structural damage in the Ren2 rat is related to the oxidative stress response to ANG II and/or albuminuria.


2007 ◽  
Vol 293 (3) ◽  
pp. F839-F845 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liliana Monica Bivol ◽  
Rolf Kristian Berge ◽  
Bjarne Magnus Iversen

The tetradecythioacetic acid (TTA) is a modified fatty acid known to exhibit pleiotropic effects. First, we compared the effect of TTA on the blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with two-kidney, one-clip (2K1C)-hypertensive rats. Second, we examined mechanisms involved in the blood pressure reduction. TTA had minor effect on systolic blood pressure (SBP) in young SHR up to 8 wk of age. In 2K1C we confirmed the blood pressure-lowering effect of TTA (SBP: 173 ± 4 before vs. 138 ± 3 mmHg after TTA, P < 0.001). No effect on SBP was seen in Wistar-Kyoto rat (WKY) controls. Plasma renin activity (PRA) was low in SHR and WKY controls and TTA did not change it. PRA decreased from 22.9 ± 1.3 to 16.2 ± 2.2 ng·ml−1·h−1 ( P = 0.02) in 2K1C. Plasma ANG II concentration declined from 101 ± 3 to 81 ± 5 fmol/l after TTA treatment ( P = 0.005). In the clipped kidney, tissue ANG I concentration decreased from 933 ± 68 to 518 ± 60 fmol/g tissue ( P = 0.001), and ANG II decreased from 527 ± 38 to 149 ± 21 fmol/g tissue ( P < 0.001) after TTA treatment. In the nonclipped kidney, TTA did not change ANG I and moderately reduced ANG II levels. The renal blood flow response to injection of ANG II into the nonclipped kidney was blunted compared with controls and normalized with TTA treatment (10 ± 2 before vs. 20 ± 2%, P < 0.001). The results indicate that TTA downregulates the renin-angiotensin system in high renin animals but has no effect in low renin models.


2019 ◽  
pp. 329-334
Author(s):  
J. Zicha ◽  
J. Hojná ◽  
L. Kopkan ◽  
L. Červenka ◽  
I. Vaněčková

The insertion of mouse renin gene (Ren-2) into the genome of normotensive rats causes a spontaneous rise of blood pressure (BP), leading to an angiotensin II (Ang II)-dependent form of hypertension in transgenic (mRen-2)27 rats (TGR). However, enhanced sympathetic BP component was demonstrated in heterozygous TGR aged 20 weeks. In the present study we used another model, i.e. Cyp1a1-Ren-2 transgenic rats (iTGR) in which hypertension can be induced by natural xenobiotic indole-3 carbinol (I3C) added to the diet. We investigated whether the development of high blood pressure (BP) in 5-month-old iTGR animals fed I3C diet for 10 days is solely due to enhanced Ang II-dependent vasoconstriction or whether enhanced sympathetic vasoconstriction also participates in BP maintenance in this form of hypertension. Using acute sequential blockade of renin-angiotensin system (RAS), sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and NO synthase (NOS) we have demonstrated that the observed gradual increase of BP in iTGR fed I3C diet was entirely due to the augmentation of Ang II-dependent BP component without significant changes of sympathetic BP component. Thus, the hypertension in iTGR resembles to that of homozygous TGR in which high BP was entirely dependent on Ang II-dependent vasoconstriction. Moreover, our measurements of acute BP response to Rho kinase inhibitor fasudil in animals subjected to a combined blockade of RAS, SNS and NOS indicated the attenuation of basal calcium sensitization in both iTGR and homozygous TGR.


Hypertension ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 36 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. 700-700
Author(s):  
Aurea S Couto ◽  
Ovidiu Baltatu ◽  
Robson A S Santos ◽  
Detlev Ganten ◽  
Michael Bader ◽  
...  

P42 The potential importance of permanent alteration of the brain renin-angiotensin system on angiotensin (Ang) II and Ang-(1-7) effects at the level of the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) was investigated in transgenic rats with a deficit in brain angiotensinogen production TGR(ASrAOGEN) (TGR). Ang II (10 pmol), Ang-(1-7) (10 pmol) or NaCl (0.9%/ 50 nl) were microinjected into the NTS of urethane-anesthetized TGR (n=28) and Sprague-Dawley (SD, n=22) rats. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were measured via a femoral artery catheter and the baroreflex control of heart rate was evaluated after increases in MAP induced by phenylephrine (baroreflex bradycardia). Ang II microinjections into the NTS of the TGR induced a higher decrease in MAP and HR (-37 ± 5 mmHg and -69 ± 12.5 beats/min, respectively) in comparison with SD rats (-18 ± 1 mmHg and -51 ± 11 beats/min, respectively). In contrast, changes after Ang-(1-7) microinjections into the NTS of TGR (-6 ± 1 mmHg and -13 ± 5 beats/min) were significantly smaller than that induced in SD (-11 ± 2 mmHg and -24 ± 8 beats/min.). The baroreflex sensitivity was accentuated in TGR in comparison to SD rats (0.69 ± 0.06 vs. 0.44 ± 0.03 ms/ mmHg). Ang II microinjection into the NTS produced similar attenuation in the baroreflex bradycardia in both SD (0.28 ± 0.07 vs. 0.5 ± 0.07 ms/ mmHg, before injection) and TGR (0.44 ± 0.1 vs. 0.82 ± 0.1ms/ mmHg, before injection). Ang-(1-7) microinjection elicited a facilitation of the baroreflex bradycardia in SD (0.62 ± 0.1 vs. 0.4 ± 0.03 ms/ mmHg, before injection). However in TGR, baroreflex bradycardia after Ang-(1-7) was not different from saline microinjection. These results indicate that a permanent inhibition of angiotensinogen synthesis in the brain can lead to a functional up-regulation of Ang II receptors. However, the putative Ang-(1-7) receptors seem to be desensitized in the NTS of these transgenic rats. The alterated baroreflex sensitivity, both before and after Ang microinjection, indicates the functionally relevant decrease in brain Ang in TGR and supports differential regulatory mechanisms for the effects of the two Ang peptides.


2001 ◽  
Vol 280 (2) ◽  
pp. R428-R433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ovidiu Baltatu ◽  
Marco A. P. Fontes ◽  
Maria J. Campagnole-Santos ◽  
Sordaine Caligiorni ◽  
Detlev Ganten ◽  
...  

The transgenic rats TGR(ASrAOGEN) (TGR) with low levels of brain angiotensinogen were analyzed for cardiovascular reactivity to microinjections of ANG II and angiotensin receptor (AT1) antagonists [CV-11974, AT1 specific; A-779, ANG-(1–7) selective; sarthran, nonspecific] into the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) of conscious rats. Microinjection of ANG II resulted in a significantly higher increase in the mean arterial pressure (MAP) of TGR than control [Sprague-Dawley (SD)] rats, suggesting an upregulation of ANG II receptors in TGR. CV-11974 produced an increase in MAP of SD but not in TGR rats. A-779 produced a depressor response in SD but not in TGR rats. Conversely, sarthran produced a similar decrease of MAP in both rat groups. The pressor effect of the AT1 antagonist may indicate an inhibitory role of AT1 receptors in the RVLM. On the other hand, ANG-(1–7) appears to have a tonic excitatory role in this region. The altered response to specific angiotensin antagonists in TGR further supports the functionally relevant decrease in angiotensins in the brains of TGR and corroborates the importance of the central renin-angiotensin system in cardiovascular homeostasis.


2016 ◽  
Vol 310 (8) ◽  
pp. H995-H1002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos M. Ferrario ◽  
Jessica VonCannon ◽  
Yan Jiao ◽  
Sarfaraz Ahmad ◽  
Michael Bader ◽  
...  

Angiotensin-(1–12) [ANG-(1–12)] is processed into ANG II by chymase in rodent and human heart tissue. Differences in the amino acid sequence of rat and human ANG-(1–12) render the human angiotensinogen (hAGT) protein refractory to cleavage by renin. We used transgenic rats harboring the hAGT gene [TGR(hAGT)L1623] to assess the non-renin-dependent effects of increased hAGT expression on heart function and arterial pressure. Compared with Sprague-Dawley (SD) control rats ( n = 11), male homozygous TGR(hAGT)L1623 ( n = 9) demonstrated sustained daytime and nighttime hypertension associated with no changes in heart rate but increased heart rate lability. Increased heart weight/tibial length ratio and echocardiographic indexes of cardiac hypertrophy were associated with modest reduction of systolic function in hAGT rats. Robust human ANG-(1–12) immunofluorescence within myocytes of TGR(hAGT)L1623 rats was associated with a fourfold increase in cardiac ANG II content. Chymase enzymatic activity, using the rat or human ANG-(1–12) as a substrate, was not different in the cardiac tissue of SD and hAGT rats. Since both cardiac angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE2 activities were not different among the two strains, the changes in cardiac structure and function, blood pressure, and left ventricular ANG II content might be a product of an increased cardiac expression of ANG II generated through a non-renin-dependent mechanism. The data also underscore the existence in the rat of alternate enzymes capable of acting on hAGT protein. Homozygous transgenic rats expressing the hAGT gene represent a novel tool to investigate the contribution of human relevant renin-independent cardiac ANG II formation and function.


Hypertension ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 66 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciana C Veiras ◽  
Jiyang Han ◽  
Donna L Ralph ◽  
Alicia A McDonough

During Ang II hypertension distal tubule Na-Cl Cotransporter (NCC) abundance and its activating phosphorylation (NCCp), as well as Epithelial Na+ channels (ENaC) abundance and activating cleavage are increased 1.5-3 fold. Fasting plasma [K+] is significantly lower in Ang II hypertension (3.3 ± 0.1 mM) versus controls (4.0 ± 0.1 mM), likely secondary to ENaC stimulation driving K+ secretion. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that doubling dietary K+ intake during Ang II infusion will lower NCC and NCCp abundance to increase Na+ delivery to ENaC to drive K+ excretion and reduce blood pressure. Methods: Male Sprague Dawley rats (225-250 g; n= 7-9/group) were treated over 2 weeks: 1) Control 1% K diet fed (C1K); 2) Ang II infused (400 ng/kg/min) 1% K diet fed (A1K); or 3) Ang II infused 2% K diet fed (A2K). Blood pressure (BP) was determined by tail cuff, electrolytes by flame photometry and transporters’ abundance by immunoblot of cortical homogenates. Results: As previously reported, Ang II infusion increased systolic BP (from 132 ± 5 to 197 ± 4 mmHg), urine volume (UV, 2.4 fold), urine Na+ (UNaV, 1.3 fold), heart /body weight ratio (1.23 fold) and clearance of endogenous Li+ (CLi, measures fluid volume leaving the proximal tubule, from 0.26 ± 0.02 to 0.51 ± 0.01 ml/min/kg) all evidence for pressure natriuresis. A2K rats exhibited normal plasma [K+] (4.6 ± 0.1 mM, unfasted), doubled urine K+ (UKV, from 0.20 to 0.44 mmol/hr), and increased CLi (to 0.8 ± 0.1 ml/min/kg) but UV, UNaV, cardiac hypertrophy and BP were unchanged versus the A1K group. As expected, NCC, NCCpS71 and NCCpT53 abundance increased in the A1K group to 1.5 ± 0.1, 2.9 ± 0.5 and 2.8 ± 0.4 fold versus C1K, respectively. As predicted by our hypothesis, when dietary K+ was doubled (A2K), Ang II infusion did not activate NCC, NCCpS71 nor NCCpT53 (0.91 ± 0.04, 1.3 ± 0.1 and 1.6 ± 0.2 fold versus C1K, respectively). ENaC subunit abundance and cleavage increased 1.5 to 3 fold in both A1K and A2K groups; ROMK was unaffected by Ang II or dietary K. In conclusion, evidence is presented that stimulation of NCC during Ang II hypertension is secondary to K+ deficiency driven by ENaC stimulation since doubling dietary K+ prevents the activation. The results also indicate that elevation in BP is independent of NCC activation


Hypertension ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 66 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael S Banti ◽  
Rodrigo Yokota ◽  
Danielle S Aragão ◽  
Adriana Souza ◽  
Amanda Pedroso ◽  
...  

Intrauterine malnutrition (IM) during the early stages of development can alter the function of organs and tissues and can predict a lifetime of increased risk for adverse health outcomes, such as diabetes and hypertension. The kidney plays a key role in the development of hypertension programmed by IM, with the participation of the RAS. Our objectives were to study ACE activity and angiotensin peptides levels in tissues. Pregnants Wistar rats were separated into two groups: control group (C), fed ad libitum, and malnourished group (D) submitted to food restriction (diet 50% of the amount of feed consumed by the group C). After birth the offspring were kept as experimental groups C and D, respectively. At 4 months of age, the animals were sacrificed, heart and kidney tissues were collected to quantify angiotensin peptides and ACE activity. The offspring born with low birth weight. Kidney ACE activity was higher in group D compared to group C (299 ±86.7 vs. 253.4 ±84.82 mU/mg, p<0.05), differing from Heart (D versus C: 0.15 ± 0.08 vs. 0.24 ±0.09 mU/mg). Group D presented high blood pressure values compared to group C (140.6 ±2.8 vs. 124,3±2.6 mmHg). Kidney and heart Ang II levels were increased in group D being significant when compared to group C (238.26 ±25.1 vs. 161.85 ±45.6 pmol/g and 397.89±74.9 vs. 223.33±48.7 pmol/g, p<0.05, respectively). The same was observed for Ang I. The vasodilator peptide Ang1-7 levels in group D from kidney and heart were lower in comparison with group C, thus emphasizing an enabling environment for hypertension (220.74 ± 48.74 vs. 288.09 ± 47 pmol/g and 152.1±41.2 pmol/g vs. 228.93±41.2 pmol/g, p<0.05, respectively). Our results indicate that perturbed maternal nutritional status alters tissue RAS resulting in higher blood pressure in the offspring, demonstrated by increased renal ACE activity and Ang II levels, with reduced Ang 1-7. The increase of Ang I and II in the heart, despite low ACE activity in this tissue suggests the activation of RAS alternative pathways. This study describes for the first time that low levels of Ang 1-7 contributed to the early development of hypertension.


Hypertension ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 36 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. 727-727
Author(s):  
Ovidiu Baltatu ◽  
Ben J Janssen ◽  
Ralph Plehm ◽  
Detlev Ganten ◽  
Michael Bader

P191 The brain renin-angiotensin system (RAS) system may play a functional role in the long-term and short-term control of blood pressure (BPV) and heart rate variability (HRV). To study this we recorded in transgenic rats TGR(ASrAOGEN) with low brain angiotensinogen levels the 24-h variation of BP and HR during basal and hypertensive conditions, induced by a low-dose s.c. infusion of angiotensin II (Ang II, 100 ng/kg/min) for 7 days. Cardiovascular parameters were monitored by telemetry. Short-term BPV and HRV were evaluated by spectral analysis and as a measure of baroreflex sensitivity the transfer gain between the pressure and heart rate variations was calculated. During the Ang II infusion, in SD but not TGR(ASrAOGEN) rats, the 24-h rhythm of BP was inverted (5.8 ± 2 vs. -0.4 ± 1.8 mm Hg/group of day-night differences of BP, p< 0.05, respectively). In contrast, in both the SD and TGR(ASrAOGEN) rats, the 24-h HR rhythms remained unaltered and paralleled those of locomotor activity. The increase of systolic BP was significantly reduced in TGR(ASrAOGEN) in comparison to SD rats as previously described, while the HR was not altered in TGR(ASrAOGEN) nor in SD rats. The spectral index of baroreflex sensitivity (FFT gain between 0.3-0.6 Hz) was significantly higher in TGR(ASrAOGEN) than SD rats during control (0.71 ± 0.1 vs. 0.35 ± 0.06, p<0.05), but not during Ang II infusion (0.6 ± 0.07 vs. 0.4 ± 0.1, p>0.05). These results demonstrate that the brain RAS plays an important role in mediating the effects of Ang II on the circadian variation of BP. Furthermore these data are consistent with the view that the brain RAS modulates baroreflex control of HR in rats, with AII having an inhibitory role.


1990 ◽  
Vol 259 (2) ◽  
pp. H543-H553
Author(s):  
R. D. Randall ◽  
B. G. Zimmerman

Rabbits were bilaterally nephrectomized for 24 h or received an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor chronically (5 days) before an acute experiment. Conductance responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation (SNS) (0.25, 0.75, and 2.25 Hz) and norepinephrine (NE) administration (0.2, 0.6, and 1.8 micrograms ia) were determined from simultaneous blood pressure and iliac blood flow measurements. Conductance responses to SNS were significantly reduced in nephrectomized (44, 26, and 20%) and chronic ACE inhibition (39, 31, and 24%) groups compared with normal controls, whereas conductance responses to NE were unchanged. Continuous infusion of angiotensin II (ANG II) for 24 h restored the depressed responses to SNS in nephrectomized and chronic ACE inhibition groups compared with normal controls but did not change conductance responses to NE. Acute ACE inhibition did not affect the conductance responses to SNS or NE compared with controls. Vascular tissue ACE activity was inhibited to a similar degree (50%) in both acute and chronic ACE inhibition groups compared with normal rabbits. Sodium depletion increased the conductance responses to SNS (30 and 24% at 0.25 and 0.75 Hz, respectively), but responses to NE were not affected. Chronic ACE inhibition significantly attenuated the conductance responses to SNS and slightly decreased responses to NE in sodium-depleted rabbits. Thus, in the anesthetized rabbit, the renin-angiotensin system potentiates the effect of SNS, presumably by ANG II acting at a prejunctional site, and this effect of ANG II appears to be long term in nature. Therefore, the renin-angiotensin system exerts a physiological role in the control of blood pressure in addition to the ability of this system to support arterial pressure in pathophysiological states.


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