Kidney dopamine D1-like receptors and angiotensin 1–7 interaction inhibits renal Na+ transporters

The role of dopamine D1-like receptors (DR) in the regulation of renal Na+ transporters, natriuresis, and blood pressure is well established. However, the involvement of the angiotensin 1–7 (ANG 1−7)-Mas receptor in the regulation of Na+ balance and blood pressure is not clear. The present study aimed to investigate the hypothesis that ANG 1–7 can regulate Na+ homeostasis by modulating the renal dopamine system. Sprague-Dawley rats were infused with saline alone (vehicle) or saline with ANG 1–7, ANG 1–7 antagonist A-779, DR agonist SKF38393, and antagonist SCH23390. Infusion of ANG 1–7 caused significant natriuresis and diuresis compared with saline alone. Both natriuresis and diuresis were blocked by A-779 and SCH23390. SKF38393 caused a significant, SCH23390-sensitive natriuresis and diuresis, and A-779 had no effect on the SKF38393 response. Concomitant infusion of ANG 1–7 and SKF38393 did not show a cumulative effect compared with either agonist alone. Treatment of renal proximal tubules with ANG 1–7 or SKF38393 caused a significant decrease in Na+-K+-ATPase and Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 3 activity. While SCH23390 blocked both ANG 1–7- and SKF38393-induced inhibition, the DR response was not sensitive to A-779. Additionally, ANG 1–7 activated PKG, enhanced tyrosine hydroxylase activity via Ser40 phosphorylation, and increased renal dopamine production. These data suggest that ANG 1–7, via PKG, enhances tyrosine hydroxylase activity, which increases renal dopamine production and activation of DR and subsequent natriuresis. This study provides evidence for a unidirectional functional interaction between two G protein-coupled receptors to regulate renal Na+ transporters and induce natriuresis.

Growth restriction induced by chronic prenatal hypoxia affects breathing rhythm and its pontine catecholaminergic modulation

Impaired transplacental supply of oxygen leads to intrauterine growth restriction, one of the most important causes of perinatal mortality and respiratory morbidity. Breathing rhythm depends on the central respiratory network modulated by catecholamines. We investigated the impact of growth restriction, using prenatal hypoxia, on respiratory frequency, on central respiratory-like rhythm, and on its catecholaminergic modulation after birth. At birth, respiratory frequency was increased and confirmed in en bloc medullary preparations, where the frequency of the fourth cervical (C4) ventral root discharge was increased, and in slice preparations containing the pre-Bötzinger complex with an increased inspiratory rhythm. The inhibition of C4 burst discharge observed in pontomedullary preparations was stronger in the growth-restricted group. These results cannot be directly linked by the tyrosine hydroxylase activity increase of A1/C1and A2/C2cell groups in the medulla since blockade of α1- and α2-adrenergic receptors did not abolish the difference between both groups. However, in pontomedullary preparations, the stronger inhibition of C4 burst discharge is probably supported by an increased inhibition of A5, a respiratory rhythm inhibitor pontine group of neurons displaying increased tyrosine hydroxylase activity, because blockade of α2-adrenergic receptors abolished the difference between the two groups. Taken together, these results indicate that growth restriction leads to a perturbation of the breathing frequency, which finds, at least in part, its origin in the modification of catecholaminergic modulation of the central breathing network.