Regulation of blood pressure in pregnancy: pressor system blockade and stimulation

1990 ◽  
Vol 258 (5) ◽  
pp. H1559-H1572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. R. Pan ◽  
M. D. Lindheimer ◽  
J. Bailin ◽  
W. M. Barron

Contributions of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), renin-angiotensin system (RAS), and arginine vasopressin (AVP) to basal mean arterial pressure (MAP) were evaluated in near-term pregnant and virgin rats as follows. MAP and heart rate (HR) were measured before and after ganglionic, alpha-adrenoreceptor, RAS, and/or AVP blockade. In addition, pressor responses to angiotensin II (ANG II), norepinephrine, phenylephrine, or AVP were determined in ganglionic-blocked animals. In both groups decrements in MAP were greatest after ganglionic or alpha-blockade, intermediate after RAS blockade, and negligible after AVP-V1 antagonism ([d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)]AVP). Recovery of MAP was also similar in the two groups except after phentolamine when MAP and HR remained lower in gravid rats. Superimposition of RAS or AVP blockade during phentolamine infusion suggested that ANG II and AVP were less effective in supporting MAP during alpha-blockade in pregnancy. Pressor responses to ANG II and norepinephrine during ganglionic blockade were markedly blunted during pregnancy; however, those to phenylephrine and AVP were unchanged. We conclude that contributions of ANS, RAS, and AVP to basal MAP are similar in pregnant and virgin rats; neural mechanisms dominating in both groups. However, recovery during alpha-blockade is impaired during gestation, apparently due to blunted HR responses and decreased pressor contributions of ANG II and AVP. This may be explained, in part, by decreased vascular reactivity to ANG II, although a similar mechanism cannot be invoked for AVP.

1996 ◽  
Vol 270 (1) ◽  
pp. H275-H280 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. S. Huang ◽  
F. H. Leenen

Intracerebroventricular administration of hypertonic saline, ouabain, brain ouabainlike activity (OLA), or angiotensin II (ANG II) causes sympathoexcitatory and pressor effects in rats. To clarify the possible interaction between increased brain sodium, brain OLA, and the brain renin-angiotensin system (RAS), increases in mean arterial pressure, heart rate (HR), and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) in response to intracerebroventricular 0.3 M NaCl, ouabain, and ANG II were recorded in conscious Wistar rats before and after intracerebroventricular pretreatment with the angiotensin-receptor (AT1) blocker losartan, antibody Fab fragments (Digibind), or, as control, gamma-globulins. These Fab fragments bind ouabain and brain OLA with high affinity. The arginine vasopressin (AVP) antagonist [d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)]AVP (30 micrograms/ kg) was injected intravenously before each intracerebroventricular injection. Intracerebroventricularly administered 0.3 M NaCl (3.8 mul/min for 10 min), ouabain (0.3 and 0.6 microgram), and ANG II (10 and 30 ng) caused similar pressor responses. However, the extent of HR and RSNA responses to ANG II was smaller than those to 0.3 M NaCl and ouabain. Intracerebroventricular losartan (10 and 20 micrograms) blocked responses to ANG II and 0.3 M NaCl and significantly attenuated the responses to ouabain (pressor response by 50-70%; RSNA and HR by 60-80%). In contrast, intracerebroventricular Fab fragments (66 micrograms) blocked only the responses to 0.3 M NaCl and ouabain and did not affect the responses to ANG II. These results suggest that an acute rise in brain sodium concentration increases brain OLA and the latter exerts its sympathoexcitatory and pressor effects at least partly via activation of the brain RAS.


2011 ◽  
Vol 301 (4) ◽  
pp. R1199-R1205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norma B. Ojeda ◽  
Suttira Intapad ◽  
Thomas P. Royals ◽  
Joshua T. Black ◽  
John Henry Dasinger ◽  
...  

Female growth-restricted offspring are normotensive in adulthood. However, ovariectomy induces a marked increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) that is abolished by renin angiotensin system (RAS) blockade, suggesting RAS involvement in the etiology of hypertension induced by ovariectomy in adult female growth-restricted offspring. Blockade of the RAS also abolishes hypertension in adult male growth-restricted offspring. Moreover, sensitivity to acute ANG II is enhanced in male growth-restricted offspring. Thus, we hypothesized that an enhanced sensitivity to acute ANG II may contribute to hypertension induced by ovariectomy in female growth-restricted offspring. Female offspring were subjected to ovariectomy (OVX) or sham ovariectomy (intact) at 10 wk of age. Cardio-renal hemodynamic parameters were determined before and after an acute infusion of ANG II (100 ng·kg−1·min−1 for 30 min) at 16 wk of age in female offspring pretreated with enalapril (40 mg·kg−1·day−1 for 7 days). Acute ANG II induced a significant increase in MAP in intact growth-restricted offspring (155 ± 2 mmHg, P < 0.05) relative to intact control (145 ± 4 mmHg). Ovariectomy augmented the pressor response to ANG II in growth-restricted offspring (163 ± 2 mmHg, P < 0.05), with no effect in control (142 ± 2 mmHg). Acute pressor responses to phenylephrine did not differ in growth-restricted offspring relative to control, intact, or ovariectomized. Furthermore, renal hemodynamic responses to acute ANG II were significantly enhanced only in ovariectomized female growth-restricted offspring. Thus, these data suggest that enhanced responsiveness to acute ANG II is programmed by intrauterine growth restriction and that sensitivity to acute ANG II is modulated by ovarian hormones in female growth-restricted offspring.


1994 ◽  
Vol 266 (1) ◽  
pp. F117-F119 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Haas ◽  
J. C. Lockhart ◽  
T. S. Larson ◽  
T. Henrikson ◽  
F. G. Knox

Increases in renal interstitial hydrostatic pressure (RIHP) increase urinary sodium excretion (UNaV). Experimentally increasing RIHP by direct renal interstitial volume expansion (DRIVE) has been shown to decrease proximal tubule sodium reabsorption. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether the renin-angiotensin system modulates the natriuretic response to DRIVE. Unilateral nephrectomy and implantation of two polyethylene matrices were performed 3 wk before the acute experiment. Fractional sodium excretion (FENa), RIHP, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were measured before and after DRIVE in control rats (n = 9) and in rats receiving the angiotensin II (ANG II) receptor antagonist, losartan potassium (10 mg/kg i.v.; n = 10). DRIVE was achieved by infusing 100 microliters of 2.5% albumin solution directly into the renal interstitium. GFR remained unchanged by DRIVE in both groups. In control animals, DRIVE significantly increased both RIHP (delta 3.8 +/- 0.5 mmHg) and FENa (delta 0.92 +/- 0.19%). In the losartan-treated group, RIHP (delta 2.8 +/- 0.4 mmHg) and FENa (delta 1.93 +/- 0.41%) also significantly increased. The natriuretic response to DRIVE was significantly enhanced during ANG II receptor blockade compared with control animals (delta UNaV/delta RIHP = 2.01 +/- 0.67 vs. 0.44 +/- 0.17 mu eq.min-1 x mmHg-1, respectively; P < 0.05). These results suggest that the blockade of angiotensin enhances the natriuretic response to increased RIHP during DRIVE.


1991 ◽  
Vol 260 (3) ◽  
pp. H770-H778 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. K. Dorward ◽  
C. D. Rudd

The role of the brain renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the baroreflex regulation of renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and heart rate (HR) was studied in conscious rabbits. RSNA and HR were recorded during slow ramp changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP) before and after intraventricular infusion of 1) angiotensin II (ANG II), 2) ANG II receptor antagonist, [Sar1,Ile8]ANG II, or 3) converting enzyme inhibitor (CEI, enalaprilat). Central ANG II increased resting MAP and RSNA by 10.6 +/- 0.9 mmHg and 21 +/- 7%, respectively, but did not alter HR. There was a marked increase of 107 +/- 15% in the maximum RSNA evoked by slowly lowering MAP. In contrast, maximum reflex tachycardia was only modestly elevated, and baroreflex inhibition of RSNA and HR during MAP rises was unaffected. Central [Sar1,Ile8]ANG II had no effect on RSNA or HR, either at rest or during baroreflex responses, while CEI slightly enhanced maximal reflex responses. Thus exogenous ANG II causes a powerful excitation of renal sympathetic motoneurons, the magnitude of which is revealed when tonic baroreceptor inhibition is removed during transient pressure falls. However, in quietly resting conscious rabbits, we found no evidence for a tonic influence of endogenous ANG II on these neurons, and the physiological stimuli required for their activation by the brain RAS remain to be found.


1980 ◽  
Vol 238 (6) ◽  
pp. H844-H848 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Elijovich ◽  
L. R. Krakoff

The renin-angiotensin system was evaluated by inhibition of converting enzyme (CEI) and by testing sensitivity to angiotensin II (AII) in sodium-depleted rats made hypertensive by methylprednisolone (MP), 20 mg/kg im. During a 2-wk period blood pressure rose 38 +/- 4 mmHg (P less than 0.001) in MP and 3 +/- 4 mmHg in controls. After pentobarbital anesthesia, intra-arterial pressure and dose-response curves to AII were determined, before and after SQ14225 (d-3-mercapto-2-methylpropranoyl-l-proline) (1 mg/kg iv). CEI reduced pressure significantly in both MP and controls, although the decrease was smaller in the former (P less than 0.05). Pressor responses to AII were nearly identical in MP and controls and were enhanced to a similar extent by CEI. Ganglionic blockade with pentolinium tartrate, given after CEI, did reduce the pressure in both groups to equal levels. Responses to AII after pentolinium were similar to those obtained after CEI alone. These results indicate that the renin component of glucocorticoid hypertension during sodium deficiency is smaller than that of the normotensive controls. No evidence of glucocorticoid-induced vascular hypersensitivity to AII was detected in this model of experimental hypertension.


2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (11) ◽  
pp. 1163-1175 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Joel Greco ◽  
Ryan G. Master ◽  
Alex Fokin ◽  
Syed R. Baber ◽  
Philip J. Kadowitz

Angiotensin-(1–7) (Ang-(1–7)), a bioactive peptide in the renin–angiotensin system, has counterregulatory actions to angiotensin II (Ang II). However, the mechanism by which Ang-(1–7) enhances vasodepressor responses to bradykinin (BK) is not well understood. In the present study, the effects of Ang-(1–7) on responses to BK, BK analogs, angiotensin I (Ang I), and Ang II were investigated in the anesthetized rat. The infusion of Ang-(1–7) (55 pmol/min i.v.) enhanced decreases in systemic arterial pressure in response to i.v. injections of BK and the BK analogs [Hyp3, Tyr(Me)8]-bradykinin (HT-BK) and [Phe8ψ (CH2-NH) Arg9]-bradykinin (PA-BK) without altering pressor responses to Ang I or II, or depressor responses to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside. The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor enalaprilat enhanced responses to BK and the BK analog HT-BK without altering responses to PA-BK and inhibited responses to Ang I. The potentiating effects of Ang-(1–7) and enalaprilat on responses to BK were not attenuated by the Ang-(1–7) receptor antagonist A-779. Ang-(1–7)- and ACE inhibitor-potentiated responses to BK were attenuated by the BK B2 receptor antagonist Hoe 140. The cyclooxygenase inhibitor sodium meclofenamate had no significant effect on responses to BK or Ang-(1–7)-potentiated BK responses. These results suggest that Ang-(1–7) potentiates responses to BK by a selective B2 receptor mechanism that is independent of an effect on Ang-(1–7) receptors, ACE, or cyclooxygenase product formation. These data suggest that ACE inhibitor-potentiated responses to BK are not mediated by an A-779-sensitive mechanism and are consistent with the hypothesis that enalaprilat-induced BK potentiation is due to decreased BK inactivation.


1983 ◽  
Vol 244 (4) ◽  
pp. H471-H478 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Takishita ◽  
C. M. Ferrario

Sodium and the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) participate in the regulation of cardiovascular function, in part via activation of central nervous system (CNS) mechanisms. Because intraventricular (IVT) administration of either hypertonic sodium chloride (NaCl) or angiotensin II (ANG II) elicits similar effects (i.e., natriuresis, hypertension, increased drinking, and enhanced vasopressin release) a common and final pathway may be involved. With this in mind, we measured the effect of an IVT injection (third or lateral ventricle) of 0.6 M NaCl on postganglionic renal nerve activity (RNA) and blood pressure in morphine-pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs before and after blockade of the brain RAS with either captopril or [Sar1,Ile8]ANG II. Both vagus and carotid sinus nerves were cut to avoid impingement of the baroreceptor reflex on the measured variables. IVT injection of 0.6 M NaCl produced a prominent hypertensive response and tachycardia associated with a 59 +/- 9% increase in RNA. These changes were statistically significant (P less than 0.001), correlated with each other, and were abolished by administration of hexamethonium chloride (10 mg/kg iv). Blockade of central ANG II receptors with [Sar1,Ile8]ANG II was without effect. However, in dogs given IVT SQ 14,225, there was a slight increase in baseline RNA before injection of 0.6 M NaCl; in addition, both the pressor and heart rate responses to the stimulus of hypertonic NaCl were further augmented. These results demonstrate that central administration of hypertonic NaCl in baroreceptor-denervated dogs produces marked activation of sympathetic nerve activity via mechanisms other than activation of the brain RAS.


1987 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 1012-1018 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Jin ◽  
S. Oparil ◽  
H. S. Ann ◽  
R. Yang ◽  
R. M. Jackson

Systemic and pulmonary vascular reactivity to graded doses of angiotensin I (ANG I), angiotensin II (ANG II), and, as a control, phenylephrine were examined in 14- or 28-day hypoxia-exposed and air control rats. Hypoxic rats exhibited pulmonary hypertension that was reversible on return to room air, but systemic arterial pressure was not altered by hypoxia. Systemic pressor responses to ANG I and ANG II were significantly less in the hypoxic rats than in the control rats at 14 and 28 days but returned to control levels in hypoxic animals that were then returned to room air, demonstrating reversibility of the hypoxia-induced changes in vascular reactivity. Pulmonary pressor responses to ANG I were significantly less at 14 days, whereas responses to ANG II were significantly greater at 28 days, in hypoxic rats than in controls. There were no significant differences in systemic and pulmonary pressor responses to phenylephrine between the hypoxic and air control animals. The altered systemic and pulmonary pressor responsiveness to ANG I and ANG II in hypoxic rats is probably related to mechanisms specific to the renin-angiotensin system, such as inhibition of intrapulmonary angiotensin-converting enzyme activity and down regulation of ANG II receptors in the systemic circulation. Further study is needed to elucidate these mechanisms.


2012 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Z.I. Cherney ◽  
Heather N. Reich ◽  
James W. Scholey ◽  
Vesta Lai ◽  
Cameron Slorach ◽  
...  

The protein kinase Cβ (PKCβ) system has been implicated in the deleterious vascular responses to hyperglycemia and angiotensin II (Ang II) in experimental models of diabetes (DM). Whether these interactions are important in humans is unknown. Flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD) was measured during clamped euglycemia and hyperglycemia, before and after randomization to PKCβ inhibition (ruboxistaurin; RBX, 32 mg daily, n = 13) or a placebo (n = 7) for 8 weeks in renin–angiotensin system (RAS) blockade-treated subjects with type 1 DM. Blood pressure responses to infused Ang II were measured before and after randomization to RBX or a placebo. The RBX and placebo groups displayed similar clinical characteristics. Before RBX, FMD declined in response to hyperglycemia (6.8% ± 2.8% to 4.9% ± 1.8%). This effect was reversed after treatment with RBX (5.6% ± 3.1% to 6.0% ± 1.6% (within-group change, p = 0.009 (ANOVA)). No changes were observed in the placebo group. Infused Ang II was associated with hypertensive responses in the RBX and placebo groups (p < 0.05 (ANOVA)), and RBX did not influence this effect. In conclusion, RBX blunted the effect of hyperglycemia on FMD, suggesting that PKCβ may modulate endothelial function in type 1 DM. The lack of effect on Ang II responses suggests that PKCβ inhibition may act through non-RAS pathways in humans with DM.


2017 ◽  
Vol 312 (5) ◽  
pp. H968-H979 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neeru M. Sharma ◽  
Shyam S. Nandi ◽  
Hong Zheng ◽  
Paras K. Mishra ◽  
Kaushik P. Patel

An activated renin-angiotensin system (RAS) within the central nervous system has been implicated in sympathoexcitation during various disease conditions including congestive heart failure (CHF). In particular, activation of the RAS in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus has been recognized to augment sympathoexcitation in CHF. We observed a 2.6-fold increase in angiotensinogen (AGT) in the PVN of CHF. To elucidate the molecular mechanism for increased expression of AGT, we performed in silico analysis of the 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of AGT and found a potential binding site for microRNA (miR)-133a. We hypothesized that decreased miR-133a might contribute to increased AGT in the PVN of CHF rats. Overexpression of miR-133a in NG108 cells resulted in 1.4- and 1.5-fold decreases in AGT and angiotensin type II (ANG II) type 1 receptor (AT1R) mRNA levels, respectively. A luciferase reporter assay performed on NG108 cells confirmed miR-133a binding to the 3′-UTR of AGT. Consistent with these in vitro data, we observed a 1.9-fold decrease in miR-133a expression with a concomitant increase in AGT and AT1R expression within the PVN of CHF rats. Furthermore, restoring the levels of miR-133a within the PVN of CHF rats with viral transduction resulted in a significant reduction of AGT (1.4-fold) and AT1R (1.5-fold) levels with a concomitant decrease in basal renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA). Restoration of miR-133a also abrogated the enhanced RSNA responses to microinjected ANG II within the PVN of CHF rats. These results reveal a novel and potentially unique role for miR-133a in the regulation of ANG II within the PVN of CHF rats, which may potentially contribute to the commonly observed sympathoexcitation in CHF. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Angiotensinogen (AGT) expression is upregulated in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus through posttranscriptional mechanism interceded by microRNA-133a in heart failure. Understanding the mechanism of increased expression of AGT in pathological conditions leading to increased sympathoexcitation may provide the basis for the possible development of new therapeutic agents with enhanced specificity.


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