Uterine prostaglandin production in ovine pregnancy: effects of angiotensin II and indomethacin

1992 ◽  
Vol 263 (1) ◽  
pp. H188-H197 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. R. Magness ◽  
C. R. Rosenfeld ◽  
D. J. Faucher ◽  
M. D. Mitchell

The ovine and human uteroplacental vascular beds are more refractory to angiotensin II (ANG II)-induced vasoconstriction than the systemic vasculature. ANG II increases in vitro prostacyclin (PGI2) production by uterine but not omental arteries from pregnant sheep. Thus vasodilator prostaglandins may account for this difference in vascular responsiveness. We measured uterine and systemic eicosanoid production and hemodynamic responses in pregnant sheep before and during intravenous ANG II (1.15 and 11.5 micrograms/min). ANG II caused dose-related increases in arterial pressure and systemic and uterine vascular resistance (P less than 0.05). PGI2 metabolite (6-keto-PGF1 alpha) in the uterine vein rose from 166 +/- 70 (SE) to 223 +/- 114 and 631 +/- 323 pg/ml, respectively (P less than 0.05), and arterial levels increased from 67 +/- 24 to 145 +/- 78 and 312 +/- 173 pg/ml, respectively (P less than 0.05). Basal uterine venoarterial differences of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha were 99 +/- 43 pg/ml and increased during 11.5 micrograms ANG II/min to 295 +/- 181 pg/ml (P less than 0.05) but not during 1.15 micrograms/min (64 +/- 30 pg/ml). Responses were similar in gravid and nongravid uterine horns. Unilateral uterine prostaglandin inhibition with indomethacin did not alter basal uterine blood flow or systemic responses to ANG II (0.573-11.5 micrograms/min); however, ipsilateral uterine prostaglandin production fell and uterine vasoconstrictor responses increased (P less than 0.05). During ovine pregnancy ANG II increases uterine PGI2 production. PGI2 appears in part to attenuate ANG II-induced uterine vasoconstriction.

1989 ◽  
Vol 257 (1) ◽  
pp. H17-H24 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. R. Rosenfeld ◽  
R. P. Naden

The uteroplacental vasculature is more refractory to angiotensin II (ANG II) than the systemic vasculature as a whole. To ascertain the differences in responses between reproductive and nonreproductive tissues that account for this, we infused ANG II (0.573, 5.73, and 11.5 micrograms/min) in pregnant sheep (137 +/- 5 days of gestation) and monitored arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate, and uterine blood flow (UBF); cardiac output and regional blood flows were measured with radiolabeled microspheres. Dose-dependent changes in MAP, UBF, and systemic (SVR) and uterine (UVR) vascular resistance occurred (P less than 0.05); systemic responses exceeded uterine (P less than 0.05), except with 11.5 micrograms/min, when % delta UVR = % delta SVR, % delta UVR greater than % delta MAP, and UBF fell 29%. Although a dose-dependent rise in placental resistance occurred, blood flow was unaffected except at 11.5 micrograms ANG II/min, falling 16.8 +/- 3.5% (P = 0.059). In contrast, endometrial perfusion decreased 68 +/- 4.2 and 81 +/- 1.8% (P less than 0.01) with 5.73 and 11.5 micrograms ANG II/min, respectively. Myometrial responses were intermediate, thus placental flow increased from 75 to greater than 90% of total UBF. Adipose, renal, and adrenal glands were extremely sensitive to ANG II, with blood flows decreasing maximally at 0.573 micrograms/min (P less than 0.05). Maximum adipose vascular resistance occurred at 0.573 micrograms/min, greater than 400% (P less than 0.001), exceeding responses in all tissues (P less than 0.05). The placenta is less responsive to ANG II than other uterine and most nonreproductive tissues, resulting in preferential maintenance of uteroplacental perfusion and protecting the fetus from the effects of this vasoconstrictor.


1985 ◽  
Vol 249 (1) ◽  
pp. E49-E55 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. P. Naden ◽  
S. Coultrup ◽  
B. S. Arant ◽  
C. R. Rosenfeld

Reduced vascular responsiveness to infused angiotensin II (ANG II) has been observed during pregnancy. It has been proposed that infusions produce lower circulating concentrations of ANG II in pregnancy, due to an increase in the metabolic clearance rate of ANG II (MCRangii). We have evaluated the MCRangii and the arterial plasma concentrations of ANG II during constant infusions of 1.15 micrograms ANG II/min into chronically instrumented pregnant (n = 6) and nonpregnant (n = 9) sheep. Although the pressor responses were significantly less in the pregnant than in the nonpregnant sheep (17.5 +/- 0.5 vs. 34.9 +/- 3.2 mmHg, P less than 0.001), the values for MCRangii were not different: 56.2 +/- 6.3 ml X min-1 X kg-1 in nonpregnant and 55.9 +/- 4.3 ml X min-1 X kg-1 in pregnant sheep. The steady-state plasma ANG II concentrations during the infusions were slightly less in pregnant than in nonpregnant sheep (388 +/- 36 vs. 454 +/- 36 pg/ml); however, this difference would be responsible for only a 2-mmHg reduction in the pressor response. We conclude that the reduced pressor response to infused ANG II in pregnancy is not due to an increase in MCRangii nor to lower plasma ANG II concentrations.


1990 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 587 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Jansakul ◽  
RG King ◽  
AL Boura

Pressor responses to both angiotensin II (Ang II) and noradrenaline (NA) were reduced in 20-day-pregnant rats compared with those in non-pregnant animals, regardless of whether the results were expressed in terms of the dose per kilogram of body weight or per millilitre of estimated plasma volume. Inhibition of prostaglandin production with indomethacin (10 mg kg-1, i.v.) was not accompanied by any significant effect on responses to Ang II in either non-pregnant or 20-day-pregnant animals. However, it attenuated the effects of NA in 20-day-pregnant rats. Indomethacin (10(-5) or 3 x 10(-5) M) did not potentiate in vitro vasoconstrictor responses to phenylephrine of endothelium-intact or -denuded thoracic aortic rings from non-pregnant or 20-day-pregnant rats. These results suggest that subsensitivity to Ang II or NA during pregnancy in the rat is not due to dilution of the dose of these autacoids resulting from increased plasma volume, nor to an increased output of vasodilator prostaglandins.


1990 ◽  
Vol 259 (1) ◽  
pp. H197-H203 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. E. Clark ◽  
G. L. Irion ◽  
C. E. Mack

Although the uterine vascular responses to endogenous vasoactive substances have been extensively investigated in pregnant sheep, the fetal umbilical responses to angiotensin II (ANG II) and norepinephrine (NE) have not been well characterized. Twenty-five pregnant ewes between 105 and 115 days of gestation were anesthetized and instrumented for hemodynamic measurements, systemic fetal and maternal intravenous infusions, and local maternal uterine arterial infusions of ANG II and NE. Fetal and maternal arterial pressure and heart rate, maternal uterine blood flow (total of left and right middle uterine arteries), and fetoplacental blood flow (common umbilical artery) were measured during continuous infusions of ANG II or NE. Fetal infusions of ANG II (0.03–1.0 micrograms.min-1.kg estimated fetal body wt-1) increased fetal arterial blood pressure by as much as 44% over base-line values, decreased umbilical blood flow by as much as 63%, and increased umbilical vascular resistance by up to 345%. Fetal infusions of NE (0.1–3 micrograms.min-1.kg-1) increased fetal arterial pressure 42% and increased umbilical vascular resistance by up to 38% but did not significantly alter fetoplacental blood flow. No significant maternal changes were observed during fetal infusions. Maternal infusion of ANG II increased maternal arterial pressure by as much as 59% and significantly increased uterine vascular resistance at the two highest doses but significantly decreased uterine blood flow only at the highest dose (17%; P less than 0.05). Maternal infusions of NE increased arterial pressure by as much as 113%, decreased uterine blood flow by as much as 76%, and increased uterine vascular resistance 3- to 10-fold over the base-line value.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


1988 ◽  
Vol 30 (1-6) ◽  
pp. 457-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chantal Dauphin-Villemant ◽  
François Leboulenger ◽  
Françoise Xavier ◽  
Hubert Vaudry

1994 ◽  
Vol 266 (6) ◽  
pp. F850-F857 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. L. Pallone

Vasa recta were dissected from outer medullary vascular bundles in the rat and perfused in vitro. Examination by transmission electron microscopy reveals them to be only outer medullary descending vasa recta (OM-DVR). To establish a method for systematic examination of vasoconstriction, OMDVR were perfused at 5 nl/min with collection pressure increased to 5 mmHg. Under these conditions, transmembrane volume flux was found to be near zero, and the transmural hydraulic pressure gradient was found to be < 15 mmHg. Over a concentration range of 10(-12) to 10(-8) M, abluminal application of angiotensin II (ANG II) caused graded focal vasoconstriction of OMDVR that is blocked by saralasin. Luminal application of ANG II over the same concentration range was much less effective. Abluminal application of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) shifted the vasoconstrictor response of OMDVR to higher ANG II concentrations. PGE2 reversibly dilated OMDVR that had been preconstricted by ANG II. These results demonstrate that OMDVR are vasoactive segments. Their anatomical arrangement suggests that they play a key role in the regulation of total and regional blood flow to the renal medulla.


2005 ◽  
Vol 108 (6) ◽  
pp. 523-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanna CASTOLDI ◽  
Serena REDAELLI ◽  
Willy M. M. van de GREEF ◽  
Cira R. T. di GIOIA ◽  
Giuseppe BUSCA ◽  
...  

Ang II (angiotensin II) has multiple effects on vascular smooth muscle cells through the modulation of different classes of genes. Using the mRNA differential-display method to investigate gene expression in rat aortic smooth muscle cells in culture in response to 3 h of Ang II stimulation, we observed that Ang II down-regulated the expression of a member of the family of transmembrane receptors for Wnt proteins that was identified as Fzd2 [Fzd (frizzled)-2 receptor]. Fzds are a class of highly conserved genes playing a fundamental role in the developmental processes. In vitro, time course experiments demonstrated that Ang II induced a significant increase (P<0.05) in Fzd2 expression after 30 min, whereas it caused a significant decrease (P<0.05) in Fzd2 expression at 3 h. A similar rapid up-regulation after Ang II stimulation for 30 min was evident for TGFβ1 (transforming growth factor β1; P<0.05). To investigate whether Ang II also modulated Fzd2 expression in vivo, exogenous Ang II was administered to Sprague–Dawley rats (200 ng·kg−1 of body weight·min−1; subcutaneously) for 1 and 4 weeks. Control rats received normal saline. After treatment, systolic blood pressure was significantly higher (P<0.01), whereas plasma renin activity was suppressed (P<0.01) in Ang II- compared with the saline-treated rats. Ang II administration for 1 week did not modify Fzd2 expression in aorta of Ang II-treated rats, whereas Ang II administration for 4 weeks increased Fzd2 mRNA expression (P<0.05) in the tunica media of the aorta, resulting in a positive immunostaining for fibronectin at this time point. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that Ang II modulates Fzd2 expression in aortic smooth muscle cells both in vitro and in vivo.


Author(s):  
Yuanping Cao ◽  
Qun Wang ◽  
Caiyun Liu ◽  
Wenjun Wang ◽  
Songqing Lai ◽  
...  

Abstract Capn4 belongs to a family of calpains that participate in a wide variety of biological functions, but little is known about the role of Capn4 in cardiac disease. Here, we show that the expression of Capn4 was significantly increased in Angiotensin II (Ang II)-treated cardiomyocytes and Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophic mouse hearts. Importantly, in agreement with the Capn4 expression patterns, the maximal calpain activity measured in heart homogenates was elevated in Ang II-treated mice, and oral coadministration of SNJ-1945 (calpain inhibitor) attenuated the total calpain activity measured in vitro. Functional assays indicated that overexpression of Capn4 obviously aggravated Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy, whereas Capn4 knockdown resulted in the opposite phenotypes. Further investigation demonstrated that Capn4 maintained the activation of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-AKT signaling pathway in cardiomyocytes by increasing c-Jun expression. Mechanistic investigations revealed that Capn4 directly bound and stabilized c-Jun, and knockdown of Capn4 increased the ubiquitination level of c-Jun in cardiomyocytes. Additionally, our results demonstrated that the antihypertrophic effect of Capn4 silencing was partially dependent on the inhibition of c-Jun. Overall, these data suggested that Capn4 contributes to cardiac hypertrophy by enhancing the c-Jun-mediated IGF-AKT signaling pathway and could be a potential therapeutic target for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.


Hypertension ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 78 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J Fehrenbach ◽  
Meena S Madhur

Hypertension, or an elevated blood pressure, is the primary modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the number one cause of mortality worldwide. We previously demonstrated that Th17 activation and interleukin 17A (IL-17A)/IL-21 production is integral for the full development of a hypertensive phenotype as well as the renal and vascular damage associated with hypertension. Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein Kinase 2 (ROCK2) serves as a molecular switch upregulating Th17 and inhibiting regulatory T cell (Treg) differentiation. We hypothesize that hypertension is characterized by excessive T cell ROCK2 activation leading to increased Th17/Treg ratios and ultimately end-organ damage. We first showed in vitro that KD025, an experimental orally bioavailable ROCK2 inhibitor inhibits Th17 cell proliferation and IL-17A/IL-21 production. To determine if hypertensive stimuli such as endothelial stretch increases T cell ROCK2 expression, we cultured human aortic endothelial cells exposed to 5% (normotensive) or 10% (hypertensive) stretch with circulating human T cells and HLA-DR+ antigen presenting cells. Hypertensive stretch increased T cell ROCK2 expression 2-fold. We then tested the effect of ROCK2 inhibition with KD025 (50mg/kg i.p. daily) in vivo on angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertension. Treatment with KD025 significantly attenuated the hypertensive response within 1 week of Ang II treatment (systolic blood pressure: 139± 8 vs 108±7mmHg) and this persisted for the duration of the 4 week study reaching blood pressures 20 mmHg lower (135±13mmHg) than vehicle treated mice (158±4mmHg p<0.05 effect of treatment 2-way Repeated Measures ANOVA). Flow cytometric analysis of tissue infiltrating leukocytes revealed that KD025 treatment increased Treg/Th17 ratios in the kidney (0.61±0.03 vs 0.79±0.08, p<0.05 student’s t-test). Thus, T cell ROCK2 may be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of hypertension.


1997 ◽  
Vol 273 (2) ◽  
pp. F307-F314 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Loutzenhiser ◽  
L. Chilton ◽  
G. Trottier

An adaptation of the in vitro perfused hydronephrotic rat kidney model allowing in situ measurement of arteriolar membrane potentials is described. At a renal perfusion pressure of 80 mmHg, resting membrane potentials of interlobular arteries (22 +/- 2 microns) and afferent (14 +/- 1 microns) and efferent arterioles (12 +/- 1 microns) were -40 +/- 2 (n = 8), -40 +/- 1 (n = 45), and -38 +/- 2 mV (n = 22), respectively (P = 0.75). Using a dual-pipette system to stabilize the impalement site, we measured afferent and efferent arteriolar membrane potentials during angiotensin II (ANG II)-induced vasoconstriction. ANG II (0.1 nM) reduced afferent arteriolar diameters from 13 +/- 1 to 8 +/- 1 microns (n = 8, P = 0.005) and membrane potentials from -40 +/- 2 to -29 +/- mV (P = 0.012). ANG II elicited a similar vasoconstriction in efferent arterioles, decreasing diameters from 13 +/- 1 to 8 +/- 1 microns (n = 8, P = 0.004), but failed to elicit a significant depolarization (-39 +/- 2 for control; -36 +/- 3 mV for ANG II; P = 0.27). Our findings thus indicate that resting membrane potentials of pre- and postglomerular arterioles are similar and lie near the threshold activation potential for L-type Ca channels. ANG II-induced vasoconstriction appears to be closely coupled to membrane depolarization in the afferent arteriole, whereas mechanical and electrical responses appear to be dissociated in the efferent arteriole.


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