Early gestation dexamethasone alters baroreflex and vascular responses in newborn lambs before hypertension

2006 ◽  
Vol 291 (2) ◽  
pp. R481-R488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey L. Segar ◽  
Robert D. Roghair ◽  
Emily M. Segar ◽  
Melissa C. Bailey ◽  
Thomas D. Scholz ◽  
...  

Exposure of the early gestation ovine fetus to exogenous glucocorticoids induces alterations in postnatal cardiovascular physiology, including hypertension. To determine whether autonomic function and systemic vascular reactivity are altered by in utero programming before the development of systemic hypertension, we examined arterial baroreflex function and in vivo hemodynamic and in vitro vascular responses to vasoactive agents in 10- to 14-day-old newborn lambs exposed to early gestation glucocorticoids. Dexamethasone (Dex, 0.28 mg·kg−1·day−1) or saline was administered to pregnant ewes by intravenous infusion over 48 h beginning at 27 days gestation (term 145 days), and lambs were allowed to deliver ( n = 6 in each group). Resting mean arterial blood pressure (MABP; 77 ± 1 vs. 74 ± 3 mmHg) and heart rate (HR; 249 ± 9 vs. 226 ± 21 beats/min) were similar in Dex-exposed and control animals, respectively. The arterial baroreflex curve, relating changes in HR to MABP, was significantly shifted toward higher pressure in the Dex-exposed lambs although no change in the sensitivity (gain) of the response was seen. In vivo changes in blood pressure in response to bolus doses of ANG II (20, 50, and 100 ng/kg) and phenylephrine (2, 5, and 10 μg/kg) were similar in the two groups. However, Dex lambs displayed greater decreases in MABP in response to ganglionic blockade with tetraethylammonium bromide (10 mg/kg; −30 ± 3 vs. −20 ± 3 mmHg, P < 0.05) and greater increases in MABP after nitric oxide synthase blockade with NG-nitro-l-arginine (25 mg/kg; 23 ± 3 vs. 13 ± 2 mmHg, P < 0.05) compared with control lambs. By in vitro wire myography, mesenteric and femoral artery microvessel contractile responses to KCl were similar, whereas responses to endothelin (in mesenteric) and norepinephrine (in femoral) were significantly attenuated in Dex lambs compared with controls. Femoral vasodilatory responses to forskolin and sodium nitroprusside were similar in the two groups ( n = 4). These findings suggest that resetting of the baroreflex, accompanied by increased sympathetic activity and altered nitric oxide-mediated compensatory vasodilatory function, may be important contributors to programming of hypertension.

2001 ◽  
Vol 90 (5) ◽  
pp. 2007-2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ziad Tahawi ◽  
Natalia Orolinova ◽  
Irving G. Joshua ◽  
Michael Bader ◽  
Eugene C. Fletcher

Recurrent episodic hypoxia (EH) is a feature of sleep apnea that may be responsible for some chronic cardiovascular sequelae such as systemic hypertension. Chronic EH (8 h/day for 35 days) causes elevation of diurnal resting (unstimulated) mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) in the rat. We used in vivo video microscopy to examine arteriolar reactivity in the cremaster muscle of male Sprague-Dawley rats subjected to 35 days of EH. Cremaster muscles of EH ( n= 6) and control ( n = 6) rats were exposed to varying doses of norepinephrine (NE) (10−10 to 10−5M), ACh (10−9 to 10−5 M), and endothelin-1 (10−12 to 10−8 M). In a separate experiment, EH ( n = 5) and control ( n = 6) rats were given one dose of a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor N G-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME; 10−5 M). We also examined endothelial NOS mRNA from the kidneys of EH-stimulated and control (unstimulated) rats. Telemetry-monitored EH rats showed a 16-mmHg increase in MAP over 35 days, whereas control rats showed no change. The response to NE and endothelin-1 were similar for EH and control rats. ACh vasodilatation of arterioles in EH rats was significantly attenuated compared with that of controls. The degree of vasoconstriction in response to blockade of the nitric oxide system byl-NAME was significantly less (83% of baseline diameter with l-NAME) for arterioles of EH rats compared with that for controls (61% of baseline diameter), implying lower basal resting nitric oxide release in the EH rats. Whole kidney mRNA endothelial NOS levels were not different between groups. These data support the hypothesis that chronic elevation of blood pressure associated with EH involves increased peripheral resistance from decreased basal release or production of nitric oxide after 35 days of EH.


1997 ◽  
Vol 93 (3) ◽  
pp. 227-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauro Rathaus ◽  
Eduardo Podjarny ◽  
Sydney Benchetrit ◽  
Janice Green ◽  
Jacques Bernheim

1. In previous studies we have shown that, after the administration of adriamycin, hypertension developed in rats who became pregnant (adriamycin-pregnant rats), whereas virgin animals remained normotensive. Subsequently, we showed that this hypertension was prevented by administration of l-arginine, suggesting that deficient synthesis of nitric oxide may be pathogenetic in this model. 2. To further assess the role of nitric oxide in this model, we measured mean arterial blood pressure after administration of l-arginine to adriamycin-pregnant rats or of NG-nitro-l-arginine-methyl ester (l-NAME) to normal pregnant rats. In other experiments, we assessed the response of isolated perfused arterial mesenteric vessels, precontracted with noradrenaline, to acetylcholine, l-arginine or l-NAME. 3. Blood pressure was decreased in normal pregnant rats, whereas it was elevated in adriamycin-pregnant rats. l-NAME treatment increased blood pressure in normal pregnant rats and l-arginine decreased it in adriamycin-pregnant rats. 4. Mesenteric vessels of adriamycin-pregnant rats exibited an exaggerated vasoconstrictory response to noradrenaline, when compared with the blunted response observed in normal pregnancy. The addition of l-NAME in vitro induced a further contraction, significantly greater in normal pregnant rats. The vasodilatory response to acetylcholine and l-arginine was greater in vessels from adriamycin-pregnant rats. In contrast, responses to either nitroprusside or diazoxide were similar in all groups. 5. The results suggest a state of reduced nitric oxide synthesis in rats with adriamycin nephropathy, leading to vascular maladaption and hypertension in pregnancy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 1253-1261
Author(s):  
Mourad Akdad ◽  
Mohamed Eddouks

Aims: The present study was performed in order to analyze the antihypertensive activity of Micromeria graeca (L.) Benth. ex Rchb. Background: Micromeria graeca (L.) Benth. ex Rchb is an aromatic and medicinal plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family. This herb is used to treat various pathologies such as cardiovascular disorders. Meanwhile, its pharmacological effects on the cardiovascular system have not been studied. Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of aerial parts of Micromeria graeca (AEMG) on the cardiovascular system in normotensive and hypertensive rats. Methods: In this study, the cardiovascular effect of AEMG was evaluated using in vivo and in vitro investigations. In order to assess the acute effect of AEMG on the cardiovascular system, anesthetized L-NAME-hypertensive and normotensive rats received AEMG (100 mg/kg) orally and arterial blood pressure parameters were monitored during six hours. In the sub-chronic study, rats were orally treated for one week, followed by blood pressure assessment during one week of treatment. Blood pressure was measured using a tail-cuff and a computer-assisted monitoring device. In the second experiment, isolated rat aortic ring pre-contracted with Epinephrine (EP) or KCl was used to assess the vasorelaxant effect of AEMG. Results: Oral administration of AEMG (100 mg/kg) provoked a decrease of arterial blood pressure parameters in hypertensive rats. In addition, AEMG induced a vasorelaxant effect in thoracic aortic rings pre-contracted with EP (10 μM) or KCl (80 mM). This effect was attenuated in the presence of propranolol and methylene blue. While in the presence of glibenclamide, L-NAME, nifedipine or Indomethacin, the vasorelaxant effect was not affected. Conclusion: This study showed that Micromeria graeca possesses a potent antihypertensive effect and relaxes the vascular smooth muscle through β-adrenergic and cGMP pathways.


Author(s):  
Mohammed Ajebli ◽  
Mohamed Eddouks

Aims and objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of aqueous aerial part extract of Mentha pulegium L. (Pennyrile) (MPAE) on arterial pressure parameters in rats. Background: Mentha pulegium is a medicinal plant used to treat hypertension in Morocco. Material and methods: In the current study, MPAE was prepared and its antihypertensive activity was pharmacologically investigated. L-NAME-hypertensive and normotensive rats have received orally MPAE (180 and 300 mg/kg) during six hours for the acute experiment and during seven days for the sub-chronic treatment. Thereafter, systolic, diastolic, mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were evaluated. While, in the in vitro experiment, isolated denuded and intact thoracic aortic rings were suspended in a tissue bath system and the tension changes were recorded. Results: A fall in blood pressure was observed in L-NAME-induced hypertensive treated with MPAE. The extract also produced a dose-dependent relaxation of aorta pre-contracted with NE and KCl. The study showed that the vasorelaxant ability of MPAE seems to be exerted through the blockage of extracellular Ca2+ entry. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that the extract of pennyrile exhibits antihypertensive activity. In addition, the effect may be, at least in part, due to dilation of blood vessels via blockage of Ca2+ channels.


1999 ◽  
Vol 276 (3) ◽  
pp. H944-H952 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie W. Watts ◽  
Gregory D. Fink

We previously demonstrated a change in the receptors mediating 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-induced contraction in arteries of deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt-hypertensive rats. Specifically, contraction to 5-HT is mediated primarily by 5-HT2A receptors in arteries from normotensive sham rats and by both 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B receptors in arteries from hypertensive rats. We hypothesized that the 5-HT2B receptor may play a role in maintaining the high blood pressure of DOCA-salt-hypertensive rats, and herein we provide data connecting in vitro and in vivo findings. The endothelium-denuded isolated superior mesenteric artery of DOCA-salt rats displayed a marked increase in maximum contraction to the newly available 5-HT2B-receptor agonist BW-723C86 compared with that of arteries from sham rats, confirming that the 5-HT2B receptor plays a greater role in 5-HT-induced contraction in arteries from DOCA-salt rats. In chronically instrumented rats, the 5-HT2B-receptor antagonist LY-272015 (0.3, 1.0, and 3.0 mg/kg iv at 30-min intervals) was given cumulatively 1 time/wk during 4 wk of continued DOCA-salt treatment. LY-272015 did not reduce blood pressure of the sham-treated rats at any time or dose. However, LY-272015 (1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg) significantly reduced mean blood pressure in a subgroup of week 3 (−20 mmHg) and week 4 DOCA-salt (−40 mmHg) rats that had extremely high blood pressure (mean arterial blood pressure ∼200 mmHg). Blockade of 5-HT2Breceptors by in vivo administration of LY-272015 (3.0 mg/kg) was verified by observing reduced 5-HT-induced contraction in rat stomach fundus, the tissue from which the 5-HT2B receptor was originally cloned. These data support the novel hypothesis that 5-HT2B-receptor expression is induced during the development of DOCA-salt hypertension and contributes to the maintenance of severe blood pressure elevations.


1978 ◽  
Vol 234 (6) ◽  
pp. E593 ◽  
Author(s):  
T A Kotchen ◽  
W J Welch ◽  
R T Talwalkar

Circulating neutral lipids inhibit the in vitro renin reaction. To identify the inhibitor(s), free fatty acids were added to human renin and homologous substrate. Capric, lauric, palmitoleic, linoleic, and arachidonic acids each inhibited the rate of angiotensin I production in vitro (P less than 0.01). Inhibition by polysaturated fatty acids (linoleic and arachidonic) was less (P less than 0.01) after catalytic hydrogenation of the double bonds. To evaluate an in vivo effect of renin inhibition intra-arterial blood pressure responses to infusions of renin and angiotensin II (5.0 microgram) were measured in anephric rats (n = 6) before and after infusion of linoleic acid (10 mg iv). Mean increase of blood pressure to angiotensin II before (75 mmHg +/- 9) and after (90 +/- 12) linoleic acid did not differ (P greater than 0.05). However, the pressor response to renin after linoleic acid (18 +/- 3) was less (P less than 0.00)) than that before (102 +/- 13). In summary, several fatty acids inhibit the in vitro renin reaction, and in part inhibition is dependent on unsaturation. Linoleic acid also inhibits the in vivo pressor response to renin. These results suggest that fatty acids may modify the measurement of plasma renin activity and may also affect angiotensin production in vivo.


1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 939-943 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zheng Gang Zhang ◽  
Michael Chopp ◽  
Kenneth I. Maynard ◽  
Michael A. Moskowitz

CBF increases concomitantly with cortical spreading depression (CSD). We tested the hypothesis that CBF changes during CSD are mediated by nitric oxide (NO). Male Wistar rats (n = 23) were subjected to KCl-induced CSD before and after administration of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors N-nitro-l-arginine (L-NNA) or N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and in nontreated animals. CBF, CSD, and mean arterial blood pressure were recorded. Brain NOS activity was measured in vitro in control, L-NNA, and L-NAME-treated rats by the conversion of [3H]arginine to [3H]citrulline. Our data show that the NOS inhibitors did not significantly change regional CBF (rCBF) during CSD, even though cortical NOS activity was profoundly depressed and systemic arterial blood pressure was significantly increased. Our data suggest that rCBF during CSD in rats is not regulated by NO.


Nutrients ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 328
Author(s):  
Patrícia Dias ◽  
Jana Pourová ◽  
Marie Vopršalová ◽  
Iveta Nejmanová ◽  
Přemysl Mladěnka

Regular intake of polyphenol-rich food has been associated with a wide variety of beneficial health effects, including the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. However, the parent flavonoids have mostly low bioavailability and, hence, their metabolites have been hypothesized to be bioactive. One of these metabolites, 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (3-HPAA), formed by the gut microbiota, was previously reported to exert vasorelaxant effects ex vivo. The aim of this study was to shed more light on this effect in vivo, and to elucidate the mechanism of action. 3-HPAA gave rise to a dose-dependent decrease in arterial blood pressure when administered i.v. both as a bolus and infusion to spontaneously hypertensive rats. In contrast, no significant changes in heart rate were observed. In ex vivo experiments, where porcine hearts from a slaughterhouse were used to decrease the need for laboratory animals, 3-HPAA relaxed precontracted porcine coronary artery segments via a mechanism partially dependent on endothelium integrity. This relaxation was significantly impaired after endothelial nitric oxide synthase inhibition. In contrast, the blockade of SKCa or IKCa channels, or muscarinic receptors, did not affect 3-HPAA relaxation. Similarly, no effects of 3-HPAA on cyclooxygenase nor L-type calcium channels were observed. Thus, 3-HPAA decreases blood pressure in vivo via vessel relaxation, and this mechanism might be based on the release of nitric oxide by the endothelial layer.


1987 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Rampart ◽  
H Bult ◽  
A G Herman ◽  
P J Jose ◽  
T J Williams

Injection of endotoxin (LPS) in animals, a model for gram-negative septic shock, leads to intravascular activation of the complement system, and is one of the few conditions in which 6-oxo-PGF]CX and thromboxane (TX) B2 (non-enzymic metabolites of PGI2 and TXA2) can be detected in arterial blood. Previously we reported associations between complement activation, PGI2 biosynthesis and LPS-induced hypotension in rabbits. As C5a and C5adesArg trigger endothelial PGI2 formation in vitro, we have now measured the plasma levels of immunoreactive (ir) C5a in relation to generation of PGI2 and changes in arterial blood pressure in LPS shock. Pentobarbitone anaesthethized rabbits received LPS (E. coli 0111:B4, 0.5 mg/kg) or saline via the marginal ear vein. A catheter in the left carotid artery was used to collect blood and to monitor mean arterial blood pressure (MABP). Platelet and leukocyte numbers, haemolytic complement titre (CH50), and plasma ir6-oxo-PGFioc , irTXB2 and irC5a were measured 15 min before and at different times after saline or LPS injection. LPS caused a dose- and time-dependent formation of irC5a in rabbit serum in vitro, predominantly via the classical pathway. LPS also activated complement in vivo, as indicated by about 20 % reduction of CH50 titre (measured after 3h) and a marked increase of arterial irC5a (20-120 ng/ml) in the first 2 to 5 min. After 30 min, irC5a had returned to baseline levels (< 2-5 ng/ml) and remained so up to 3h after injection of LPS. This irC5a peak correlated with a shortlasting initiation of PGI2 release (from < 20 pg/ml up to 550 pg/ml) and a drop in MABP (from about 95 mmHg to 50 mmHg) 2-5 min after LPS. None of these changes occurred after saline injection.In conclusion, LPS activates complement in vivo with concomitant formation of C5a. This peptide may trigger -either directly or after phagocyte activation - endothelial PGI2 biosynthesis, leading to arterial hypotension. This is supported by the suppression of the initial rise of arterial ir6-oxo-PGF1α and hypotension in complement-depleted rabbits. Inhibition of C5a formation or activity may prove to be a meaningful approach to the treatment of septic circulatory shock.


1987 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Hermán ◽  
P Hadházy ◽  
K Magyar

Iloprost (Schering A.G.) is a chemically stable derivative of prostacyclin. We compared the hypotensive and antiaggregatory effects of PGI2 and Iloprost. The concentration producing 50% inhibition (IC50) of ADP-induced platelet aggregation in vitro was 0.35±0.15 nmol/1 for PGI2 and 0.56±0.2 nmol/1 for Iloprost (n=5). The in vivo antiaggregatory activity was measured with a modified filtration pressure technique (F.Hermán et al.Thromb. Res.44 /1986/, 575) in anaesthetized beagle dogs; the change in arterial blood pressure was recorded simultaneously. Using this technique, the dose-response relationship and the duration of action of prostacyclin and Iloprost following bolus administration have been determined. PGI2 was equipotent with Iloprost in inhibiting platelet aggregation in vivo (ED25: 0.25±0.04 nmol/kg; 0.28±0.05 respectively). At the same time PGI2 was two times as potent as Iloprost in decreasing the mean arterial blood pressure (ED25: 0.41±0.12 nmol/kg; 0.87±0.14 nmol/kg respectively). The antiaggregatory and hypotensive effects of Iloprost last longer in each experiment than that of PGI2, but did not reach the level of significance probably due to the considerable interindividual differences. The in vivo selectivity ratios (hypotensive potency/antiaggregatory potency) of Iloprost and PGI2 were 0.32 and 0.6 respectively. These results show that in anesthetized beagles Iloprost is somewhat more selective than PGI2 in inhibiting platelet aggregation.


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