Angiotensin II attenuates baroreflexes at nucleus tractus solitarius of rats

1986 ◽  
Vol 250 (2) ◽  
pp. R193-R198 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Casto ◽  
M. I. Phillips

Microinjection of angiotensin II (ANG II) into the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) has been shown to produce a dose-dependent increase in blood pressure and heart rate. We have tested the effect of subpressor infusions of ANG II (10 ng . kg-1 . min-1) in the NTS on reflex bradycardia after intravenous administration of the vasoconstrictor phenylephrine (1-12 micrograms) in normotensive urethan-anesthetized rats. ANG II within the brain is thought to contribute to the decreased baroreflex sensitivity in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The sensitivity of the baroreflex was significantly decreased by the infusion of ANG II (1.01 +/- 0.08) compared with control (2.41 +/- 0.51) in the normotensive animals. Baroreflex sensitivity was significantly decreased in SHR (0.40 +/- 0.21) compared with normotensive animals. We conclude that ANG II within the NTS can inhibit the function of baroreceptor reflexes in normotensive animals, suggesting that the endogenous peptide may perform an inhibitory role in the baroreflex arc, and this is further evidence that central ANG II is involved in blood pressure of SHR.

2019 ◽  
Vol 133 (23) ◽  
pp. 2401-2413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gwo-Ching Sun ◽  
Tzyy-Yue Wong ◽  
Hsin-Hung Chen ◽  
Chiu-Yi Ho ◽  
Tung-Chen Yeh ◽  
...  

Abstract G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are important drug targets. Blocking angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 receptor signaling alleviates hypertension and improves outcomes in patients with heart failure. Changes in structure and trafficking of GPCR, and desensitization of GPCR signaling induce pathophysiological processes. We investigated whether Ang II, via induction of AT1R and μ-opioid receptor (μOR) dimerization in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), leads to progressive hypertension. Ang II signaling increased μOR and adrenergic receptor α2A (α2A-AR) heterodimer levels and decreased expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2T202/Y204, ribosomal protein S6 kinaseT359/S363, and nNOSS1416 phosphorylation. Dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 1 (DDAH1) expression was abolished in the NTS of adult spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Endomorphin-2 was overexpressed in NTS of adult SHRs compared with that in 6-week-old Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Administration of μOR agonist into the NTS of WKY increased blood pressure (BP), decreased nitric oxide (NO) production, and decreased DDAH1 activity. μOR agonist significantly reduced the activity of DDAH1 and decreased neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) phosphorylation. The AT1R II inhibitor, losartan, significantly decreased BP and abolished AT1R-induced formation of AT1R and μOR, and α2A-AR and μOR, heterodimers. Losartan also significantly increased the levels of nNOSS1416 phosphorylation and DDAH1 expression. These results show that Ang II may induce expression of endomorphin-2 and abolished DDAH1 activity by enhancing the formation of AT1R and μOR heterodimers in the NTS, leading to progressive hypertension.


1984 ◽  
Vol 246 (5) ◽  
pp. R811-R816 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Casto ◽  
M. I. Phillips

The blood pressure and heart rate responses to microinjection of angiotensin II (ANG II) into the brain stem of urethan-anesthetized rats were studied. Microinjection of ANG II into the area postrema (AP) resulted in significant elevation of blood pressure and significant reduction of heart rate. Microinjection into the region of the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) yielded a significant dose-dependent elevation in blood pressure and consistent increases in heart rate. The response to microinjection of ANG II into the region of the NTS was not due to leakage into the peripheral circulation, since intravenous administration of the ANG II antagonist, saralasin, did not attenuate the response. In fact, the cardiovascular response was increased after peripheral ANG II blockade, and the heart rate, which was consistently but not significantly elevated by NTS injection alone, was significantly elevated after saralasin pretreatment. Thermal ablation of the AP did not change the heart rate or the pressor response to microinjection of ANG II into the region of the NTS, indicating that the response was not mediated through the AP.


1992 ◽  
Vol 263 (3) ◽  
pp. H664-H667 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Hernandez ◽  
A. W. Cowley ◽  
J. H. Lombard ◽  
A. S. Greene

This study investigated the effect of salt intake and angiotensin II (ANG II) levels on microvessel density (MVD). Rats with indwelling arterial and venous catheters were placed on either a high-salt (HS; 4%) or a low-salt diet (LS; 0.4%) for 2 or 4 wk, and blood pressure, heart rate, and plasma renin activity were measured. Plasma ANG II was fixed at normal levels in half of the rats on HS by continuous intravenous infusion of ANG II (5 ng.kg-1.min-1). Samples of cremaster muscle were examined histologically to determine MVD. No difference in MVD was observed between HS and LS groups after 2 wk. After 4 wk on HS, MVD was reduced (22.4%, P less than 0.05) compared with the LS group. In rats fed HS, ANG II infusion induced a significant dose-dependent increase in MVD from 85.11 +/- 3.34 to 98.94 +/- 4.62 (ANG II, 5 ng.kg-1.min-1) and to 107.60 +/- 7.00 (ANG II, 10 ng.kg-1.min-1) (P less than 0.05), with no change in blood pressure. Maintenance of ANG II levels for 4 wk blocked the rarefaction due to salt. These results suggest that the decrease in MVD due to salt could be the result of a dietary-induced fall in plasma ANG II levels.


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.


1977 ◽  
Vol 232 (4) ◽  
pp. H426-H433 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. E. Hoffman ◽  
M. I. Phillips ◽  
P. G. Schmid

The brain isorenin angiotensin system has been implicated in the development of spontaneous hypertension by several investigators. The experiments reported here were designed to test the responsiveness of unanesthetized spontaneous hypertensive (SH) rats to intracerebroventricular angiotensin II injections compared to Wistar-Kyoto (WK) normotensive controls. The results indicate that there is no difference between SH and WK animals in drinking responses or antidiuretic hormone release to central angiotensin II injections; however, an increased pressor responsiveness to intraventricular angiotensin II in SH as compared to WK was observed. The results of intravenous infusions of pressor substances in these experiments and reports by other investigators suggest that the increased blood pressure effects to central angiotensin are due to three possible factors: 1) increased vascular responsiveness of SH to vasoconstrictor substances in general, 2) increased vascular sensitivity of SH rats to sympathetic outflow, and 3) decreased baroreceptor reflexes to acute increases in blood pressure. We suggest that the brain isorenin-angiotensin system may be involved in spontaneous hypertension by increased production of angiotensin II or by activation of a potentiated sympathetic system, but not by a generalized increased sensitivity of brain receptors to central angiotensin.


1991 ◽  
Vol 260 (5) ◽  
pp. F657-F662
Author(s):  
M. Levi ◽  
W. L. Henrich

Dietary Ca is an important modulator of blood pressure in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). Since the kidney plays a key role in the pathogenesis of hypertension, the purpose of this study was to determine the potential renal mechanisms of the blood pressure-lowering effect of increasing dietary Ca content. In 21-day-old SHR fed 0.1 vs. 3.6% Ca diet for 14 days, increasing dietary Ca had no significant effects on basal [704 +/- 50 in 0.1% Ca vs. 784 +/- 61 ng angiotensin I (ANG I).mg-1.h-1 in 3.6% Ca, P = not significant (NS)], isoproterenol-stimulated (1,057 +/- 52 in 0.1% Ca vs. 1,104 +/- 59 ng ANG I.mg-1.h-1 in 3.6% Ca, P = NS), or angiotensin II (ANG II)-inhibited (370 +/- 50 in 0.1% Ca vs. 411 +/- 39 ng ANG I.mg-1.h-1 in 3.6% Ca, P = NS) renal superficial cortical slice renin release. In contrast, in apical brush-border membrane (BBM) vesicles isolated from the superficial cortex, increasing dietary Ca caused a significant decrease in ANG II binding, which was mediated by a decrease in the number of binding sites (Bmax, 376 +/- 14 in 0.1% Ca vs. 234 +/- 6 fmol ANG II/mg BBM protein in 3.6% Ca, P less than 0.01), and no change in the affinity [dissociation constant (Kd), 17.8 +/- 1.4 in 0.1% Ca vs. 13.4 +/- 2.8 nM ANG II in 3.6% Ca, P = NS].(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Hypertension ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 70 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J X Masjoan-Juncos ◽  
Tang-Dong Liao ◽  
Ginette Bordcoch ◽  
Cesar A Romero ◽  
Oscar A Carretero

It has been reported that SHR rats receiving angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor Captopril decrease blood pressure (BP) in at least two generation after the treatment was stopped. A decreased response to an intracerebroventricular infusion angiotensin I and angiotensin II in treated animals and their offspring was reported; however there is no reported mechanism that explains the changes observed in the untreated offspring of the Captopril treated animals. We hypothesize that captopril reduces angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) expression in CNS of the offspring of SHR rats treated with captopril. Animal groups are as follows: control animals, captopril treated animals, offspring of the control animals, offspring of the treated animals where the mother was removed from the treatment immediately after giving birth and Offspring of treated animals where the mother was removed from the treatment at weaning. BP was measured by intra-arterial method and Tail cuff. AT1R expression was measured in brain tissue using the posterior wall of the forth ventricle, as well as the top half of the brain stem. BP was different between treated groups and their offspring vs. control (Table 1). AT1R expression was significantly reduced in both offspring groups of the treated animals, when compared to control (Table 1). Therefore we conclude that captopril reduces blood pressure in the offspring of captopril treated SHR rats and that associates with a decrease in AT1R expression in CNS. Further research is necessary to determine the possible epigenetic mechanisms involved in AT1R reduction.


1990 ◽  
Vol 259 (5) ◽  
pp. R1012-R1016 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Ando ◽  
Y. Sato ◽  
T. Fujita

We examined the salt sensitivity of blood pressure in angiotensin II (ANG II)-induced hypertension. Wistar rats, salt loaded (0.66, 2, or 8% salt-containing diet) for 4 or 12 days, were infused intravenously with 15 or 60 ng/min of ANG II. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was not increased by long-term (12 days) salt loading, and SBP was unchanged with ANG II and normal-salt (0.66%) diet. However, when combined with salt loading, ANG II produced hypertension in a dose-dependent fashion; compared with control (120 +/- 2 mmHg), SBP was increased with 15 ng/min of ANG II and 8% salt diet (145 +/- 5 mmHg, P less than 0.05) and with 60 ng/min of ANG II and either 2 or 8% salt diet (149 +/- 8 and 174 +/- 8 mmHg, P less than 0.05, respectively). Na space (exchangeable Na) was increased in a roughly similar pattern and correlated significantly (r = 0.531, P less than 0.05) with SBP. However, with 15 ng/min of ANG II, Na space was not different among rats on either level of salt loading, although the 8% salt diet elevated SBP. Data obtained with short-term (4 days) treatment indicate that an elevated Na space preceded development of hypertension. With 15 ng/min of ANG II and 8% salt diet for 4 days, Na space was markedly (P less than 0.05) increased, but SBP was unchanged.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher G Sobey ◽  
Quynh Nhu Dinh ◽  
Antony Vinh ◽  
Grant R Drummond ◽  
Michael De Silva

Background: Hypertension increases the risk for stroke and cognitive impairment, and is strongly associated with inflammation of the vasculature and kidneys. However, it is unclear whether there is inflammation and immune cell infiltration in the brain during hypertension. Aims: To test whether chronic infusion of angiotensin II causes brain inflammation and cognitive dysfunction, and whether its effects are blood pressure-dependent. Methods: Male C57Bl/6 mice were administered vehicle or angiotensin II (Ang II, 0.7 mg/kg/d s.c. ) via osmotic minipumps. A subset of mice also received hydralazine (50 mg/kg) in their drinking water after minipump implantation. We measured systolic blood pressure by tail cuff plethysmography, immune cell numbers using flow cytometry and recognition memory using the novel object recognition test. Results: Ang II infusion increased blood pressure and promoted accumulation of leukocytes in the brain, including neutrophils, monocytes, T cells and B cells, all of which were elevated by ~2.5-fold compared to vehicle-treated mice (n=6-8, P<0.05). Co-administration of hydralazine prevented the pressor response to Ang II and reduced neutrophil and monocyte infiltration (n=7-8, P<0.05), however, hydralazine had no effect on T or B cell numbers (n=7-8). Ang II impaired recognition memory and this was prevented by administration of hydralazine (n=11-12, P<0.05). Conclusions: Our data indicate that inflammation occurs in the brain during Ang II-dependent hypertension and this is associated with impaired recognition memory. Reducing blood pressure reversed these effects. Chronic brain inflammation may be a contributing factor to the increased stroke risk and cognitive impairment during hypertension and may be mitigated by blood pressure reduction.


1991 ◽  
Vol 260 (5) ◽  
pp. R977-R984 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Muratani ◽  
D. B. Averill ◽  
C. M. Ferrario

The spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) exhibits an enhanced activity of the peripheral sympathetic and brain renin-angiotensin systems. In the present experiments, we evaluated the cardiovascular response of angiotensin II (ANG II) microinjected in the rostral (RVLM) and the caudal (CVLM) ventrolateral medulla of age-matched (14-16 wk old) SHR and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Responses of mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) to microinjection of ANG II (5, 20 and 100 pmol) into histologically verified sites of the RVLM and CVLM were compared with those obtained by injections of the excitatory agent L-glutamate (2 nmol) at the same site. In both strains, ANG II elicited dose-dependent pressor responses in the RVLM and depressor responses in the CVLM, both of which peaked at a dose of 20 pmol. The magnitude of the fall in MAP produced by injections of ANG II into the CVLM were significantly (P less than 0.01) greater in SHR than in WKY group. In contrast, peak pressor responses elicited by injection of ANG II into the RVLM were of similar magnitude in the two groups. When compared with the MAP response produced by L-glutamate injections, responses to ANG II microinjection were slower in onset, and the latency to the peak response was longer. Ganglionic blockade with hexamethonium bromide prevented the effect of ANG II injection in the RVLM. This study provides evidence that ANG II acts as an excitatory agent at sites within the ventrolateral medulla that determine the vasomotor control of blood pressure in both normotensive and hypertensive rats.


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