β-Adrenoceptor regulation of metabolism in U937-derived macrophages

Macrophages have important roles in the immune system including clearing pathogens and wound healing. Metabolic phenotypes in macrophages have been associated with functional phenotypes, where pro-inflammatory macrophages have an increased...

Abstract P334: Sympathetically Mediated Alpha-1 Adrenoceptor Regulation of the NCC During High Salt Intake: A New Therapeutic Target for Resistant Hypertension

Aim: We hypothesize that excess norepinephrine (NE) modulates NCC activity via an α1 adrenoceptor pathway to drive the development of salt-sensitive hypertension (HTN). Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats receiving a continuous s.c. saline or NE (600ng/min) infusion and naïve Dahl Salt-Sensitive (DSS) rats were fed a 0.6% (NS) or 8% NaCl (HS) diet for 14 or 21 days respectively (N=4/gp). On day 14 (SD) or 21 (DSS) MAP and NCC activity (peak natriuresis to iv hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ; 2mg/kg) infusion) and expression (via immunoblotting) was assessed. Additional groups of NE infused SD and DSS rats received a propranolol (9.9mg/kg/day; s.c.) or prazosin (2.5mg/kg/day; oral) and a NS or HS diet for 14 or 21 days. Results: SD rats exhibit HS evoked suppression of NCC expression and activity. In contrast, NE infused SD rats and DSS rats exhibit HTN and fail to suppress NCC expression and activity during HS-intake. β-adrenoceptor antagonism (confirmed pharmacologically) reduced MAP in NE infused SD and DSS rats, but failed to decrease NCC activity or expression. In contrast α1-adreoceptor antagonism (confirmed pharmacologically) abolished the salt-sensitive component of HTN and restored dietary sodium evoked suppression of NCC activity and expression in NE infused SD rats and DSS rats. Conclusion: Our data suggests NE activates α, but not β, adrenoceptors to prevent dietary sodium evoked suppression of NCC activity and the development of salt-sensitive hypertension. The PATHWAY-2 Trial reported a primary role of sodium retention in resistant HTN suggesting α1-adreoceptor antagonism represents a new therapeutic approach for resistant and sympathetically mediated HTN.

β2-Adrenoceptor Regulation of CGRP Release from Capsaicin-sensitive Neurons

Previous studies have suggested that neurotransmitter substances from the sympatho-adrenomedullary system regulate pulpal blood flow (PBF), in part, by the inhibition of vasoactive neuropeptide release from pulpal sensory neurons. However, no study has evaluated the role of β-adrenoceptors. We evaluated the hypothesis that activation of β-adrenoceptors inhibits immunoreactive calcitonin gene-related peptide (iCGRP) release from capsaicin-sensitive nociceptive neurons via in vitro superfusion of bovine dental pulp. Either norepinephrine or epinephrine inhibited capsaicin-evoked iCGRP. The norepinephrine effect was blocked by the selective β2-adrenoceptor antagonist, ICI 118,551, but not by pre-treatment with the selective β1-adrenoceptor antagonist, atenolol. In addition, application of albuterol, a selective β2-adrenoceptor agonist, significantly blocked capsaicin-evoked release of iCGRP. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that activation of β2-adrenoceptors in dental pulp significantly reduces exocytosis of neuropeptides from capsaicin-sensitive nociceptors. This effect may have physiologic significance in regulating PBF. Moreover, since capsaicin selectively activates nociceptors, β2-adrenoceptor agonists may have clinical utility as peripherally acting therapeutics for dental pain and inflammation.