Showing papers on "Angiotensin II published in 1989"

Induction of platelet-derived growth factor A-chain and c-myc gene expressions by angiotensin II in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells.

Abstract: Recently, angiotensin II (Ang II) has been shown to cause hypertrophy of cultured quiescent rat aortic smooth muscle (RASM) cells. This observation along with the demonstration of angiotensinogen mRNA in the vessel wall has led us to postulate a role for vascular angiotensin in hypertensive blood vessel hypertrophy. To investigate further the possible molecular mechanisms, we examined the effect of Ang II on the expression of two genes known to be involved with cellular growth response. Near-confluent RASM cells were made quiescent by 48-h exposure to a defined serum-free medium. Ang II (10(-6) to 10(-11) M) resulted in an induction of the protooncogene c-myc mRNA within 30 min which persisted for 6 h. Interestingly, 6 h after the addition of Ang II, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) A-chain mRNA expression was elevated, peaked in 9 h, and persisted for 11 h. This was accompanied with a 15-20-fold increase in PDGF concentration in the culture medium. These effects were dose-dependent and were blocked by saralasin. Whereas the inhibition of protein synthesis by cycloheximide resulted in a stabilization of c-myc mRNA, cycloheximide abolished the elevation of the PDGF A-chain mRNA. Taken together, our data show that exposure of RASM cells to Ang II results in the sequential activation of c-myc and PDGF A-chain mRNA expressions. This sequential activation of protooncogene and growth factor gene may be an important mechanism in angiotensin-induced smooth muscle growth and hypertrophy.

Angiotensin II-stimulated protein synthesis in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells.

Abstract: To investigate the role of vasoconstrictor hormones in vascular smooth muscle cell growth we have studied the effects of the potent vasoconstrictor angiotensin II on cell growth in a cultured rat aortic cell model. Angiotensin II was not mitogenic for these cells, as assessed by determining cell number, nor was it synergistic in this regard with 10% calf serum. However, 24-hour exposure to 100 nM angiotensin II caused an 80% increase in protein synthesis (compared with 0.4% increase with serum control) as measured by tritiated leucine incorporation. This was a "hypertrophic" response as indicated by a 30% increase in protein content and a 45% increase in cell volume. Angiotensin II-induced smooth muscle cell hypertrophy was maximal at 100 nM, had an ED50 of 1 nM, and was inhibited by the competitive antagonist [Sar1, Ile8]angiotensin II. The increase in protein synthesis required continuous presence of angiotensin II for 6 hours and required messenger RNA (mRNA) synthesis as suggested by complete inhibition after exposure to actinomycin D. Angiotensin II-stimulated protein synthesis was dependent on a rise in intracellular Ca2+ concentration evidenced by a 70% decrease in tritiated leucine incorporation after chelation of Ca2+ with 25 microM quin 2-AM. This treatment did not alter protein synthesis induced by 10% calf serum. Decreasing extracellular Na+ to prevent Na+/H+ exchange and intracellular alkalinization did not inhibit the angiotensin II response but decreased the 10% calf serum-stimulated protein synthesis by 35%. Downregulation of protein kinase C by 24-hour treatment with phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate did not inhibit angiotensin II-induced protein synthesis, while phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-stimulated protein synthesis was abolished. These findings suggest that angiotensin II-induced hypertrophy, acting via a Ca2+ mechanism, may play an important role in abnormal vascular smooth muscle cell growth in certain forms of hypertension.

Converting Enzyme Inhibition Specifically Prevents the Development and Induces Regression of Cardiac Hypertrophy in Rats

Abstract: Antihypertensive agents have been shown to differ markedly in their effects on the development and regression of cardiac hypertrophy. In view of possible trophic properties of angiotensin II (ANG II), we compared the effects of equipotent antihypertensive doses of the converting enzyme (CE) inhibitor ramipril (1 mg/kg), the calcium antagonist nifedipine (30 mg/kg), and the arterial vasodilator dihydralazine (30 mg/kg) on cardiac mass in rats subjected to banding of the abdominal aorta. Treatment was started either immediately after banding (“prevention experiments”) or after hypertension and hypertrophy had already developed (“regression experiments”). Groups of untreated animals with aortic constriction and sham-operated animals served as controls.In the prevention experiments heart weight, myocardial protein content and ANG I1 plasma levels were significantly increased in untreated animals and in those receiving nifedipine and dihydralazine. In contrast, values obtained in animals treated with ramipril ...

Local and systemic estradiol-17 beta: effects on uterine and systemic vasodilation

Abstract: Systemic estradiol-17 beta (E2 beta) administration increases uterine blood flow (UBF), cardiac output (CO), heart rate (HR), and plasma renin activity (PRA). We sought to determine if the E2 beta-induced systemic responses were dependent on the observed uterine responses. Nonpregnant, ovariectomized ewes (n = 5) received 3 micrograms E2 beta into both uterine arteries followed 120 min later by systemic E2 beta, 1 microgram/kg. At 120 min after local E2 beta, UBF increased from 26 +/- 5 to 161 +/- 21 ml/min (P less than 0.05); uterine vascular resistance (UVR) decreased 83 +/- 2.5% (P less than 0.05); and systemic parameters were unchanged. At 120 min after systemic E2 beta, UBF remained elevated and CO had increased gradually from 4.4 +/- 0.2 to 5.5 +/- 0.32 l/min (26 +/- 3.4%, P less than 0.05), reflecting a 37 +/- 3.9% (P less than 0.05) increase in HR; mean arterial pressure (MAP) remained unchanged. The increased CO was associated with a 20 +/- 3.1% (P less than 0.05) fall in systemic vascular resistance (SVR), with % delta SVR less than % delta UVR (P less than 0.05). Base-line PRA and angiotensin II, 1.31 +/- 0.2 ng.ml-1.h-1 and 10.3 +/- 2.1 pg/ml, respectively, were unchanged by local E2 beta; systemic E2 beta caused increases to 3.56 +/- 0.51 ng.ml-1.h-1 (P less than 0.05) and 34.1 +/- 11.3 pg/ml (P less than 0.05), respectively. E2 beta-induced uterine hyperemia occurs independent of its systemic effects and is not responsible for systemic cardiovascular alterations, and the relative uterine vascular responses exceed systemic responses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Renin, prorenin and immunoreactive renin in vitreous fluid from eyes with and without diabetic retinopathy

Abstract: Renin, prorenin, and immunoreactive renin were present in vitreous and subretinal fluid of eyes from subjects with and without diabetic retinopathy. Renin substrate, albumin, transferrin, and immunoglobin G were also found in these ocular fluids. In many samples renin levels were close to the detection limit of the assay. The levels of renin substrate, albumin, transferrin, and immunoglobulin G varied widely among ocular fluid samples, but in each individual sample the levels were, relative to each other, similar to those in plasma. In contrast, the prorenin level in ocular fluid was up to 100 times higher than expected on the basis of the plasma protein content of ocular fluid. Moreover, there was little difference in prorenin concentrations between samples with low and high plasma protein contents. Prorenin, relative to albumin and other plasma proteins, was higher in vitreous fluid from eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy complicated by traction retinal detachment than in eyes of nondiabetic subjects with spontaneous retinal detachment. It appears that prorenin (and possibly renin) in ocular fluid is controlled by an active and specific process, possibly local synthesis within the eye. In view of the vascular actions of angiotensin II, an intraocular renin-angiotensin system may play a role in diabetic retinopathy.

Disparate effects of Ca channel blockade on afferent and efferent arteriolar responses to ANG II.

Abstract: Previous reports have suggested that organic calcium antagonists only partially inhibit the renal hemodynamic actions of angiotensin II (ANG II). This study tested the hypothesis that the calcium antagonist-sensitive component of ANG II-induced vasoconstriction is localized at a preglomerular site. Videomicroscopic measurements of vascular dimension were performed on in vitro blood-perfused juxtamedullary nephrons from captopril-treated rats. Under control conditions, afferent and efferent arteriolar diameters averaged 23.0 +/- 1.6 and 21.2 +/- 2.2 microns, respectively. Topical application of 0.1 nM ANG II decreased the diameters of afferent (-17 +/- 2%) and efferent (-15 +/- 3%) arterioles. Both 50 microM verapamil and 10 microM diltiazem dilated afferent arterioles. Verapamil also elicited a modest efferent vasodilation. In the presence of either verapamil or diltiazem, the effect of ANG II to decrease efferent diameter was sustained (-15 +/- 4%); however, the effect of ANG II on afferent diameter was abolished (-1 +/- 1%). These observations document differential influences of calcium channel blockers on ANG II-mediated vasoconstriction and suggest that the pre- and postglomerular vasoconstrictor actions of ANG II may occur through different calcium entry or mobilization mechanisms.

Angiotensin II induces c-fos expression in smooth muscle via transcriptional control.

Abstract: Angiotensin II (Ang II) has been shown to cause hypertrophy of cultured quiescent rat aortic smooth muscle cells. This observation along with the recent demonstration of angiotensinogen messenger RNA (mRNA) in the vessel wall has led us to postulate a role for Ang II in hypertensive smooth muscle hypertrophy. One of the earliest responses in a wide variety of cells in response to a growth-promoting agent is the induction of the proto-oncogene c-fos. To investigate the mechanism of the action of Ang II, we investigated the effect of Ang II on the expression of the c-fos gene in rat aortic smooth muscle cells that were made quiescent by being grown in a defined serum-free media for 48 hours. Ang II (10(-6)-10(-10) M) resulted in a dose-dependent increase in c-fos mRNA expression. This induction was angiotensin-receptor specific since it was completely abolished by the competitive inhibitor saralasin. Inhibition of protein synthesis did not block the rise in c-fos mRNA expression; it resulted in a superinduction and stabilization of the c-fos mRNA. Using a nuclear runoff transcription assay, we demonstrated that Ang II stimulated the transcription rate of the c-fos gene. This activation of c-fos gene expression may be an important mechanism in the angiotensin-induced smooth muscle hypertrophy.

In vitro and in vivo comparison of two K+ channel openers, diazoxide and cromakalim, and their inhibition by glibenclamide.

Abstract: Diazoxide caused an increase in 86Rb+ efflux from the rat aorta and portal vein and inhibited spontaneous activity of the latter at concentrations 100 times higher than the K+ channel opener cromakalim. In the rabbit aorta both drugs inhibited vasoconstrictor responses to angiotensin II, noradrenaline and low concentrations (less than or equal to 30 mM) of KCl in a similar manner, the antivasoconstrictor activities being abolished in vessels depolarized with greater than or equal to 35 mM K+. In vivo cromakalim was about 100 times more potent than diazoxide at lowering blood pressure in rats. Diazoxide (30 mg/kg) caused a more than 2-fold increase in plasma glucose in rats and prevented any return toward base line within 1.5 hr after a glucose load. Cromakalim had minimal effects upon glucose homeostasis at equihypotensive doses. Glibenclamide, a potent blocker of ATP-dependent K+ channels, inhibited the stimulation by cromakalim and diazoxide of 86Rb+ efflux from the portal vein and aorta (IC50 approximately 0.1 microM), antagonized their vasorelaxant effects in vitro and in vivo (20-30 mg/kg i.v.) and reversed the diazoxide-induced changes in plasma glucose and insulin levels. These results provide evidence that diazoxide, like cromakalim, is able to open 86Rb+-permeable K+ channels in vascular smooth muscle. This action is likely to be responsible for the in vitro and in vivo vasodilator activity of these two drugs. However, there would seem to be pharmacological differences between the K+ channels affected by these drugs in vascular smooth muscle and the (ATP-sensitive) K+ channels of pancreatic beta-cells, which are thought to be responsible for the effects of diazoxide on plasma glucose.

Angiotensin ii receptor blocking imidazoles and combinations thereof with diuretics and nsaids

Abstract: Substituted imidazole angiotensin II blockers such as formula (I) can be administered in combination with diuretics for treatment of hypertension or in combination with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to prevent renal failure which can result from administration of an NSAID. Novel substituted imidazole angiotensin II blockers, processes for their manufacture and their use to treat hypertension and congestive heart failure are disclosed.

Localization and heterogeneity of agonist-induced changes in cytosolic calcium concentration in single bovine adrenal chromaffin cells from video imaging of fura-2.

Abstract: Temporal and spatial changes in the concentration of cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) in response to a variety of secretagogues have been examined in adrenal chromaffin cells using digital video imaging of fura-2-loaded cells. Depolarization of the cells with high K+ or challenge with nicotine resulted in a rapid and transient elevation of [Ca2+]i beneath the plasma membrane consistent with Ca2+ entry through channels. This was followed by a late phase in which [Ca2+]i rose within the cell interior. Agonists that act through mobilization of inositol phosphates produced an elevation in [Ca2+]i that was most marked in an internal region of the cell presumed to be the site of IP3-sensitive stores. When the same cells were challenged with nicotine or high K+, to trigger Ca2+ entry through voltage-dependent channels, the rise in [Ca2+]i was most prominent in the same localized region of the cells. These results suggest that Ca2+ entry through voltage-dependent channels results in release of Ca2+ from internal stores and that the bulk of the measured rise in [Ca2+]i is not close to the exocytotic sites on the plasma membrane. Analysis of the time courses of changes in [Ca2+]i in response to bradykinin, angiotensin II and muscarinic agonists showed that these agonists produced highly heterogeneous responses in the cell population. This heterogeneity was most marked with muscarinic agonists which in some cells elicited oscillatory changes in [Ca2+]i. Such heterogeneous changes in [Ca2+]i were relatively ineffective in eliciting catecholamine secretion from chromaffin cells. A single large Ca2+ transient, with a component of the rise in [Ca2+]i occurring beneath the plasma membrane, may be the most potent signal for secretion.

Spontaneously hypertensive rat vascular smooth muscle cells in culture exhibit increased growth and Na+/H+ exchange.

Abstract: The cellular mechanisms responsible for abnormalities in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth and vasoreactivity are not defined. Because Na+/H+ exchange, which we have previously demonstrated in cultured VSMC, plays an essential role in mediating growth factor responses, we hypothesized that abnormalities in SHR growth regulation might be reflected in the activity of this transporter. To test this hypothesis, we studied DNA synthesis and Na+/H+ exchange (measured as the rate of amiloride-sensitive intracellular alkalinization or Na+ influx) in early subcultures (less than 6) of aortic VSMC from 12-wk-old SHR and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) animals. Serum-deprived SHR VSMC grew more rapidly in response to 10% serum with an increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation of 439% compared with 191% in WKY controls. Basal intracellular pH (pHi) values determined by fluorescent pH measurements were 7.37 +/- 0.04 and 7.27 +/- 0.03 (P less than 0.05) in early passage SHR and WKY, respectively. Acid recovery (initial pHi = 6.8) by SHR VSMC was faster than by WKY VSMC as measured by alkalinization (1.8 +/- 0.6 vs. 0.8 +/- 0.2 mmol H+/liter.min, P less than 0.05) or by amiloride-sensitive 22Na+ influx (14.5 +/- 1.2 vs. 4.0 +/- 0.5 nmol Na+/mg protein.min, P less than 0.05). In comparison to WKY cells early passage SHR VSMC exhibited 2.5-fold greater alkalinization and amiloride-sensitive 22Na+ influx in response to 100 nM angiotensin II. During serial passage, WKY cells acquired enhanced Na+/H+ exchange and growth rates so that by passage 6, these differences were no longer present. These findings in early cultures of SHR VSMC, removed from the in vivo neurohumoral milieu, suggest that increased Na+/H+ exchange in SHR may reflect alterations in Na+ homeostasis that might contribute to altered SHR VSMC function such as enhanced growth and vasoreactivity.

Angiotensin II stimulates early proximal bicarbonate absorption in the rat by decreasing cyclic adenosine monophosphate.

Abstract: These studies explored the hypothesis that angiotensin II increases bicarbonate absorption in the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) by decreasing intracellular cAMP. In vivo microperfusion was performed in rat PCT with measurements of bicarbonate absorption and of tubular fluid cAMP delivery, as a reflection of intracellular cAMP. Intravenous angiotensin II potently increased S1 PCT bicarbonate absorption (348 +/- 11 to 588 +/- 8 peq/min.min, P less than 0.001) and decreased tubular fluid cAMP (18 +/- 2 to 12 +/- 2 fmol/mm.min, P less than 0.05). Parathyroid hormone had the expected opposite effects, which were additive to those of angiotensin II. Over a wide range of hormonal activities, there was an excellent inverse relationship between hormonally modulated bicarbonate absorption and cAMP delivery. Pertussis toxin pretreatment significantly attenuated (by 35-45%) the angiotensin-induced increase in bicarbonate absorption and decrease in cAMP delivery, indicating Gi-protein intermediation. Luminal dibutyryl cAMP abolished the transport response to angiotensin II. In conclusion, these in vivo results suggest angiotensin II stimulates bicarbonate absorption in the S1 PCT by a G1-mediated depression in intracellular cAMP.

Interleukin-1 beta increases prostaglandin E2 in rat astrocyte cultures: modulatory effect of neuropeptides.

Abstract: Recombinant human interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) significantly increased prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in a dose-dependent manner in rat astrocyte culture. The minimum effective dose of IL-Iβ was 10-10M. IL-1 α also increased PGE2, but at a higher concentration. The minimum effective dose of IL-lα was 10-8M, indicating it to be 100-fold less effective than IL-Iβ. On the other hand neither IL-Iβ nor IL-1 α increased PGE2 production by neuron cultures at any concentration tested. PGE2 response to IL-Iβ was suppressed by simultaneous addition of CRH, somatostatin-14 and LHRH, while these neuropeptides alone did not alter the basal PGE2 levels. Substance P, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and ±-MSH altered neither basal nor IL-1β-induced increase in PGE2 levels. Angiotensin II (All) alone also increased PGE2 in cultured astrocytes. Combined addition of All and IL-Iβ induced a synergistic effect in increasing PGE2 levels. The direct action of IL-Iβ on astrocyte culture suggests that astrocytes may be the target cells ...

Role of calcium in angiotensin II-mediated aldosterone secretion.

Abstract: I. Introduction THE synthesis and secretion of aldosterone by adrenal glomerulosa cells is under the control of three major stimulatory extracellular messengers: angiotensin II (Ang II), extracellular potassium (K+), and ACTH (1, 2). Although in certain species PTH (3), vasopressin (4, 5), and acetylcholine (6) also enhance the aldosterone secretory response, the universal physiological role of these agonists in vivo is not yet clear. In addition to stimulatory extracellular messengers, several hormones exert inhibitory effects. The most prominent of these is atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), but in some species both dopamine and somatostatin also cause inhibition (7–9). The present discussion will focus on the role of calcium (Ca2+) in the acute (hours vs. days) regulation of aldosterone secretion by Ang II. Two traditional signaling pathways have been identified in the glomerulosa cell. The first is the stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity with the consequent production of cAMP and the activation o...

Endothelin binding to cultured calf adrenal zona glomerulosa cells and stimulation of aldosterone secretion.

Abstract: Endothelins are a group of potent vasoconstrictors whose structure was deduced from genomic DNA. ET-1 was first isolated from culture supernatants from porcine endothelial cells and ET-3 was identified from a rat DNA library. We report on the binding of 125I-ET-1 to zona glomerulosa cells in culture and on its ability to stimulate aldosterone secretion. Cultured calf adrenal zona glomerulosa cells have saturable, high affinity [Kd = 1.00 +/- 0.17 X 10(-10) M (SEM)] receptors which bind ET-1 in a temperature and time dependent manner. Binding was specific and angiotensin II, vasopressin, ANP, BNP, apamin, calcium channel agonists or antagonists did not interact with the receptor. ET-3 displaced 125I-ET-1 from the receptor with a relative potency of 0.39 +/- 0.1% (SEM) that of ET-1. ET-1 incubated with cultured glomerulosa cells stimulated aldosterone secretion in a dose dependent manner but it was less potent than angiotensin II. ET-3 had less than 1% the relative potency of ET-1 stimulating aldosterone secretion. This data suggest that ET-1 is an independent stimulator of aldosterone secretion and we are speculating that it might be important in those situations, like in malignant hypertension, where endothelial damage might result in increased ET-1 production.

Preeclampsia: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management

Abstract: Preeclampsia, a major cause of fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality, may be difficult to distinguish clinically from other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Signs helpful in its diagnosis include presentation during late gestation in a nullipara with edema and proteinuria, and one or more of the following: hemoconcentration, hypoalbuminemia, liver function and/or coagulation abnormalities, and increased urate levels. Measures that may prove useful in differentiating preeclampsia from less dangerous forms of hypertension are decreased antithrombin III levels, increments in serum iron and carboxyhemoglobin, and decreases in urinary calcium. Major pathophysiological features of preeclampsia are decreased cardiac output, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and plasma volume; and marked increases in peripheral vascular resistance, as well as exaggerated pressor responses to endogenous angiotensin II and catecholamines. Renal hemodynamics decrease, in part as a result of a characteristic morphological lesion in glomeruli ("endotheliosis"), and there may be increased vascular permeability leading to albumin loss from the intravascular space. When gestation is advanced, termination is the treatment of choice; when temporization is required, several antihypertensive medications whose safety and efficacy have been tested in pregnant women are available. Magnesium sulfate remains the drug of choice for impending convulsions (the eclamptic phase of the disease). Finally, the etiology of preeclampsia remains unknown, but a popular theory suggests that alterations in prostaglandin metabolism may be responsible for the hypertension and coagulopathy in this disorder. In this respect, prophylactic treatment with low doses of aspirin, which decrease platelet thromboxane production but spare endothelial prostacyclin release, may decrease the incidence of preeclampsia in "high-risk" populations.

Novel sites of expression of functional angiotensin II receptors in the late gestation fetus.

Abstract: In the adult, the peptide hormone angiotensin II (AII) is primarily known as a regulator of circulatory homeostasis, but recent evidence also suggests a role in cell growth. This study of AII in late gestation rat fetuses revealed the unexpected presence of receptors in skeletal muscle and connective tissue, in addition to those in recognized adult target tissues. The AII receptors in this novel location decreased by 80 percent 1 day after birth and were almost undetectable in the adult. Studies in fetal skin fibroblasts showed that the receptors were coupled to phospholipid breakdown, with concomitant increases in inositol phosphate and cytosolic calcium. The abundance, timing of expression, and unique localization of functional AII receptors in the fetus suggest a role for AII in fetal development.

Cardiovascular effects of angiotensin-(1-7) injected into the dorsal medulla of rats.

Abstract: The amino terminal angiotensin heptapeptide, Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro [ANG-(1–7)], is the major product formed during incubation of 125I-labeled ANG I or 125I-labeled ANG II with homogenates obtained from canine dorsomedial medulla oblongata. To determine whether ANG-(1–7) has central-mediated cardiovascular effects, this heptapeptide was microinjected into the dorsal medulla of chloralose-urethan-anesthetized rats. Unilateral injections of ANG-(1-7) into the medial nucleus tractus solitarii caused depressor and bradycardic effects at doses between 0.1 and 12.5 ng. Similar hypotensive responses accompanied with bradycardia were produced by injections of ANG-(1–7) into the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. In both nuclei, the monophasic depressor responses elicited by ANG-(1–7) were qualitatively similar to those found with injections of ANG II. Biphasic depressor-pressor responses of variable magnitude were produced by the injection of either angiotensin peptide at a high dose (250 ng). Because ANG-(1–7) has no direct vascular or dipsogenic effects, our findings suggest important differences in the receptor requirements for vascular and neural tissue of the dorsal medulla. Moreover, the data support the concept of tissue specific formation and action of angiotensin peptides in the brain.

Endothelin is a potent long-lasting vasoconstrictor in men

Abstract: Endothelin, a 21-amino acid peptide synthesized by cultured porcine aortic endothelial cells, has recently been identified and shown to produce a potent and prolonged constriction of mammalian blood vessels in vitro. We have studied the effect of local infusion of this peptide on resistance and capacitance vessels of normal volunteers. Infusion of endothelin (5 pmol/min) reduced forearm blood flow by 39 +/- 7% from control observations. The maximum response was seen after approximately 55 min of infusion. After stopping the infusion, return of flow to basal values took approximately 120 min. This contrasts with the short onset and duration of action observed when angiotensin II was infused. During coinfusion studies, reversal by nicardipine (0.3-10 micrograms/min) occurred at similar concentrations in both endothelin-induced and angiotensin-induced flow reduction. This observation suggests that nicardipine nonspecifically antagonizes the flow-reducing effects of endothelin. A pattern of slow onset of constriction was found on local infusion of endothelin (5 pmol/min) into dorsal hand veins. During coinfusion of nicardipine (1.5 microgram/min), no reversal of endothelin-induced (5 pmol/min) constriction of dorsal hand veins occurred. The pharmacological profile of this peptide in the peripheral circulation of humans suggests that it may be involved in long-term regulation of vascular tone.

Sympathetic modulation of renal hemodynamics, renin release and sodium excretion.

Abstract: In anesthetized animals it has been shown previously, that the influence of electrical stimulation of efferent renal nerves on renal function with increasing stimulation frequencies can be graded; renin release is affected at low, sodium excretion at intermediate and vascular resistance at high stimulation frequencies. Experiments in conscious dogs are reviewed, which present evidence for a similar functional dissociation under physiological conditions. Moderate activations of the renal sympathetic nerves, which do not change renal blood flow 1) decrease sodium excretion independent of changes in angiotensin II, 2) interact with the pressure-dependent mechanism of renin release by resetting its threshold pressure and 3) modulate autoregulation by increasing the lower limits of glomerular filtration rate and renal blood flow-autoregulation. These findings may contribute to our understanding of the role of the renal nerves in the pathophysiology of congestive heart failure and hypertension.

Substituted pyrrole, pyrazole and triazole angiotensin II antagonists.

Abstract: Substituted pyrroles, pyrazoles and triazoles such as and their pharmaceutically suitable salts are useful as antihypertensive agents and for treatment of congestive heart failure.

Angiotensin II receptors in normal and failing human hearts.

Abstract: To demonstrate the existence and help clarify the function of angiotensin II (Ang II) receptors in the human heart, we characterized the cardiac Ang II receptor and examined the levels and distribution of ventricular Ang II receptors in normal (n = 6) and failing (n = 14) hearts. Ang II receptors were characterized using the Ang II receptor agonist [125I]Ang II. Cardiac [125I]Ang II-binding sites were of high affinity (Kd, approximately 1 nmol/L) and low capacity (Bmax, approximately 3 fmol/mg membrane protein) and were pharmacologically specific [IC50 values for Ang II, [Sar1,Ile8]Ang II, and Ang III were 1.2, 3.0, and 400 nmol/L, respectively; the inactive Ang II metabolite Ang-(1-5), at a concentration of 1 mumol/L, inhibited [125I]Ang II binding by less than 10%]. These characteristics of cardiac [125I]Ang II-binding sites are similar to those of previously characterized mammalian heart Ang II receptors. In normal adult donor hearts (n = 5), Ang II receptor density in the left ventricle [LV, 2.90 +/- 1.40 (+/- SE) fmol/mg] was similar to that in the right ventricle (RV, 3.82 +/- 1.10 fmol/mg). The ventricular Ang II receptor density in adult patients with idiopathic (LV, 1.77 +/- 0.35 fmol/mg; RV, 1.58 +/- 0.29 fmol/mg; n = 8) or dilated cardiomyopathy (LV, 2.00 +/- 0.58 fmol/mg; RV, 2.56 +/- 0.52 fmol/mg n = 5) was similar to that in the normal heart. Ventricular Ang II receptors, localized by autoradiography using the Ang II receptor antagonist [125I]-[Sar1,Ile8]Ang II, were consistently found in the myocardium, cardiac adrenergic nerves, and coronary vessels of normal and failing ventricles. In human ventricles Ang II receptor levels were not correlated with age. Because ventricular Ang II receptor density in a normal neonatal human heart and that in a heart from an adolescent patient with idiopathic cardiomyopathy were more than 10-fold and more than 5-fold higher, respectively, than in normal adult ventricles, we investigated whether postnatal changes occur in ventricular Ang II receptors in rats. In male and female rats ventricular Ang II receptor density was about 2-fold higher in 1-day-old rats compared to that in 10-day-old or peripubertal rats. These data suggest developmental regulation of ventricular Ang II receptors. Our findings suggest that direct and neural angiotensinergic inputs to the myocardium play a role in the regulation of cardiac function in man and that these inputs are preserved in the failing heart.

Enalapril prevents stroke and kidney dysfunction in salt-loaded stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Abstract: The influence of chronic treatment with the angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor enalapril on blood pressure, kidney function, and survival was examined in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). Male SHRSP that were fed a Japanese rat chow plus a 1% NaCl drinking solution beginning at 7-8 weeks of age developed severe hypertension and stroke; 14 of 18 untreated control SHRSP died by 14 weeks of age and exhibited evidence of cerebrovascular lesions. When enalapril (15 mg/kg/day) was included in the drinking solution of 15 SHRSP, blood pressure was initially reduced by only a slight degree, whereas survival improved markedly; only one of 10 SHRSP died before the rest were killed at 18 to 21 weeks. The remaining five enalapril-treated SHRSP lived beyond 36 weeks and on histological examination exhibited no evidence of cerebrovascular lesions. Chronic enalapril treatment also prevented the greater urinary excretion of protein and severe renal lesions observed in untreated SHRSP but did not affect urinary salt and water excretion. In anesthetized rats, glomerular filtration rate and tubular reabsorption of water were lower in untreated control SHRSP when compared with enalapril-treated SHRSP. Mean arterial pressure was comparable in both groups. These data support a possible role for ACE inhibition in the prevention of stroke and maintenance of kidney function independent of any marked change in blood pressure of SHRSP. Whether the protective effects of ACE inhibition relate to reduced angiotensin II formation, increased tissue kinins, or another mechanism remains to be determined.