Reduced Cardiovascular Reactivity to Stress but Not Feeding in Renin Enhancer Knockout Mice (original) (raw)
AJP: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 2006
The dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) is critically implicated in the cardiovascular response to emotional stress. This study aimed to determine whether the DMH is also important in cardiovascular arousal associated with appetitive feeding behavior and, if so, whether locally released angiotensin II and glutamate are important in this arousal. Emotional (air-jet) stress and feeding elicited similar tachycardic (+51 beats/min and +45 beats/min, respectively) and pressor (+16 mmHg and +9 mmHg) responses in conscious rabbits. Bilateral microinjection of GABA A agonist muscimol (500 pmol) into the DMH, but not nearby hypothalamic regions, attenuated pressor and tachycardic responses to air-jet by 56-63% and evoked anorexia.
On the mechanism of renin release by restraint stress in rats
Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, 1978
Restraint causes an increase in plasma renin activity (I'lL&) which is not affected by pretreatment with dl-propranolol (1 mg/kg IP) or sotalol (15 mg/kg IP). These doses of #-adrenergic blocking agents are effective in suppressing the stimulation of PRA by isoproterenol. Large doses of dl-propranolol (10 mg/kg IP) and d-propranolol (5 mg]kg IP) attenuate the restraint-induced PRA increase. Adrenal demedullectomy does not affect the PRA response to restraint. Renal denervation blunts the PRA rise due to restraint, but not to direct stimulation by the ~-adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol. It is concluded that the increase in PRA during restraint stress in rats is not solely dependent on an intact renal sympathetic innervation. A significant portion of this stress-induced PRA increase appears to involve a non-adrenergic mechanism.
Increased (Pro)renin Receptor Expression in the Hypertensive Human Brain
Frontiers in Physiology, 2020
Overactivation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) -a central physiological pathway involved in controlling blood pressure (BP) -leads to hypertension. It is now well-recognized that the central nervous system (CNS) has its own local RAS, and the majority of its components are known to be expressed in the brain. In physiological and pathological states, the (pro)renin receptor (PRR), a novel component of the brain RAS, plays a key role in the formation of angiotensin II (Ang II) and also mediates Ang II-independent PRR signaling. A recent study reported that neuronal PRR activation is a novel mechanism for cardiovascular and metabolic regulation in obesity and diabetes. Expression of the PRR is increased in cardiovascular regulatory nuclei in hypertensive (HTN) animal models and plays an important role in BP regulation in the CNS. To determine the clinical significance of the brain PRR in human hypertension, we investigated whether the PRR is expressed and regulated in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) and rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) -two key cardiovascular regulatory nuclei -in postmortem brain samples of normotensive (NTN) and HTN humans. Here, we report that the PRR is expressed in neurons, but not astrocytes, of the human PVN and RVLM. Notably, PRR immunoreactivity was significantly increased in both the PVN and RVLM of HTN subjects. In addition, PVN-PRR immunoreactivity was positively correlated with systolic BP (sBP) and showed a tendency toward correlation with age but not body mass index (BMI). Collectively, our data provide clinical evidence that the PRR in the PVN and RVLM may be a key molecular player in the neural regulation of BP and cardiovascular and metabolic function in humans. Keywords: (pro)renin receptor/(P)RR, human hypertension, paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, rostral ventrolateral medulla, renin-angiotensin system
Brain renin-angiotensin system in hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, and heart failure
Frontiers in Physiology, 2012
Brain renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is significantly involved in the roles of the endocrine RAS in cardiovascular regulation. Our studies indicate that the brain RAS participates in the development of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis through sympathetic activation. Inhibition of sympathetic hyperactivity after myocardial infarction through suppression of the brain RAS appears beneficial. Furthermore, the brain RAS modulates the cardiovascular and fluid-electrolyte homeostasis not only by interacting with the autonomic nervous system but also by modulating hypothalamic-pituitary axis and vasopressin release. The brain RAS is also involved in the modulation of circadian rhythms of arterial pressure, contributing to non-dipping hypertension. We conclude that the brain RAS in pathophysiological states interacts synergistically with the chronically overactive RAS through a positive biofeedback in order to maintain a state of alert in diseased conditions, such as cardiac hypertrophy and failure. Therefore, targeting brain RAS with drugs such as renin or angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or receptor blockers having increased brain penetrability could be of advantage.
Hypertension, 2000
The potential involvement of the brain renin-angiotensin system in the hypertension induced by subpressor doses of angiotensin II was tested by the use of newly developed transgenic rats with permanent inhibition of brain angiotensinogen synthesis [TGR(ASrAOGEN)]. Basal systolic blood pressure monitored by telemetry was significantly lower in TGR(ASrAOGEN) than in Sprague-Dawley rats (parent strain) (122.5Ϯ1.5 versus 128.9Ϯ1.9 mm Hg, respectively; PϽ0.05). The increase in systolic blood pressure induced by 7 days of chronic angiotensin II infusion was significantly attenuated in TGR(ASrAOGEN) in comparison with control rats (29.8Ϯ4.2 versus 46.3Ϯ2.5 mm Hg, respectively; PϽ0.005). Moreover, an increase in heart/body weight ratio was evident only in Sprague-Dawley (11.1%) but not in TGR(ASrAOGEN) rats (2.8%). In contrast, mRNA levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and collagen III in the left ventricle measured by ribonuclease protection assay were similarly increased in both TGR(ASrAOGEN) (ANP, ϫ2.5; collagen III, ϫ1.8) and Sprague-Dawley rats (ANP, ϫ2.4; collagen III, ϫ2) as a consequence of angiotensin II infusion. Thus, the expression of these genes in the left ventricle seems to be directly stimulated by angiotensin II. However, the hypertensive and hypertrophic effects of subpressor angiotensin II are at least in part mediated by the brain renin-angiotensin system. (Hypertension. 2000;35[part 2]:409-412.
Sympathetic and Renin–Angiotensin Activity in the Pathophysiology of Hypertension
The implication of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension has been suggested a long time ago, considering the major role played by this system in blood pressure (BP) regulation. Studies based on both global (e.g., plasma norepinephrine) and regional (norepinephrine spillover and microneurography) assessments of sympathetic activity have demonstrated that neurogenic mechanisms may be involved in up to 50 % of all cases of essential hypertension. In addition, renal sympathetic denervation has been shown to induce signifi cant and persistent decreases in BP. Moreover, there is evidence that sympathetic hyperactivity may contribute directly to target-organ damage, including cardiac hypertrophy, vascular remodeling, and renal dysfunction. The specifi c causes of sympathetic activation in essential hypertension are not entirely known, but genetic factors, high dietary salt intake, as well as several metabolic and neurohumoral abnormalities have been involved. In patients with obesity-and metabolic syndrome-associated hypertension, SNS overactivity may result from many factors, including hyperinsulinemia, hyperleptinemia, hypoadiponectinemia, hypoghrelinemia, and RAAS activation.
BACKGROUND:Spontaneously hypertensive rats develop left ventricular hypertrophy, increased blood pressure and blood pressure variability, which are important determinants of heart damage, like the activation of renin-angiotensin system.AIMS:To investigate the effects of the time-course of hypertension over 1) hemodynamic and autonomic patterns (blood pressure; blood pressure variability; heart rate); 2) left ventricular hypertrophy; and 3) local and systemic Renin-angiotensin system of the spontaneously hypertensive rats.METHODS:Male spontaneously hypertensive rats were randomized into two groups: young (n=13) and adult (n=12). Hemodynamic signals (blood pressure, heart rate), blood pressure variability (BPV) and spectral analysis of the autonomic components of blood pressure were analyzed. LEFT ventricular hypertrophy was measured by the ratio of LV mass to body weight (mg/g), by myocyte diameter (μm) and by relative fibrosis area (RFA, %). ACE and ACE2 activities were measured by fluorometry (UF/min), and plasma renin activity (PRA) was assessed by a radioimmunoassay (ng/mL/h). Cardiac gene expressions of Agt, Ace and Ace2 were quantified by RT-PCR (AU).RESULTS:The time-course of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats increased BPV and reduced the alpha index in adult spontaneously hypertensive rats. Adult rats showed increases in left ventricular hypertrophy and in RFA. Compared to young spontaneously hypertensive rats, adult spontaneously hypertensive rats had lower cardiac ACE and ACE2 activities, and high levels of PRA. No change was observed in gene expression of Renin-angiotensin system components.CONCLUSIONS:The observed autonomic dysfunction and modulation of Renin-angiotensin system activity are contributing factors to end-organ damage in hypertension and could be interacting. Our findings suggest that the management of hypertensive disease must start before blood pressure reaches the highest stable levels and the consequent established end-organ damage is reached.
British journal of pharmacology, 2012
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEThe renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is critical for the control of blood pressure by the CNS. Recently, direct renin inhibitors were approved as antihypertensive agents. However, the signalling mechanism of renin, which regulates blood pressure in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) remains unclear. Here we have investigated the signalling pathways involved in renin-mediated blood pressure regulation, at the NTS.The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is critical for the control of blood pressure by the CNS. Recently, direct renin inhibitors were approved as antihypertensive agents. However, the signalling mechanism of renin, which regulates blood pressure in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) remains unclear. Here we have investigated the signalling pathways involved in renin-mediated blood pressure regulation, at the NTS.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHDepressor responses to renin microinjected into the NTS of Wistar-Kyoto rats were elicited in the absence and presence of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)-specific inhibitor, N(5)-(-iminoethyl)-L-ornithine, Akt inhibitor IV and LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor and GP antagonist-2A [Gq inhibitor]. Lisinopril (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor), losartan, valsartan (angiotensin AT1 receptor antagonists), D-Ala7-Ang-(1-7) (angiotensin-(1-7) receptor antagonist) were used to study the involvement of RAS on renin-induced depressor effects.Depressor responses to renin microinjected into the NTS of Wistar-Kyoto rats were elicited in the absence and presence of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)-specific inhibitor, N(5)-(-iminoethyl)-L-ornithine, Akt inhibitor IV and LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor and GP antagonist-2A [Gq inhibitor]. Lisinopril (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor), losartan, valsartan (angiotensin AT1 receptor antagonists), D-Ala7-Ang-(1-7) (angiotensin-(1-7) receptor antagonist) were used to study the involvement of RAS on renin-induced depressor effects.KEY RESULTSMicroinjection of renin into the NTS produced a prominent depressor effect and increased NO production. Pretreatment with Gq-PI3K-Akt-eNOS pathway-specific inhibitors significantly attenuated the depressor response evoked by renin. Immunoblotting and immunohistochemical studies further showed that inhibition of PI3K significantly blocked renin-induced eNOS-Ser117 and Akt-Ser473 phosphorylation in situ. In addition, pre-treatment of the NTS with RAS inhibitors attenuated the vasodepressor effects evoked by renin. Microinjection of renin also increased Ras activation in the NTS.Microinjection of renin into the NTS produced a prominent depressor effect and increased NO production. Pretreatment with Gq-PI3K-Akt-eNOS pathway-specific inhibitors significantly attenuated the depressor response evoked by renin. Immunoblotting and immunohistochemical studies further showed that inhibition of PI3K significantly blocked renin-induced eNOS-Ser117 and Akt-Ser473 phosphorylation in situ. In addition, pre-treatment of the NTS with RAS inhibitors attenuated the vasodepressor effects evoked by renin. Microinjection of renin also increased Ras activation in the NTS.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSTaken together, these results suggest renin modulated blood pressure at the NTS by AT1 and Mas receptor-mediated activation of Gq and Ras to evoke PI3K-Akt-eNOS signalling.Taken together, these results suggest renin modulated blood pressure at the NTS by AT1 and Mas receptor-mediated activation of Gq and Ras to evoke PI3K-Akt-eNOS signalling.