MiR-204 regulates type 1 IP3R to control vascular smooth muscle cell contractility and blood pressure

MiR-204 is expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). However, its role in VSMC contraction is not known. We determined if miR-204 controls VSMC contractility and blood pressure through regulation of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium (Ca²⁺) release. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and vasoreactivity to VSMC contractile agonists (phenylephrine (PE), thromboxane analogue (U46619), endothelin-1 (ET-1), angiotensin-II (Ang II) and norepinephrine (NE) were compared in aortas and mesenteric resistance arteries (MRA) from miR-204^−/− mice and wildtype mice (WT). There was no difference in basal systolic blood pressure (SBP) between the two genotypes; however, hypertensive response to Ang II was significantly greater in miR-204^−/− mice compared to WT mice. Aortas and MRA of miR-204^−/− mice had heightened contractility to all VSMC agonists. In silico algorithms predicted the type 1 Inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate receptor (IP₃R1) as a target of miR-204. Aortas and MRA of miR-204^−/− mice had higher expression of IP₃R1 compared to WT mice. Difference in agonist-induced vasoconstriction between miR-204^−/− and WT mice was abolished with pharmacologic inhibition of IP₃R1. Furthermore, Ang II-induced aortic IP₃R1 was greater in miR-204^−/− mice compared to WT mice. In addition, difference in aortic vasoconstriction to VSMC agonists between miR-204^−/− and WT mice persisted after Ang II infusion. Inhibition of miR-204 in VSMC in vitro increased IP₃R1, and boosted SR Ca²⁺ release in response to PE, while overexpression of miR-204 downregulated IP₃R1. Finally, a sequence-specific nucleotide blocker that targets the miR-204-IP₃R1 interaction rescued miR-204-induced downregulation of IP₃R1. We conclude that miR-204 controls VSMC contractility and blood pressure through IP₃R1-dependent regulation of SR calcium release.     

Renal eicosanoids and blood pressure in genetically hypertensive rats of the lyon strain

The present paper reviews the evidence for a possible involvement of renal eicosanoids in the pathophysiology of high blood pressure in genetically hypertensive rats of the Lyon strain. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments suggest that an increased ability to synthesize the vasoconstrictor prostaglandin H₂ and/or thromboxane A₂ in renal vessels (1) acts as an autocrine amplifier of pressor agents and (2) may contribute to resetting the pressure natriuresis curve which is a prerequisite for the development and maintenance of hypertension.     

On the role of NMDA receptors in blood pressure regulation in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)

Summary In the present study the binding of [³H]MK-801 to glutamatergic receptors of the NMDA type was compared in spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive (WKY) rats in various brain structures (including nucleus tractus solitarii) by quantitative receptor autoradiography. Additionally, blood pressure changes after treatment with the NMDA antagonist MK-801 were studied in both strains. There were no differences between SHR and WKY rats either in the level of [³H]MK-801 binding or in the hypertensive reaction to MK-801.     

In vitro autoradiographic localization of [I]-angiotensin II binding sites in the rat and dog kidney

Light microscopic autoradiographic techniques have been utilized to demonstrate specific regions of the rat and dog kidney where angiotensin II receptors exist. Slide mounted tissue sections were labeled with [¹²⁵I]-angiotensin II using conditions which provided for highly specific binding. These angiotensin II binding sites were localized to several distinct renal structures. In the renal cortex, angiotensin II binding sites were found concentrated in all parts of the glomeruli including the vascular components, the macula densa and the juxtaglomerular apparatus. Angiotensin II binding in the medulla was more diffusely associated with the vasa recta, and to a lesser extent, the thick ascending segment of the loop of Henle. Binding sites specific for angiotensin II were also found in the smooth muscle laminae of the ureter. Scatchard analysis of the binding kinetics allowed the demonstration of two subpopulations of binding sites which differ slightly in their affinities for [¹²⁵I]-angiotensin II. These subpopulations appear to be associated with distinct components of the renal structure.     

Central neural peptides and catecholamines in spontaneous and DOCA/salt hypertension

Hypothalamic and neurophypophyseal levels of catecholamines and peptides were measured in spontaneous and deoxycorticosterone (DOCA)/salt hypertension. Catecholamines, norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine were measured by electrochemical detection while the peptides, vasopressin, oxytocin, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH), the enkephalins and somatostatin (SRIF) were measured by radioimmunoassay. Blood pressure was significantly elevated in both groups as compared to their controls. Marked changes in central neural peptides were observed in the SHR, while no differences were seen in DOCA/salt hypertension. Hypothalamic vasopressin, oxytocin, LHRH and SRIF were significantly decreased. In the posterior pituitary, enkephalins were increased twofold in the SHR. With regard to catecholamines, there was no change in hypothalamic content. However, a dramatic decrease in neurohypophyseal dopamine was observed in SHR. Plasma levels of vasopressin were significantly elevated in both types of hypertension while oxytocin was increased only in the DOCA/salt model. These result show that (1) a wide spectrum of neuroendocrine changes are associated with genetic hypertension, (2) there are CNS differences between DOCA/salt and spontaneous hypertension, and (3) central aminergic changes may be involved in th neuroendocrine alterations seen in the SHR.     

Normal Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) Gene in Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension: Is the Decreased Sod Activity a Secondary Phenomenon?

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). A genetic factor is also thought to be associated with the disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in PIH resulted from gene abnormalities. Fourteen patients with PIH were enrolled in the study. Normal pregnant women and normal nonpregnant women served as controls. Genomic DNA and mRNA were isolated from white cells and subjected to Southern and Northern blot analysis with a 600 bp CuZn-SOD probe. SOD activity was also determined in the white blood cells and red blood cells. The results showed that SOD activity was significantly reduced in patients with PIH compared to both control groups. There were no significant differences in the size of the CuZn-SOD gene and its expression between the patients with PIH and the controls. This study confirmed that there was a decreased SOD activity in PIH but revealed neither major structural changes in the genomic DNA nor mRNA size of CuZn-SOD. Our results suggest that the decreased SOD levels in PIH are not due to abnormalities in the CuZn-SOD gene and are an acquired phenomenon which occurs during the development of the disease.     

缬沙坦氢氯噻嗪对高血压合并心力衰竭患者Ang Ⅱ、NT-ProBNP及CTGF的作用分析

目的:探讨缬沙坦氢氯噻嗪对高血压合并心力衰竭患者血管紧张素Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ)、氨基末端脑钠尿肽前体(NT-ProBNP)及结缔组织生长因子(CTGF)的作用。方法:选择2016年3月到2019年3月我院收治的高血压合并心力衰竭患者113例进行研究,以随机数表法分为观察组(n=57)和对照组(n=56)。对照组给予贝那普利治疗,观察组在对照组的基础上采用缬沙坦氢氯噻嗪治疗。比较两组患者的临床疗效、Ang Ⅱ、NT-ProBNP及CTGF、左心室射血分数(LVEF)、左心室收缩末期内径(LVESd)、左心室舒张末期内径(LVEDd)、收缩压(SBP)、舒张压(DBP)水平变化情况及并发症发生情况。结果:治疗后,两组总有效率分别为92.98%、73.21%,差异显著;治疗前,两组Ang Ⅱ、NT-ProBNP及CTGF水平无显著差异(P>0.05);治疗后,两组Ang Ⅱ、NT-ProBNP及CTGF水平均显著改善,且观察组均低于对照组(P<0.05);治疗前,两组心功能水平无显著差异(P>0.05);治疗后,两组心功能水平均显著改善,且观察组LVEF高于对照组,LVESd、LVEDd低于对照组(P<0.05);治疗前,两组血压水平无显著差异(P>0.05);治疗后,两组血压水平均显著改善,且观察组SBP、DBP水平显著低于对照组,差异显著(P<0.05);两组并发症总发生率分别为7.02%、10.71%,差异无显著差异(P>0.05)。结论:在高血压合并心力衰竭患者中应用缬沙坦氢氯噻嗪辅助治疗效果显著,可有效改善患者心功能、Ang Ⅱ、NT-ProBNP及CTGF水平。     

中药调节肠道菌群防治高血压的研究进展

肠道菌群是人体内环境的重要组成部分,可影响机体的代谢、免疫和炎症反应,与原发性高血压的发生发展密切相关,已成为防治高血压的研究热点。中药在临床用于原发性高血压的治疗且疗效显著。研究表明中药可被肠道菌群分解代谢为易于吸收的活性物质,而这些活性物质又可通过调节肠道菌群结构及其代谢产物防治高血压。本文以肠道菌群作为切入点,通过分析肠道菌群与原发性高血压发生发展的关系和中药在调节原发性高血压肠道菌群方面的研究,总结中药通过调节肠道菌群防治原发性高血压的作用和机制,以期为中药防治高血压及药物研发提供新的研究思路。     

Isolation of Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells from Neonatal Mice

Pulmonary hypertension is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in infants. Historically, there has been significant study of the signaling pathways involved in vascular smooth muscle contraction in PASMC from fetal sheep. While sheep make an excellent model of term pulmonary hypertension, they are very expensive and lack the advantage of genetic manipulation found in mice. Conversely, the inability to isolate PASMC from mice was a significant limitation of that system. Here we described the isolation of primary cultures of mouse PASMC from P7, P14, and P21 mice using a variation of the previously described technique of Marshall et al.²⁶ that was previously used to isolate rat PASMC. These murine PASMC represent a novel tool for the study of signaling pathways in the neonatal period. Briefly, a slurry of 0.5% (w/v) agarose + 0.5% iron particles in M199 media is infused into the pulmonary vascular bed via the right ventricle (RV). The iron particles are 0.2 μM in diameter and cannot pass through the pulmonary capillary bed. Thus, the iron lodges in the small pulmonary arteries (PA). The lungs are inflated with agarose, removed and dissociated. The iron-containing vessels are pulled down with a magnet. After collagenase (80 U/ml) treatment and further dissociation, the vessels are put into a tissue culture dish in M199 media containing 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS), and antibiotics (M199 complete media) to allow cell migration onto the culture dish. This initial plate of cells is a 50-50 mixture of fibroblasts and PASMC. Thus, the pull down procedure is repeated multiple times to achieve a more pure PASMC population and remove any residual iron. Smooth muscle cell identity is confirmed by immunostaining for smooth muscle myosin and desmin.     

美托洛尔联合硝酸甘油治疗老年高血压伴左心衰的临床分析

目的：观察美托洛尔联合硝酸甘油治疗老年高血压伴左心衰的临床疗效及其对血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）,高敏C反应蛋白（hs-CRP）和脑钠素（BNP）的影响。方法：选取2009年6月至2010年12月入住我院的高血压伴急性左心衰患者150例,将其随机分为观察组和对照组,每组各75例。对照组在强心,利尿的基础上予以硝酸甘油治疗;观察组在对照组的基础上予以美托洛尔治疗。观察两组的疗效,血压,心率,血氧饱和度,血浆VEGF,hs-CRP和BNP的表达。结果：观察组的总有效率为94.67%,而对照组的总有效率为80.00%,观察组的总有效率明显高于对照组（P〈0.05）。两组治疗后,收缩压,舒张压,心率,VEGF,hs-CRP和BNP均较治疗前明显降低（P〈0.01）,观察组的降低水平较对照组更为明显（P〈0.01）;而两组治疗后的血氧饱和度较治疗前明显提高,观察组的提高水平更为明显（P〈0.01）。结论：美托洛尔联合硝酸甘油治疗老年高血压伴左心衰疗效显著,其机理可能与降低血浆中的VEGF,hs-CRP和BNP水平有关。