Effects of locally formed angiotensin II on renal hemodynamics

The kidney produces angiotensin II (AngII) by conversion of both locally formed and systemically delivered angiotensin I (AngI). The latter may be physiologically significant because the kidney can convert 20-25% of systemically delivered AngI. To determine possible differences between the effects of circulating and locally converted AngII, we compared the renal responses to renal arterial infusions of AngI and AngII in equiconstrictor doses. Both reduced the renal blood flow and increased the filtration fraction; it is important that the AngI infusions consistently reduced glomerular filtration rates (GFR), which indicates effects proximal to or at the glomerulus. Micropuncture experiments revealed that AngI infusions reduced proximal tubular and peritubular capillary pressures and the single-nephron GFR; glomerular capillary pressure was not altered significantly. AngI infusions increased both pre- and postglomerular resistances and reduced the glomerular filtration coefficient. In other studies designed to estimate net intrarenal AngII generation, it was determined that the kidney degrades about 90% of arterially delivered AngII. Thus, most of the AngII in renal venous blood was formed intrarenally. Local production of AngII was enhanced, in association with increased renin release, after reductions in renal arterial pressure. Such increases in intrarenal AngII production may contribute to the AngII-dependent changes in renal vascular resistance that occur in conditions where the renin-angiotensin system is stimulated.     

Systemic administration of lipopolysaccharide upregulates angiotensin II expression in rat renal tubules: immunohistochemical and ELISA studies

We investigated whether angiotensin II (AII) peptide is induced in the rat kidney under endotoxemic conditions. Immunohistochemistry revealed strong AII-like immunoreactivity in the renal tubules of rats given high-dose lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 1000 microg/kg) intraperitoneally (i.p.). AII-like immunoreactivity in renal tubules was slight at 1h after the LPS injection, but marked at 3 h. There were few signals in the kidney in saline-injected control rats. When injected at 0.1, 10, or 1000 microg/kg i.p., LPS-induced a dose-related increase in AII-like immunoreactivity in renal tubules that was unaffected by treatment with the prostaglandin-synthesis blocker indomethacin. ELISA measurement of the AII concentration in the whole kidney supported the above findings. These results suggest that systemically administered LPS induces AII peptide expression in renal tubules by a prostaglandin-independent mechanism.     

Role of angiotensin II and oxidative stress on renal aquaporins expression in hypernatremic rats

The aim of this study was to assess whether endogenous Ang II and oxidative stress produced by acute hypertonic sodium overload may regulate the expression of aquaporin-1 (AQP-1) and aquaporin-2 (AQP-2) in the kidney. Groups of anesthetized male Sprague–Dawley rats were infused with isotonic saline solution (control) or with hypertonic saline solution (Na group, 1 M NaCl), either alone or with losartan (10 mg kg^?1) or tempol (0.5 mg min^?1 kg^?1) during 2 h. Renal function parameters were measured. Groups of unanesthetized animals were injected intraperitoneally with hypertonic saline solution, with or without free access to water intake, Na+W, and Na?W, respectively. The expression of AQP-1, AQP-2, Ang II, eNOS, and NF-kB were evaluated in the kidney by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. AQP-2 distribution was assessed by immunofluorescence. Na group showed increased natriuresis and diuresis, and Ang II and NF-kB expression, but decreased eNOS expression. Losartan or tempol enhanced further the diuresis, and AQP-2 and eNOS expression, as well as decreased Ang II and NF-kB expression. Confocal immunofluorescence imaging revealed labeling of AQP-2 in the apical plasma membrane with less labeling in the intracellular vesicles than the apical membrane in kidney medullary collecting duct principal cells both in C and Na groups. Importantly, our data also show that losartan and tempol induces a predominantly accumulation of AQP-2 in intracellular vesicles. In unanesthetized rats, Na+W group presented increased diuresis, natriuresis, and AQP-2 expression (112?±?25 vs 64?±?16; *p?<?0.05). Water deprivation increased plasma sodium and diuresis but decreased AQP-2 (46?±?22 vs 112?±?25; §p?<?0.05) and eNOS expression in the kidney. This study is a novel demonstration that renal endogenous Ang II–oxidative stress, induced in vivo in hypernatremic rats by an acute sodium overload, regulates AQP-2 expression.     

Ang Ⅱ拮抗剂对慢性肾衰大鼠肾血流量和肾内氧耗的影响

目的观察血管紧张素II(AngⅡ)拮抗剂对5/6(ablation/infarction,A/I)肾切除诱导慢性肾衰竭(CRF)大鼠肾功能、肾血流量及肾内氧耗的影响。方法制备5/6(A/I)肾切除诱导慢性肾衰大鼠模型,设正常组(A组,n=14只),模型组(B组,n=14只),AngⅡ拮抗剂治疗组(氯沙坦钾联合福辛普利钠)(C组,n=14只)。给予相应干预,疗程60 d。分别测量尾动脉收缩压(SBP)、舒张压(DBP),检测大鼠尾静脉血清肌酐(Scr)、尿素氮(BUN)、血红蛋白(Hb),计算内生肌酐清除率(Ccr)。干预60 d后,检测肾血流量(RBF)、腹主动脉和肾静脉血气(AABG and RVBG),左肾静脉压(RVpO2),计算残余肾内氧耗(QO2/TNa)及观察残肾组织病理变化。结果 (1)造模后与A组比较,B、C两组的Scr、BUN和尾动脉SBP、DBP显著增加(P0.01),Ccr、Hb显著降低(P0.01),提示造模成功。(2)干预后与B组比较,C组的Scr、尾动脉SBP、DBP、QO2/TNa明显下降(P0.01),BUN降低(P0.05),Hb、Ccr、RVpO2显著升高(P0.01),RBF升高(P0.05)。(3)残肾组织病理形态学变化显示,C组的肾组织病理变化明显减轻,优于B组。结论 AngⅡ拮抗剂可以增加慢性肾衰大鼠肾血流量,降低肾内氧耗,改善肾功能及减轻肾组织病理变化,其肾脏保护作用机制可能与其调节细胞能量代谢,改善肾内氧耗有关。     

Angiotensin-(1-7) binds at the type 1 angiotensin II receptors in rat renal cortex.

Significant angiotensin (Ang) (1-7) production occurs in kidney and effects on renal function have been observed. The present study was undertaken to investigate binding characteristics of the heptapeptide to Ang II receptors present in rat renal cortex. [125I]-Ang II binding to rat glomeruli membranes was analyzed in the presence of increasing concentrations of Ang II, Ang-(1-7), DUP 753 and PD 123319. Linearity of the Scatchard plot of the [125I]-Ang II specific binding to rat glomeruli membranes indicated a single population of receptors, with a Kd value of 0.7 +/- 0.1 nM and a Bmax of 198 +/- 0.04 fmol/mg protein. DUP 753, an specific AT1 receptor antagonist, totally displaced the specific binding of [125I]-radiolabelled hormone with a Ki of 15.8 +/- 0.9 nM, while no changes were observed in the presence of the selective AT2 receptor antagonist, PD 123319. The specific [125I]-Ang II binding to rat glomerular membranes was displaced by Ang-(1-7) with high affinity (Ki = 8.0 +/- 3.2 nM). We conclude that radioligand binding assays in the presence of selective Ang II antagonists DUP 753 and PD 123319 suggest the unique presence of AT1, receptors in rat glomeruli and a possible role in the control of the biological renal effects of Ang-(1-7).     

Enhanced renal expression of preproendothelin mRNA during chronic angiotensin II hypertension

The purpose of this study was to determine the role of endothelin in mediating the renal hemodynamic and arterial pressure changes observed during chronic ANG II-induced hypertension. ANG II (50 ng x kg(-1) x min(-1)) was chronically infused into the jugular vein by miniosmotic pump for 2 wk in male Sprague-Dawley rats with and without endothelin type A (ET(A))-receptor antagonist ABT-627 (5 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1)) pretreatment. Arterial pressure increased in ANG II rats compared with control rats (149 +/- 5 vs. 121 +/- 6 mmHg, P < 0.05, respectively). Renal expression of preproendothelin mRNA was increased by approximately 50% in both the medulla and cortex of ANG II rats. The hypertensive effect of ANG II was completely abolished in rats pretreated with the ET(A)-receptor antagonist (114 +/- 5 mmHg, P < 0.05). Glomerular filtration rate was decreased by 33% in ANG II rats, and this response was attenuated in rats pretreated with ET(A)-receptor antagonist. These data indicate that activation of the renal endothelin system by ANG II may play an important role in mediating chronic renal and hypertensive actions of ANG II.     

血管紧张素Ⅱ对培养心肌细胞c-fos表达和蛋白质合成的作用

本实验在培养新生大鼠心肌细胞上,探讨血管紧张素Ⅱ对心肌细胞ｃ－ｆｏｓ ｍＲＮＡ表达和蛋白质合成的影响。结果显示,血管紧张素Ⅱ能诱导ｃ－ｆｏｓ ｍＲＮＡ的表达,增加蛋白质含量,并呈量－效关系,还能加速＾３Ｈ－亮氨酸的掺入速度。上述这些作用可血管紧张素Ⅱ受体拮抗ｓａｒａｌａｓｉｎ所阻断,提示这些作用是受体介导的。     

Effects of lindane on fluidity and lipid composition in rat renal cortex membranes.

The influence of lindane upon dynamic properties of plasma membranes from rat renal cortex has been investigated using a fluorescence polarization technique. Preincubation with lindane increased membrane fluidity in a manner that is dose-dependent. This increase was higher in brush border membranes than in basolateral membranes. However, a significant decrease of the membrane fluidity was found in brush border membranes when rats were injected with lindane for 12 days. A possible solution to this difference could involve a resistance to membrane disordering by lindane through a regulatory mechanism that would balance the amount of cholesterol and phospholipid classes in the renal cortex membranes of lindane-injected rats.     

Estrogen upregulates renal angiotensin II AT1 and AT2 receptors in the rat

We studied renal AT1 and AT2 receptors in male, female, ovariectomized and ovariectomized-estrogen-treated Wistar-Hanover and Wistar-Kyoto rats. AT1 receptors and AT1A receptor mRNA predominated, with no significant differences between males and females. AT2 receptor expression was restricted in female rats to the capsule, the transition zone between outer and inner medulla, the endothelium lining the papilla, and arcuate arteries and veins. There were no AT2 receptors in male rats, while male mice express substantial numbers of estrogen-dependent AT2 receptors. Arcuate arteries and veins expressed AT1B mRNA in males and females, and AT2 mRNA in females only. AT1 receptor and AT2 receptor expression were estrogen-dependent, with increases in AT1 and AT2 receptor expression after estrogen treatment in ovariectomized rats. Estrogen treatment increased prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and cGMP concentrations in the renal medulla, and eNOS expression in cortical arteries. In rodents, expression of renal Angiotensin II receptor types is estrogen-dependent, with significant species, strain and area differences. Our results support an important role for AT2 receptors in the regulation of renal function and in the protective effects of estrogen in the kidney.     

Solubilization of angiotensin II receptors in bovine adrenal cortex

Angiotensin II receptors in bovine adrenal cortex were solubilized with 1% digitonin solution. Binding of ³H-angiotensin II to the solubilized receptors could be assayed by gel filtration on Sephadex G-50 column. Scatchard analysis indicated two classes of binding sites with K_d of 15 and 170 nM. Maximal number of binding sites were estimated at approximately 120 and 470 fmole/mg protein for the high and low affinity binding sites respectively. Pharmacologically active angiotensin II analogues including angiotensin II, Sar¹-Ile⁸-angiotensin II, desAsp¹-angiotensin II, desAsp¹-Ile⁸-angiotensin II were all active in inhibiting the specific ³H-angiotensin II binding with relative affinities similar to those in membrane preparations. The inactive angiotensin II precursor, angiotensin I was much weaker in inhibiting the specific ³H-angiotensin II binding thus indicating the specificity of angiotensin II receptors in the solubilized state was maintained.     

Conformation and activity in angiotensin II peptides

Angiotensin II and its competitive inhibitor [Sar¹, Ile⁸]-angiotensin II, as well as several analogs of these two compounds specifically chosen for their well-defined pharmacological properties, were studied by circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance methods at various pH values in aqueous solution and in d₆-dimethylsulfoxide. The results were compared with their biological activities. This allowed us to establish relationships between conformation and pressor activity, explaining most of the properties of angiotensin II, its inhibitor, and the analogs successively substituted in positions 3 and 5.     

Nephrectomy and a newly identified binding site for angiotensin II in the rat adrenal cortex.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) binding sites in adrenal glands of nephrectomized rats were investigated by in vitro autoradiography using 125I-[Sar1,Ile8]Ang II as ligands. Ang II binding site was increased to 161% in the cortex and decreased to 67% in the medulla 48 h after nephrectomy. In the medulla, the AT2 antagonist (PD123177, 5 microM) inhibited specific binding by 90% whereas the AT1 antagonist (DuP753, 5 microM) inhibited by only 10%. In contrast, in the cortex, neither DuP753 (5 microM) nor PD123177 (5 microM) substantially inhibited the binding. Binding in the presence of either the AT1 or AT2 antagonist was abolished by the simultaneous presence of both antagonists. These results suggest the presence of a new Ang II binding site with unique pharmacological properties and differing from currently known subtypes of Ang II receptors, in the adrenal cortex after nephrectomy.     

Renal denervation modulates angiotensin receptor expression in the renal cortex of rabbits with chronic heart failure

Excessive sympathetic drive is a hallmark of chronic heart failure (HF). Disease progression can be correlated with plasma norepinephrine concentration. Renal function is also correlated with disease progression and prognosis. Because both the renal nerves and renin-angiotensin II system are activated in chronic HF we hypothesized that excessive renal sympathetic nerve activity decreases renal blood flow in HF and is associated with changes in angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R) expression. The present study was carried out in conscious, chronically instrumented rabbits with pacing-induced HF. We found that rabbits with HF showed a decrease in mean renal blood flow (19.8±1.6 in HF vs. 32.0±2.5 ml/min from prepace levels; P<0.05) and an increase in renal vascular resistance (3.26±0.29 in HF vs. 2.21±0.13 mmHg·ml(-1)·min in prepace normal rabbits; P<0.05) while the blood flow and resistance was not changed in HF rabbits with the surgical renal denervation. Renal AT1R expression was increased by ～67% and AT2R expression was decreased by ～87% in rabbits with HF; however, kidneys from denervated rabbits with HF showed a near normalization in the expression of these receptors. These results suggest renal sympathetic nerve activity elicits a detrimental effect on renal blood flow and may be associated with alterations in the expression of angiotensin II receptors.     

Effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor antagonists on mortality and renal outcomes in diabetic nephropathy: systematic review

Objective To evaluate the effects of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor antagonists (AIIRAs) on renal outcomes and all cause mortality in patients with diabetic nephropathy.Data sources Medline, Embase, the Cochrane controlled trials register, conference proceedings, and contact with investigators.Study selection Trials comparing ACE inhibitors or AIIRAs with placebo or with each other in patients with diabetic nephropathy.Data extraction Mortality, renal outcomes (end stage renal disease, doubling of serum creatinine concentration, prevention of progression of microalbuminuria to macroalbuminuria, remission of microalbuminuria), and quality of trials.Data synthesis 36 of 43 identified trials compared ACE inhibitors with placebo (4008 patients), four compared AIIRAs with placebo (3331 patients), and three compared ACE inhibitors with AIIRAs (206 patients). We obtained unpublished data for 11 trials. ACE inhibitors significantly reduced all cause mortality (relative risk 0.79, 95% confidence interval 0.63 to 0.99) compared with placebo but AIIRAs did not (0.99, 0.85 to 1.17), although baseline mortality was similar in the trials. Both agents had similar effects on renal outcomes. Reliable estimates of the unconfounded relative effects of ACE inhibitors compared with AIIRAs could not be obtained owing to small sample sizes.Conclusion Although the survival benefits of ACE inhibitors for patients with diabetic nephropathy are known, the relative effects of ACE inhibitors and AIIRAs on survival are unknown owing to the lack of adequate head to head trials.     

Regulation of the expression of the rat angiotensin II receptor mRNA.

Regulation of the expression levels of the rat angiotensin II receptor mRNA in the adrenal, aorta, kidney, and brain was assessed by the competitive polymerase chain reaction method. The bilateral nephrectomy or the administration of Dup753 markedly reduced the expression levels of this receptor mRNA in the adrenal and brain stem, but not in the kidney nor aorta. A continuous infusion of angiotensin II increased the expression level of this receptor mRNA in the adrenal but not in the other tissues. It is suggested that the expression level of this receptor mRNA in the adrenal is dependent on the renin angiotensin aldosterone system.