Blood pressure regulates the activity and function of the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter in vascular smooth muscle

The Na-K-2Cl cotransporter (NKCC1) is one of several transporters that have been linked to hypertension, and its inhibition reduces vascular smooth muscle tone and blood pressure. NKCC1 in the rat aorta is stimulated by vasoconstrictors and inhibited by nitrovasodilators, and this is linked to the contractile state of the smooth muscle. To determine whether blood pressure also regulates NKCC1, we examined the acute effect of hypertension on NKCC1 in rats after aortic coarctation. In the hypertensive aorta (28-mmHg rise in mean blood pressure), an increase in NKCC1 activity (measured as bumetanide-sensitive (86)Rb efflux) was apparent by 16 h and reached a plateau of 62% greater than control at 48 h. In contrast, there was a slight decrease in NKCC1 activity in the hypotensive aorta (21% decrease in mean blood pressure). Measurement of NKCC1 mRNA by real-time PCR revealed a fivefold increase in the hypertensive aorta compared with the hypotensive aorta or sham aorta. The inhibition by bumetanide of isometric force response to phenylephrine was significantly greater in the hypertensive aorta than in the control aorta or hypotensive aorta. We conclude that NKCC1 in rat aortic smooth muscle is regulated by blood pressure, most likely through changes in transporter abundance. This upregulation of NKCC1 is associated with a greater contribution to force generation in the hypertensive aorta. This is the first demonstration that NKCC1 in vascular smooth muscle is regulated by blood pressure and indicates that this transporter is important in the acute response of vascular smooth muscle to hypertension.     

Excitation-contraction coupling in resistance mesenteric arteries: Evidence for NKCC1-mediated pathway

Bumetanide and other high-ceiling diuretics (HCD) attenuate myogenic tone and contractions of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) triggered by diverse stimuli. HCD outcome may be mediated by their interaction with NKCC1, the only isoform of Na⁺, K⁺, 2Cl⁻ cotransporter expressed in VSMC as well as with targets distinct from this carrier. To examine these hypotheses, we compared the effect of bumetanide on contractions of mesenteric arteries from wild-type and NKCC1 knockout mice. In mesenteric arteries from wild-type controls, 100 μM bumetanide evoked a decrease of up to 4-fold in myogenic tone and contractions triggered by modest [K⁺]_o-induced depolarization, phenylephrine and UTP. These actions of bumetanide were preserved after inhibition of nitric oxide synthase with NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, but were absent in mesenteric arteries from NKCC1^-/- mice. The data show that bumetanide inhibits VSMC contractile responses via its interaction with NKCC1 and independently of nitric oxide production by endothelial cells.     

The effects of the initial arterial tone on the pressure responses to phenylephrine

The effect of the elevated arterial tone on pressure responses to stimulation of arterial alpha-adrenoreceptors by phenylephrine hydrochloride was studied in anesthetized Wistar rats. Different levels of the arterial tone and, hence of the mean arterial pressure, were established by means of angiotensin II infusion in the range from 101 to 160 mmHg. An elevation of the arterial tone led to a significant reduction of the arterial pressure and peripheral resistance rise produced by phenylephrine. The degree of relative reduction of the increase in the diastolic pressure exceeded 1.3 times that in the systolic pressure. The shifts of cardiac outputs remained unchanged. After cessation of angiotensin II infusion the restoration of the arterial pressure took place almost till the initial level. At this time the pressure effects of phenylephrine were tended to recovery. It is suggested that the elevated arterial tone attenuates the systemic pressure response to stimulation of arterial alpha-adrenoreceptors by a vascular mechanism based on a transmural pressure changes evoked by the constriction of the arterial vessels.     

Critical opening pressure and reactivity of tail vessels in conscious hypertensive rats.

The possible role of increased vascular reactivity in the mechanism of experimental hypertension was studied by measurements of the critical opening pressure (COP) of tail vessels in conscious rats. In hypertension induced by administration of desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) and replacement of the drinking water by 1% NaCl solution (DOCA-NaCl hypertension), and in one-kidney Goldblatt renovascular hypertension, the raised level of blood pressure was associated with an increased COP of the tail vessels when measured both before and after ganglionic blockade. In rats treated with either DOCA alone or 1% NaCl alone there was no significant increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) or COP relative to the corresponding controls. In all four experimental series intravenous infusion of angiotensin or norepinephrine in conscious ganglion-blocked rats produced dose-dependent increases in SBP and COP. In DOCA-NaCl hypertensive rats but not in renovascular hypertensives, nor in rats treated with DOCA alone or 1% NaCl alone, the increase in COP for a given increment in dose of angiotensin or norepinephrine was significantly greater than in the control rats. It is concluded that in DOCA-NaCl hypertension there is a true increase in the reactivity of the smooth muscle of the resistance vessels to angiotensin and norepinephrine. In renovascular hypertension this is not the case and other factors must therefore be involved in causing the increased blood pressure and COP.     

Decreased blood pressure and vascular smooth muscle tone in mice lacking basolateral Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransporter

The basolateral Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransporter (NKCC1) functions in the maintenance of cellular electrolyte and volume homeostasis. NKCC1-deficient (Nkcc1(-/-)) mice were used to examine its role in cardiac function and in the maintenance of blood pressure and vascular tone. Tail-cuff measurements demonstrated that awake Nkcc1(-/-) mice had significantly lower systolic blood pressure than wild-type (Nkcc1(+/+)) mice (114.5 +/- 2.2 and 131.8 +/- 2.5 mmHg, respectively). Serum aldosterone levels were normal, indicating that extracellular fluid-volume homeostasis was not impaired. Studies using pressure transducers in the femoral artery and left ventricle showed that anesthetized Nkcc1(-/-) mice have decreased mean arterial pressure and left ventricular pressure, whereas myocardial contraction parameters were not significantly different from those of Nkcc1(+/+) mice. When stimulated with phenylephrine, aortic smooth muscle from Nkcc1(+/+) and Nkcc1(-/-) mice exhibited no significant differences in maximum contractility and only moderate dose-response shifts. In phasic portal vein smooth muscle from Nkcc1(-/-) mice, however, a sharp reduction in mechanical force was noted. These results indicate that NKCC1 can be important for the maintenance of normal blood pressure and vascular tone.     

ChREBP regulates Pdx-1 and other glucose-sensitive genes in pancreatic β-cells

The Na⁺-K⁺-2Cl⁻ cotransporter 1 (NKCC1) is one of several transporters that have been implicated for development of hypertension since NKCC1 activity is elevated in hypertensive aorta and vascular contractions are inhibited by bumetanide, an inhibitor of NKCC1. We hypothesized that promoter hypomethylation upregulates the NKCC1 in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Thoracic aortae and mesenteric arteries were excised, cut into rings, mounted in organ baths and subjected to vascular contraction. The expression levels of nkcc1 mRNA and protein in aortae and heart tissues were measured by real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. The methylation status of nkcc1 promoter region was analyzed by combined bisulfite restriction assay (COBRA) and bisulfite sequencing. Phenylephrine-induced vascular contraction in a dose-dependent manner, which was inhibited by bumetanide. The inhibition of dose-response curves by bumetanide was much greater in SHR than in Wistar Kyoto (WKY) normotensive rats. The expression levels of nkcc1 mRNA and of NKCC1 protein in aortae and heart tissues were higher in SHR than in WKY. Nkcc1 gene promoter was hypomethylated in aortae and heart than those of WKY. These results suggest that promoter hypomethylation upregulates the NKCC1 expression in aortae and heart of SHR.     

Magnesium supplementation and deoxycorticosterone acetate--salt hypertension: effect on arterial mechanical properties and on activity of endothelin-1

The aim of this study was to show whether the decrease in blood pressure induced by Mg supplementation in deoxycorticosterone acetate - salt (DOCA-salt) hypertensive rats is associated with mechanical modifications of blood vessels and (or) changes in tissular production and (or) vasoconstrictor activity to endothelin-1. DOCA-salt treatment increased blood pressure, media thickness, cross-sectional area, and lumen diameter of carotid arteries. Distensibility and incremental elastic modulus versus stress were not altered in carotid arteries, suggesting that the DOCA-salt vessel wall adapts structurally to preserve its blood pressure buffering capacity. Magnesium supplementation attenuated DOCA-salt hypertension. In comparison with normotensive rats, systolic, mean, and pulse pressures were higher whereas diastolic pressure was not different in Mg-supplemented DOCA-salt rats. Magnesium supplementation did not significantly modify the elastic parameters of carotid arteries. In resistance mesenteric arteries, DOCA-salt hypertension induces an inward hypertrophic remodeling. Magnesium supplementation attenuates wall hypertrophy and increases lumen diameter to the normotensive diameter, suggesting a decrease in peripheral resistance. Magnesium supplementation normalizes the altered vasoconstrictor activity of endothelin-1 in mesenteric arteries and attenuates endothelin-1 overproduction in kidney, left ventricle, and aorta of DOCA-salt rats. These findings suggest that Mg supplementation prevents blood pressure elevation by attenuating peripheral resistance and by decreasing hypertrophic effect of endothelin-1 via inhibition of endothelin-1 production.     

Role of ET-1 receptor binding and [Ca(2+)](i) in contraction of coronary arteries from DOCA-salt hypertensive rats

Hypertension is associated with an increase in coronary artery disease, but little is known about the regulation of coronary vascular tone by endothelin-1 (ET-1) in hypertension. The present study evaluated the mechanisms mediating altered contraction to ET-1 in coronary small arteries from deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats. DOCA-salt rats exhibited an increase in systolic blood pressure and plasma ET-1 levels compared with placebo rats. Contraction to ET-1 (1 x 10(-11) to 3 x 10(-8) M), measured in isolated coronary small arteries maintained at a constant intraluminal pressure of 40 mmHg, was largely reduced in vessels from DOCA-salt rats compared with placebo rats. To determine the role of endothelin receptor binding in the impaired contraction to ET-1, (125)I-labeled ET-1 receptor binding was measured in membranes isolated from coronary small arteries. Maximum binding (fmol/mg protein) and binding affinity were similar in coronary membranes from DOCA-salt rats compared with placebo rats. Changes in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) were measured in freshly dissociated coronary small artery smooth muscle cells loaded with fura 2. ET-1 (10(-9) M) produced a 30 +/- 9% increase in [Ca(2+)](i) in smooth muscle cells from placebo rats, but had no effect on cells from DOCA-salt rats (2 +/- 2%). In summary, the ET-1-induced coronary artery contraction and increase in [Ca(2+)](i) are impaired in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats, whereas endothelin receptor binding is not altered. These results suggest endothelin receptor uncoupling from signaling mechanisms and indicate that impaired [Ca(2+)](i) signaling contributes to the decrease in ET-1-induced contraction of coronary small arteries in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats.     

Rat small mesenteric artery function after hindlimb suspension.

To determine whether simulated microgravity in rats is associated with vascular dysfunction, we measured responses of isolated, pressurized mesenteric resistance artery segments (157- to 388-microm ID) to vasoconstrictors, pressure, and shear stress after 28-day hindlimb suspension (HS). Results indicated no differences between HS and control (C) groups in 1) sensitivity or maximal responses to vasoconstrictors (norepinephrine, phenylephrine, serotonin, KCl); 2) ID, external diameter, or ratio of wall thickness to ID; 3) distensibility; or 4) vasodilatory responses to shear stress. Myogenic tone was attenuated (P < 0.05) in HS arteries vs. C, as evidenced by 1) decreased magnitude of tone in larger vessels (second-order branch off superior mesenteric artery, 261- to 388-microm ID) at pressures >/=40 mmHg in the presence of phenylephrine (10(-7) M) and 2) decreased magnitude of tone in smaller vessels (third-order branch off superior mesenteric artery, 157- to 277-microm ID), which exhibited spontaneous tone, at pressures > or =70 mmHg. This attenuation of myogenic tone after HS could contribute to orthostatic intolerance because myogenic tone contributes to the overall tone of resistance arteries.     

Transgenic mice over-expressing ET-1 in the endothelial cells develop systemic hypertension with altered vascular reactivity

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor involved in the regulation of vascular tone and implicated in hypertension. However, the role of small blood vessels endothelial ET-1 in hypertension remains unclear. The present study investigated the effect of chronic over-expression of endothelial ET-1 on arterial blood pressure and vascular reactivity using transgenic mice approach. Transgenic mice (TET-1) with endothelial ET-1 over-expression showed increased in ET-1 level in the endothelial cells of small pulmonary blood vessels. Although TET-1 mice appeared normal, they developed mild hypertension which was normalized by the ET(A) receptor (BQ123) but not by ET(B) receptor (BQ788) antagonist. Tail-cuff measurements showed a significant elevation of systolic and mean blood pressure in conscious TET-1 mice. The mice also exhibited left ventricular hypertrophy and left axis deviation in electrocardiogram, suggesting an increased peripheral resistance. The ionic concentrations in the urine and serum were normal in 8-week old TET-1 mice, indicating that the systemic hypertension was independent of renal function, although, higher serum urea levels suggested the occurrence of kidney dysfunction. The vascular reactivity of the aorta and the mesenteric artery was altered in the TET-1 mice indicating that chronic endothelial ET-1 up-regulation leads to vascular tone imbalance in both conduit and resistance arteries. These findings provide evidence for the role of spatial expression of ET-1 in the endothelium contributing to mild hypertension was mediated by ET(A) receptors. The results also suggest that chronic endothelial ET-1 over-expression affects both cardiac and vascular functions, which, at least in part, causes blood pressure elevation.     

Increased arterial smooth muscle Ca2+ signaling, vasoconstriction, and myogenic reactivity in Milan hypertensive rats

The Milan hypertensive strain (MHS) rats are a genetic model of hypertension with adducin gene polymorphisms linked to enhanced renal tubular Na(+) reabsorption. Recently we demonstrated that Ca(2+) signaling is augmented in freshly isolated mesenteric artery myocytes from MHS rats. This is associated with greatly enhanced expression of Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger-1 (NCX1), C-type transient receptor potential (TRPC6) protein, and sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA2) compared with arteries from Milan normotensive strain (MNS) rats. Here, we test the hypothesis that the enhanced Ca(2+) signaling in MHS arterial smooth muscle is directly reflected in augmented vasoconstriction [myogenic and phenylephrine (PE)-evoked responses] in isolated mesenteric small arteries. Systolic blood pressure was higher in MHS (145 ± 1 mmHg) than in MNS (112 ± 1 mmHg; P < 0.001; n = 16 each) rats. Pressurized mesenteric resistance arteries from MHS rats had significantly augmented myogenic tone and reactivity and enhanced constriction to low-dose (1-100 nM) PE. Isolated MHS arterial myocytes exhibited approximately twofold increased peak Ca(2+) signals in response to 5 μM PE or ATP in the absence and presence of extracellular Ca(2+). These augmented responses are consistent with increased vasoconstrictor-evoked sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) release and increased Ca(2+) entry, respectively. The increased SR Ca(2+) release correlates with a doubling of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 1 and tripling of SERCA2 expression. Pressurized MHS arteries also exhibited a ～70% increase in 100 nM ouabain-induced vasoconstriction compared with MNS arteries. These functional alterations reveal that, in a genetic model of hypertension linked to renal dysfunction, multiple mechanisms within the arterial myocytes contribute to enhanced Ca(2+) signaling and myogenic and vasoconstrictor-induced arterial constriction. MHS rats have elevated plasma levels of endogenous ouabain, which may initiate the protein upregulation and enhanced Ca(2+) signaling. These molecular and functional changes provide a mechanism for the increased peripheral vascular resistance (whole body autoregulation) that underlies the sustained hypertension.     

Vasoconstrictors and nitrovasodilators reciprocally regulate the Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransporter in rat aorta

Little is knownabout the function and regulation of theNa⁺-K⁺-2Clcotransporter NKCC1 in vascular smooth muscle. Theactivity of NKCC1 was measured as the bumetanide-sensitive efflux of⁸⁶Rb⁺from intact smooth muscle of the rat aorta. Hypertonic shrinkage (440 mosmol/kgH₂O) rapidlydoubled cotransporter activity, consistent with its volume-regulatoryfunction. NKCC1 was also acutely activated by the vasoconstrictors ANGII (52%), phenylephrine (50%), endothelin (53%), and 30 mM KCl(54%). Both nitric oxide and nitroprusside inhibited basal NKCC1activity (39 and 34%, respectively), and nitroprussidecompletely reversed the stimulation by phenylephrine. Thephosphorylation of NKCC1 was increased by hypertonic shrinkage, phenylephrine, and KCl and was reduced by nitroprusside. The inhibition of NKCC1 significantly reduced the contraction of rat aorta induced byphenylephrine (63% at 10 nM, 26% at 30 nM) but not by KCl. Weconclude that theNa⁺-K⁺-2Clcotransporter in vascular smooth muscle is reciprocally regulated byvasoconstrictors and nitrovasodilators and contributes to smooth musclecontraction, indicating that alterations in NKCC1 could influencevascular smooth muscle tone in vivo.

     

Alpha1-AR-mediated activation of NKCC in rat cardiomyocytes involves ERK-dependent phosphorylation of the cotransporter

We studied molecular and functional characteristics as well as hormonal regulation of the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter (NKCC) in the isolated rat heart and cardiomyocytes. NKCC activity was measured as bumetanide-sensitive (86)Rb(+) influx in isolated perfused rat hearts and isolated cardiomyocytes. Stimulation of alpha(1)-adrenoceptors (AR) by phenylephrine (30 microM) increased (86)Rb(+) influx. The NKCC inhibitor bumetanide (50 microM) reduced the response to phenylephrine by 45 +/- 13% (n = 12, P < 0.01). PD-98059 (10 microM), an inhibitor of the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), reduced the total response to phenylephrine by 51 +/- 13% (n = 10, P < 0.01) and eliminated the bumetanide-sensitive component, indicating that alpha(1)-AR mediated stimulation of NKCC is dependent on activation of ERK1/2. Inhibitors of protein kinase C or phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase had no effect. The presence of NKCC mRNA and protein was demonstrated in isolated rat cardiomyocytes. Phosphorylation of NKCC after alpha(1)-AR stimulation was shown by immunoprecipitation of the phosphoprotein from (32)P(i) prelabeled cardiomyocytes. Increased phosphorylation of the NKCC protein was also abolished by PD-98059. We conclude that the NKCC is present in rat cardiomyocytes and that ion transport by the cotransporter is regulated by alpha(1)-AR stimulation through phosphorylation of this protein involving the ERK pathway.     

Prolonged isobaric relaxation time in small mesenteric arteries of the spontaneously hypertensive rat

Prolonged isometric relaxation in hypertensive aortic and caudal arterial smooth muscle has been demonstrated; however, isobaric relaxation in resistance arteries is more pertinent to studies in hypertension. A comparative study of mesenteric arterial isobaric relaxation times was made using spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY), and MK-421 treated SHR (treatment commenced at 8 weeks of age and was maintained until sacrifice). Relaxation rates of vessels constricting against a range of pressures and achieving different degrees of narrowing or changes in circumference were analyzed. Comparisons were made between SHR, WKY, and MK-421 treated SHR arteries that had constricted from the same initial circumference and against the same magnitude of pressure. The SHR mesenteric arteries relaxed at a slower rate than did the WKY vessels. The normotensive MK-421 treated SHR showed the same prolonged relaxation rate as did the untreated SHR preparations. Thus the slower rate of relaxation in SHR arteries does not appear to be a consequence of the hypertension. Such prolonged time for narrowing would function to increase the average peripheral resistance and thus may contribute to the initiation and maintenance of increased blood pressure.     

Chronic administration of adrenomedullin attenuates hypoxic pulmonary vascular structural remodeling and inhibits proadrenomedullin N-terminal 20-peptide production in rats

Adrenomedullin (ADM) is a novel cardiovascular-active peptide involved in vasodilation, reducing blood pressure and inhibiting vascular smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation. Previous research showed that ADM might be involved in the development of pulmonary hypertension. In this study, we investigated the effect of ADM subcutaneously administered by mini-osmotic pump (300 ng/h) on pulmonary hemodynamics and pulmonary vascular structure in hypoxic rats, as well as the influence of ADM on the proadrenomedullin N-terminal 20-peptide (PAMP) protein and mRNA expressions and its plasma concentrations. The results showed that ADM obviously decreased mean pulmonary artery pressure and the ratio of right ventricular mass to left ventricular plus septal mass in hypoxic rats. Chronic infusion of ADM lessened the muscularization of small pulmonary vessels, attenuated relative medial thickness and relative medial area of pulmonary arteries, and alleviated the ultrastructural changes in pulmonary arteries of hypoxic rats. ADM inhibited the proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, represented by a decrease in the expression of proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the pulmonary artery. Meanwhile, plasma PAMP concentration and the expression of PAMP protein and mRNA by pulmonary arteries in rats of hypoxia with ADM group were markedly decreased compared with those in hypoxic group. The results suggest that ADM ameliorated the development of hypoxic pulmonary vascular structural remodeling. Intramolecular regulation of ADM may play an important role in the regulation of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension by ADM.     

Differential effects of diet-induced obesity on BKCa {beta}1-subunit expression and function in rat skeletal muscle arterioles and small cerebral arteries

Mechanisms underlying obesity-related vascular dysfunction are unclear. This study examined the effect of diet-induced obesity on expression and function of large conductance Ca(2+)-activated potassium channel (BK(Ca)) in rat pressurized small resistance vessels with myogenic tone. Male Sprague-Dawley rats fed a cafeteria-style high fat diet (HFD; ～30% energy from fat) for 16-20 wk were ～30% heavier than controls fed standard chow (～13% fat). Obesity did not alter BK(Ca) α-subunit function or α-subunit protein or mRNA expression in vessels isolated from the cremaster muscle or middle-cerebral circulations. In contrast, BK(Ca) β(1)-subunit protein expression and function were significantly reduced in cremaster muscle arterioles but increased in middle-cerebral arteries from obese animals. Immunohistochemistry showed α- and β(1)-subunits were present exclusively in the smooth muscle of both vessels. Cremaster muscle arterioles from obese animals showed significantly increased medial thickness, and media-to-lumen ratio and pressurized arterioles showed increased myogenic tone at 30 mmHg, but not at 50-120 mmHg. Myogenic tone was not affected by obesity in middle-cerebral arteries. The BK(Ca) antagonist iberiotoxin constricted both cremaster muscle and middle-cerebral arterioles from control rats; this effect of iberiotoxin was abolished in cremaster muscle arteries only from obese rats. Diet-induced obesity has contrasting effects on BK(Ca) function in different vascular beds, through differential effects on β(1)-subunit expression. However, these alterations in BK(Ca) function had little effect on overall myogenic tone, suggesting that the mechanisms controlling myogenic tone can be altered and compensate for altered BK(Ca) expression and function.     

Relative contribution of Rho kinase and protein kinase C to myogenic tone in rat cerebral arteries in hypertension

Arterial smooth muscle constriction in response to pressure, i.e., myogenic tone, may involve calcium-dependent and calcium-sensitization mechanisms. Calcium sensitization in vascular smooth muscle is regulated by kinases such as PKC and Rho kinase, and activity of these kinases is known to be altered in cardiovascular disorders. In the present study, we evaluated the relative contribution of PKC and Rho kinase to myogenic tone in cerebral arteries in hypertension. Myogenic tone and arterial wall calcium in Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were measured simultaneously, and the effect of PKC and Rho kinase inhibitors on myogenic tone was evaluated. SHR arteries showed significantly greater myogenic tone than WKY arteries. Pressure/wall tension-arterial wall calcium curves showed a hyperbolic relation in WKY rats, but the curves for SHR arteries were parabolic. Myogenic tone was decreased by the Rho kinase inhibitors Y-27632 and HA-1077, with a significantly greater effect in SHR than in WKY arteries. Reduction in myogenic tone produced by the PKC inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide I in WKY and SHR arteries was significantly less than that produced by Rho kinase inhibition. The pressure-dependent increase in myogenic tone was significantly decreased by Y-27632, and the decrease was markedly greater than that produced by bisindolylmaleimide I in SHR arteries. In WKY arteries, the pressure-dependent increase in myogenic tone was decreased to a similar extent by Y-27632 and bisindolylmaleimide I. These results suggest greater myogenic tone with increased calcium sensitization in SHR arteries, largely because of Rho kinase activation, with a minor contribution of PKC activation.     

老年大鼠血管α1肾上腺素受体及其亚型的改变

本工作用离体与整体实验方法,研究了老年(18月龄)与年轻(3月龄)大鼠血管中 α_1肾上腺素受体储备和 α_1(?)与 α_(1b)亚型比值的差别。在离体实验中用机械方法分离血管,用 Krebs 溶液灌流,在灌流液中加入 α_2和 β肾上腺素受体拮抗剂,然后用去甲肾上腺素(NE)激动 α_1受体。结果显示;老年大鼠主动脉、肾动脉和肠系膜动脉由去甲肾上腺素(NE)引起的最大收缩反应与年轻大鼠无显著差别,但浓度-效应曲线显著右移,功能性解离常数 K_A 值不变,而 K_A 与EC_(50)的比值减小。此外,在老年大鼠主动脉和肠系膜动脉血管,选择性 α_(1b)亚型拮抗剂 CEC对 NE 引起的缩血管效应的阻断作用显著减弱,硝苯吡啶(选择性阻断 α_(1a) 亚型的效应)对 NE 缩血管效应的阻断作用显著增强。整体实验显示老年大鼠硝苯吡啶的降血压作用比年轻大鼠增强,在用硝苯吡啶的基础上给予苯肾上腺素升血压作用减弱。上述结果提示:与年轻大鼠相比较,老年大鼠 α_(1-) 肾上腺素受体储备减少,α_(1a) 亚型相对 α_(1b)亚型的比率增高。     

Biomechanical response of arterial wall to DOCA-salt hypertension in growing and middle-aged rats

To study arterial remodeling in response to hypertension, Deoxycortico-sterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertension was induced in immature (aged 16 weeks) and middle-aged (48 weeks) rats, and biomechanical properties and wall dimensions of common carotid arteries were determined. Arterial segments were excised at 10 or 16 weeks postoperatively from the immature rats and at 16 weeks from the middle-aged ones. In vitro pressure-diameter tests were performed under normal (in Krebs-Ringer solution), active (norepinephrine), and passive (papaverine) conditions. Non-treated, age-matched rats (26, 32, and 64 weeks) were used to obtain control data. Wall thickness at in vivo blood pressure level was increased by hypertension at all ages; however, there were no significant changes in inner diameter. In hypertensive rats, arterial outer diameter was smaller under normal condition than under passive condition, indicating the increase of smooth muscle tone by hypertension. Diameter reduction developed by norepinephrine was increased by hypertension, which was significant above 100 mmHg; however, there were no significant differences between hypertensive and normotensive arteries, if compared at respective in vivo blood pressures. No significant differences were observed in wall stiffness at in vivo pressure. Wall hoop stress at in vivo blood pressure had a significant positive correlation with the pressure in 26-week old arteries. However, there were no differences in the stress between hypertension and normotension in 32- and 64-week old arteries. These results were essentially similar to previous ones observed in Goldblatt hypertension and in younger animals. Age-related differences in arterial wall remodeling were not clearly observed.     

缓冲神经在电针抑制犬急性实验性高血压中的作用

在切除双侧窦神经与主动脉弓神经的慢性犬,血压很快回复至对照水平,但较易波动。在此种犬静脉匀速注射去甲肾上腺素造成高血压状态时,电针“足三里”不再有明显降压作用。在麻醉犬静脉勻速注射去甲肾上腺素时,肾交感冲动随血压上升而受到明显抑制,然后在16分钟内逐渐回升。血压上升时呼出气 CO_2百分比明显升高,伴随动脉血 CO_2分压升高而 O_2分压降低。在切除缓冲神经后再注射去甲肾上腺素时,肾交感冲动未见明显变化。在清醒犬静脉匀速注射去甲肾上腺素时,动脉血 O_2分压也有明显降低,而注射苯肾上腺素时,血 O_2分压很少改变。电针“足三里’对苯肾上腺素性高血压的降压作用不明显。且心得安可阻断电针对去甲肾上腺素性高血压的降压作用。此外,电针能抑制山梗菜碱所致的化学感受性升压反射,此种抑制作用可为静脉注射纳洛酮所阻断。结果表明,去甲肾上腺素除能收缩血管升高血压,增加压力感受性传入冲动外,还能刺激新陈代谢,改变血液气体成分而引起化学感受性升压反射。电针“足三里”主要因能抑制化学感受性反射而能降压,仅有压力感受性传入冲动的增多并不能使电针具有明显降压效应。