angiotensinogen and Polyuria

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS), in addition to its endocrine functions, plays a role within individual tissues such as the brain. The brain RAS is thought to control blood pressure through effects on fluid intake, vasopressin release, and sympathetic nerve activity (SNA), and may regulate metabolism through mechanisms which remain undefined. We used a double-transgenic mouse model that exhibits brain-specific RAS activity to examine mechanisms contributing to fluid and energy homeostasis. The mice exhibit high fluid turnover through increased adrenal steroids, which is corrected by adrenalectomy and attenuated by mineralocorticoid receptor blockade. They are also hyperphagic but lean because of a marked increase in body temperature and metabolic rate, mediated by increased SNA and suppression of the circulating RAS. β-adrenergic blockade or restoration of circulating angiotensin-II, but not adrenalectomy, normalized metabolic rate. Our data point to contrasting mechanisms by which the brain RAS regulates fluid intake and energy expenditure.

Topics: Adrenal Glands; Angiotensin II; Angiotensinogen; Animals; Brain; Energy Metabolism; Gene Expression; Humans; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Transgenic; Phenotype; Polyuria; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Renin; Renin-Angiotensin System; Steroids; Sympathetic Nervous System; Synapsins; Thermogenesis

1. Tsukuba hypertensive mice (THM) carry both human renin and angiotensinogen genes, and develop hypertension. The animal has high levels of renin activity and angiotensin II concentration in the plasma. 2. Urinary excretion in THM was greater than in the control animal, non-transgenic C57BL/6j. THM showed a greater amount of daily water intake. The osmolality of 24 h urine was lower than that of the control animal. 3. When water was deprived for 12 h and then loaded with 0.25 mL/10 g bodyweight, the osmolality of urine at the first 0-3 h period was the same in THM and control, but significantly lower in THM at the following 3-6 h period, indicating that the urine concentrating activity is insufficient in THM compared with the control animal. 4. Urinary excretion of vasopressin was significantly higher in THM. Plasma aldosterone concentration and urinary excretion of aldosterone were also higher in THM. Plasma potassium level was significantly low. 5. The mechanism underlying the pathophysiology of polyuria is not totally explained; however, hypokalaemia, which was probably the result of hyperaldosteronism, may be at least partially involved, since hypokalaemia is considered to be a factor hampering the action of vasopressin for concentration of urine at the site of the collecting duct of the kidney.

Topics: Aldosterone; Angiotensinogen; Animals; Electrolytes; Humans; Hyperaldosteronism; Hypertension; Kidney Concentrating Ability; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Transgenic; Polyuria; Rats; Renin; Vasopressins