atrial-natriuretic-factor-(4-23)nh2--de-gln(18)-de-ser(19)-de-gly(20-22)-de-leu(21)- and Hypertension

In the present studies, we have investigated if aorta, like heart from deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats, (HR) also exhibit enhanced expression of G-protein levels and if these alterations occur before or after the development of blood pressure.. Sprague-Dawley rats treated with DOCA-salt or vehicle for 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks were used for these studies. The levels of inhibitory guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins (Gi alpha-2, Gi alpha-3) and G beta proteins were determined by immunoblotting, whereas the levels of Gi alpha-2 and Gi alpha-3 and adenylyl cyclase type V enzyme mRNA were determined by Northern-blotting techniques.. The blood pressure was significantly increased in DOCA-salt-treated rats as compared to sham-operated rats after 2 to 4 weeks of treatment; whereas no change in blood pressure was observed after 1 week of treatment (prehypertensive state). However, the levels of Gi alpha-2, Gi alpha-3 and G beta proteins and Gi alpha-2 and Gi alpha-3 mRNA were significantly enhanced in hearts and aorta from DOCA-salt treated rats after 1 week of treatment and remained elevated up to 4 weeks of treatment. In addition, the Gi-mediated inhibitions of adenylyl cyclase by Angiotensin II (Ang II) and C-ANF4-23 were also greater in DOCA-salt-treated rats as compared to sham-operated rats after 1 week and longer periods of treatments (2 to 4 weeks). On the other hand, the levels of Gs alpha were not altered up to 2 weeks of DOCA-salt treatment but significantly decreased in rats treated for 3 and 4 weeks. Furthermore, the stimulatory effects of guanine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP gamma S), isoproterenol and forskolin on adenylyl cyclase were decreased in both hearts and aorta from DOCA-salt-treated rats after 1 to 4 weeks of treatment as compared to sham-operated rats. The mRNA levels of adenylyl cyclase, type V enzyme in hearts from DOCA-salt treated rats were significantly decreased after 3 and 4 weeks of DOCA-salt treatment but not in rats treated for 1 or 2 weeks.. These results indicate that the enhanced expression of Gi alpha-2 and Gi alpha-3 precedes the development of blood pressure in DOCA-salt-induced hypertension. It can thus be suggested that the increased levels of Gi proteins and resulting decreased levels of cAMP may be one of the factors that contribute to the impaired cardiac contractility and increased vascular tone in DOCA-salt hypertension.

Topics: Adenylyl Cyclases; Adrenergic beta-Agonists; Angiotensin II; Animals; Aorta; Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Autoradiography; Blotting, Northern; Colforsin; Desoxycorticosterone; GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go; GTP-Binding Proteins; Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate); Guanosine Triphosphate; Hypertension; Immunoblotting; Isoproterenol; Peptide Fragments; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; RNA, Messenger; Sarcolemma; Sodium Chloride; Time Factors

To explore the mechanisms of the renal effects of neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibition, the effects of an NEP inhibitor, candoxatril (UK 79,300; UK), in Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) and salt-resistant (SR) rats were examined. UK dose-dependently decreased blood pressure (BP) in SS rats (20 mg/kg: 174 +/- 5 vs. 155 +/- 8 mm Hg, p < 0.01) but not in SR rats. Urinary sodium excretion (UNaV) of both rat strains receiving high-salt diets was increased to a greater extent than that of rats receiving low-salt diets. Basal plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) level in hypertensive SS rats was higher than in SR rats (192 +/- 18 vs. 118 +/- 24 pg/ml, p < 0.05). UK increased ANP levels in the plasma and urine two- and 11-fold, respectively. UK-induced increases in UNaV, urinary cyclic GMP, and plasma ANP concentrations were significantly augmented by coadministration of a clearance receptor agonist, C-ANF(4-23) or brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). Thus, the effects of NEP inhibition appear to be potentiated by the reduced receptor-mediated metabolism of ANP. This may explain the greater response to the NEP inhibitor in Dahl rats with hypertension or high-salt feeding.

Topics: Animals; Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Blood Pressure; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Hypertension; Indans; Natriuresis; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; Neprilysin; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Peptide Fragments; Propionates; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Sodium, Dietary

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) specifically stimulates particulate guanylate cyclase, and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) has been recognized as its second messenger. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) have elevated plasma ANP levels, but manifest an exaggerated natriuretic and diuretic response to exogenous ANP when compared to normotensive strains. In isolated glomeruli, the maximal cGMP response to ANP corresponds to a 12- to 14-fold increase over basal levels in normotensive strains (Wistar 13 +/- 2; Wistar-Kyoto 12 +/- 2; Sprague-Dawley 14 +/- 2) while a maximal 33 +/- 3-fold elevation occurs in SHR (P < 0.001). This hyperresponsiveness of cGMP is reproducible in intact glomeruli from SHR from various commercial sources. Furthermore, this abnormality develops early in life, even before hypertension is clearly established, and persists despite pharmacological modulation of blood pressure, indicating that it is a primary event in hypertension. In vitro studies have revealed a higher particulate guanylate cyclase activity in membranes from glomeruli and other tissues from SHR. This increase is not accounted for by different patterns of ANP binding to its receptor subtypes between normotensive and hypertensive strains, as assessed by competitive displacement with C-ANP102-121, an analog which selectively binds to one ANP receptor subtype. The hyperactivity of particulate guanylate cyclase in SHR and its behavior under basal, ligand (ANP), and detergent-enhanced conditions could be attributed either to increased expression or augmented sensitivity of the enzyme. Radiation-inactivation analysis does not evoke a disturbance in the size of regulatory elements normally repressing enzymatic activity, while the expression of particulate guanylate cyclase gene using mutated standard of A- and B-receptors partial cDNAs, quantified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) transcript titration assay, manifests a selective increase of one guanylate cyclase subtype. Our data suggest that in hypertension, genetic overexpression of the ANP A-receptor subtype is related to the exaggerated biological response to ANP in this disease.

Topics: Affinity Labels; Animals; Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Base Sequence; Cyclic GMP; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Gene Expression Regulation; Guanylate Cyclase; Hypertension; Kidney Glomerulus; Male; Molecular Sequence Data; Peptide Fragments; Rats; Rats, Inbred SHR; Rats, Inbred Strains; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptors, Atrial Natriuretic Factor; RNA, Messenger

C-ANF (4-23) and neutral metalloendopeptidase (NEP) inhibitors have been shown to prevent ANF metabolism and lower blood pressure presumably by the accumulation of ANF in the circulation. In the present study, we examined the interaction between C-ANF (4-23) and SCH 34826, an inhibitor of NEP, and ensuing effects on blood pressure, excretion of urine and sodium, and cGMP in the plasma and urine in conscious DOCA-salt hypertensive rats. C-ANF (100 micrograms/kg, iv bolus plus 10 micrograms/kg/min X 30) or SCH 34826 (90 mg/kg, sc) alone caused significant reductions in blood pressure and increases in plasma and urinary excretion of cGMP, a biochemical marker of endogenous ANF activity, at one hour post-drug. C-ANF (4-23) alone elicited a significant diuresis and natriuresis. SCH 34826 also enhanced sodium excretion and tended to increase urine volume. In comparison, the combination of C-ANF (4-23) and SCH 34826 produced a greater reduction in blood pressure and increases in plasma and urinary excretion of cGMP than either agent alone. The combination also caused significant diuresis and natriuresis. It is suggested that the greater blood pressure and renal responses to a combination of SCH 34826 and C-ANF than either agent alone reflect greater accumulation of endogenous ANF due to concomitant inhibition of both receptor-mediated clearance and NEP.

Topics: Animals; Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Blood Pressure; Cyclic GMP; Desoxycorticosterone; Dioxolanes; Dipeptides; Hypertension; Kidney; Male; Neprilysin; Peptide Fragments; Rats

The effects of a clearance receptor ligand Arg-Ser-Ser-Cys-Phe-Gly-Gly-Arg-Ile-Asp-Arg-Ile-Gly-Ala-Cys-NH2 with a disulfide bridge between the two cycteines [C-ANF(4-23)] and the potent neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibitor SQ 28,603 on mean arterial pressure (MAP), plasma atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) concentration and renal excretion of sodium and cyclic GMP were determined in conscious deoxycorticosterone acetate/salt hypertensive rats and normotensive rats. In the hypertensive rats, i.v. infusion of C-ANF(4-23) produced depressor responses of approximately 25 mm Hg, but did not significantly affect plasma ANF concentration or stimulate cyclic GMP excretion. In contrast, SQ 28,603 (300 mumol/kg i.v.) significantly reduced MAP and increased excretion of sodium and cyclic GMP. When C-ANF(4-23) was administered in combination with SQ 28,603, the depressor activity was additive and plasma ANF concentrations were significantly increased. The excretion of cyclic GMP was slightly enhanced, but, was not significantly different from the effects of SQ 28,603 alone. Neither SQ 28,603 nor C-ANF(4-23) affected MAP or plasma ANF in the normotensive rats. Finally, the in vitro hydrolysis of C-ANF(4-23) by NEP was prevented by SQ 28,603, indicating that inhibition of NEP may protect peptides recognized by the clearance receptors as well as the biological receptors for ANF. Therefore, the additive effects of C-ANF(4-23) and SQ 28,603 may be due to blockade of separate pathways which inactivate ANF or to the inhibition of C-ANF(4-23) degradation by NEP.

Topics: Alanine; Animals; Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Blood Pressure; Desoxycorticosterone; Hypertension; Male; Neprilysin; Peptide Fragments; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains