Angiotensinogen Concentration Research Articles

Further Studies on the Noradrenergic and the Renin Angiotensin Systems in the Brain of the Rat

Previous investigations have shown that depletion of brain norepinephrine (NE) induced by chemical sympathectomy resulted in significant changes in the central renin-angiotensin system. The purpose of the present work was to increase the NE concentration in the central nervous system (CNS) in order to analyze its effect on the peptidergic complex and on the blood pressure (BP) levels. Treated rats were given the following drugs in the drinking water: 1-dopa (12 mg/rat/day), carbidopa (6 mg/rat/day) and pargyline (10 mg/rat/day) during 25 days. BP was determined, blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were obtained. The CNS was dissected into several areas. NE, angiotensinogen (AoC) and renin concentration (RC) were determined in the brain parenchyma; AoC was evaluated in CSF and plasma samples. Pharmacological treatment resulted in an hypotensive effect and, at the same time, an increase of NE in the CNS (about 100%; p less than 0.0005). These changes were accompanied by a significant decrease in the peripheral and central AoC. These results add new evidence to the postulated relationship between these two important regulatory systems involved in cardiovascular control.

Effects of thyroid hormone on angiotensinogen and renin messenger RNA levels in rats.

We studied the expression of angiotensinogen and renin genes in rats treated with 3,3',5-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) at doses of 0.1 and 1 mg/kg of body weight. Liver angiotensinogen mRNA increased by 2 to 3 times 8 to 12 hours after T3-treatment. This increase was dose-related. Plasma angiotensinogen concentration (PAC) increased 12 hours after T3-treatment. Brain and renal angiotensinogen mRNA levels and the renal renin mRNA level remained the same throughout the experimental periods. These results suggest that the thyroid hormone initially increases angiotensinogen mRNA and leads to an increase in the production of angiotensinogen in the liver followed by an elevation of PAC.

Effects of Thyroid Hormone on Angiotensinogen and Renin Messenger RNA Levels in Rats

AbstractWe studied the expression of angiotensinogen and renin genes in rats treated with 3,3′,5-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) at doses of 0.1 and 1 mg/kg of body weight. Liver angiotensinogen mRNA increased by 2 to 3 times 8 to 12 hours after T3-treatment. This increase was dose-related. Plasma angiotensinogen concentration (PAC) increased 12 hours after T3-treatment. Brain and renal angiotensinogen mRNA levels and the renal renin mRNA level remained the same throughout the experimental periods. These results suggest that the thyroid hormone initially increases angiotensinogen mRNA and leads to an increase in the production of angiotensinogen in the liver followed by an elevation of PAC.

Arterial Hypertension as a Paraneoplastic Phenomenon in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Three South African blacks with hepatocellular carcinoma and arterial hypertension are described. Plasma angiotensinogen (renin substrate) concentrations were increased eightfold to 10-fold in the two patients in whom these concentrations were measured. One of these two patients also showed a 34-fold rise in plasma inactive, active, and total renin concentrations, and an elevated plasma renin activity (2.73 ng.L-1.s-1 angiotensin l/mL/h). Inactive renin (prorenin) constituted 90% of the total plasma renin concentration. In the third patient only plasma renin activity was measured, and this was considerably raised (6.05 ng.L-1.s-1; angiotensin l/mL/h). Thus, the arterial hypertension that rarely complicates hepatocellular carcinoma may be caused either by a combination of eutopic synthesis of excessive quantities of angiotensinogen and ectopic production and secretion of active renin by malignant hepatocytes, or by eutopic production of angiotensinogen alone.

On the measurement of inactive renin in rat plasma: activation by trypsin generates interfering tetradecapeptide-like material and destroys angiotensinogen.

Trypsin cleaved plasma angiotensinogen with apparent first-order kinetics and generated an angiotensin I (Ang I) immunoreactive material. Size exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of rat plasma proteins demonstrated that the Ang I immunoreactive material was formed in those fractions which contained angiotensinogen. The Ang I immunoreactive material was higher in nephrectomized rat plasma than normal plasma, in accordance with the higher angiotensinogen concentration. These findings indicated that angiotensinogen could be the source of the Ang I immunoreactive material. Purification of the Ang I immunoreactive material by cation-exchange chromatography followed by reverse-phase HPLC demonstrated an elution pattern close to that of human tetradecapeptide. The purified Ang I immunoreactive material was cleaved by pure mouse submandibular renin to Ang I, exclusively. Incubation at 37 degrees C of the Ang I immunoreactive material with plasma partially destroyed the angiotensin immunoreactive material. These findings demonstrated that the angiotensin immunoreactive material was an Ang I containing tetradecapeptide (TDP)-like peptide, unstable during a renin incubation step, leading to erroneous values for plasma inactive renin if not removed. The Ang I immunoreactive material was removed by cation-exchange chromatography of trypsin-activated plasma allowing for a determination of inactive renin. The presence of inactive renin in plasma from normal and nephrectomized rats was confirmed, and identified by neutralization and immunoprecipitation with antirenins. These findings should enable us to develop a routine assay for plasma inactive renin in rat plasma.

The central and peripheral renin-angiotensin and noradrenergic systems in the spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the components of the renin-angiotensin system in the periphery and in the central nervous system (CNS) of the spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR). On the other hand, the norepinephrine (NE) content of the different areas and of the mesenteric artery were also measured. Sixteen SHR and 9 Wistar Kyoto (WKY) control animals were used at about 6 months of age. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were collected. The brain was dissected into several areas and the mesenteric artery was excised. Plasma renin activity (PRA), plasma angiotensinogen concentration (P1AoC), brain renin (RC) and angiotensinogen concentrations (AoC) were evaluated by radioimmunoassay. NE was determined in all the tissues by a fluorimetric technique. PRA, P1AoC and NE concentration in the mesenteric artery were similar in both groups. An increase in the NE content of the cerebellum was detected in the SHR without changes in the other areas of the CNS. AoC was decreased in the CSF and in the brain stem of the SHR animals. RC was evaluated in the hypothalamus, brain stem, cerebral cortex and cerebellum of the same strain of rats. These results seem to indicate the some alteration of the peptidergic system in the CNS is present in the hypertensive animals.

The Effects of Nephrectomy and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor on Production and Clearance rates of Antiotensinogen in Dogs

The clearance and production rates of plasma angiotensinogen of normal dog, nephrectomized dog and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) administered dog were calculated. Plasma angiotensinogen was measured by adding excessive dog renin to the plasma sample. The clearance rate was 4.4, 4.0 and 3.8 ml/kg/hr and the production rate was 9.6, 21.6 and 7.6 micrograms/kg/hr, respectively. After nephrectomy, the clearance rate of angiotensinogen decreased only 10 percent but the production rate increased more than twice. These results mean that the kidney does not play an important role in the clearance of angiotensinogen but has some influence on its production. This increase in production rate due to nephrectomy may mean that the kidney has some inhibitory effect on the secretion of angiotensinogen from the liver but this phenomenon is not able to explain by much less hydrolysis of angiotensinogen. By the administration of ACEI, not only the clearance rate but also the production rate of plasma angiotensinogen decreased as compared with control dog, but the balance between them resulted in the decreased plasma angiotensinogen concentration. These results show that the decreased production rate was greater than the decreased clearance rate in ACEI administered dog.

Changes in activity of the renin-angiotensin system of the rat by induction of acute inflammation

Angiotensinogen is the precursor of biologically active peptide angiotensin II and its hepatic synthesis is increased by the induction of acute inflammation. Studies were carried out to know whether the rise in plasma angiotensinogen is actually involved in the activity of the renin-angiotensin system during acute inflammation. The plasma level of angiotensinogen in rats was increased to 2.5 times the normal level 16 h after the induction of acute inflammation by administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The plasma renin concentration (PRC) was decreased to about 40% of the normal level concomitantly with a reduction of plasma renin activity (PRA) at 4 h after LPS administration. In contrast, 16 h after LPS injection, when plasma angiotensinogen showed a high level and PRC had recovered to the normal range, PRA was increased to 1.7 times the normal level. These results indicate that acute inflammation induced by LPS causes a biphasic change in the generation of angiotensin I, i.e., an early decrease depending upon the reduction of PRC and later increase depending upon elevation of the angiotensinogen concentration.

Correlation of 24-hour fluctuations in renin granules of juxtaglomerular cells and in renin and angiotensinogen in blood plasma of the rat.

Subcellular structures of juxtaglomerular (JG) cells in the rat kidney were morphometrically examined at six evenly spaced times over 24 h. Plasma renin activities and angiotensinogen concentrations were also measured at these times. The cell volumes were larger at 20.00 h and 04.00 h than at 00.00 h, whereas the nuclear volumes peaked at 20.00 h and 08.00 h, decreasing at 00.00 h and 16.00 h. The volume and surface densities of renin granules and their individual volumes and surface areas peaked at 16.00 h and 00.00 h, decreasing at 20.00 h and 08.00 h, whereas their numerical densities peaked at 20.00 h, decreasing at 12.00 h. The surface densities of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER) peaked at 20.00 h, decreasing at other times, except at 08.00 h, when rER volume and surface density were relatively high. The plasma renin activity was maximal at 20.00 h, whereas it was minimal at 08.00 h. The variation in plasma angiotensinogen concentrations was inversely correlated with that in plasma renin activities. These results suggest that JG cells actively synthesize and release renin during the dark period, especially at 20.00 h, whereas during the light period they gradually synthesize renin and produce the granules, most of which may be stored in the cells during this period.

Angiotensin II controls angiotensinogen secretion at a pretranslational level.

It has been proposed that feedback by angiotensin II, the effector peptide of the renin-angiotensin system stimulates hepatic angiotensinogen synthesis, since long-term infusion of this octapeptide in vivo induced an increase in plasma angiotensinogen concentrations. In the present study, the effects of angiotensin II (9 and 90 nmol/l) on angiotensinogen messenger (m)RNA concentrations and on angiotensinogen secretion of freshly isolated rat hepatocytes were compared with those of glucocorticoids (hydrocortisone, 10(-4) mol/l, and dexamethasone, 10(-5) mol/l). Angiotensin II and the glucocorticoids elevated angiotensinogen mRNA concentrations two- to threefold. Angiotensinogen secretion rates were correspondingly increased with a time lag of about 2 h. Differences in the time-course of changes in mRNA following onset or decay of the hormonal effect suggest that angiotensin II and glucocorticoids express their effects by different intracellular mechanisms. This view is supported by the observation that angiotensin II but not dexamethasone has a stabilizing effect on angiotensinogen mRNA, when further synthesis was blocked by actinomycin D.

Differential effects of inflammation models on rat T-kininogen and rat angiotensinogen

The effect of different experimental models of inflammation on plasma concentrations of T-kininogen and angiotensinogen was examined in the rat. T-kininogen, a major phase protein which inhibits cysteine proteinase is increased in all cases of induced inflammation: administration of lipo-polysaccharide and turpentine, bilateral nephrectomy or sham-operation and intraperitoneal injection of peanut oil. Angiotensinogen, the renin-substrate, is increased by lipopolysaccharide but is decreased by turpentine. Sham-operation or peanut oil injection have no effect on angiotensinogen whereas, bilateral nephrectomy and dexamethasone increase its concentration. Therefore, angiotensinogen is regulated differently than T-kininogen during inflammation.

Effect of central serotonin depletion on blood pressure and the renin system in rats.

In the present study we examined the effect of depletion of central nervous system serotonin by 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine on blood pressure in male Wistar rats. We also analyzed the relationship between the serotonergic and renin-angiotensin systems. Blood pressure was determined before and after intracisternal administration of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine, 200 micrograms in saline with 1 mg/ml ascorbic acid (n = 9). Control rats (n = 8) received intracisternal vehicle. Before sacrifice, blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples were obtained. The brain was dissected in several areas. Serotonin, norepinephrine, angiotensinogen, and reninlike concentrations were determined in the brain parenchyma; angiotensinogen concentration was evaluated in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma samples; plasma renin activity was also measured. Treatment produced a significant decrease in blood pressure (-10 mm Hg; p less than 0.025) and, simultaneously, a high depletion of serotonin stores in the studied central areas (p less than 0.001), except in the cerebral cortex. Reninlike concentration was increased in the medulla oblongata (p less than 0.005) and the brainstem (p less than 0.02) after 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine treatment. Angiotensinogen concentration was decreased in the hypothalamus and elevated in the spinal cord. Angiotensinogen concentration in cerebrospinal fluid, plasma angiotensinogen concentration, and plasma renin activity did not change with treatment. Serotonin concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid remained unchanged, while the 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid level was diminished (-47%; p less than 0.001). Intracisternal administration of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine produced a hypotensive effect in normal rats and several modifications of the renin-angiotensin complex, suggesting a relationship between the monoaminergic and peptidergic systems.

Effect of thyroid hormones on angiotensinogen production in the rat in vivo and in vitro.

The influence of thyroid hormones on angiotensinogen production was studied in vitro and in vivo. In the in-vitro system, angiotensinogen production rate (APR) of monolayer cultures of rat hepatocytes in response to tri-iodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) was assayed. In the in-vivo system, plasma angiotensinogen concentration (PAC) and liver angiotensinogen content (LAC) were measured in hyper- and hypothyroid rats. In both thyroid dysfunctions, a significant decrease of PAC was found compared with that in control animals; however, LAC showed a significant increase in hyperthyroidism and a marked decrease in hypothyroidism. As PAC is dependent upon both angiotensinogen production by the liver and angiotensinogen degradation by renin, the decrease in PAC observed in hyperthyroidism could be due to an increase in plasma renin concentration, which would overcome the increased synthesis of liver angiotensinogen observed in these animals. In fact, addition of various concentrations of T4 or T3 to monolayer cultures of adult rat hepatocytes significantly enhanced APR. This increase was greater and started earlier with T3 (1196.1 +/- 143.7 (S.D.) pg/mg protein per 6-h incubation; significant differences at the third hour of incubation) than with T4 (858.3 +/- 88.2 pg/mg protein per 6-h incubation; significant differences at the sixth hour of incubation). In addition, a close dose-response relationship was found in the cultures supplemented with T3. The different time-course in the response elicited by T3 and T4 on APR could be a consequence of the necessary transformation of T4 into T3 to acquire biological activity.

Liver Angiotensinogen Synthesis and Release during Captopril Treatment in Sodium-Depleted Rats

In vivo generation of angiotensins depends upon both plasma renin and angiotensinogen concentrations. Those factors which may influence hepatic angiotensinogen synthesis and release were examined. We have evaluated in vivo the effects of converting enzyme inhibition on several plasma renin-angiotensin system components, and, using an in vitro preparation of liver slices, we also investigated the effects of converting enzyme inhibition on the synthesis and release of hepatic angiotensinogen. Angiotensinogen concentrations were determined by two different methods. The first was an indirect enzymatic assay which measures the amount of angiotensin I liberated from plasma by an excess of renin. The second was a direct RIA that measures both angiotensinogen and its inactive residue the des-angiotensin I-angiotensinogen. The difference between the methods represents the circulating levels of des-angiotensin I-angiotensinogen. Captopril administration in sodium-depleted rats increased plasma concentrations of renin, des-angiotensin I-angiotensinogen, and angiotensin I and decreased plasma angiotensinogen concentration measured by both methods. Plasma des-angiotensin I-angiotensinogen was significantly correlated to plasma renin concentration, which suggests an increase in the consumption of angiotensinogen when the renin secretion is extremely increased. The angiotensinogen liver content and in vitro angiotensinogen release were decreased in sodium-depleted rats treated with a converting enzyme inhibitor, and these parameters were negatively correlated to in vivo plasma levels of renin, angiotensin I, and des-angiotensin I-angiotensinogen. They were positively correlated to plasma angiotensinogen concentration measured by the indirect assay. These data suggest that captopril administration during sodium depletion has two simultaneous effects: it increases angiotensinogen consumption and second, decreases angiotensinogen production and release.

The renin-angiotensinogen reaction during pregnancy and oral contraception: estimation of kinetic parameters by an autologous plasma renin assay.

A method has been developed which allows estimation of the kinetic parameters of the plasma renin-angiotensinogen reaction from data obtained by autologous renin assays at several plasma dilutions. The quantitative aspects of the renin-angiotensin system were examined in 28 plasma samples from 23 healthy, normotensive pregnant women. They were compared with 20 women who were not pregnant, of whom 12 were taking oral contraceptives and eight were not. In the first 3 months of pregnancy, there was a sharp increase in plasma renin activity and concentration. Plasma angiotensinogen rose steadily throughout pregnancy. The higher concentrations of renin and angiotensinogen would lead to an increase in angiotensin formation with potentially adverse consequences. However, this increase may be reduced by the fall in the affinity between renin and angiotensinogen which is suggested by the present observation that the Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) attained values five to six times higher than those seen in women not taking oral contraceptives. The smaller increases in plasma renin and angiotensinogen induced by oral contraceptives were less effectively compensated by lower affinity. Circumstantial evidence is provided which suggests that the observed high Km values may be due to oestrogen/pregnancy-induced synthesis of an angiotensinogen with a lower affinity for renin.

Chronic Administration of Ketanserin and the Development of Two-Kidney-Two-Clip Goldblatt Renovascular Hypertension in the Rat

The effect of ketanserin (Kt) has been analyzed during the development of two-kidney-two-clip (2k-2c) renovascular hypertension in the rat. Male Wistar rats were divided into four experimental groups: (1) clip Kt (ClKt) (n = 12)--A silver clip (0.25 mm width) was placed in each renal artery 3 days after beginning the administration of Kt (10 mg/kg/day) in the drinking water; (2) sham Kt (ShKt) (n = 13)--Similar to group 1, but the clips were placed in, and immediately removed from, the renal arteries; (3) untreated clip (UCl) (n = 10)--Similar to group 1, but the rats drank water; (4) untreated sham (USh) (n = 10)--Similar to group 2, but the rats drank water. Blood pressure (BP) was measured before surgery and was followed weekly for 7 weeks. At the end of this period, blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were obtained in all the animals. Plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma and CSF angiotensinogen concentration (AoC) were evaluated. The results have shown that Kt partially inhibited the increase in BP induced by bilateral renal ischemia (BP: UCl rats 180.5 +/- 12.4 versus ClKt rats 149.8 +/- 5.1 mm Hg; p less than 0.01; USh rats 116.7 +/- 3.7; ShKt rats 114.4 +/- 5.0 mm Hg). PRA was similar in hypertensive and control rats whether or not they had received Kt. AoC in plasma was decreased in clipped treated and untreated rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Inhibition of the enzymatic reaction of renin in aggressive mice.

Aggressive behaviour provokes a very high increase in plasma renin in aggressive male mice. We demonstrate that this occurs in mice with high as well as low concentrations of renin in the submaxillary glands, although the highest values were seen in the former. Plasma renin and angiotensinogen concentrations, as well as plasma renin activity, were measured before and after aggression. The theoretical plasma renin activity (generation rate of angiotensin l) was calculated from kinetic parameters and the renin and angiotensinogen concentrations. The Km (Michaelis constant) was 3 mumol/l and the kcat (turnover number) was 0.15/s for the reaction between pure submaxillary mouse renin and mouse angiotensinogen. The measured plasma renin activity was much lower than that calculated from both the kinetics and the fall in angiotensinogen concentration. The decrease in angiotensinogen in vivo was independent of the renin concentration. Intraperitoneally injected renin mimicked the aggression-provoked renin increase and resulted in better agreement between measured and calculated parameters. This indicates, that during aggression, the mouse can inhibit and control the renin-angiotensinogen reaction.

Converting enzyme inhibitor-induced changes of plasma angiotensinogen concentration in the rat

Chronic treatment with converting enzyme inhibitors induces a fall of plasma angiotensinogen concentration, which is thought to result from increased consumption by renin. As this explanation cannot account for all the observations, we reexamined this effect. Rats received captopril (50 mg/kg per day), enalapril (10 mg/kg per day) or Hoe 498 (1 mg/kg per day) for 7 days. Plasma angiotensinogen (by indirect assay) fell to 34, 37 and 43% of its initial values, respectively. Total immunoreactive angiotensinogen (by direct radioimmunoassay, which also measures des-AI-angiotensinogen) was 76, 70 and 95% of the initial values, respectively. This suggests that a major part of the fall of intact angiotensinogen can be attributed to increased cleavage by renin, but an additional factor is likely to be involved. Experiments with isolated hepatocytes indicated that converting enzyme inhibitors in high concentrations may have a direct effect on angiotensinogen secretion. Whether this can account for the fall in total immunoreactive angiotensinogen in vivo remain unclear.

Gestational Age and Renin Converting Enzyme and Kallikrein-Like Activity in Amniotic Fluid

Electrolytes, angiotensin-converting enzyme and kallikrein-like activity, renin activity, active and inactive renin and angiotensinogen concentrations were determined in amniotic fluid from normotenslve pregnant women during early (17–20 weeks) and late (35–40 weeks) stage of pregnancy.Sodium and protein concentrations were lower whilst potassium and creatinine were higher in late pregnancy. ACE activity was lower by 85% at late stage when compared to early stage. Active renin concentration and renin substrate decreased by 60% and 45% respectively in late pregnancy. Gestational age had no significant influence on renin activity, inactive renin concentration and the ratio total/active renin. Kallikrein activity was lower by 70% in late pregnancy. These results demonstrate that increasing gestational age is associated with consistant decreases in the concentration of most components of the renin-angiotensin system and in kallikrein activity

Distribution of renin activity and angiotensinogen in rat brain. Effects of dietary sodium chloride intake on brain renin.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the biochemistry and the regulation of the brain renin-angiotensin system in the Sprague-Dawley rat. Renin activity and angiotensinogen concentrations (direct and indirect radioimmunoassays) were measured in several brain areas and in neuroendocrine glands. Regional renin activities were measured in separate groups of rats on high and low NaCl diets. Mean tissue renin activities ranged from 2.2 +/- 0.6 to 54.4 +/- 19.7 fmol/mg protein per h (mean of 7 +/- SD), with the highest amounts in pineal, pituitary, and pons-medulla. NaCl depletion increased renin activity in selected regions; based on estimates of residual plasma contamination (despite perfusion of brains with saline), increased renin activity of pineal gland and posterior pituitary was attributed to higher plasma renin. To eliminate contamination by plasma renin, 16-h-nephrectomized rats were also studied. In anephric rats, NaCl depletion increased renin activity by 92% in olfactory bulbs and by 97% in anterior pituitary compared with NaCl-replete state. These elevations could not be accounted for by hyperreninemia. Brain renin activity was low and was unaffected by dietary NaCl in amygdala, hypothalamus, striatum, frontal cortex, and cerebellum. In contrast to renin, highest angiotensinogen concentrations were measured in hypothalamus and cerebellum. Overall, angiotensinogen measurements with the direct and the indirect assays were highly correlated (n = 56, r = 0.96, P less than 0.001). We conclude that (a) NaCl deprivation increases renin in olfactory bulbs and anterior pituitary of the rat, unrelated to contamination by plasma renin; and (b) the existence of angiotensinogen, the precursor of angiotensins, is demonstrated by direct radioimmunoassay throughout the brain and in neuroendocrine glands.