Salt-loaded Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats Research Articles

Taurine and magnesium supplementation enhances the function of endothelial progenitor cells through antioxidation in healthy men and spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Endothelial damage is repaired by endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which are pivotal in preventing cardiovascular diseases and prolonging lifespan. The WHO Cardiovascular Diseases and Alimentary Comparison Study demonstrated that dietary taurine and magnesium (Mg) intake suppresses cardiovascular diseases. We herein evaluate the effects of taurine and Mg supplementation on EPC function and oxidative stress in healthy men and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Healthy men received taurine (3 g per day) or Mg (340 mg per day) for 2 weeks. SHRs and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were housed with high-salt drinking water (1% NaCl). The SHRs received 3% taurine solution and/or a high-Mg (600 mg per 100 g) diet for 4 weeks. Their peripheral blood mononuclear cells were separated to quantify EPC colony formation. Oxidative stress markers in their peripheral blood were evaluated using a free radical analytical system and a thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) assay. Taurine and Mg supplementation significantly increased EPC colony numbers and significantly decreased free radical levels and TBARS scores in healthy men. Taurine and Mg supplementation significantly increased EPC colony numbers and significantly decreased TBARS scores and free radical levels in SHRs. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase component mRNA expression was significantly higher in the renal cortex of salt-loaded SHRs than in WKY rats, in which it was suppressed by taurine and Mg supplementation. Taurine and Mg supplementation increased EPC colony formation in healthy men and improved impaired EPC function in SHRs through antioxidation, indicating that the dietary intake of taurine and Mg may prolong lifespan by preventing the progression of cardiovascular diseases.

Early urinary biomarkers for renal tubular damage in spontaneously hypertensive rats on a high salt intake.

A high salt intake exacerbates hypertension and accelerates renal tubular damage in hypertensive patients. However, data concerning early biomarkers for renal tubular change induced by a high salt intake are limited. The objective of this study was to clarify the time course of new biomarkers for renal tubular damage during high salt intake in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Male SHR received a regular or high-salt diet from 9 to 17 weeks of age. At 10 weeks of age, a high salt intake caused renal tubular damage, which was further exacerbated at 17 weeks of age. Although albuminuria was detected in salt-loaded SHR at 14 weeks of age, urinary excretion of vanin-1 and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) was elevated in these animals from 10-17 weeks of age. However, kidney injury molecule-1 (Kim-1) was elevated at 15 weeks of age in salt-loaded SHR. These results suggest that urinary vanin-1 and NGAL are potentially early biomarkers for renal tubular damage in SHR under a high salt intake.

Abstract 499: Renal Endocannabinoids in Salt-Sensitive Hypertension of SHR

Recent evidence suggests that endocannabinoids (ECs) acting on two major cannabinoid receptors (CB 1 and CB 2 ) regulate blood pressure and cardiovascular and renal function in health and disease. However, there is no evidence of the role of ECs in the salt-induced renal damage in hypertensive subjects. In the present study we investigated changes in the content of two major ECs, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and anandamide ( N -arachidonoylethanolamine), and related functional changes in the kidneys of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) in response to increased dietary salt intake. Male SHRs were given an 8% salt diet (HS; n=7), while their age-matched controls (C; n=7) received standard chow for 5 weeks. ECs were measured by UPLC/MS-MS methods on Applied Biosystems Mass Spectrometry Systems. After 5 weeks on a high salt diet, renal 2-AG (4.29 ± 0.40 vs. 3.32 ± 0.17 ng/mg; p<0.05) but not anandamide (2.12 ± 0.17 vs. 2.27 ± 0.07 pg/mg) increased in the salt-loaded SHR. Dietary salt excess increased mean arterial pressure (203 ± 5 vs. 171 ± 7 mmHg; p<0.05), urinary protein excretion (159 ± 37 vs. 22 ± 2 mg/day), and significantly decreased renal blood flow measured by flow probe (2.93 ± 0.55 vs. 6.67 ± 0.56 ml/min/mg; p<0.05) and glomerular filtration rate assessed by creatinine clearance (1.15 ± 0.14 vs. 1.77 ± 0.08 ml/min; p<0.05). Our previous study showed a reduction in CB 1 receptor mRNA while CB 2 receptor gene expression was increased in the kidney of salt-loaded SHR. Together these results suggest that alterations in renal ECs may play a significant role in the development of renal injury due to high dietary salt intake.

Olmesartan Improves the Formation of Impaired Epcs and Renal Degeneration through Activation of the ACE2/Ang-(1–7)/Mas Receptor Axis in Shrs

Objective: We investigated the effects of angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 (AT1) receptor blocker (ARB) olmesartan on impaired endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and renal degeneration through angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)/ Ang-(1–7)/Mas receptor (MasR) axis in salt-loaded spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Methods: Wistar-Kyoto/Izm (WKY) rats and SHR/Izm were salt-loaded. SHRs were treated with vehicle, hydralazine, olmesartan, and olmesartan plus MasR antagonist A779 for 2 weeks. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and subjected to flow cytometric analysis to determine the number of circulating EPCs. To evaluate the mechanisms of effects of olmesartan on renal degeneration, we investigated morphological changes and expression of ACE1, ACE2, MasR, VEGF, eNOS, NAD(P)H oxidases, HIF-1α, CTGF and TGF-β1 proteins in the kidneys. Results: In SHRs, olmesartan was found to significantly increase EPC number and improve glomerulosclerosis; effects which were blunted with MasR antagonist A779. Expressions of CD34, P-eNOS, ACE2 and MasR proteins were significantly lower in SHR kidneys than in WKY rats. Olmesartan was found to significantly upregulate decreased expression of these proteins, this was blunted with A779. Expressions of VEGF, ACE1, NAD(P)H oxidases, HIF- 1α, CTGF and TGF-β1 were significantly higher in the kidneys of SHRs than in WKY rats. Olmesartan significantly downregulated their increased expression, an effect which was also blunted with A779. Conclusion: Olmesartan improved impaired EPC formation and renal degeneration through the ACE2/Ang-(1– 7)/MasR axis in salt-loaded SHRs, suggesting that the ACE2/Ang-(1–7)/MasR axis represents a potential target for hypertension.

Nebivolol reduces cardiac angiotensin II, associated oxidative stress and fibrosis but not arterial pressure in salt-loaded spontaneously hypertensive rats

Increased sympathetic outflow, renin-angiotensin system (RAS) activity, and oxidative stress are critical mechanisms underlying the adverse cardiovascular effects of dietary salt excess. Nebivolol is a third-generation, highly selective β1-receptor blocker with RAS-reducing effects and additional antioxidant properties. This study evaluated the hypothesis that nebivolol reduces salt-induced cardiac remodeling and dysfunction in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHRs) by suppressing cardiac RAS and oxidative stress. Male SHRs (8 weeks of age) were given an 8% high salt diet (HSD; n = 22), whereas their age-matched controls (n = 10) received standard chow. In a subgroup of HSD rats (n = 11), nebivolol was given at a dose of 10 mg/kg per day by gastric gavage. After 5 weeks, HSD exacerbated hypertension as well as increased left-ventricular weight and collagen deposition while impairing left-ventricular relaxation. Salt-induced cardiac remodeling and dysfunction were associated with increased plasma renin concentration (PRC), cardiac angiotensin II immunostaining, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)/ACE2 mRNA and activity ratio. HSD also increased cardiac 3-nitrotyrosine staining indicating enhanced oxidative stress. Nebivolol treatment did not alter the salt-induced increase in arterial pressure, left-ventricular weight, and cardiac dysfunction but reduced PRC, cardiac angiotensin II immunostaining, ACE/ACE2 ratio, oxidative stress, and fibrosis. Our data suggest that nebivolol, in a blood pressure-independent manner, ameliorated cardiac oxidative stress and associated fibrosis in salt-loaded SHRs. The beneficial effects of nebivolol may be attributed, at least in part, to the decreased ACE/ACE2 ratio and consequent reduction of cardiac angiotensin II levels.

High Salt Intake Accelerated Cardiac Remodeling in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats: Time Window of Left Ventricular Functional Transition and Its Relation to Salt-Loading Doses

Salt-loading is an accelerator of hypertensive left ventricular (LV) remodeling. The relationship between salt-loading doses and the time window in which a transition from compensated to decompensated LV hypertrophy occurs in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) is unclear. Eight-week-old male SHR and Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) were randomized to receive normal (0.5% NaCl) and high salt diets (4% or 8% NaCl) for 12 weeks. Left ventricular remodeling was dynamically determined by echocardiography. LV invasive hemodynamics and morphologic staining [collagen deposition, cardiomyocte hypertrophy, DNA damage (8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine, 8-OHdG) and apoptosis] were performed at time of sacrifice. Cardiac malonyldialdehyde (MDA) level was measured by ELISA. No differences between 4% and 8% salt diets, in terms of blood pressure (BP) levels, heart mass index, and myocardial fibrosis were observed either in SHR or in WKY. In high salt-loaded SHR, the LV ejection fraction and wall thickness peaked at 8 weeks after salt-loading, parallel with a progressive enlargement of the LV chamber size. Furthermore, when compared to 4% salt SHR, LV functions were significantly compromised in 8% salt SHR, accompanied by more prominent cardiomyoctye hypertrophy, oxidative stress (and related DNA damage), and apoptosis. Salt-loading for 12 weeks with 8% NaCl diet is more efficient to induce LV dysfunction than 4% NaCl diet does in SHR, possibly by initiating increased oxidative stress and resultant cardiac damage. Moreover, 8 to 12 weeks after 8% salt-loading is the key time window in which a transition from compensated to decompensated LV hypertrophy occurs.

Effects of salt loading and various therapies on cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in young spontaneously hypertensive rats

We investigated the effects of salt loading on blood pressure, cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis as well as on the effectiveness of various antihypertensive therapies in young spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Twenty-five male SHR were salt-stimulated by drinking 1% NaCl from 3 to 6 months of age. Eighteen of them were treated for the last 2 weeks of salt loading with either the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril, the β-adrenergic receptor blocker propranolol or the calcium-channel antagonist verapamil. Age-matched male Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and SHR drinking only water served as controls. At the age of 6 months, SHR had significantly elevated blood pressure that was unchanged by salt loading. Relative heart weight was increased in SHR without (3.3) and even more so with salt intake (3.6 vs. 2.4 in WKY). Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy was accompanied by a 17-fold increase in the expression of mRNA for atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) both in untreated and salt-loaded SHR compared to WKY ( p < 0.001). Collagen I and III mRNA increased 1.7–1.8-fold in SHR without and with additional salt intake ( p < 0.01). None of the therapies significantly reduced blood pressure or hypertrophy. Although captopril had no antihypertensive effect, it reduced ANF, collagen I and III mRNA in LV to control level. Less pronounced effects were achieved with verapamil. These findings emphasize the cardioprotective role of captopril which may not be fully expressed in the presence of elevated salt intake.

Myocardial fibrosis, impaired coronary hemodynamics, and biventricular dysfunction in salt-loaded SHR

Arterial pressure in most experimental and clinical hypertensions is exacerbated by salt. The effects of salt excess on right and left ventricular (RV and LV, respectively) functions and their respective coronary vasodilatory responses have been less explored. We therefore examined the effects of 8 wk of NaCl excess (8% in food) on arterial pressure, RV and LV functions (maximal rate of increase and decrease of ventricular pressure; dP/dt(max) and dP/dt(min)), coronary hemodynamics (microspheres), and collagen content (hydroxyproline assay and collagen volume fraction) in young adult normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), aged 16 wk by the end of the study. Prolonged salt excess in WKY and SHR elevated pressure only modestly, but it markedly increased LV mass, especially in SHR. Moreover, salt excess significantly impaired RV and LV diastolic function in SHR but only LV diastolic function in WKY rats. However, salt loading affected neither RV nor LV contractile function in both strains. Interstitial and perivascular collagen deposition was increased, whereas coronary vasodilatory responses to dipyridamole diminished in both ventricles in the salt-loaded SHR but not in WKY rats. Therefore, accumulation of ventricular collagen as well as altered myocardial perfusion importantly contributed to the development of salt-related RV and LV dysfunctions in this model of naturally occurring hypertension. The unique effects of salt loading on both ventricles in SHR, but not WKY rats, strongly suggest that nonhemodynamic mechanisms in hypertensive disease participate pathophysiologically with salt-loading hypertension. These findings point to the conclusion that the concept of "salt sensitivity" in hypertension is far more complex than simply its effects on arterial pressure or the LV.

Effects of salt-loading on membrane potentials in mesenteric arteries of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Although salt intake and blood pressure are correlated, with hypertensives tending to exhibit higher blood pressure sensitivity to salt than normotensives, the precise mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear. This study aimed to determine whether salt-loading affects arterial membrane properties of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). SHR and age-matched Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) received either an 8% high salt diet or standard rat chow from 6 to 16 wk of age. Systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in salt-loaded SHR than in control SHR (267+/-7 vs. 235 +/- 5 mmHg, p < 0.05). The membrane potential of isolated conduit and resistance arteries of the superior mesenteric vascular bed, measured with microelectrodes, was less negative in salt-loaded SHR than in control SHR or salt-loaded WKY (conduit arteries, -39.9 +/- 0.3 vs. -44.5 +/- 0.4 or -47.4 +/- 0.4 mV, respectively, p < 0.05 for each; resistance arteries, -55.5 +/- 0.5 vs. -62.5 +/- 0.5 or -67.0 +/- 0.5 mV, respectively, p < 0.05 for each). Furthermore, conduit arteries of salt-loaded SHR exhibited spontaneous electrical activity (4-13 mV, 1-3/min), which was sensitive to ONO-3708, a thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 receptor antagonist. These findings suggest that salt-loading in SHR leads to a membrane depolarization in both conduit and resistance arteries, as well as to spontaneous electrical activity, presumably mediated by eicosanoids, in conduit arteries. These alterations in membrane properties might contribute to the exacerbation of hypertension and/or the target organ damage after salt loading in SHR.

Effects of OPC-21268, a vasopressin V1-receptor antagonist, on expression of growth factors from glomeruli in spontaneously hypertensive rats

To assess the chronic in vivo effects of OPC-21268, a vasopressin-V1 receptor antagonist, on renal injury, we investigated the mRNA expressions of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) B-chain, transforming growth factor (TGF)- β1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the glomeruli of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) treated with OPC-21268 for 3 weeks. SHR aged 10 weeks were given 2% NaCl in drinking water for 3 weeks. The OPC group was fed a 0.5% OPC-21268-containing diet for 3 weeks and the control group was given a normal diet. There were no significant changes in the time course of systolic blood pressure, heart rate, urine volume, or urinary sodium, protein and N-acetyl- β-glucosaminidase (NAG) excretion between the two groups. Serum electrolytes, protein and creatinine levels also did not differ between the groups. The mRNA expressions of PDGF B-chain, TGF- β1 and PCNA in the glomerulus were examined using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods. The mRNA expressions of PDGF B-chain and PCNA among these were significantly suppressed in the OPC group. No significant differences in renal histology including the organ weights were found between the two groups; however, the glomerular size tended to be enlarged in the OPC group. These findings suggest that chronic V1-receptor blockade directly inhibits the glomerular proliferative injury of salt-loaded SHR at the established hypertension stage.

Effects of Novel, Nonpeptide Vasopressin Antagonists on Progressive Nephrosclerosis in Rats

Effects of novel, nonpeptide vasopressin V1 and V2 receptor antagonists on partially nephrectomized and salt-loaded spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), which develop severe hypertension and progressive nephrosclerosis, were investigated. SHR were 5/6-nephrectomized and fed a high salt diet. The rats were divided into four groups: group 1 was an untreated control, group 2 received the V1 antagonist OPC-21268, group 3 received the V2 antagonist OPC-31260, and group 4 received both the V1 and V2 antagonists. The V1 antagonist alone or combined with the V2 antagonist significantly decreased the increase in blood pressure (BP) of groups 2 and 4 rats, but the V2 antagonist alone did not reduce the increase in BP of the group 3 rats. The V2 antagonist alone or combined with the V1 antagonist induced a significant diuresis of rats in groups 3 and 4. The increase in urinary protein excretion and the progression of renal hyaline arteriolosclerosis were attenuated by the V1 antagonist with or without the V2 antagonist in rats in groups 2 and 4, but not by the V2 antagonist alone in rats in group 3. This implies that the progressive nephrosclerosis in SHR with partial renoablation and salt-loading was associated with V1 agonism.

Effect of a calcium antagonist on renal hemodynamics in salt-loaded spontaneously hypertensive rats.

In the present study, we investigated the change in renal hemodynamics induced by a calcium antagonist in young (6 week-old) spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), a salt-sensitive hypertensive model. In acute experiments, SHR were fed either a 0.66% or 8.0% NaCl diet for 4 weeks. In acute experiments, manidipine, a calcium antagonist, was administered in a bolus dose of 10 microg/kg. In chronic experiments, SHR were fed a 0.66% NaCl, 0.66% NaCl plus 0.05% manidipine, 8.0% NaCl or 8.0% NaCl plus 0.05% manidipine diet for 4 weeks. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and renal blood flow (RBF) were measured. Salt loading increased MAP in young SHR. Acute administration of manidipine decreased MAP more in salt-loaded SHR compared to non-salt-loaded SHR (-43.3 +/- 3.1 vs. -18.6 +/- 2.1 mmHg: p < 0.01). Moreover, chronic administration of manidipine attenuated the rise in MAP in salt-loaded SHR (155 +/- 3 mmHg vs. 196 +/- 5 mmHg; p < 0.01) and less so in non-salt-loaded SHR (150 +/-2 mmHg vs. 160 +/- 3 mmHg; p < 0.01). Salt loading elevated renal vascular resistance (RVR) but changed neither RBF nor GFR. The acute- and chronic-administration of manidipine increased RBF (Acute; +0.77 +/- 0.22 ml/min/g kidney: p < 0.05, Chronic; 4.32 +/- 0.29 vs. 5.50 +/- 0.90 ml/min/g kidney: p < 0.01) in non-salt-loaded SHR, which was greater in salt-loaded SHR (Acute; +2.19 +/- 0.52 ml/min/g kidney: p 0.05 vs. non-salt-loaded SHR, Chronic; 4.29 +/- 0.53 vs. 6.09 +/- 1.41 ml/min/g kidney: p < 0.01) Manidipine also decreased RVR (Acute; -10.2 +/- 2.2 mmHg/ml/min/g kidney: p < 0.01, Chronic; 35.3 +/- 1.6 vs. 27.3 +/- 4.1 mmHg/ml/min/g kidney: p < 0.01) in non-salt-loaded SHR, which was greater in salt-loaded SHR (Acute; -21.1 +/- 3.1 mmHg/ml/min/g kidney: p < 0.01 vs. non-salt-loaded SHR, Chronic; 44.9 +/- 2.6 vs. 27.6 +/- 4.1 mmHg/ml/min/g kidney: p < 0.01). GFR did not change significantly following manidipine. It is suggested that the antihypertensive effect of the calcium antagonist, manidipine, was greater in salt-loaded SHR and was accompanied by profound amelioration of the abnormal renal hemodynamics.

Involvement of the sympathetic nervous system in antihypertensive effect of cicletanine in salt-loaded young spontaneously hypertensive rats.

We examined the role of the sympathetic nervous system in the antihypertensive effect of long-term (4-week) administration of cicletanine (50 mg/100 g in diet) in young (6 week-old) spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) fed an 8.0% salt-containing diet. Salt loading accelerated the development of hypertension in young SHR (mean blood pressure [BP]: 158 +/- 3 v 196 +/- 5 mm Hg, P < .01). Although cicletanine did not affect mean BP in non-salt-loaded SHR, it reversed salt-induced hypertension (155 +/- 3 mm Hg, P < .01). Salt loading elevated plasma norepinephrine (NE) (246 +/- 16 v 451 +/- 87 pg/mL, P < .05) but simultaneous administration of cicletanine inhibited the increase in plasma NE with salt loading (234 +/- 12 pg/mL, P < .01). Hexamethonium, a ganglionic blocking agent, produced a greater hypotensive effect in salt-loaded than in non-salt-loaded SHR (-40 +/- 4 v -78 +/- 4 mm Hg, P < .01). In salt-loaded SHR with cicletanine, however, the hypotensive effect of hexamethonium was suppressed compared with salt-loaded SHR without cicletanine (-52 +/- 4 mm Hg, P < .01). Both plasma NE (r = 0.608, P < .01) and decrease in mean BP with hexamethonium (r = -0.798, P < .01) correlated with baseline mean BP. Thus, cicletanine inhibited the salt-induced rise in mean BP of young SHR, possibly through the suppression of enhanced sympathetic nerve activity.

High-calcium diet prevents salt-induced hypertension and impairment of renal hemodynamics in young spontaneously hypertensive rats.

We studied the effects of a high Ca (4.07%) diet on mean arterial pressure (MAP) and renal hemodynamics in young (6 weeks) spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) fed a normal (0.66%) or a high-salt (8.00%) diet for 4 weeks. The high-salt diet accelerated development of hypertension (213 +/- 5 vs. 159 +/- 2 mm Hg, p < 0.01) and increased renal vascular resistance (RVR) (26.4 +/- 2.3 vs. 18.2 +/- 1.2 U, p < 0.01) in young SHR. Simultaneous Ca supplementation prevented the salt-induced increase in MAP (158 +/- 3 mm Hg, p < 0.01) and in RVR (17.3 +/- 1.1 U, p < 0.01). The high-Ca diet did not affect MAP (151 +/- 3 mm Hg, NS) and RVR (17.4 +/- 1.3 U, NS) in young SHR fed a normal salt diet. RVR and MAP were positively correlated in all rats (r = 0.634, n = 38, p < 0.001). The high-Ca diet also prevented salt-induced left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy. Dietary Ca supplementation attenuated the increased salt sensitivity of arterial pressure, possibly by normalizing renal hemodynamics, in salt-loaded young SHR.

Role of hypothalamic-renal noradrenergic systems in hypotensive action of potassium.

To clarify the role of the renal and hypothalamic noradrenergic systems in the antihypertensive actions of dietary potassium supplementation in salt-loaded spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), we measured systolic blood pressure and norepinephrine turnover, which was determined from the rate of decline of tissue norepinephrine concentration after the administration of alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine, in 5-week-old SHR or age-matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats eating normal-NaCl (0.66%) or high-NaCl (8%) diet with supplementation of 8% KCl. In WKY rats, neither high-sodium nor high-potassium diets had an effect on blood pressure with no change in renal or hypothalamic norepinephrine turnover. In SHR, however, salt loading accelerated the development of hypertension. Potassium supplementation did not affect blood pressure in normal-sodium SHR but attenuated the rise in blood pressure with salt loads. Correspondingly, renal norepinephrine turnover in SHR was increased compared with that of WKY rats, and salt loading further potentiated the increased turnover in the kidney; however, no changes in hypothalamic turnover occurred. Potassium supplementation attenuated the rise in blood pressure with salt loads and the increased renal turnover. Stimulation of sympathetic discharge by cold exposure after the administration of alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine produced marked depletion of norepinephrine in most tissues. The loss of norepinephrine was significantly greater in both kidney and hypothalamus of salt-loaded SHR than in those of normal-sodium SHR, but potassium could normalize this. Thus, potassium not only diminished the increased renal norepinephrine turnover in the kidney under normal conditions but also attenuated the augmented renal and hypothalamic norepinephrine turnover by cold stress in salt-loaded SHR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cerebrospinal fluid sodium and enhanced hypertension in salt-loaded spontaneously hypertensive rats

The present study was designed to determine whether increases in sodium concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) play a role in the augmented hypertension induced by long-term salt loading in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), and whether the enhanced arginine vasopressin (AVP) activity and/or the sympathetic nervous system contribute to the increased hypertension. Measurement of CSF sodium concentration and systolic blood pressure of SHR during salt loading, with or without uninephrectomy, for 7 weeks. Assessment of the hypotensive response to AVP antagonist and hexamethonium, and the plasma levels of AVP and catecholamines. Salt-loading for 7 weeks led to gradual increase in hypertension in SHR. CSF sodium in the SHR was increased by a combination of uninephrectomy and saline-drinking after 7 weeks, but not 3 weeks. The difference in mean arterial pressure (MAP) among the three groups of SHR disappeared after the combined blockade of AVP and sympathetic nervous function. CSF sodium correlated with both resting MAP and the fall in MAP induced by the combined administration of AVP antagonist and hexamethonium. Plasma levels of AVP were significantly elevated in the salt-loaded uninephrectomized SHR. Plasma catecholamines did not change significantly as a result of treatment. We tentatively conclude that chronic salt loading may lead to an increase in CSF sodium, in association with an enhancement of sympathetic nerve activity and, to some extent, of AVP release. These events may explain the augmented development of hypertension in SHR.

Blood pressure and tubuloglomerular feedback mechanism in chronically salt-loaded spontaneously hypertensive rats

Experiments were performed to qualitatively characterize the effects of tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) inhibition by chronic salt loading on salt sensitivity of blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). After two weeks of salt loading, systolic blood pressure (SBP) was significantly exacerbated and plasma volume (PV) was expanded in salt-loaded SHR compared with those in control SHR (SBP: 182 +/- 1 vs. 159 +/- 2 mm Hg; PV: 4.38 +/- 0.06 vs. 4.04 +/- 0.03 ml/100 g body wt, respectively). Plasma volume of WKY was also but only transiently expanded by salt loading, whereas plasma volume expansion in SHR had persisted over the entire dietary treatment period. TGF activity was assessed as the maximal reduction of single nephron GFR (SNGFR) on increasing loop of Henle perfusion rate from 0 to 40 nl/min using previously collected tubular fluid from salt-loaded rats (TFs) or control rats (TFc). Maximal TGF response in salt-loaded SHR with TFs was 14.9 +/- 2.9% and 57.8 +/- 2.6% with TFc. In control SHR the responses were 16.9 +/- 2.5% with TFs and 52.7 +/- 2.9% with TFc. In salt-loaded WKY the response with TFs were 3.1 +/- 1.6% and 37.4 +/- 2.8% with TFc. And in control WKY, the response with TFs were 8.2 +/- 1.9% and 40.8 +/- 2.8% with TFc, respectively. These results indicate the TGF resetting in chronically salt-loaded SHR and WKY is caused by the activation of humoral TGF inhibitory factor. The suppression of TGF in SHR was, however, far more variable and, on average, less than in WKY.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antihypertensive property of a novel uricosuric diuretic, S‐8666, in rats

AbstractThe antihypertensive, diuretic, and toxicological effects of S‐8666 were studied in rats. At doses of more than 60 mg/kg/day, p.o., S‐8666 was antihypertensive in DOCA‐salt hypertensive rats with a potency corresponding to 1/20 of that of trichlormethiazide. The antihypertensive effect was dose‐dependent, and, at the higher doses, S‐8666 had a more potent depressor effect than trichlormethiazide. The antihypertensive activity of S‐8666 was shown predominantly by the S‐(−)‐enantiomer, with the R‐(+)‐enantiomer being only slightly active. A similar dose‐dependent antihypertensive effect was shown by furosemide, tienilic acid, or indacrinone, but the therapeutic index (LD50/minimum effective dose) of S‐8666 was the highest among them. The acute diuretic and natriuretic effects of S‐8666 after oral administration of 60–200 mg/kg to DOCA‐salt hypertensive rats correlated well with its antihypertensive effect, although such diuretic and natriuretic effects in normotensive rats had no effect on blood pressure. S‐8666, like trichlormethiazide, showed a prophylactic effect on the development of hypertension in DOCA‐salt hypertensive rats, salt‐loaded spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), and salt‐loaded Dahl‐S rats, though it was much less potent. Moreover, the combination of S‐8666 with captopril in SHR enhanced the depressor effect of captopril like hydrochlorothiazide. These results indicate that S‐8666 can be an effective nonthiazide diuretic for use as an antihypertensive agent.

Effect of salt-loading on erythrocyte deformability in spontaneously hypertensive and Wistar-Kyoto rats

Effects of salt-loading on erythrocyte and erythrocyte ghost deformabilities were measured by laser diffractometry using a flat cell and a helium-neon laser in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Salt-loading did not affect the derormability of erythrocytes in SHR and WKY, although a significantly reduced deformability was observed in salt-loaded SHR compared with values in control WKY and salt-loaded WKY (p< 0.05, p< 0.05, respectively). In contrast, salt-loading significantly reduced the deformability of erhthrocyte ghosts in WKY and SHR (p < 0.05, p< 0.05, respectively). Our results suggest that salt-loading reduces erythrocyte membrane viscoelasticity in both WKY and SHR, and that the observed reduction of ghost deformability induced by salt-loading may influence the peripheral circulation.

Central and peripheral mechanisms of the enhanced hypertension following long-term salt loading in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

We evaluated whether or not increased sodium (Na) concentrations of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and stimulated activities of brain renin-angiotensin system (RAS) contribute to an enhanced hypertension by salt overload in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Long-term salt loading (1% NaCl solution as drinking fluid) accelerated the development of hypertension in SHR, but did not alter the blood pressure (BP) in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). CSF Na concentration was elevated in uninephrectomized (Nx) group as compared to that in control SHR, while in WKY CSF Na was not influenced by the treatment. A fall in BP by intravenous AVP antagonist or hexamethonium was greater in salt-loaded SHR than in controls. This hypotensive response to the combined blockade of AVP and SNS correlated with CSF Na in SHR but not in WKY. Plasma concentration of AVP and epinephrine tended to increase in relation to the degree of salt loading in SHR but not in WKY. Pressor responses to intracerebroventricular (ICV) angiotensin II (AII) and NaCl were greater in SHR than in WKY, although these responses were not influenced by chronic salt load in either SHR or WKY. The enhanced hypertensive action of ICV NaCl in SHR was abolished by pretreatment with ICV AII antagonist. Chronic saline drinking enhanced the depressor effect of ICV captopril in SHR but not in WKY. These observations suggest that salt overload in SHR may cause an elevated CSF Na concentration and an enhanced activity of brain RAS, which may increase activity of SNS and release of AVP, resulting in an enhanced development of hypertension.