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Biomedical subjects

M Nakamaru

Publications and source records attributed to M Nakamaru.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Responses of active and inactive plasma renin to insulin-induced hypoglycemia in normal subjects.

To examine the in vivo activation mechanism for the conversion of inactive to active renin in human plasma, we measured active, inactive and total plasma renin activity during an insulin tolerance test in normal subjects. Total renin was measured after trypsin activation of inactive renin. Inactive renin was calculated as the difference between total and active renin. With a decrease in the blood glucose level from 92 +/- 8 to 22 +/- 6 mg/dl (p less than 0.01), active renin increased significantly (p less than 0.01) from the basal level of 1.9 +/- 0.6 to 6.0 +/- 1.9 ng/ml.hr at 60 min after insulin injection. Total renin increased and inactive renin decreased slightly, but the changes were not statistically significant. The ratio of active to total renin showed a significant increase (p less than 0.01) at 60 min. These results suggest that stimulation of the endogenous sympathetic nervous system is involved in the in vivo activation of inactive renin.

Adult↗

Effect of captopril on renal vascular resistance, renin, prostaglandins and kinin in the isolated perfused kidney.

Vasodilatory and natriuretic effects of captopril were studied in the isolated hog kidney perfused with modified Krebs-Ringer solution. Renal arterial infusion of captopril caused increases in releases of renin, prostaglandins (PGE2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and PGF2 alpha) and kinin, and was accompanied by a decrease in the renal vascular resistance and an increase in urinary sodium excretion. Indomethacin administered with captopril diminished the saluretic effect of captopril and evoked an increase in kinin, but was associated with a marked decrease in prostaglandin and renin releases, while renal vascular resistance remained decreased. Indomethacin alone did not alter vascular resistance and kinin; however, renin and prostaglandin releases were decreased. Aprotinin administered with captopril showed a decrease in releases of prostaglandins, renin and kinin without any change in vascular resistance. These results suggest that increased release of kinin induced by captopril contributes to a reduction in renal vascular resistance. Increased prostaglandin release after captopril administration may be caused by an increase in kinin without direct involvement of captopril in prostaglandin synthesis. Renal prostaglandins may enhance sodium excretion and mediate renin secretion in captopril perfusion.

Animals↗

Levels of plasma 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in normotensive and essential hypertensive males with and without a family history of hypertension.

Prostacyclin may act physiologically as an antihypertensive hormone. It remains uncertain, however, whether prostacyclin may be involved in the etiology of primary hypertension. As an index of prostacyclin production, we measured the levels of venous plasma 6-keto-PGF1 alpha by specific radioimmunoassay after silicic acid column chromatographic purification in 31 normotensive and 36 hypertensive males. The subjects were grouped according to the presence or absence of a family history of hypertension, and matched for age and blood pressure. Levels of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in normotensive males with a family history of hypertension (12.0 +/- 1.7 pg/ml; mean +/- SEM; n = 18) were lower than in normotensive males without a family history of hypertension (17.7 +/- 2.0 pg/ml; n = 13) (p less than 0.01). Levels of plasma 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in hypertensive males with a family history of hypertension (10.2 +/- 1.2 pg/ml; n = 15) were lower than in hypertensive males without a family history of hypertension (20.5 +/- 1.5 pg/ml; n = 21) (p less than 0.005). The levels of plasma 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in males with a family history of hypertension may be decreased genetically. The decrease in production of prostacyclin in males with a family history of hypertension may be a factor in the etiology of hypertension.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

Plasma inactive renin in patients with hyperthyroidism.

Active and inactive PRA were measured after 1 h at rest in 16 normal controls and 20 patients with hyperthyroidism. In some of the patients these measurements were repeated after they had become euthyroid or received 90 mg propranolol for 1 week. Inactive PRA was determined as the difference between total PRA after trypsin activation and active PRA. Active PRA was significantly higher (P less than 0.01) in untreated patients than in normal subjects; however, the inactive PRA of patients was not different compared with that of normal subjects. Active PRA was normalized, and inactive PRA did not change after achievement of euthyroidism. The proportion of active of total PRA was significantly correlated with the levels of serum thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) in hyperthyroid patients (r = 0.46; P less than 0.05 and r = 0.55; P less than 0.01, respectively). The administration of propranolol reduced active PRA (P less than 0.05) and increased inactive PRA slightly but not significantly. These results indicate that in hyperthyroidism, the in vivo conversion of inactive renin to active renin is probably facilitated by increased sympathetic activity.

Adult↗

Effect of aging on 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels in normotensive and essential hypertensive males.

Prostacyclin (PGI2) is produced in the vessel wall and acts as a vasodilator hormone. Measurement of plasma 6-keto-PGF1 alpha is considered to be an index of PGI2 production. In the present study the effects of aging on the plasma 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels were studied in 64 normotensive and 48 essential hypertensive males. The subjects were divided into 3 groups, i.e., young (24-39 years), middle-aged (40-55 years) and elderly (over 56 years) groups. Plasma 6-keto-PGF1 alpha was measured by specific radioimmunoassay after silicic acid column chromatographic purification. The 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels were lower in elderly normotensive males (10.3 +/- 1.4 pg/ml, mean +/- SE, n = 12) than in normotensive young males (15.3 +/- 2.3, n = 30, p less than 0.05). The plasma 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels in hypertensive elderly males (10.6 +/- 1.3 pg/ml, n = 10) is lower than in hypertensive young males (19.8 +/- 2.2, n = 17, p less than 0.01). These results indicate that the plasma 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels decreased with age in both normotensive and hypertensive groups. Thus, PGI2 production may decrease with age.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

Plasma inactive renin in diabetic patients with neuropathy: a role for the sympathetic nervous system in the conversion in vivo of inactive renin.

Plasma levels of active and trypsin-activatable inactive renin and catecholamines were measured in 6 diabetic patients with neuropathy (group 1), 8 diabetic patients without neuropathy (group 2) and 8 age-matched normal subjects. The effect of insulin administration on plasma active and inactive renin and plasma catecholamine levels in diabetic patients was also investigated. The levels of inactive renin were calculated as the difference between the levels of total renin after trypsin activation and those of active renin. The levels of plasma catecholamines were determined by the trihydroxyindole method. The levels of active renin were significantly lower and inactive renin was increased slightly in group 1 when compared with controls. Group 1 showed a significant reduction in plasma norepinephrine levels. Group 2 showed slightly reduced active renin, normal inactive renin and normal norepinephrine values. There was no significant difference in the levels of epinephrine between the 3 groups. After insulin injection, active renin levels were increased in groups 1 and 2. The mean increment in active renin levels was less in group 1 than in group 2. Inactive renin levels were slightly decreased in both groups. Significant increases in epinephrine and norepinephrine levels were observed following insulin administration. The mean increment in norepinephrine levels was less in group 1 than in group 2. There was a positive correlation between the mean increment in active renin and in norepinephrine levels in diabetic patients. These results suggest that the impaired conversion of inactive renin into an active form is responsible in part for the low levels of active renin in diabetics with neuropathy.

Diabetes Mellitus↗

Effect of prostacyclin infusion on active and inactive renin release in the isolated perfused kidney.

The effect of prostacyclin infusion into the renal artery of the isolated perfused hog kidney on the release of active and inactive renin was investigated. Infusion of prostacyclin at a rate of 0.1 microgram/min resulted in a significant increase (p less than 0.01) in active renin and a significant fall (p less than 0.01) in inactive renin. Prostacyclin also increased urinary kallikrein excretion (p less than 0.05). The results indicate that the kidney secretes not only active renin but also inactive renin, and suggest that prostacyclin stimulates the conversion of inactive renin to the active form through the activation of the renal kallikrein system.

Animals↗

Effect of three angiotensin II antagonists, [Sar1, Thr8]-, [Sar1, Ile8]- and [Sar1, Ala8]angiotensin II on blood pressure and endocrine factors in normal subjects.

The biological effects of 1-Sarcosine, 8-Threonine angiotensin II ([Sar1, Thr8]ANG II) on blood pressure, plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and plasma renin activity (PRA) were investigated in six normal subjects on an unrestricted diet, and compared with those of 1-Sarcosine, 8-Isoleucine ANG II ([Sar1, Ile8]ANG II) and 1-Sarcosine, 8-Alanine ANG II ([Sar1, Ala8]ANG II). All three ANG II analogues (AIIA) showed agonistic pressor activity, that of [Sar1, Ile8]ANG II being greater than that of [Sar1, Thr8]ANG II or [Sar1, Ala8]ANG II. The antagonistic effect of [Sar1, Thr8]ANG II on blood pressure was less than [Sar1, I1e8]ANG II or [Sar1, Ala8]ANG II. Both [Sar1, Ile8]ANG II and [Sar1, Ala8]ANG II increased PAC and blocked the steroidogenic action of ANG II, while [Sar1, Thr8]ANG II showed little effect on PAC. All three AIIA caused similar suppression of PRA and showed no inhibitory effect on the decrease in PRA produced by ANG II. These results indicate that [Sar1, Thr8]ANG II is an AIIA with weak agonistic pressor action and that it has vascular selective properties. It is also suggested that ANG II receptors in a variety of target organs are heterogeneous.

1-Sarcosine-8-Isoleucine Angiotensin II↗

Responses of active and inactive plasma renin and changes in urinary kallikrein and plasma prekallikrein to various conditions in normal subjects.

Little is known about changes in inactive plasma renin in various conditions or the in vivo activation mechanism of inactive renin. The effects of various factors known to stimulate or suppress renin release on active and inactive PRA were examined in normal subjects. Inactive PRA was determined as the difference between the total PRA after trypsin activation and active PRA. Concurrent measurements of urinary kallikrein excretion and plasma prekallikrein activity were performed to assess the possible role of renal or plasma kallikrein in in vivo activation of inactive renin. Short term stimulation with iv furosemide and ambulation, infusion of isoproterenol, and administration of captopril increased active PRA, but had little or no effect on inactive PRA. Sodium restriction and sodium loading, each for 4 days, induced parallel changes in active and inactive PRA. The administration of propranolol for 4 days decreased active PRA but did not change inactive PRA. There were no significant correlations between the changes in urinary kallikrein excretion and those in active PRA or in the proportion of active to total PRA after any short term treatments, except furosemide administration. Plasma prekallikrein activity was correlated with the proportion of active renin only during the long term sodium balance study. The present data suggest that the mechanisms ofr the control of inactive and active renin are different. Neither renal nor plasma kallikrein seems to be consistently involved in the in vivo activation of inactive renin.

Adult↗

The seasonal variation of blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension.

We examined the role of dietary electrolytes and humoral factors in causing seasonal changes in blood pressure. Normal subjects had no seasonal difference in blood pressure, although urinary sodium and norepinephrine were significantly higher in winter than in summer. In patients with essential hypertension blood pressure, urinary sodium and norepinephrine excretion and plasma norepinephrine concentration were significantly higher in winter. Plasma renin activity, plasma and urinary aldosterone and urinary kallikrein excretion were not significantly different between the two seasons in both normal subjects and hypertensive patients. In conclusions, the blood pressure of patients with essential hypertension has a seasonal variation with higher pressures in the winter than in the summer. Increased sympathetic nervous activity and an increased load of sodium presented to the kidney for excretion may be contributing factors in the rise in blood pressure in winter in patients with essential hypertension.

Adult↗

Release of prostaglandin I2 from hog kidney by propranolol.

Prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) decreases blood pressure. Perfusion of isolated hog kidney by propranolol in modified Krebs-Ringer solution resulted in a significant increase in 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, the major metabolite of PGI2. Prostaglandin E2 and renin activity remained unchanged. Because the concentration of PGI2-like substance in the renal vein has been shown to be greater than in the renal artery after bradykinin infusion, a contribution of PGI2 to the regulation of blood pressure was proposed. Isoproterenol has been shown to augment urinary kallikrein, but the effect of urinary kallikrein on propranolol is unclear. With a modified Krebs-Ringer solution free of plasma kininogen, a renin substrate, it was concluded that propranolol (1) induces PGI2 release from the kidney, which may contribute to a direct antihypertensive action of this beta-adrenergic blocking agent, and (2) decreases urinary kallikrein.

Animals↗

Hormonal responses to long-term converting enzyme inhibition in hypertensive patients.

Captopril was given alone and in combination with diuretics to 49 patients with hypertension for 1 to 12 mol Within 2 mo blood pressure reduction correlated with pretreatment plasma renin activity and response to the infusion of angiotensin II antagonist, but these effects were not present at 4 mo. Plasma and urinary aldosterone were suppressed but serum converting enzyme activity, plasma bradykinin, kallikren, and prostaglandins (E and F) were in the normal range effect of captopril. Despite sustained reduction of blood pressure, plasma catecholamines were not elevated and urinary catecholamines were suppressed in patients on captopril alone. It is concluded that another mechanism, such as enhancement of renal or local kinin-prostaglandin system, as well as suppression of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system may be involved in the long-term efficacy of captopril. Sympathetic activity may also be depressed and contribute to the hypotensive effect.

Adolescent↗