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Biomedical subjects

S Oparil

Publications and source records attributed to S Oparil.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

The use of complementary peptides in the purification of an angiotensin II binding protein.

We used the molecular recognition hypothesis, that peptide ligands and their receptor binding sites are encoded by complementary nucleotide sequences, to purify an angiotensin II (Ang II) binding protein. The complementary peptide IIA (Lys-Gly-Val-Asp-Val-Tyr-Ala-Val) specified by the RNA sequence complementary to the messenger (m)RNA sequence for rat Ang II was synthesized, purified and used to raise polyclonal antibodies. Complementary peptide IIA specifically inhibited the binding of 125I-Ang II to receptors on rat adrenal membranes, and anti-IIA immunoglobulin G (IgG) specifically inhibited the binding of 125I-Ang II to rat adrenal Ang II receptors and Ang II-dependent aldosterone secretion by cultured rat adrenal cells, suggesting that the antibody recognizes the Ang II receptor. Anti-IIA IgG was used for immuno-affinity purification, from a rat adrenal membrane preparation of an Ang II binding protein with a molecular weight of 66,000 +/- 2000 that bound 125I-Ang II specifically. This is the first report of purification of an Ang II receptor binding protein which retains its capacity to specifically bind 125I-Ang II.

Adrenal Glands↗

Enhanced cold pressor response in spontaneously hypertensive rats on high-NaCl diet.

This study sought to determine whether spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) on a high-NaCl diet have an enhanced pressor response to acute cold exposure and to define the peripheral mechanisms involved in the enhanced pressor response. SHR and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats that had been on 1 and 8% NaCl diets for 3 wk were subjected to cold exposure. After a 30-min control period, animals were exposed to cold (6 +/- 2 degrees C) for 90 min. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and lumbar sympathetic nerve activity (LSNA) were measured continuously. In a separate group of SHR on 1 and 8% NaCl diets, an arginine vasopressin (AVP) V1 receptor antagonist (10 micrograms/kg iv) was given before cold exposure, and MAP was measured throughout cold exposure. Plasma AVP was measured before and during cold exposure in a separate group of SHR. During cold exposure, there was a significant increase (P less than 0.05) in MAP (25 mmHg) in SHR on the 8% NaCl diet only. In contrast, HR and LSNA increased similarly during cold exposure in both SHR and WKY on the two diets. AVP was similar in both SHR groups (7.1 pg/ml for 1% vs. 6.1 pg/ml for 8%) before cold exposure, but during cold exposure it increased in the 8% NaCl SHR only, reaching 17.6 pg/ml at 90 min. The AVP V1 antagonist completely abolished the cold stress-induced rise in MAP in SHR. Thus SHR on a high-NaCl diet have an enhanced pressor response to acute cold exposure compared with SHR on a normal NaCl diet.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Altered angiotensin-converting enzyme in lung and extrapulmonary tissues of hypoxia-adapted rats.

The effects of exposing rats to hypoxia (10% O2) at normal atmospheric pressure for periods of 14 or 28 days on angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity and stores of angiotensin I (ANG I) and angiotensin II (ANG II) in lung, kidney, brain, and testis were examined. ACE activity was measured by spectrophotometric assay, and active sites of ACE were estimated by measuring the binding of 125I-351A [N-(1-carbonyl-3-phenyl-propyl)-L-lysyl-L-proline], a highly specific active site-directed inhibitor of ACE, to tissue homogenates and perfused lungs. Hypoxia exposure produced progressive reductions in ACE activity in lung homogenates and in ACE inhibitor binding to perfused lungs. ANG II levels in lungs from hypoxia-adapted animals were significantly less than air controls, suggesting that the reduction in intrapulmonary ACE activity was associated with reduced local generation of ANG II. ACE activity was increased in kidney and unchanged in brain and testis of hypoxia-adapted rats compared with air controls. Thus the effects of chronic hypoxia on catalytically active ACE and ACE active sites in the intact animal were organ specific. Adaptation to chronic hypoxia did not significantly alter plasma renin activity or ANG I or ANG II levels or serum ACE content. The hypoxia-induced alterations in lung and kidney ACE were reversible after return to a normoxic environment.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Atrial natriuretic peptide lowers pulmonary arterial pressure in hypoxia-adapted rats.

To test the hypothesis that atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) has a direct vasodilator effect on the pulmonary vasculature that is enhanced in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in the rat, we determined the effects of ANP on mean pulmonary (MPAP) and systemic arterial pressure (MSAP) in intact conscious Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to 10% O2 or room air for 4 wk. Catheters were placed in the pulmonary artery through the right jugular vein by means of a closed-chest technique. MPAP and MSAP were monitored before and after intravenous injections of graded doses of ANP. ANP produced dose-related decreases in MPAP that were greater in the hypoxic group than in air controls. There were no significant between-group differences in the systemic depressor responses to ANP or in the ANP-induced reduction in cardiac output. ANP lowered MPAP significantly in isolated perfused lungs from both hypoxia-adapted and air control rats, and this effect was significantly greater in the hypoxic than the air control lungs. These data indicate that ANP lowers pulmonary arterial pressure in rats with hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension, mainly by a direct vasodilator effect on the pulmonary vasculature.

Animals↗

High NaCl diet reduces hypothalamic norepinephrine turnover in hypertensive rats.

The current study tested the hypothesis that high NaCl diets elevate blood pressure in NaCl-sensitive spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR-S) by reducing noradrenergic input to depressor neurons in the anterior hypothalamus. SHR-S were studied at 7 weeks of age, and age-matched salt resistant SHR (SHR-R) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) were controls. Rats were fed either high (8%) NaCl or control (1% NaCl) diets for 2 weeks, following which norepinephrine turnover in hypothalamus (anterior, posterior, and ventral regions), brainstem (pons and medulla), and thoracic spinal cord was assessed using the dopamine beta-hydroxylase inhibitor 1-cyclohexyl-2-mercapto-imidazole (CHMI). Regional brain catecholamines were measured by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection following intraperitoneal injection of CHMI or vehicle. Disappearance of norepinephrine following CHMI was used as an index of noradrenergic neuronal activity. The 8% NaCl diet caused a significant elevation in blood pressure in SHR-S but not in SHR-R or WKY. Endogenous norepinephrine levels and turnover were lower in the anterior hypothalamus of SHR-S fed 8% NaCl than in those fed 1% NaCl but were not significantly different in other groups. Endogenous norepinephrine levels and turnover were greater in pons of 8% NaCl--fed SHR-S than in those fed 1% NaCl but were not significantly different in other groups. These observations support the hypothesis that reduced noradrenergic input to depressor neurons in the anterior hypothalamus and increased noradrenergic input to neurons in the pons are related to NaCl sensitivity in the SHR-S.

Animals↗

Captopril and the response to stress in the spontaneously hypertensive rat.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of chronic blockade of the brain renin-angiotensin system on the hormonal response to stress in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). To this end, we measured changes in plasma corticosterone, vasopressin, plasma renin activity, aldosterone, norepinephrine, and epinephrine in SHR treated with a 4-week intracerebroventricular infusion of captopril (osmotic minipump, 1.25 micrograms/hr) or vehicle in response to cold stress (4 degrees C x 4 hours) or ether stress (5 minutes). Within the fourth week of treatment, the average systolic blood pressure of captopril-treated SHR was significantly lower than that of vehicle-treated rats. Basal plasma levels of corticosterone, but not vasopressin, were significantly lower in SHR treated with captopril. In response to cold stress, captopril-treated SHR showed significantly lesser increases in both corticosterone and vasopressin than did vehicle-treated SHR. There were no differences in basal plasma levels of norepinephrine, epinephrine, plasma renin activity, or aldosterone between captopril-treated and vehicle-treated SHR, and both groups showed elevations of a similar magnitude after exposure to cold. In response to ether stress, captopril-treated SHR also showed significantly smaller increases in corticosterone and vasopressin than did vehicle-treated SHR. These results suggest that chronic intracerebroventricular administration of captopril, through blockade of the brain renin-angiotensin system, alters the hormonal response of SHR to stress.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Impaired release of atrial natriuretic factor in NaCl-loaded spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Our previous studies demonstrated that NaCl-sensitive spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) of the Okamoto strain exhibit increased blood pressure and reduced noradrenergic input to the anterior hypothalamus area when fed high NaCl diets. The current study tested the hypotheses that 1) release of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) into the plasma is impaired in NaCl-loaded SHR, a defect that would tend to elevate blood pressure, and 2) ANF levels in regions of brain involved in blood pressure regulation, such as the anterior hypothalamic area, are altered in SHR. SHR and control Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) were placed on 1% or 8% NaCl diets at age 7 weeks; 2 weeks later, ANF levels were measured in plasma, left and right atria, anterior hypothalamic area, ventral hypothalamic area, posterior hypothalamic area, pons, and medulla by radioimmunoassay. Blood for ANF assay was obtained from intra-arterial cannulas in conscious, unrestrained rats studied in the resting state. The 8% NaCl diet produced an increase in blood pressure in the SHR, but not in the WKY. Plasma ANF levels were significantly greater in WKY fed 8% NaCl than in WKY fed 1% NaCl, but dietary NaCl loading did not produce similar increases in plasma ANF in the SHR. Plasma ANF levels were not significantly different between SHR and WKY fed the 1% NaCl diet. The observation that dietary NaCl loading stimulated ANF release into the plasma in WKY but not in SHR suggests that the exacerbation in hypertension seen in NaCl-loaded SHR may be related to an impairment in ANF release.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Hypoxia-induced oxygen tolerance: maintenance of endothelial metabolic function.

Hypoxia (10%-12% O2) preadaptation for 4-7 days effectively protects rats from oxygen toxicity. The present study was designed to investigate the hypothesis that the lung's microvascular endothelium shares in development of oxygen tolerance and therefore that endothelial metabolic function would be protected from oxygen toxicity by prior adaptation to hypoxia. Since pulmonary oxygen toxicity decreases lung capillary angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity, we assayed converting enzyme active sites in an isolated perfused rat lung preparation as a marker for the development of oxygen toxicity and tolerance. Rats were exposed to air, hypoxia (10% O2 for 4 days), hyperoxia (greater than 95% O2 for 2 days) alone, or hypoxia followed immediately by hyperoxia. Lung vascular ACE content was quantitated by measuring the single pass binding of an iodinated-converting enzyme inhibitor, 125I-MK351A, a derivative of lisinopril. Hypoxia adaptation per se had no effect on ACE content reflected in normal 125I-MK351A binding, whereas hyperoxia exposure caused a significant decrease in lung vascular ACE. Hyperoxia-induced decreases in ACE content were prevented partially by hypoxia adaptation, indicating that ACE content on luminal endothelial surfaces was protected from oxygen toxicity. In isolated perfused lungs 125I-MK351A binding reflects development of oxygen tolerance after hypoxia preadaptation and suggests that lung endothelial metabolic function is protected from oxygen toxicity.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Genetic basis of NaCl-sensitive hypertension.

Sensitivity to the pressor effects of dietary NaCl and the depressor effects of dietary Ca2+ is inherited. High NaCl diets accelerate the development and/or exacerbate the severity of hypertension in NaCl-sensitive substrains of spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR-S) but not in NaCl-resistant substrains of SHR (SHR-R) or in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) control rats. High NaCl intake leads to increased circulating noradenaline levels and increased depressor responses to ganglionic blockade in SHR-S but not in SHR-R or WKY rats, indicating that peripheral sympathetic nervous system activity and neurogenic peripheral vascular tone are increased by NaCl supplementation in SHR-S, but not in SHR-R or WKY rats. Further, dietary NaCl loading in SHR-S decreases endogenous noradrenaline stores and noradrenaline release in the anterior hypothalamus, a brain region that contains neurons that give rise to depressor responses when stimulated chemically or electrically. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that decreased activity of noradrenergic depressor neurons in the anterior hypothalamus may mediate and increase in blood pressure that occurs in NaCl-sensitive animals during dietary NaCl supplementation by releasing tonic inhibition of sympathetic outflow. The exacerbation of hypertension and changes in central noradrenergic activity are observed only in NaCl-loaded SHR-S, not in SHR-R or WKY rats, indicating that these NaCl-induced alterations in central noradrenergic activity are genetically mediated. Dietary Ca2+ supplementation prevents (or reverses) the NaCl-induced changes in blood pressure, peripheral sympathetic nervous system activity, and anterior hypothalamic noradrenaline release in SHR-S, suggesting that dietary NaCl and Ca2+ may have opposing effects on the same regulatory pathway(s). The genetic defect in NaCl/Ca2+ sensitivity of blood pressure is not yet identified, but probably involves cation transport at the cellular level.

Animals↗

Hypothalamic microinjection of alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists causes greater sympathoinhibition in spontaneously hypertensive rats on high NaCl diets.

We tested the hypothesis that in NaCl-sensitive spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR-S) maintained on high NaCl diets, sympathoinhibitory neurons in the anterior hypothalamic area display increased responsiveness to alpha 2-adrenergic receptor stimulation, giving rise to exaggerated depressor responses. Clonidine (0.6-2.5 micrograms) was microinjected directly into the anterior hypothalamic area of SHR-S maintained for 2 weeks on high (8%) and normal (1%) NaCl diets, and blood pressure and heart rate responses were monitored. Controls were NaCl-resistant SHR (SHR-R) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Clonidine microinjection into the anterior hypothalamic area resulted in dose-dependent rapid-onset depressor and bradycardic responses that were significantly greater in SHR-S fed on a high NaCl diet. In SHR-R and WKY rats, the high NaCl diet had no significant effect on blood pressure or heart rate responses to clonidine. Further studies demonstrated that the response to microinjection of clonidine into the rat anterior hypothalamic area was location-specific, since injections into surrounding hypothalamic nuclei gave a longer latency in the onset of either depressor and bradycardic responses or pressor and tachycardic responses. The response of clonidine was blocked by concurrent microinjection of the selective alpha 2-adrenergic antagonist rauwolscine but not by the alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist prazosin, confirming that the response was alpha 2-adrenoceptor-specific. Microinjection of the selective alpha 2-agonist guanabenz into the anterior hypothalamic area produced depressor and bradycardic responses in SHR-S and Sprague-Dawley rats, while microinjection of the selective alpha 1-agonist phenylephrine into the anterior hypothalamic area had no effect on either blood pressure or heart rate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Altered responsiveness of regional brain dopamine and DOPAC levels to systemic administration of quinpirole, a dopamine D2 agonist, in DOCA/NaCl-hypertensive rats.

Our previous studies have demonstrated that administration of quinpirole (LY171555), a potent and highly selective dopamine (DA) D2 receptor agonist, to conscious Sprague-Dawley rats produces increases in arterial pressure through the activation of sympathetic outflow and vasopressinergic activity. To test the hypotheses that quinpirole inhibits in vivo release of DA from central dopaminergic neurons by activation of DA receptors in the central nervous system (CNS) and that this mechanism may be altered in the desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)/NaCl model of hypertension, we examined the effects of quinpirole on stores of DA and its metabolite 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in brain regions of 4-week DOCA/NaCl-hypertensive rats and their normotensive controls. Levels of DA and DOPAC were measured in brain regions by HPLC 15 min after the i.v. administration of quinpirole (1 mg/kg). Quinpirole resulted in a significant increase in DA stores and decrease in DOPAC stores in most brain regions examined in both DOCA/NaCl-hypertensive rats and normotensive controls, presumably by inhibiting DA release through a presynaptic mechanism. In the vehicle-treated groups, DA stores in the anterior hypothalamus and DOPAC stores in the nucleus accumbens were lower in DOCA/NaCl-hypertensive rats than in H2O controls. Following quinpirole administration, DA stores in the anterior hypothalamus increased significantly in DOCA/NaCl-treated rats but not in H2O controls and DOPAC stores in the nucleus accumbens decreased significantly in H2O control rats but not in DOCA/NaCl-treated rats. These observations provide further evidence for the presence of inhibitory DA D2 receptors which modulate the activity of dopaminergic neurons in the CNS.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗

Enhanced response to the inhibitory action of LY171555, a dopamine D2-agonist, on in vivo striatal dopamine release in DOCA/NaCl-hypertensive rats.

Our previous studies have demonstrated that LY171555 (quinpirole), a specific dopamine (DA) D2-receptor agonist, has a pressor effect in the conscious rat which is accompanied by increased sympathetic outflow and arginine vasopressin release. To test the hypothesis that LY171555 inhibits in vivo release of DA and its metabolites, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA), from central dopaminergic neurons of the conscious, freely moving rat by activation of presynaptic DA receptors in the central nervous system and that this mechanism may be altered in the desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)/NaCl model of hypertension, we used the in vivo push-pull perfusion method to study the effect of LY171555 on central DA release in normotensive and DOCA/NaCl-hypertensive rats. Levels of the DOPAC and HVA were measured in striatal perfusates by HPLC before and after administration of LY171555 (1 mg/kg, i.v.) of conscious, unrestrained 4-week DOCA/NaCl hypertensive and uninephrectomized H2O control rats. There were no significant differences in basal striatal HVA (80 +/- 12 vs 89 +/- 11 pg/min; DOCA/NaCl vs control) or DOPAC levels (37 +/- 5 vs 49 +/- 17 pg/min; DOCA/NaCl vs control) during the entire 240-min collection period. LY171555 significantly reduced HVA and DOPAC levels in perfused striatum in both normotensive control and DOCA/NaCl-hypertensive rats. The LY171555-induced suppression in HVA levels was significantly greater in DOCA/NaCl rats (delta = 60.7 +/- 3.6%) than in H2O controls (delta = 49.0 +/- 3.5%, P less than 0.05). Pretreatment with metoclopramide (10 mg/kg, i.v.), a specific central and peripheral DA D2-receptor antagonist, completely blocked the suppressive effects of LY171555 on HVA and DOPAC levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗

Yohimbine-induced alterations of monoamine metabolism in the spontaneously hypertensive rat of the Okamoto strain (SHR). II. The central nervous system (CNS).

Steady state levels of monoamine neurotransmitters were examined in SHR, a genetic model of hypertension and compared to its normotensive control (WKY). SHR and WKY were also challenged with alpha 2-adrenergic antagonists, (yohimbine, YOH, idazoxan) or an alpha 1-antagonist (prazosin) and alterations in CNS monoamine metabolism evaluated. SHR were found to have elevated levels of NE and 5-HT in a number of brain regions involved in cardiovascular control when compared to WKY. DA levels and metabolism were also altered in the SHR. Blockade of alpha 2-adrenoceptors and other direct and indirect actions of YOH exacerbated the abnormalities in central monoaminergic neurotransmission in SHR. Significant decreases in NE content were produced by YOH or idazoxan treatment in both SHR and WKY, presumably the result of the inhibition of alpha 2-adrenoceptor medicated presynaptic control of NE release. YOH treatment abolished the differences in steady state levels of NE between SHR and WKY, however, idazoxan did not. YOH administration resulted in significant increases in DA and 5-HT in a number of brain regions of both SHR and WKY. Idazoxan or prazosin produced few changes in DA and 5-HT metabolism except for increases in DA content in the spinal cord and brainstem of SHR given idazoxan. The YOH-induced increases in DA and 5-HT content of SHR were of a greater magnitude than the WKY in several brain regions. DOPAC levels were significantly elevated by YOH in both WKY and SHR, reflecting the antidopaminergic properties of YOH. 5-HIAA content was significantly reduced by YOH in a number of brain regions in both SHR and WKY, however, this effect was attenuated in several brain regions in SHR. The results of the present study demonstrate the multifarious nature of the alterations in CNS monoamine metabolism in SHR.

Animals↗

Blunted responsiveness of posterior hypothalamic norepinephrine to quinpirole in DOCA/NaCl hypertensive rats.

Our previous studies have demonstrated that the specific dopamine D2 receptor agonist, quinpirole (LY171555), has a pressor effect in conscious normotensive rats and that this is accompanied by a centrally mediated increase in sympathetic activity and arginine vasopressin release. This pressor response to quinpirole is blunted in the DOCA/NaCl hypertensive rat. To examine the hypothesis that the responsiveness of the central noradrenergic and serotonergic systems to quinpirole treatment is altered in DOCA/NaCl rats, the norepinephrine (NE), serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) contents of hypothalamic and brainstem areas were measured in 4-week DOCA/NaCl hypertensive and H2O control rats 15 minutes after the intravenous administration of quinpirole (1 mg/kg). The results demonstrate that quinpirole selectively reduced (26%) posterior hypothalamic NE content in control rats, but not in DOCA/NaCl hypertensive rats. The NE content in the spinal cord and 5-HIAA content in the pons were greater in DOCA/NaCl rats than in normotensive controls in both saline and quinpirole treated groups. Our data suggest that the specific D2 agonist may effect its central pressor response by stimulating NE release from posterior hypothalamic area, a "pressor" region of hypothalamus, and that this D2 agonist induced pressor mechanism may be blunted in DOCA/NaCl hypertension.

Animals↗

Yohimbine-induced alterations of monoamine metabolism in the spontaneously hypertensive rat. I. The peripheral nervous system.

The effects of alpha 2 adrenoreceptor blockade with YOH on blood pressure, plasma catecholamines and norepinephrine (NE) stores in kidney, adrenal and spleen of spontaneously hypertensive rats of the Okamoto strain (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) control animals were examined. YOH administration resulted in a significant (p less than 0.001) reduction in arterial pressure in both SHR and WKY. Plasma NE and EPI were significantly (p less than 0.05) elevated by YOH treatment in both SHR and WKY, but SHR exhibited a significantly (p less than 0.05) greater percent increase in plasma NE than WKY. YOH produced significant decreases in splenic NE content in both SHR and WKY but reduced renal NE content in the SHR only. SHR had significantly higher basal renal NE and DA content and fewer NE uptake (3H-desmethylimipramine binding) sites (p less than 0.05) than WKY. Treatment of SHR or WKY with either the alpha 2-adrenergic antagonist, idazoxan, or the alpha 1-antagonist, prazosin, failed to significantly alter renal NE levels from those found after saline injection. The enhanced YOH-induced renal NE depletion in SHR suggests an alteration in the presynaptic control of NE release in the genetically hypertensive rat, however, the effects of YOH in the SHR may be mediated by mechanisms unrelated to alpha 2-adrenergic receptors.

Adrenal Glands↗

Proteoglycans and hypertension: III: Aorta proteoglycans in Dahl salt-sensitive hypertensive rats.

The vascular proteoglycans probably have an important influence on the biomechanical properties of blood vessels and, therefore, may play a role in the development or maintenance of hypertension. In the aorta of the spontaneously hypertensive rat, the authors previously observed an increased content of chondroitin sulfate, an increased incorporation of [35S]sulfate into proteoglycans, and qualitative alterations in the [35S]polysaccharides compared to the normotensive Wistar Kyoto rat. To determine if these differences were related to hypertension or to strain variations, normotensive and hypertensive Dahl S rats were studied. There was a significant elevation (70%) in the aorta content of chondroitin sulfate, whereas the dermatan sulfate and hyaluronic acid contents were similar in the two groups. The in vitro incorporation of [35S]sulfate was increased 2.6-fold in the hypertensive animals. No differences between the two groups were observed with respect to the gel chromatographic profiles of the [35S]proteoglycans or the charge density of the [35S]glycosaminoglycans, as assessed by ion exchange chromatography. It was concluded that the increase in chondroitin sulfate and [35S]sulfate incorporation into proteoglycans occurred as a result of hypertension, regardless of genetic factors.

Animals↗

Antihypertensive effect of enalapril in essential hypertension: role of prostacyclin.

The effects of enalapril alone and in combination with the cyclooxygenase inhibitors sulindac and indomethacin on blood pressure (BP), plasma aldosterone, renin activity and converting enzyme activity were evaluated in 29 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension, 26 of whom had low plasma renin activity. Patients were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups. All patients underwent a 4-week placebo phase (phase I), then received enalapril (20 mg BID) for 4 weeks (phase II). In phase III, group I (n = 10) continued on enalapril alone; group II (n = 9) received sulindac 200 mg BID plus enalapril, and group III (n = 10) received indomethacin 50 mg BID plus enalapril, all for 4 weeks. Enalapril lowered BP significantly (mean supine BP 149/100 in phase I vs. 134/90 in phase II, p less than 0.05) without inhibiting aldosterone production. The BP effect was not blunted by concomitant administration of sulindac or indomethacin. Enalapril lowered converting enzyme activity to 25% to 30% of baseline and tended to increase renin activity. In the 10 patients who received indomethacin (group III), the effects of enalapril alone and enalapril plus indomethacin on urinary excretion of 6-keto prostaglandin F1 alpha (PGF1 alpha), a stable metabolite of prostacyclin (PGI2), were examined. Enalapril increased urinary 6-keto PGF1 alpha in group III from 118 +/- 23 to 194 +/- 38 ng/g creatinine (p less than 0.05), while addition of indomethacin reduced 6-keto PGF1 alpha to basal levels (138 +/- 26 ng/g creatinine).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗