Centrally administered insulin potentiates the pressor response to angiotensin II

The arcuate nucleus: A site of synergism between Angiotensin II and leptin to increase sympathetic nerve activity and blood pressure in rats

The action of leptin in brain to increase sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) and blood pressure depends upon functional Angiotensin II (AngII) type 1a receptors (AT1aR); however, the sites and mechanism of interaction are unknown. Here we identify one site, the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ArcN), since prior local blockade of AT1aR in the ArcN with losartan or candesartan in anesthetized male rats essentially eliminated the sympathoexcitatory and pressor responses to ArcN leptin nanoinjections. Unlike mice, in male and female rats, AT1aR and LepR rarely co-localized, suggesting that this interdependence occurs indirectly, via a local interneuron or network of neurons. ArcN leptin increases SNA by activating pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) inputs to the PVN, but this activation requires simultaneous suppression of tonic PVN Neuropeptide Y (NPY) sympathoinhibition. Because AngII-AT1aR inhibits ArcN NPY neurons, we propose that loss of AT1aR suppression of NPY blocks leptin-induced increases in SNA; in other words, ArcN-AngII-AT1aR is a gatekeeper for leptin-induced sympathoexcitation. With obesity, both leptin and AngII increase; therefore, the increased AT1aR activation could open the gate, allowing leptin (and insulin) to drive sympathoexcitation unabated, leading to hypertension.

Interaction between Angiotensin II and Insulin/IGF-1 Exerted a Synergistic Stimulatory Effect on ERK1/2 Activation in Adrenocortical Carcinoma H295R Cells

The cross talk between angiotensin II (Ang II) and insulin has been described mainly in cardiovascular cells, hepatocytes, adipocytes, and so forth, and to date no such cross talk was reported in adrenal. In this study, we examined the interaction between Ang II and insulin/IGF-1 in ERK and AKT signaling pathways and expression of steroidogenic enzymes in H295R cells. Compared to the control, 100 nM Ang II increased phospho-ERK1/2 approximately 3-fold. Insulin (100 nM) or IGF-1 (10 nM) alone raised phospho-ERK1/2 1.8- and 1.5-fold, respectively, while, after pretreatment with 100 nM Ang II for 30 min, insulin (100 nM) or IGF-1 (10 nM) elevated phospho-ERK1/2 level 8- and 7-fold, respectively. The synergistic effect of Ang II and insulin/IGF-1 on ERK1/2 activation was inhibited by selective AT1 receptor blocker, PKC inhibitor, and MEK1/2 inhibitor. Ang II marginally suppressed AKT activation under the basal condition, while it had no effect on phospho-AKT induced by insulin/IGF-1. Ang II significantly stimulated mRNA expression of CYP11B1 and CYP11B2, and such stimulatory effects were enhanced when cells were cotreated with insulin/IGF-1. We are led to conclude that Ang II in combination with insulin/IGF-1 had an evident synergistic stimulatory effect on ERK1/2 activation in H295R cells and the effect may be responsible for the enhanced steroid hormone production induced by Ang II plus insulin/IGF-1.

Subdiaphragmatic vagus nerve activity and hepatic venous glucose are differentially regulated by the central actions of insulin in Wistar and SHR

Glucose is the most important energy substrate for the maintenance of tissues function. The liver plays an essential role in the control of glucose production, since it is able to synthesize, store, and release glucose into the circulation under different situations. Hormones like insulin and catecholamines influence hepatic glucose production (HGP), but little is known about the role of the central actions of physiological doses of insulin in modulating HGP via the autonomic nervous system in nonanesthetized rats especially in SHR where we see a high degree of insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction. Wistar and SHR received ICV injection of insulin (100 nU/μL) and hepatic venous glucose concentration (HVGC) was monitored for 30 min, as an indirect measure of HGP. At 10 min after insulin injection, HVGC decreased by 27% in Wistar rats, with a negligible change (3%) in SHR. Pretreatment with atropine totally blocked the reduction in HVGC, while pretreatment with propranolol and phentolamine induced a decrease of 8% in HVGC after ICV insulin injection in Wistar. Intracarotid infusion of insulin caused a significant increase in subdiaphragmatic vagus nerve (SVN) activity in Wistar (12 ± 2%), with negligible effects on the lumbar splanchnic sympathetic nerve (LSSN) activity (−6 ± 3%). No change was observed in SVN (−2 ± 2%) and LSSN activities (2 ± 3%) in SHR after ICA insulin infusion. Taken together, these results show, in nonanesthetized animals, the importance of the parasympathetic nervous system in controlling HVGC, and subdiaphragmatic nerve activity following central administration of insulin; a mechanism that is impaired in the SHR.

Central insulin-angiotensin II interaction in blood pressure regulation in fructose overloaded rats

The aim of the present study was to determine if insulin is able to modulate the pressor response to intracerebroventricularly administered angiotensin II in insulin resistant fructose overloaded rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: 1) Control group (C) with tap water to drink for 6 weeks (n=36); and 2) fructose treated (F), with fructose solution (10% w/v) to drink for 6 weeks (n=36). On the day of the experiment, anesthetized male C and F rats were intracerebroventricularly infused with insulin (12 mU/h, n=15) or Ringer's solution as vehicle (n=15) for 2h. Immediately, changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP) in response to an intracerebroventricular subpressor dose of angiotensin II (5 pmol, n=10) or vehicle (n=5) were measured for 10 min. Then, hypothalami were removed and Akt and ERK1/2 phosphorylation levels were determined. In a subset of C (n=10) and F (n=20) animals, PD98059 (p44/42 MAPK inhibitor) or vehicle was administered intracerebroventricularly at a flow rate of 5 μl/min for 1 min. Ten minutes later, insulin (12 mU/h, n=5 for each group) or vehicle (Ringer's solution, only in the F group, n=5) was perfused for 2h at a flow rate of 4 μl/h, and cardiovascular parameters were measured every 15 min. Immediately, changes in MAP and HR in response to a subpressor dose of Ang II (5 pmol/2 μl) were evaluated for 10 min (n=5 for each group). In other subset of animals (n=6 for each group), AT1 and AT2 hypothalamic receptor levels were measured by Western blotting. Intracerebroventricular insulin pre-treatment increased the pressor response to angiotensin II in C rats. In F rats (with or without insulin pretreatment), the pressor response to angiotensin II was higher than that in vehicle pre-treated C animals, but similar to that observed in C after insulin infusion. In C rats phospho-ERK 1/2 hypothalamic levels significantly increased after angiotensin II injection in insulin pretreated animals compared to vehicle pre-treated rats, suggesting that MAPK activation might be involved in insulin potentiation of blood pressure response to angiotensin II in the brain. Phospho-ERK 1/2 hypothalamic levels were significantly increased in vehicle treated F rats compared to C, suggesting that basal MAPK activation might play a role in the enhanced response to angiotensin II observed in these animals. Finally, in F rats, either after vehicle or insulin infusion, angiotensin II injection was associated with a similar increase in phospho-ERK 1/2 hypothalamic levels, comparable to that observed after angiotensin II injection in insulin pre-treated C animals. ERK 1/2 blockade significantly reduced MAP in F rats compared to C. Moreover, ERK 1/2 inhibition completely abolished the Ang II pressor response in F rats and in insulin pre-treated C animals. All these findings suggest that insulin-angiotensin II interaction at hypothalamic level might be involved in the increase in blood pressure observed in the insulin resistant state.

Centrally acting leptin induces a resuscitating effect in haemorrhagic shock in rats

Centrally acting leptin induces the activation of the sympathetic nervous system with a pressor effect in normotensive rats. The purpose of the study was to examine central leptin-evoked action in critical haemorrhagic hypotension. In anaesthetized male Wistar rats subjected for irreversible haemorrhagic shock with mean arterial pressure (MAP) 20-25 mmHg haemodynamic parameters and plasma concentrations of adrenaline and noradrenaline were measured. Leptin given intracerebroventricularly (20 μg) evoked long-lasting rises in MAP and heart rate (HR), with a subsequent increase in renal, mesenteric and hindquarters blood flows and a 100% survival at 2 h. MAP and peripheral blood flow changes were inhibited by a pre-treatment with α(1)- and α(2)-adrenoceptor antagonists prazosin (0.5 mg/kg) and yohimbine (1 mg/kg), while β-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol (1 mg/kg) blocked leptin-induced HR changes, without influence on MAP, peripheral blood flows and survival. Twenty min after leptin treatment, there were higher plasma concentrations of noradrenaline, but not adrenaline, in comparison with the saline-treated control group. In conclusion, centrally acting leptin induces a long-lasting pressor effect with an improvement in the survival rate in haemorrhage-shocked rats. The effect may be associated with the activation of the sympathetic nervous system.

Essential hypertension--is erroneous receptor output to blame?

Hypertension is a chronic medical condition in which systemic arterial blood pressure is elevated. About 80-90% of diagnosed hypertension is considered essential (idiopathic), which means there is no obvious cause of the increase in blood pressure. My hypothesis states that part of idiopathic hypertension results from erroneous information that the brain receives from receptors involved in the regulation of arterial blood pressure, i.e. if, despite high systemic blood pressure, the brain receives false "low-arterial pressure input" from cardiovascular receptors. As a result the brain centres which control blood pressure reset and produce an inappropriate output to the effectors (heart, blood vessels, kidneys and glands). The information errors may result from: (i) structural and/or functional impairment of cardiovascular receptors, (ii) changes in cardiovascular receptors activity, which are caused by other factors than changes in blood pressure, and (iii) impaired transmission in afferent fibres. I assume that in contrast to the lack of input from damaged or denervated cardiovascular receptors, an erroneous input will impair the control of arterial blood pressure. This will apply especially to false input which imitates "low-arterial pressure input". Higher priority of "low-arterial pressure input" over "high-arterial pressure input" or none input may be explained by the evolutionary adaptation, i.e. low blood pressure, mostly due to haemorrhage, used to be a more common condition than high blood pressure and constitute a major threat to humans.