Catecholamine content changes in brain regions of spontaneously hypertensive rats under immobilization stress

Deciphering the Mechanism of the Anti-Hypertensive Effect of Isorhynchophylline by Targeting Neurotransmitters Metabolism of Hypothalamus in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Essential hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease that can lead eventually to structural and functional alterations in the brain. Accumulating evidence has suggested that the increased activities in renin-angiotensin system and sympathetic nerve participated in the pathogenesis of hypertension that is related to the imbalance between neurotransmitters. The potential role in essential hypertension arising from alterations of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system remains understudied. Isorhynchophylline is a major oxindole alkaloid extracted from Uncaria rhynchophylla, which has been widely used for treating hypertension and neurodegenerative diseases. Whether isorhynchophylline acts on neurotransmitters to lower blood pressure has been hypothesized but rarely demonstrated unequivocally. Here, we studied the metabolic neurotransmitter profiles in the hypothalamus using a targeted metabolomic approach in spontaneously hypertensive rats after isorhynchophylline intervention. Our study demonstrated that isorhynchophylline exhibited a strong anti-hypertensive effect in spontaneously hypertensive rats by improving the neurotransmitter imbalance in the hypothalamus and inhibiting the overactivation of the renin-angiotensin system and sympathetic nerve system. Overall, this study played an essential role in enhancing our understanding of the mechanism of isorhynchophylline in essential hypertension and in providing theoretical evidence for future research and clinical application.

The effect of MAO-A inhibition and cold-immobilization stress on N-acetylserotonin and melatonin in SHR and WKY rats

Selective monoamine oxidase (MAO) A inhibitors and cold-immobilization stress (which increases the production of the endogenous MAO-A inhibitor, tribulin) stimulate rat pineal melatonin biosynthesis in Sprague-Dawley and Fisher 344N rats. Considering the hyperactive sympathetic response of the hypertensive rats, it was interesting to compare the effect of clorgyline and cold-immobilization stress on pineal melatonin and related indoles levels in SHR and WKY rats (HPLC-fluorimetric method). Clorgyline (0.5 mg/kg and 1.5 mg/kg, sc) induced a higher elevation of pineal melatonin and N-acetylserotonin (NAS) in SHR than in WKY rats. Cold immobilization stress resulted in lower serotonin, and higher NAS levels in SHR than in WKY rats with similar elevations in melatonin levels. Our results suggest increased serotonin conversion into NAS and decreased NAS conversion into melatonin with decreased production of tribulin in SHR in comparison with WKY rats.

Decreased norepinephrine content in the medulla oblongata in severely hypertensive rats

1. To clarify possible abnormalities in catecholamines in the medulla oblongata in relation to severe hypertension, the authors measured changes in catecholamine levels in the medulla oblongata of malignant stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (M-SHRSP). Effects of the adrenal medullae and peripheral nerves were ruled out by adrenal demedullation and chemical sympathectomy. 2. The level of norepinephrine in the medulla oblongata was significantly lower in untreated M-SHRSP than in untreated WKY (control) rats at 10 weeks of age. Further, it was significantly lower in treated M-SHRSP than in the treated WKY group at both 6 and 10 weeks of age. The level of epinephrine in 6 week old treated M-SHRSP was significantly higher than that in age-matched treated WKY, but no other differences were observed in terms of epinephrine content. There were no age- or treatment-related differences in dopamine levels in the medullar oblongata. 3. Since norepinephrine has an inhibitory effect on blood pressure elevation in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) in the medulla oblongata, the suppression of negative feedback due to a decrease in the activity of inhibitory neurons in the medulla oblongata appears to be involved in the development and progression of severe hypertension in M-SHRSP.

An evolutionary perspective on salt, hypertension, and human genetic variability

Natural selection for electrolyte conservation has likely been the norm throughout human evolutionary history. However, the current patterns of excessive dietary salt intake create the potential for salt overload. Under these conditions, hypertension may be considered an expected pathological response to an evolutionarily new constraint. The transatlantic Middle Passage may have created a genetic bottleneck for salt conservation in African-Americans. Although the initial consequences of this important historical event probably constricted genetic variability and further magnified the potential for salt-sensitive hypertension, the Middle Passage undoubtedly also served as a more generalized major source of environmental stress and may have stimulated subsequent hereditary diversity in the survivors of this holocaust and their descendants. Accelerated rates of mutation, genetic recombination, and transposable genetic elements in conjunction with enhanced opportunities for gene flow, new selective pressures, and drift have all contributed to the tremendous heterogeneity of contemporary African-Americans. It is unlikely that a single genetic event, even of the severity of the Middle Passage, can account comprehensively for the apparent susceptibility of this macroethnic group to high blood pressure and hypertension.