Vascular alpha-1D-adrenoceptors are overexpressed in aorta of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor null mouse: role of increased angiotensin II

1 The hypothesis that alpha(1D)-adrenoceptors may mediate the pro-hypertensive actions of angiotensin II (Ang II) was tested in isolated aorta (alpha(1D)-adrenoceptor bearing tissue) of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor null mouse (AhR(-/-)), which shows increased levels of Ang II, cardiac hypertrophy and hypertension. 2 The effect of captopril (an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor) on both blood pressure and aortic alpha(1D)-adrenoceptor expression and function in mice were determined. 3 Basal blood pressure was higher in AhR(-/-) mice, while captopril therapy decreased it to wild-type (WT) values. 4 Aortas of adult WT and AhR(-/-) mice were stimulated by phenylephrine or noradrenaline to induce contraction; the maximal effect was higher in AhR(-/-) mice, without a significant change in pEC(50). 5 PA(2) values for the selective alpha(1D)-adrenoceptor antagonist BMY 7378 (8-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazynil]ethyl]-8-azaspiro [4.5]decane-7,9-dione) were 9.19 and 8.94 for WT and AhR(-/-), respectively; while Schild slopes were not different from 1. 6 PCR experiments showed c. 77% increase in AhR(-/-)alpha(1D)-adrenoceptors cDNA compared with WT mice; while western blot analysis demonstrated c. 88% increase in alpha(1D)-adrenoceptor protein in AhR(-/-) mice. 7 Captopril therapy decreased alpha(1D)-adrenoceptor-induced contraction and protein in AhR(-/-) mice to WT levels. 8 These data support the hypothesis that under conditions where Ang II is elevated, vascular alpha(1D)-adrenoceptors are increased, and further suggest that both Ang II and vascular alpha(1D)-adrenoceptors could be related in the onset of hypertension.

Selective agonists reveal ?1A- and ?1B-adrenoceptor subtypes in caudal artery of the young rat

Multiple alpha(1)-adrenoceptors were evaluated in caudal artery of the young Wistar rat using selective agonists and antagonists. Arteries were exposed to the selective alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor agonist, A-61603 (N-[5-(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-2-hydroxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl] methanesulfonamide) or to phenylephrine and to prazosin (alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist), or the selective alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor antagonists 5-methylurapidil, RS 100329 (5-methyl-3-[3-[4-[2-(2,2,2,-trifluoroethoxy)phenyl]-1-piperazinyl]propyl]-2,4-(1H)-pyrimidinedione), RS 17053 (N-[2(2-cyclopropylmethoxy) ethyl]-5-chloro-alpha, alpha-dimethyl-1H-indole-3-ethanamide), and the selective alpha(1D)-adrenoceptor antagonist BMY 7378 (8-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-8-azaspiro[4.5] decane-7,9-dione). Results showed a 100-fold higher potency of A-61603 for the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor present in the artery, compared with phenylephrine. Prazosin displaced both agonists with high affinity, whereas 5-methylurapidil, RS 100329 and RS 17053 displaced A-61603 with high affinity, indicating the presence of alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors. The selective alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor antagonists blocked phenylephrine responses with low affinity, suggesting that phenylephrine activated a second receptor population in caudal artery. BMY 7378 antagonized with low affinity both A-61603 and phenylephrine-induced contractions, indicating absence of alpha(1D)-adrenoceptors in the vessel. The results suggest that functional alpha(1B)-adrenoceptors are present in caudal arteries of the young Wistar rat.

The hypotensive effect of BMY 7378 involves central 5-HT1A receptor stimulation in the adult but not in the young rat

BACKGROUND

Stimulation of central 5-hydroxytryptamine-1A (5-HT(1A)) receptors produces hypotension and bradycardia. We describe BMY 7378 (8-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-8-azaspiro[4.5]decane-7,9 dione) effects in cardiovascular function and [(3)H] 8-OH-DPAT (8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propyl-amino) tetralin) binding sites in rat brain of different ages.

METHODS

BMY 7378 was administered to anesthetized male Wistar rats (1, 3 and 6 months old) and blood pressure and heart rate were continuously recorded. Saturation of [(3)H] 8-OH-DPAT binding to 5-HT(1A) sites in brain membranes was determined.

RESULTS

Basal diastolic blood pressure increased with age, 85 +/- 2, 106 +/- 3, and 113 +/- 2 mmHg for 1-, 3- and 6-month-old rats, respectively (p <0.05 among groups). BMY 7378 induced significant dose- and age-dependent hypotension. The selective 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist, WAY 100635 (N-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]N-(2-pyridinyl) cyclohexanecarboxamide), antagonized BMY 7378 effects in 6 month-old but not in younger rats. [(3)H] 8-OH-DPAT binding sites decreased in hippocampi and brainstem with maturation.

CONCLUSIONS

Data suggest that BMY 7378 is a hypotensive agent in the rat, but that its actions are mediated, in part, by central 5-HT(1A) receptor stimulation in the adult and by a nonserotonergic mechanism in the young rat.

Effect of inter-renal aortic coarctation-induced hypertension on function and expression of vascular α(1A)- and α(1D)-adrenoceptors

We investigated the effect of inter-renal aortic coarctation on the function and expression of vascular α(1A)- and α(1D)-adrenoceptors and plasma angiotensin II (ATII) in rats. Male Wistar rats, either sham operated (SO), or with aortic coarctation for 7 (AC7) and 14 days (AC14) were used for agonist-induced pressor responses in vehicle (physiological saline)- and antagonist-treated anesthetized animals, immunoblot analysis (α(1A)- and α(1D)-adrenoceptor in aorta and caudal arteries), and immunoassay (plasma ATII). The α(1D)-adrenoceptor antagonist, BMY-7378 (BMY) blocked noradrenaline-induced responses in the order SO > AC7 ≫ AC14; in contrast, the α(1A)-adrenoceptor antagonist RS-100329 (RS), produced a marginal shift to the right of the dose-response curve to noradrenaline, along with a strong decrease of the maximum pressor effect in the order SO > AC7 = AC14. The potency of the α(1A)-adrenoceptor agonist A-61603 increased in rats with AC14, and responses were inhibited by RS in the order AC14 > AC7 > SO. In aorta, α(1D)-adrenoceptor protein increased in AC7 and decreased in AC14; α(1A)-adrenoreceptor protein increased in the caudal artery of AC7 and returned to control values in AC14. Plasma ATII increased in AC7 and AC14, compared with SO rats. These results suggest an early and direct relationship between ATII and α(1D)-adrenoreceptors in the development of hypertension in this experimental model.

Angiotensin II pressor response in the L-NAME-induced hypertensive pithed rat: role of the AT1 receptor

The blockade of renin-angiotensin system by pharmacological interventions with angiotensin converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or AT1 receptor antagonists in the juvenile critical age may attenuate or even prevent the development of hypertension. In this work, we determined the Ang II type 1 (AT1) receptor role in L-NAME-induced hypertension in pithed rats. Male Wistar rats (250-300 g) were used. Rats were divided into the following groups: Control (tap water) and N(omega)-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 60 mg/kg/day/2 weeks). Dose-response curves to Ang II were constructed in the pithed rat. The results show that Ang II evoked blood pressure increase in pithed rats in a dose-related manner. In L-NAME-treated rats a greater maximal effect was observed, indicating that L-NAME promotes Ang II hypersensitivity. In L-NAME-treated rats, Ang II response was blocked by losartan (1 and 3 mg/kg), a selective AT1 receptor antagonist, indicating that AT1 receptor influence L-NAME hypertensive mechanism. Our results suggest that Ang II hypersensitivity in L-NAME-induced hypertension can be due to increased AT1 receptor expression or sensitivity changes.

COVID-19: a basic approach to understanding potential treatments

SARS-CoV-2 virus has been identified as the causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even when no standard treatment is available, antivirals such as remdesivir and other drugs such as chloroquine and ivermectin, which interfere with viral replication, have been assayed. Some strategies aimed at reducing immune mechanisms, such as the use of tocilizumab and natural antioxidants, have also been tested. The use of drugs related to the renin-angiotensin system has been controversial. Pathogenicity mechanisms, as well as controlled treatments, still have to be studied in detail in order to propose a viable therapeutic option that prevents the entry and replication of the virus or enhances the host immune system.

El virus SARS-CoV-2 ha sido identificado como el agente patológico causante de la pandemia de COVID-19. Aun cuando no se cuenta con un tratamiento estándar, se han probado antivirales como remdesivir y otros fármacos como cloroquina e ivermectina, que interfieren con la replicación del virus. También se han intentado algunas estrategias encaminadas a disminuir los mecanismos inmunitarios, como el uso de tocilizumab y antioxidantes naturales. Los fármacos relacionados con el sistema renina-angiotensina han resultado controversiales. Aún se debe estudiar con detalle los mecanismos de patogenicidad, así como los tratamientos controlados para proponer alguna opción terapéutica viable que evite la entrada y replicación del virus o que aumente los sistemas inmunitarios del huésped.