Mechanism of antihypertensive effect of dietary potassium in experimental volume expanded hypertension in rats

Dietary potassium supplementation lowers blood pressure (BP) and attenuates complications in hypertensive subjects, particularly those with the low renin volume expanded (LRVE) variety. We and others have shown that the plasma level of a digitalis like substance (DLS) is elevated in this type of hypertension. We therefore, examined the effect of increases in dietary potassium on the plasma level of endogenous DLS, myocardial and renal Na+, K+-ATPase (NKA) activities, BP, and renal excretory function in reduced renal mass (RRM)-salt hypertension in the rat, a classical model of LRVE hypertension. 70% RRM rats were divided in 4 groups, namely those consuming: 1) a sodium free and normal potassium (1.3% as KCl) diet (RRM-0 Na), 2) a normal sodium and normal potassium diet (RRM-NaK), 3) a normal sodium and high potassium (2 X normal) diet (RRM-Na2K), and 4) a normal sodium and 4 times normal potassium diet (RRM-Na4K). At the end of 4 weeks of dietary treatment, direct BP was recorded, plasma level of DLS determined by bioassay and with a radioimmunoassay for digoxin (DIF) and myocardial and renal NKA activities were measured. As expected, compared to RRM-0Na rats, RRM-NaK rats developed hypertension. BP increased significantly less in RRM-Na2K, whereas BP did not increase in RRM-Na4K rats. Hypertension in RRM-NaK rats was associated with an increase in plasma DLS and DIF and decrease in renal and myocardial NKA activities. DLS was increased (DIF was not changed) and myocardial NKA also decreased in rats consuming double potassium. However, quadrupling potassium in the diet (RRM-Na4K) normalized DLS and DIF and increased myocardial and renal NKA activities, compared to RRM-0Na rats. Also compared to RRM-0Na, water consumption, urinary volume excretion, sodium, and potassium increased in the other 3 groups, more so in RRM-Na4K rats. These data show that quadrupling the potassium in the diet prevents the BP increase in RRM rats and this is associated with diuresis/natriuresis and normalization of DLS, perhaps because the diuresis/natriuresis normalizes blood volume.

Effects of a neutral endoprotease enzyme inhibitor, thiorphan, on hemodynamics and renal excretory function in four models of experimental hypertension

Thiorphan, a neutral endoprotease (NEP) enzyme inhibitor, has been shown to enhance the effects of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in vivo. In this study, we examined the effects of an intravenous (iv) infusion of thiorphan on cardiovascular hemodynamics and excretion of urine volume (UV), sodium (U(Na)V) and potassium (UKV) in four different models of experimental hypertension, namely: 1) SHR, 2) two-kidney, one clip (2K1C),3) one-kidney, 1 clip (1K1C) and. 4) 70% reduced renal mass-salt (RRM-S) hypertensive rats. SHR has normal plasma renin activity, 2K1C is renin dependent, and 1K1C and RRM-S are low renin volume dependent models of hypertension. Rats were divided into experimental and control groups. Under inactin (120 mg/kg, body weight) anesthesia, rats were instrumented to record blood pressure and dP/dt (Millar catheter) and urine was collected through a suprapubic urinary bladder catheter. Experimental animals received an iv infusion of thiorphan, 0.5 mg/kg/min for 120 minutes. Control animals received vehicle only. In some animals, vascular smooth muscle cell membrane potentials (Em) was measured in vivo. In another series of experiments, using the identical protocol, cardiac output was recorded. The thiorphan infusion produced a similar progressive decrease in blood pressure in all models of hypertension. Cardiac output did not change relative to vehicle infused control animals. Thus pressure decreased because of a decrease in total peripheral resistance. The contractility index (dP/dt/P, where P = left ventricular pressure) did not change but vascular smooth muscle cells in tail arteries hyperpolarized in all four models. In spite of a significant decrease in blood pressure, thiorphan infusion either increased or produced no change in urinary volume (UV) and sodium (U(Na)V) excretion. These data show that thiorphan, an NEP inhibitor, decreases the blood pressure of hypertensive rats due to a decrease in total peripheral resistance, perhaps by hyperpolarizing vascular smooth muscle cells. These effects are independent of the mechanism of the hypertension. Increased UV and U(Na)V in the face of decreased pressure suggests a direct renal effect.

Sodium-potassium pump inhibitor in the mechanism of one-kidney, one wrap hypertension in dogs

Using ouabain sensitive 86Rb uptake by the vessel wall, we previously showed that sodium-potassium pump activity is decreased in the arteries and veins, and that the sodium-potassium pump inhibitor (SPI) is increased in the plasma of dogs with one-kidney, one wrap (1-K, 1W) hypertension, a low renin model of hypertension. We also showed in rats with a similar type of hypertension that the membrane potential of vascular smooth muscle cells in arteries is decreased, and that this decrease can be reproduced in arterial cells in arteries from normal rats by applying plasma from the hypertensive animals. One endogenous SPI in human plasma has been reported to be ouabain or its isomer. In this study, we used a newly available Dupont ouabain enzyme immunoassay kit to examine plasma and kidneys for SPI in dogs with 1-K, 1W hypertension. We also examined 1) the inhibiting activity of plasma of Na+, K(+)-ATPase obtained from normal kidneys, and 2) the Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity of the kidneys from these hypertensive animals. 1-K, 1W hypertension was produced in dogs by wrapping the left kidney in a silk bag and removing the right kidney. The removed kidney was kept at -70 degrees C till assayed. After 4 weeks of hypertension, the remaining kidney was removed and stored at -70 degrees C till assayed. Blood samples were drawn before and at weeks 3 and 4 of hypertension. Plasma levels of "ouabain" and Na+, K(+)-ATPase inhibitory activity were increased at weeks 3 and 4 of hypertension, compared to pre-hypertension levels. Renal tissue "ouabain" levels were also increased at week 4 of hypertension. However, renal Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity was unchanged. These findings, using two different assays, confirm our 1980 conclusion that SPI is elevated in the plasma of dogs with 1-K, 1W hypertension. The absence of renal Na+, K(+)-ATPase inhibition, despite increased plasma and renal SPI in these animals, may have important implications for the development of this type of hypertension.

Role of ouabain-like factors and Na-K-ATPase inhibitors in hypertension--some old and recent findings

Three lines of evidence led to our suggestion in 1976 that sodium pump inhibitors are involved in volume expanded hypertension. These were 1) pressor activity of low renin hypertensive blood 2) natriuretic and sodium pump inhibiting activities of volume expanded blood and 3) potassium vasoactivity which was blocked by ouabain and suppressed potassium vasodilatation, myocardial Na-K-ATPase, and artery, vein and WBC sodium pumps in low renin hypertension. This led to bioassay of plasma from acutely volume expanded dogs and from dogs with one-kidney, one wrapped hypertension for sodium pump inhibiting activity that acts on arteries. Positive results were reported in 1980. The assay was also positive in rats with one-kidney, one clip and reduced renal mass hypertension (but not in rats with spontaneous or salt sensitive hypertension) and in humans with acute volume expansion and low renin essential hypertension (but not in humans with normal renin hypertension). Thus the inhibitor which acts on the sodium pump in arteries appears to be present only in low renin hypertension.

Role of digitalis-like substance in the hypertension of streptozotocin-induced diabetes and simulated weightlessness in rats

We have examined the role of plasma Na+-K+ pump inhibitor (SPI) in the hypertension of streptozotocin induced insulin dependent diabetes (IDDM) in reduced renal mass rats. The increase in blood pressure (BP) was associated with an increase in extracellular fluid volume (ECFV), and SPI and a decrease in myocardial Na+,K+ATPase (NKA) activity, suggesting that increased SPI, which inhibits cardiovascular muscle (CVM) cell NKA activity, may be involved in the mechanism of IDDM-hypertension. In a second study, using prolonged suspension resulted in a decrease in cardiac NKA activity, suggesting that cardiovascular deconditioning following space flight might in part result from insufficient SPI.

Effects of head down tilt on hemodynamics, fluid volumes, and plasma Na-K pump inhibitor in rats

BACKGROUND

Hindquarter suspension in rats has been used as a model of simulated weightlessness (SW) for ground based study of the effects of microgravity on the cardiovascular system (CVS).

METHODS

Using this rat model of SW we tested the hypothesis that CVS deconditioning following spaceflight results, in part, from a decrease in the circulating concentration of sodium-potassium pump inhibitor (SPI). Control rats similarly prepared were not suspended.

RESULTS

During the first hour of suspension, central venous pressure (CVP), blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), cardiac output (CO), plasma volume (PV), extracellular fluid volume (ECFV), urine output (UV), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and the plasma level of SPI increased. Plasma renin activity (PRA) and myocardial Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity (NKA) decreased. By the end of 4 h of SW, the changes in CVP, BP, HR, ECFV, and UV persisted, but PV, plasma ANP and SPI, and myocardial NKA activity returned to control levels. By the end of 1 d of SW, ECFV and plasma SPI levels had decreased but the myocardial NKA had not increased. At day 4, CVP and BP were the same as in control sham treated rats. Plasma SPI levels were decreased at day 4 but the myocardial NKA was not different, whereas renal NKA was increased. At day 7, myocardial NKA and renal NKA were increased and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) membrane potentials were hyperpolarized.

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicate that prolonged SW causes a decrease in plasma SPI level which, by hyperpolarizing VSMC, may play a role in the CVS deconditioning seen in astronauts following spaceflight.

Role of dietary salt in hypertension

Hypertension is the most common chronic disease in the United States and, untreated, results in disability or death due to stroke, heart failure or kidney failure. Fortunately the results of hypertension can be avoided to a large extent by proper treatment. One treatment which is effective in some cases is the restriction of dietary NaCl intake. This review considers the role of dietary NaCl in the genesis, therapy and prevention of hypertension. Most people can eat as much NaCl as they like; they have good kidneys which, within about 24 hours, excrete the NaCl as fast as it is taken in and nothing happens to blood pressure. A few, especially those with kidney disease, do not excrete it as fast as it is taken in and blood pressure rises. They are "salt sensitive". Once hypertension is established, the proportion who are "NaCl sensitive" is much higher. About 60% of people with hypertension respond to a high NaCl intake with a rise in pressure and to NaCl restriction with a fall in pressure and reduction in the need for antihypertensive medication. These are the same people that respond to diuretics with a fall in blood pressure. Many are black and elderly and have low plasma renin activity (low-renin hypertension) but some have normal or high plasma renin activity (normal or high-renin hypertension). Evidence suggests that very early they have a subtle kidney defect which causes them to excrete NaCl and water more slowly, e.g., even before they become hypertensive, black and elderly subjects excrete intravenously administered NaCl more slowly than white and young subjects. How does NaCl retention raise blood pressure? One possibility is that the NaCl retention causes water retention which releases a digitalis-like substance that increases the contractile activity of heart and blood vessels. Another is that the sodium itself penetrates the vascular smooth muscle cell, causing it to contract. "Salt sensitive" hypertension also responds to increased potassium and calcium intakes, perhaps in part because they increase NaCl urinary excretion.

Effect of administration of insulin on streptozotocin-induced diabetic hypertension in rat

We have reported that streptozotocin-induced insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in 25% reduced renal mass rats is associated with low-renin, volume-expanded hypertension and that the development of the hypertension can be prevented with insulin. In this study we examined the effect of insulin after the animals had developed sustained hypertension. Normotensive 25% reduced renal mass rats were treated with streptozotocin and, as expected, developed insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and hypertension. After 4 weeks of sustained hypertension, neutral protamine Hagedorn insulin (6 to 8 IU/d) was administered subcutaneously for 4 weeks. As expected, insulin treatment decreased plasma glucose and increased body weight gain relative to untreated diabetic rats. On the other hand, insulin treatment did not reverse the hypertension and albuminuria. It also did not normalize extracellular fluid volume and plasma renin activity. Furthermore, insulin treatment did not reverse the increase in plasma Na+,K(+)-ATPase inhibitory activity (determined by both radioimmunoassay and bioassay) and the inhibition of myocardial microsomal Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity observed in the untreated diabetic hypertensive rats. 5'-Nucleotidase, a membrane marker, was not different between insulin-treated and untreated diabetic rats. These results show that insulin, given as here described, does not reverse the insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus hypertension in 25% reduced renal mass rats once it is established, perhaps because it does not reverse the albuminuria, volume expansion, increase in endogenous digitalis-like substance, and inhibition of cardiovascular muscle cell Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity.

Chronic blood pressure effects of bufalin, a sodium-potassium ATPase inhibitor, in rats

Endogenous Na+,K(+)-ATPase inhibitors may have a role in the mechanism of low-renin hypertension. Two such compounds have been characterized: ouabain from human plasma and resibufogenin from toad plasma. Previously, we examined the acute effects of ouabain and bufalin (which has the same structure as resibufogenin except for one H+) in normal rats. Bufalin raised blood pressure, but ouabain had little effect. In contrast, given chronically, ouabain substantially increased blood pressure in normal rats and 70% reduced renal mass rats on a salt-free diet. We have now examined the chronic effects of bufalin in rats. Normal rats received 14.8 micrograms/kg per day bufalin or an equimolar dose of ouabain intraperitoneally for 6 weeks; 70% reduced renal mass rats also received 14.8 micrograms/kg per day bufalin. Another group of normal rats received 29.6 micrograms/kg per day bufalin intraperitoneally for 6 weeks. Respective control animals received vehicle. In contrast to ouabain, blood pressure did not increase in normal rats receiving the 14.8 micrograms dose of bufalin. However, normal rats receiving 29.6 micrograms bufalin and 70% reduced renal mass rats receiving 14.8 micrograms bufalin developed significant increases in blood pressure. Increases in blood pressure were associated with decreases in myocardial Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity and correlated with increased plasma Na+,K(+)-ATPase inhibitory activity. Thus, although bufalin is a more potent pressor agent than ouabain when both agents are given acutely, ouabain is at least as potent a vasopressor agent as bufalin when given chronically. Thus, both are pressor agents, more so in the presence of reduced renal mass, when given chronically in the rat.

Long-term ouabain administration produces hypertension in rats

Ouabain has recently been identified as an endogenous Na(+)-K+ pump inhibitor. We administered ouabain chronically to normotensive rats with varying degrees of reduced renal mass (RRM) and to normal two-kidney rats to see whether hypertension could be produced. Normal male Wistar rats and rats with 25%, 60%, and 70% RRM received ouabain (13.9 micrograms/kg per day IP) in normal saline for 4 weeks followed by ouabain (27.8 micrograms/kg per day IP) for 3 to 4 more weeks. Respective control animals received vehicle only. Blood pressure was recorded weekly by tail plethysmography. Animals received tap water and standard rat chow, except for 70% RRM rats, which received distilled water and sodium-free chow. After 6 to 8 weeks of treatment, with rats under thiobutabarbital anesthesia, direct blood pressure was determined. Plasma, tissue, and urinary ouabain levels were measured with a specific radioimmunoassay. Animals receiving ouabain developed significant increases in mean blood pressure compared with control animals (70% RRM, 147 +/- 4 vs 116 +/- 4 mm Hg; 60% RRM, 140 +/- 4 vs 107 +/- 3 mm Hg; 25% RRM, 131 +/- 5 vs 100 +/- 2 mm Hg; no RRM, 116 +/- 4 vs 98 +/- 5 mm Hg). Plasma ouabain levels measured 24 hours after the last ouabain dose were not different in animals receiving ouabain vs those receiving vehicle. However, kidney tissue ouabain levels were significantly greater (6.39 +/- 1.17 vs 2.36 +/- 0.52 micrograms/kg, P < .05) in animals receiving ouabain. In conclusion, ouabain, given chronically, is associated with the development of hypertension in RRM rats as well as in normal rats. Blood pressure was greater in animals with greater degrees of RRM for a given ouabain dose.

Role of digitalis-like substance in the hypertension of streptozotocin-induced diabetes in reduced renal mass rats

We have previously reported that chronic hypertension develops consistently in Wistar rats with a 25% reduction in renal mass (RRM) following the induction of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) with streptozotocin (STZ, 65 mg/kg body weight, intravenously). In this study, we examined the role of the endogenous digitalis-like substance in the development of hypertension. Four groups of rats were studied: 1) 25% RRM rats with STZ-induced IDDM (25-DM), 2) normal rats with STZ-induced IDDM (2K-DM), 3) 25% RRM rats with vehicle treatment (25-V), and 4) normal rats with vehicle treatment (2K-V). In 25-DM rats, blood pressure progressively increased during the 3 weeks after STZ treatment and was associated with microalbuminuria, low plasma renin activity, and extracellular volume expansion. In contrast, the 2K-DM, 25-V, and 2K-V rats remained normotensive. Furthermore, the plasma and urine levels of digoxin-like immunoreactive factor (DIF), determined by digoxin radioimmunoassay (Baxter), were significantly higher in hypertensive 25-DM rats than in their controls. The same was the case for plasma digitalis-like substance (DLS), determined by exposing canine Na+,K(+)-ATPase to plasma fractions and observing the percent inhibition. Increased DIF and DLS in hypertensive 25-DM rats was associated with a significant decrease in Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity of microsomes prepared from the left and right ventricles, when compared with microsomes from normotensive 2K-DM animals. Microsomal 5'-nucleotidase, a plasma membrane marker, was unchanged. The DIF and DLS correlated significantly with each other and with myocardial Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity and mean blood pressure. These results suggest that increased endogenous digitalis-like substance, which inhibits cardiovascular muscle cell Na(+)-K(+)-pump activity, may be involved in the mechanism of hypertension associated with IDDM in 25% RRM rats.

Role of ouabain-like factors in hypertension: effects of ouabain and certain endogenous ouabain-like factors in hypertension

Several reports suggest the presence of sodium-potassium pump inhibitor in plasma and various tissues, particularly during volume-expanded state and low-renin hypertension. It has been hypothesized that by inhibiting the cardiovascular muscle-cell Na(+)-K+ pump, this inhibitor can constrict blood vessels, enhance vasoconstriction, and increase cardiac contractility, thereby raising blood pressure. Only two such endogenous inhibitors have been chemically characterized: the bufodienolide derivative, resibufogenin, obtained from toad skin and plasma; and a factor with the same structure (based on mass spectral analysis) as ouabain, from human plasma. However, unlike bufalin (aglycone), which is almost structurally identical to resibufogenin, neither ouabain nor ouabagenin (aglycone of ouabain) caused a sustained increase in blood pressure when infused in equimolar doses during a 30-min period in rats. Because the rat is 10(4)-fold less sensitive to ouabain than the human is, we wondered whether the absence of a response to ouabain was due to the short infusion time. Therefore, in new experiments ouabain was administered chronically during a 6- to 7-week period to two-kidney normal rats and rats with 70, 60, and 25% reduced renal mass. Reduced renal mass rats were used because these rats have decreased sodium excretion capacity, and thus we hoped the action of exogenous ouabain would be potentiated in these volume-expanded rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Role of digitalis-like substance in experimental insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus hypertension

Hypertension is frequently associated with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, but the mechanism of the hypertension is unknown. An animal model of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus hypertension could be helpful in determining the mechanism, but experimental insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus has been infrequently and irregularly associated with hypertension. In an attempt to develop a dependable model of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus hypertension, we studied seven series of rats receiving either streptozotocin, surgical reduction of renal mass, or both. We found that superimposing streptozotocin 65 mg/kg body weight on 25% reduced renal mass regularly produced insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and low-renin volume-expanded hypertension and that the animals remained healthy and hypertensive for as long as followed (13 weeks). Microalbuminuria correlated temporally with blood pressure. We used this dependable model to examine the role of endogenous digitalis-like substance in the development of hypertension in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Plasma levels of digoxin-like immunoreactive factor (DIF), determined with a digoxin radioimmunoassay, were significantly higher in these hypertensive rats than in normotensive control rats (two-kidney diabetic rats, 25% reduced renal mass rats receiving vehicle for streptozotocin). This increase in plasma DIF was associated with a decrease in Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity in microsomes prepared from left or right ventricle. Microsomal 5'-nucleotidase, a plasma membrane marker, was unchanged. The plasma DIF level correlated inversely with myocardial Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity and positively with systolic blood pressure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A consistent model of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus hypertension

Hypertension is frequently seen in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), but the mechanism of the hypertension is unknown. An animal model of IDDM hypertension could be helpful in determining the mechanism, but experimental IDDM has been infrequently and irregularly associated with hypertension. In an attempt to develop a consistent model of IDDM hypertension, we superimposed streptozotocin (STZ)-induced IDDM on surgical reduction of renal mass (RRM) in Wistar rats. Seven groups of rats were studied: 1) 60% RRM receiving 65 mg/kg body weight (BW) STZ; 2) 60% RRM receiving 40 mg/kg BW STZ; 3) 25% RRM receiving 65 mg/kg BW STZ; 4) two kidney normal rats receiving 65 mg/kg BW STZ; 5) 60% RRM receiving vehicle (control for group 1); 6) 60% RRM receiving vehicle (control for group 2); and 7) 25% RRM receiving vehicle. STZ produced diabetes and hypertension within 1 to 2 weeks in all three groups of RRM rats but blood pressure was unaffected by 60% or 25% RRM alone. STZ alone had no effect on blood pressure until the 5th week when the blood pressure increased slightly. Progressive weight loss resulted from 65 mg/kg BW STZ combined with 60% RRM; the animals had to be terminated after 5 weeks. In only 60% of animals with 40 mg/kg BW STZ plus 60% RRM was IDDM produced. On the other hand, 65 mg/kg BW STZ in rats with 25% RRM regularly produced IDDM and hypertension without excessive loss of body weight. In these rats, albuminuria developed in 2 weeks. Extracellular fluid volume was elevated and plasma renin activity was depressed. The animals were healthy and hypertensive when killed at the 13th week. We suggest that the 25% RRM rat receiving 65 mg/kg BW STZ is a consistent model of IDDM hypertension, which may be useful in probing the mechanism of this type of hypertension.

Reversal of one-kidney, one-clip hypertension in rats. Effects on myocardial Na+, K(+)-ATPase, arterial Na(+)-K+ pump, arterial membrane potential, and plasma Na(+)-K+ pump inhibitory activity

We have previously reported that myocardial microsomal Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity, arterial wall ouabain-sensitive 86Rb uptake, and arterial smooth muscle cell membrane potentials are decreased and plasma Na(+)-K+ pump inhibitory activity is increased in rats during the fifth week of one-kidney, one-clip hypertension. We here report measurements of these four parameters and blood pressure following unclipping. A new series of rats with one-kidney, one-clip hypertension was prepared. Each animal was paired with a one-kidney, sham-clipped (nonconstricting clip) control rat. After 5 weeks, the clips were removed. In the hypertensive animals arterial pressure promptly (within 3 h) returned to normal and remained at the level for 7 observation days. On the third day following unclipping, all four parameters were not significantly different from those in the paired control animals. On the seventh day following unclipping, three of the four parameters were not significantly different from those in the paired control animals and arterial ouabain sensitive 86Rb uptake was slightly increased relative to the value in the control animals. These studies invite further inquiry into the possible role of plasma Na(+)-K+ pump inhibitory activity in the genesis and maintenance of the hypertension in this model.

Effects of three sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase inhibitors

Reports from several laboratories suggest the presence of an ouabainlike compound in plasma and various animal tissues, particularly during acute volume expansion and in low-renin hypertension. It has been hypothesized that this compound, through inhibition of the Na(+)-K+ pump, can constrict blood vessels, enhance vasoconstriction in response to agonists, increase cardiac contractility, raise blood pressure, and cause natriuresis/diuresis and therefore is implicated in the pathophysiology of the low-renin, volume-expanded type of hypertension. However, so far, only two steroid Na(+)-K+ pump inhibitors (namely, a bufodienolide derivative [resibufogenin], obtained from toad skin and plasma and a factor with the same carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen content as ouabain obtained from the plasma of volume-expanded humans) have been purified and structurally characterized. To determine whether such endogenous Na(+)-K+ pump inhibitors can in fact produce the above effects on the cardiovascular and renal systems, we infused commercially available bufalin (aglycone, identical to resibufogenin except for one H+), ouabain, and ouabagenin (aglycone) at equimolar doses in normotensive rats. Relative to ouabain, bufalin produced significantly greater dose-dependent increases in blood pressure, left ventricular rate of pressure change, heart rate, and excretion of urinary volume and sodium. Ouabagenin was without effect on any of these parameters. These data indicate that a Na(+)-K+ pump inhibitor can cause an increase in blood pressure despite potent diuretic and natriuretic effects and that, in rats, bufalin is much more potent in this respect than ouabain or ouabagenin.

Effects of canrenone on blood pressure in rats with reduced renal mass

Canrenone, a metabolic product of spironolactone, which competes with ouabain for binding to Na-K-ATPase at the digitalis receptor site and by itself inhibits Na-K-ATPase, was administered intramuscularly to reduced renal mass-saline drinking hypertensive and reduced renal mass-distilled water drinking normotensive rats for 8 days. Reduced renal mass-saline hypertension in the rat, is a low renin, volume expanded form of hypertension. Rats with this type of hypertension have been shown to have depressed arterial Na-K pump activity and increased Na-K pump inhibitory activity in their plasma. Canrenone treatment caused a progressive decrease in blood pressure in the hypertensive rats and this was associated with normalization of Na-K pump activity in arteries. Water and salt intake and excretion did not change. On the other hand, canrenone progressively increased blood pressure in the normotensive rats and this was associated with positive inotropy in isolated papillary muscles. These findings suggest that the depressed pump activity and the pump inhibitor play a role in reduced renal mass-saline hypertension in the rat and that the rise in blood pressure in the normotensive rats probably reflects canrenone's ability, by itself, to inhibit Na-K-ATPase.

Effect of increased dietary calcium on the development of reduced renal mass saline hypertension in rats

A diet fortified with calcium carbonate has been reported to reduce blood pressure in low-renin and salt-sensitive hypertensive patients. We have therefore examined the effect of increased dietary calcium on the development of reduced renal mass-saline hypertension in rats, a classical, low-renin, volume, and sodium-dependent model of hypertension. Rats with 70-75% reduction in renal mass were divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental rats were fed a sodium-free diet supplemented with calcium carbonate (2.0% calcium) and drank 1% saline for 5 weeks. Control rats consumed the salt-free diet and drank 1% saline for the same period. In control rats, as previously observed, blood pressure progressive increased from a control value of 120.0 +/- 1.2 to 174.2 +/- 1.2 mm Hg by the fifth week. In contrast, in the calcium-supplemented rats the development of hypertension was significantly attenuated; the blood pressure only increased from 117.0 +/- 1.2 to 134.0 +/- 3.8 mm Hg by the fifth week. This was associated with a 30% decrease in saline intake by the fifth week, with proportionate decreases in urine volume and sodium excretion but not potassium excretion. Urinary magnesium excretion increased. No such changes were seen in control rats. At the end of the treatment period, plasma levels of sodium, potassium, calcium, creatinine, BUN, and protein were not different, but plasma chloride and magnesium were lower in experimental rats; vascular smooth muscle cell membrane potentials were also not different. These data show that dietary calcium carbonate can attenuate the development of reduced renal mass-saline hypertension in the rat, possibly in part by altering sodium and water intake.

Humoral Na+-K+ pump inhibitory activity in essential hypertension and in normotensive subjects after acute volume expansion

Plasma from black male patients with essential hypertension was bioassayed for vascular Na+-K+ pump inhibitory activity. Halves of the same rat tail artery were incubated for two hours in boiled plasma supernates from a hypertensive patient and a paired age-, sex-, and race-matched normotensive subject and then ouabain-sensitive 86Rb uptake was measured. Ouabain-sensitive 86Rb uptake by their leukocytes was also measured. Eighteen pairs of subjects were studied. The uptakes were not significantly different in the hypertensive patients and control subjects. However, when we selected from the eighteen hypertensive patients, nine with low plasma renin activity on the day of the study, uptakes were reduced in the hypertensive patients relative to the paired control subjects. We also assayed plasma supernates from normotensive black and white male subjects before and after acute volume expansion (2.5 L saline IV + 1.5 L distilled water orally over a three-hour period) and from paired normotensive subjects before and after sham volume expansion and obtained a positive bioassay in the expanded subjects both on intraindividual and interindividual comparisons. These studies demonstrate increased vascular Na+-K+ pump inhibitory activity in the plasma of black male patients with low renin essential hypertension and in the plasma of normotensive subjects after acute volume expansion. The findings suggest that the inhibitory activity in the hypertensive subjects' plasma is related to volume expansion, relative or absolute.

Sustained antihypertensive effect of chronic oral administration of 6-iodo-amiloride, a sodium channel blocker, in spontaneously hypertensive rats

We have previously shown that a 10-min intravenous infusion of 6-iodo-amiloride, an analogue of the sodium channel blocker amiloride, causes a sustained decrease in blood pressure in two genetic models of hypertension, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) rats. In contrast, the same infusion produced only a transient decrease in blood pressure in two renal models of hypertension, viz. one-kidney, one clip, and reduced renal mass-saline rats. With these findings, we suggested that 6-iodo-amiloride has potential both as a diagnostic probe and as a therapeutic agent in genetic models of hypertension. The aim of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of 6-iodo-amiloride as a long-term antihypertensive agent and determine the mechanism of its antihypertensive action. We administered 6-iodo-amiloride to SHR for 4 weeks in the drinking fluid (tap water). The treatment with 6-iodo-amiloride caused a significant decrease in blood pressure but had no effect on urine volume or urinary excretion of sodium and potassium. These data strongly suggest that 6-iodo-amiloride is an effective long-term antihypertensive agent in genetic types of hypertension.

Role of atrial natriuretic factor in regulation of blood pressure in normotensive rats having reduced renal mass

Experiments were carried out in normotensive, saline-drinking, 60% reduced renal mass rats to determine the effect of an in vivo blockade of endogenous atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) on blood pressure. We used a 60% reduction in renal mass because blood pressure in these normotensive animals is extremely sensitive to any slight further reduction of renal excretory function. Six weeks following the reduction of renal mass and documentation of normotension, rats were injected intraperitoneally twice daily for 12 days with ANF antibody prepared against the C-terminal heptapeptide of AP III conjugated to bovine thyroglobulin. Control rats similarly prepared, received normal rabbit serum (NRS). Blood pressure progressively increased in rats receiving the antibody, and its withdrawal returned blood pressure to control levels within 4-5 days. Serum from either normal rabbits or rabbits immunized with bovine thyroglobulin or peptides unrelated to ANF had no effect on blood pressure in the control animals. These experiments show that in the normotensive saline-drinking rat with reduced renal mass, an antibody to AP III raises blood pressure. This suggests that ANF here is acting to prevent the rise in blood pressure.

Effect of 6-iodoamiloride in various models of experimental hypertension

6-Iodoamiloride, an analogue of the sodium channel blocker amiloride, is a vasodilator-depressor, diuretic-natriuretic, and antikaliuretic agent. In these experiments we intravenously infused 6-iodamiloride (0.38 mg/100 g body weight) over a 10- to 11-minute period into rats with reduced renal mass-saline hypertension or one-kidney, one clip hypertension. The infusion produced a prompt but transient fall in blood pressure. These findings are in contrast to those in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), in which the same infusion of 6-iodoamiloride produced a prompt, pronounced, and sustained fall in blood pressure. Studies from a number of laboratories suggest that vascular smooth muscle cells from the SHR have increased permeability to sodium whereas vascular smooth muscle cells from the other two models do not. Thus, 6-iodoamiloride may have potential both as a diagnostic probe and a therapeutic agent for hypertension characterized by increased vascular smooth muscle cell permeability to sodium.

Pharmacologic agents for the in vivo detection of vascular sodium transport defects in hypertension

Anatagonists to angiotensin, catecholamines, aldosterone, and vasopressin have long been used to help determine agonist roles in hypertension. We here call attention to a possible extension of this approach to detect, evaluate, and treat vascular sodium transport defects in hypertension. Two basic types of transport defects have been identified in the blood vessels of hypertensive animals, increased sodium permeability and decreased sodium pump activity. Intravenous injection of 6-iodo-amiloride, a sodium channel blocker and vasodilator, produces an immediate and sustained decrease in blood pressure in two genetic models of hypertension characterized by increased permeability of the vascular smooth muscle cell membrane to sodium (Okamoto spontaneously hypertensive rat, Dahl salt sensitive rat), whereas it produces only a transient fall in arterial pressure in two renal models of hypertension having normal sodium permeability in vascular smooth muscle cells (reduced renal mass-saline rat, one-kidney, one clip rat). Canrenone, a metabolic product of spironolactone which can compete with oubain for binding to Na+,K+-ATPase at the digitalis receptor site, decreases blood pressure in a low renin, volume expanded model of hypertension which has been shown to have depressed sodium pump activity in arteries and increased sodium pump inhibitor in plasma (reduced renal mass-saline rat) but has no effect on blood pressure in a genetic model of hypertension which has been shown to have increased sodium pump activity secondary to increased sodium permeability (spontaneously hypertensive rat). Thus, a sodium channel blocker and a competitor to ouabain binding can detect and determine the functional significance of sodium transport defects in the blood vessels of intact hypertensive animals. Studies in red and white blood cells suggest that similar defects may exist in the blood vessels of hypertensive humans. Thus, this approach, probing for vascular transport defects in the intact animal, may ultimately also be useful in the clinical setting.

Pathophysiological role of cation transport and natriuretic factors in hypertension

This review considers in some detail the hypothetical relationships between sodium fluxes, both active and passive, across the cell membrane, and intracellular sodium concentration in vascular smooth muscle in the animal models of hypertension. It appears that two basic types of transport defects, increased cell membrane permeability to sodium and decreased active pumping of sodium at a given internal sodium concentration, can exist in vascular smooth muscle in experimental hypertension, and that sometimes the two defects coexist, further increasing internal sodium concentration. It is possible that eventually we may find similar transport defects in vascular smooth muscle in humans with arterial hypertension. Decreased active pumping at a given internal sodium concentration appears to result from a humoral sodium pump inhibitor. Future directions for research in the area are also considered. First priority should be given efforts to determine the chemical structure of the sodium pump inhibitor(s). High priority should also be given to attempts to measure passive and active sodium fluxes and intracellular sodium concentration in vascular smooth muscle cells in vivo, and to determine the role of atrial natriuretic factor in the genesis and maintenance of hypertension.

Humoral sodium transport inhibitor in acute volume expansion and low renin hypertension

This review summarizes our bioassay methods for determining the level of humoral sodium pump inhibiting factor after acute volume expansion in experimental animals and humans, and in low renin experimental and human essential hypertension. In brief, ouabain-sensitive 86Rb uptake and membrane potential in blood vessels from normal animals are measured after incubation in plasma supernate from experimental subjects and animals and their respective controls. The data show that humoral sodium pump inhibitor is elevated after acute volume expansion in normal animals (dogs and rats) and in normal humans. The level of inhibitor is also elevated in patients with low renin essential hypertension and in experimental animals with low renin, volume-dependent types of hypertension, namely, one-kidney, one wrapped hypertension in dogs, and one-kidney, one clip and reduced renal mass-saline hypertension in rats. Humoral sodium pump inhibiting factor inhibits the Na+-K+ pump in the cardiovascular system. Such inhibition by other means (hypokalemia, cardiac glycosides) activates the system. Therefore, we also discuss the possible role of humoral sodium pump inhibitor in low renin volume-dependent hypertension.

Effects of 6-iodo-amiloride, a sodium channel blocker, on cardiovascular parameters in spontaneously hypertensive and Wistar-Kyoto rats

6-Iodo-amiloride, an analogue of the sodium channel blocker amiloride, was infused intravenously for 10 min in anaesthetized Okamoto spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats in doses ranging from 0.08 to 0.38 mg/100 g body weight. Systemic arterial blood pressure and urine flow were measured for 120 min. In SHR, 6-iodo-amiloride produced a prompt, sustained, dose-dependent decrease in pressure. The lower doses were associated with increased urine flow and sodium excretion, while higher doses were not. Paradoxically, in WKY all doses produced a small dose-independent sustained increase in pressure and were associated with diuresis and natriuresis. 6-Iodo-amiloride had no effect on cardiac output, dP/dt or heart rate in isolated working hearts from SHR or WKY. However, addition of 6-iodo-amiloride to physiological salt solution bathing an isolated Wistar rat tail artery produced hyperpolarization of impaled vascular smooth muscle cells. These studies show that 6-iodo-amiloride is a vasodilatory antihypertensive agent in SHR, and that this can be associated with natriuresis and diuresis.

Decreased myocardial Na+K+ATPase activity in rats with reduced renal mass-saline hypertension

Inhibition of cardiovascular Na,K-pump activity has been shown to promote an increase in the contractile activity of myocardial and vascular smooth muscle and a consequent rise in blood pressure (BP). It has also been shown that vascular Na,K-pump activity and myocardial Na+K+ATPase activity [the energy source for active sodium (Na) and potassium (K) transport] are decreased in rats with various forms of low renin hypertension including rats with reduced renal mass-saline (RRM-saline) hypertension. In the present study, left ventricular Na+K+ATPase activity from rats with RRM-saline hypertension was found to be decreased in membranes prepared by two independent methods: deoxycholate, sodium iodide (Nal)-treated microsomal fractions (method 1) and membranes prepared by the hypotonic, lithium bromide (LiBr) method (method 2). Relative to RRM normotensive control rats which drank distilled water, myocardial Na+K+ATPase activity from RRM-saline drinking rats was decreased by 18.2% in membranes prepared by method 1 and 33.6% in membranes prepared by method 2. The apparent affinities of Na+K+ATPase for K and for ouabain were unaltered relative to controls in membranes prepared from these hypertensive rats by method 1, and the sialic acid content and 5'-nucleotidase activity (two putative sarcolemmal markers) were unaltered in membranes from the hypertensive rats, prepared by methods 1 and 2 respectively. The Mg2+ATPase activity of membranes prepared by method 1 was increased in the RRM-saline hypertensive rats but because it was not increased in membranes prepared by method 2 the former observation does not appear to be of any pathophysiological importance. In other experiments, hypertension was reversed in RRM-saline hypertensive rats by restricting their salt intake (substitution of distilled water for drinking).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Vascular smooth muscle membrane potentials in rats with one-kidney, one clip and reduced renal mass-saline hypertension: the influence of a humoral sodium pump inhibitor

Ninety to 120 min after removal of the caudal arteries, vascular smooth muscle cells from one-kidney, one clip (1-K, 1C) hypertensive animals were depolarized relative to those in appropriate control animals but cells from reduced renal mass-saline (RRM-S) hypertensive animals were not. However, supernatants of boiled plasma from both of the hypertensive models depolarized vascular smooth muscle cells in arteries taken from normotensive animals. These studies suggest that an agent in the plasma of these animals depolarizes vascular smooth muscle cells. This could help to explain the vasoconstriction in these hypertensive animals.

Evidence for a circulating endogenous Na+-K+ pump inhibitor in low-renin hypertension

It is now more than 10 years since we suggested that an endogenous Na+,K+-ATPase inhibitor might participate in the genesis of certain forms of ren hypertension. Although the question is not yet fully resolved, there has been much activity in the area. We here review that activity. In 1980 we reported that supernatant of boiled plasma from dogs with one-kidney, one wrapped hypertension reduces Na+-K+ pump activity when applied to an artery from another animal. Since then, we and a number of other investigators have described Na+-K+ pump inhibitory activity in the plasma of animals and humans with hypertension, particularly the low-renin varieties. The activity results from a heat-stable small molecule, but the chemical structure of the molecule is unknown. It appears to be released from the hypothalamus in response to pulmonary vascular distension and to act on blood vessels via electrogenic depolarization. Although it may be sufficient by itself to raise pressure, it may be most effective when superimposed on vascular smooth muscle cells that are abnormally permeable to Na+. Efforts to determine the chemical structure of the agent or agents should be intensified.

In vivo membrane potentials of smooth muscle cells in the caudal artery of the rat

Membrane potentials measured in vivo may differ significantly from those measured in vitro in part due to humoral factors, innervation, and wall tension. These studies were initiated to determine whether it is feasible to record membrane potentials from vascular smooth muscle cells in vivo in the caudal artery of the pentobarbital-anesthetized male Wistar rat. Membrane potentials were measured using glass microelectrodes and correlated with systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressures. For systolic blood pressures between 100 and 140 mmHg the average resting membrane potential was -38.4 +/- 0.48 mV. There was good correlation of systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressures with membrane potential between 100 and 140 mmHg (r = 0.89, 0.75, and 0.89, respectively). Below 80 mmHg the arterial muscle cells became more depolarized than would be expected if the membrane potential were determined solely by transmural pressure. The depolarized membrane potential at low arterial pressures may be due to enhanced neural input. Spontaneous electrical activity was observed in some of the in vivo cells. When action potentials were present, they were generated at rates between 1-2/s and 6-7/min. These studies indicate that it is feasible to measure membrane potentials from arterial smooth muscle cells in vivo in the caudal artery of the rat.

Sodium channel blockers are vasodilator as well as natriuretic and diuretic agents

Amiloride (100-400 micrograms) injected intra-arterially into the dog forelimb perfused at constant flow produced a prompt but transient dose-dependent decrease in perfusion pressure. Intravenous injection lowered systemic arterial pressure, but effects were small and transient except in doses exceeding 10 mg. We tested 11 analogues of amiloride, 3 other diuretics, and a hypotensive imidazopyrazine for vasodilator activity in the dog forelimb and found one analogue, 6-iodo-amiloride, with twice the activity of amiloride. Intravenous injection of 3 mg of 6-iodo-amiloride promptly decreased systemic arterial pressure and forelimb perfusion pressure 65 and 47 mm Hg respectively. The decreases with 3 mg of amiloride were only 5 and 23 mm Hg respectively. Intravenous infusion of 17 to 77 mg of 6-iodo-amiloride produced diuresis, natriuresis, and antikaliuresis and, with the higher doses, hypotension. The latter occurred promptly on starting the infusion and was sustained for the duration of the infusion. Wistar rats responded to an intravenous infusion of 0.38 mg/100 g in 11 minutes in the same manner. In the spontaneously hypertensive rat, this same dose produced a large, sustained antihypertensive effect with little change in the urinary parameters. These studies indicate that 6-iodo-amiloride is a vasodilator and a vasodepressor as well as natriuretic and diuretic in the normal dog and rat and that it produces a sustained, large fall in blood pressure, independently of urinary effects, in the spontaneously hypertensive rat. These results suggest that 6-iodo-amiloride and other sodium channel blockers might be useful as vasodilatory antihypertensive agents, particularly in those types of hypertension characterized by increased vascular smooth muscle cell permeability to sodium.

The kidney in the pathogenesis of hypertension: the role of sodium

In this review, we first summarize the evidence which indicates that the inability of the kidney to excrete salt and water normally, particularly when combined with increased salt intake, is frequently associated with hypertension. We then concentrate on the link between sodium and water retention and hypertension. The increase in blood pressure probably results from the increase in volume rather than from the increase in salt. Recent evidence suggests that an increase in volume in the lesser circulation stimulates the release of a sodium pump inhibitor, probably the putative natriuretic hormone, from the hypothalamus. This agent appears to affect cardiac and vascular smooth muscle by suppressing Na+,K+-ATPase, and hence Na+-K+ pump activity in both muscle cells and adrenergic nerve terminals. The sodium pump inhibitor is a heat stable small molecule but its chemical structure is still unknown. It is clearly different from atrial natriuretic factor. We conclude the review with speculations on the possible role of renotropin and various growth and growth inhibitory factors in the vascular structural changes.

Characteristics of hypertensive patients with increased plasma Na+-K+ pump inhibitory activity

Recent studies in our laboratories and in the laboratories of other investigators suggest the presence of a sodium-potassium pump inhibitor in the plasma of some patients with arterial hypertension. We here review these studies in an attempt to determine what characteristics increase the likelihood of detecting the inhibitor. The review suggests but does not prove that the inhibitor is most likely to be found in males with increased sodium intake, decreased renal function, and decreased plasma renin activity. In future studies of plasma sodium-potassium pump inhibitory activity in hypertensive humans, we should pay more attention to the characteristics of the patients. These characteristics include age, sex, race, therapy, stage of hypertension, sodium intake, renal function, and renin status. We should also make an attempt to match the patients properly with normotensive control subjects.

Evidence for a circulating sodium-potassium pump inhibitor in low renin hypertension

In 1978, we reported that supernate of boiled plasma from acutely volume expanded dogs and rats reduces sodium-potassium pump activity when applied to the tail artery from a normal rat and then in 1980 we reported that the same is the case for plasma supernate from the dog with one-kidney, one wrapped hypertension, a model of low renin hypertension. Since then, we and a number of other investigators have described sodium-potassium pump inhibitory activity in the plasma of animals and humans with hypertension, particularly of the low renin variety. The activity results from a heat stable small molecule, probably the putative natriuretic hormone. It appears to be released from the hypothalamus in response to cardiopulmonary vascular distention subsequent to failure of the kidney to excrete the prevailing sodium and water intake. It probably acts on blood vessels both directly (electrogenic depolarization) and indirectly (inhibition of norepinephrine reuptake into adrenergic nerve terminals). While it may be sufficient by itself to raise blood pressure, it may be most effective when superimposed on vascular smooth muscle cells which are abnormally permeable to sodium. Efforts to determine its chemical structure should be intensified.

Myocardial (Na+,K+)-ATPase activity in Dahl salt-sensitive and resistant rats

Vascular (Na+,K+)-pump activity (ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake) and myocardial (Na+,K+)-ATPase activity are reduced in animals with various forms of low renin, experimental hypertension. On the other hand, vascular (Na+,K+)-pump activity is increased in Dahl salt-sensitive relative to resistant rats (a genetic model of hypertension), regardless of salt intake or blood pressure and it is also increased in Dahl salt-sensitive rats on high salt (8% NaCl) relative to low salt (0.4% NaCl) diets. It has been suggested that this increase in vascular (Na+,K+)-pump activity may be secondary to an increase in the vascular sarcolemmal permeability to Na+ in these salt-sensitive rats. In the present study, (Na+,K+)-ATPase activity of left ventricular microsomal fractions, was increased in Dahl salt-sensitive relative to resistant rats on low salt diets; however, this difference disappeared when these salt-sensitive and resistant rats were placed on high salt diets. In contrast, myocardial (Na+,K+)-ATPase activity was decreased in Dahl salt-sensitive rats on high relative to low salt diets. Evidence that this decrease in (Na+,K+)-ATPase activity is not secondary to myocardial hypertrophy in the hypertensive salt-sensitive rats, and mechanisms by which decreased cardiovascular (Na+,K+)-pump activity, increased sarcolemmal permeability or both, might contribute to elevated blood pressure, are discussed.

Acute volume expansion in humans releases a factor which inhibits the vascular Na+-K+ pump

The authors previously observed increased Na+-K+ pump inhibitory activity in the plasma of low renin essential hypertensive unselected with respect to renin status. The present experiments were done to determine the effect of acute volume expansion on plasma Na+-K+ pump inhibitory activity in normotensive subjects. The data show that acute volume expansion increases vascular Na+-K+ pump inhibitory activity in plasma, suggesting that the increased level of this inhibitory activity in low essential hypertensives is probably volume dependent. The unique feature of this study is the use of vascular tissue for the bioassay.

Effects of rat atrial extract on sodium transport and blood pressure in the rat

Atrial cardiocytes contain specific atrial granules ( SAGs ) which are the storage site of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF). The purpose of the present study was to determine whether ANF produces natriuresis by inhibiting Na+-K+ pump activity and whether this factor is similar to the humoral sodium transport inhibiting factor ( HSTIF ) previously demonstrated in acutely volume expanded animals and humans as well as in experimental and human essential hypertension. Our results indicate that, in contrast to the HSTIF , ANF does not inhibit membrane Na+,K+-ATPase, vascular smooth muscle cell Na+-K+ pump activity, or sodium transport in the toad bladder. Intravenous infusion of ANF in the bilaterally nephrectomized, hexamethonium-treated rat produces only a small transient pressor response, probably due to potentiation of endogenous norepinephrine. These findings strongly suggest that the ANF is not the same as the HSTIF detected on acute volume expansion and in some forms of hypertension. They also suggest that the diuretic and natriuretic effects of ANF are due to mechanism(s) other than blood pressure elevation and inhibition of Na+-K+ pump activity.

Myocardial Na,K-ATPase activity in rats with steroid and spontaneous hypertension

Vascular Na-K pump activity (ouabain-sensitive 86Rb uptake) and cardiac Na,K-ATPase activity are decreased in rats with one-kidney, one clip and reduced renal mass-saline hypertension. In the present study we measured left ventricular, microsomal Na,K-ATPase activity in rats with two steroid forms of hypertension; one-kidney, deoxycorticosterone acetate-saline (1-K, DOCA-saline) and one-kidney, dexamethasone (1-K, DEXA) hypertension and also in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Relative to one-kidney, normotensive (1-K, NT) control rats, cardiac Na,K-ATPase activity was decreased and Mg-ATPase activity was increased in rats with 1-K, DOCA-saline hypertension (systolic BP = 175 +/- 2 mmHg, sustained eight to 10 weeks, n = 11). The apparent dissociation constant of cardiac Na,K-ATPase for K was unchanged in these hypertensive rats. In rats with 1-K, DEXA hypertension (systolic BP = 171 +/- 1 mmHg, sustained eight to 10 weeks, n = 9), cardiac Na,K-ATPase activity was increased and Mg-ATPase activity was unchanged relative to 1-K, NT control rats. We observed no change in either cardiac Na,K-ATPase activity or Mg-ATPase activity in SHR (36-38 weeks of age, systolic BP = 186 +/- 7 mmHg, n = 12) relative to either age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto or Wistar control rats. These studies therefore suggest that cardiac Na,K-ATPase activity is decreased in 1-K, DOCA-saline hypertensive rats, increased in 1-K, DEXA hypertensive rats and unchanged in SHR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The vascular Na+-K+ pump in low renin hypertension

In this article, we emphasize our studies on animals and humans and those in the literature on humans that bear on the possible role of a circulating Na+-K+ pump inhibitor in the mechanism of hypertension. An effort is made to determine the features most likely to be associated with evidence for elevated levels of this inhibitor. The data from animals indicate that these features are reduced capacity to excrete salt (functional or organic), increased salt intake, increased extracellular fluid volume, and low plasma renin activity. The data from humans suggest but do not prove that the inhibitor is most likely to be found in males with increased sodium intake, decreased renal function, and decreased plasma renin activity. In future studies on hypertensive humans we should pay more attention to the characteristics of the patients (sex, race, age, drug therapy, stage of hypertension, sodium intake, renal function, and renin status) and make a more vigorous effort to match these patients properly with normotensive control subjects.

Decreased myocardial Na+-K+-ATPase activity in one-kidney, one-clip hypertensive rats

We have previously shown that Na+-K+ pump activity (ouabain-sensitive 86Rb uptake) is decreased in vascular tissue of animals with various forms of low renin hypertension. In the present study we measured Na+-K+-ATPase activity, the energy source for Na+-K+ pumping, in membrane fractions prepared from myocardial tissue of rats with chronic one-kidney, one-clip hypertension and their one-kidney normotensive controls. Membranes were prepared by two independent methods: microsomal fractions (method 1) and fractions prepared by the hypotonic LiBr method of Dhalla et al. (method 2). In membranes prepared from left ventricles of the hypertensive rats (by method 1) Na+-K+-ATPase activity was decreased, Mg2+-ATPase activity was increased, and the sialic acid content and 5'-nucleotidase activity (two putative membrane markers) were unchanged relative to the control rats. The sensitivity of cardiac Na+-K+-ATPase to inhibition by ouabain was also unchanged. Na+-K+-ATPase activity was also decreased in the right ventricles (method 1) of these hypertensive rats, suggesting that this defect is probably not pressure related. In membranes prepared from the left ventricles of the hypertensive rats by method 2, Na+-K+-ATPase activity was again reduced, whereas the Mg2+-ATPase and 5'-nucleotidase activities were unchanged relative to the controls. These studies suggest that myocardial Na+-K+-ATPase activity is suppressed in rats with this low renin form of hypertension and the possible effect of this suppression on myocardial contractile activity is discussed.

The role of a humoral sodium-potassium pump inhibitor in low-renin hypertension

We have recently concentrated our efforts on bioassay of plasma supernatant from animals with experimental low-renin hypertension (one-kidney, one-wrapped in dogs, and one-kidney, one-clip, and reduced renal mass in rats) for sodium-potassium pump inhibiting activity. We have observed changes compatible with inhibitory activity by using three different in vitro bioassays: 1) ouabain-sensitive 86Rb uptake by the normal rat tail artery, 2) short-circuit current in the toad bladder, and 3) membrane potential in the rat tail artery. We have also generated evidence suggesting that the humoral pump inhibitor(s) comes from or is influenced by the anteroventral third ventricle area of the brain and that it acts on the vascular smooth muscle cell at least in part by depolarizing the membrane. These findings are compatible with our 1976 hypothesis in which we proposed that in volume-expanded hypertension there is a circulating agent that suppresses cardiovascular membrane Na+,K+-ATPase, which results in reduced activity of the Na+-K+ pump and hence increased contractility of heart, arteries, and veins and that in blood vessels the increased contractility may be secondary to depolarization. We attempt to relate these findings to those in the literature on monovalent ion transport in blood cells of hypertensive subjects.

Studies on the role of a humoral sodium-transport inhibitor and the anteroventral third ventricle (AV3V) in experimental low-renin hypertension

1. Recent studies in our laboratory suggest that Na+,K+-dependent-ATPase and Na+—K+ pump activities are reduced in cardiovascular muscle of animals with experimental low-renin hypertension.

2. We here show that these abnormalities are associated with a heat-stable ouabain-like agent in the plasma.

3. In the volume-expanded rat, an anteroventral third ventricle (AV3V) lesion decreases the level of the ouabain-like humoral factor and increases vascular Na+—K+ pump activity. These findings suggest that the humoral ouabain-like factor originates in or is influenced by the AV3V area of the brain and may help to explain why the AV3V lesion prevents or reverses one-kidney renal and one-kidney, DOCA—salt hypertension in rats.

Effect of prolonged dietary administration of vanadate on blood pressure in the rat

Vanadate, a potent naturally occurring Na+,K+-ATPase inhibitor thought to have a role in regulating Na+-K+ pump activity, was fed to uninephrectomized rats drinking tap water or a 1% solution of sodium chloride for as long as 56 weeks. Feeding was achieved by adding sodium orthovanadate to normal rat chow equivalent to 100 or 200 ppm vanadium by weight. In the rats drinking tap water, systolic pressure gradually increased over a period of several weeks and then was sustained in a dose-related manner for the duration of the treatment. The increased pressure was not associated with changes in water intake, urine output, or urinary sodium excretion but correlated positively with plasma vanadium levels ranging from 0.04 to 0.27 microgram/ml. Increased pressure was associated with increased heart-to-body-weight ratio but did not appear to occur in a small group of animals drinking the 1% solution of sodium chloride. These findings, considered in the light of others, indicate that vanadate deserves continued study in relation to hypertension.

Vascular sodium-potassium pump activity in various models of experimental hypertension

1. Ouabain-sensitive 86Rb uptake was used to assess sodium-potassium pump activity in vascular smooth muscle of animals with various types of experimental hypertension. 2. The findings suggest that pump activity is suppressed in the non-genetic low renin, presumably volume-expanded forms of hypertension. 3. By contrast, pump suppression does not appear to be involved in spontaneously hypertensive rats or in salt-induced hypertension in Dahl's salt-sensitive rats. In these genetic models the primary defect may be increased cell membrane permeability.