Blood pressure (BP) level results from the balance of vasoconstrictors (mainly sympathetic nervous system) and vasodilators (predominantly nitric oxide and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor). Most of the forms of experimental hypertension are associated with sympathetic hyperactivity and endothelial dysfunction. It is evident that nitric oxide and norepinephrine are antagonists in the control of calcium influx through L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels (L-VDCC). Their effects on L-VDCC are mediated by cGMP and cAMP, respectively. Nevertheless, it remains to determine whether these cyclic nucleotides have direct effects on L-VDCC or they act through a modulation of calcium-activated K+ and Cl- channels which influence membrane potential. Rats with genetic or salt hypertension are characterized by a relative (but not absolute) NO deficiency compared to the absolute enhancement of sympathetic vasoconstriction. This dysbalance of vasoconstrictor and vasodilator systems in hypertensive animals is reflected by greater calcium influx through L-VDCC susceptible to the inhibition by nifedipine. However, when the modulatory influence of cyclic nucleotides is largely attenuated by simultaneous ganglionic blockade and NO synthase inhibition, BP of spontaneously hypertensive rats remains still elevated compared to normotensive rats due to augmented nifedipine-sensitive BP component. It remains to determine why calcium influx through L-VDCC of hypertensive rats is augmented even in the absence of modulatory influence of major vasoactive systems (sympathetic nervous system, nitric oxide)., M. Pintérová ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
High blood pressure (BP) of L-NAME hypertensive rats is maintained not only by the absence of nitric oxide (NO)-dependent vasodilatation but also by the enhancement of both sympathetic and angiotensin II-dependent vasoconstriction. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of inhibitory G (Gi) proteins, which are involv ed in tonic sympathetic vasoconstriction, in the pathogenesis of NO-deficient hypertension. We therefore studied BP response to chronic L-NAME administration (60 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks) in rats in which the in vivo inactivation of Gi proteins was induced by injection of pertussis toxin (PTX, 10 μg/kg i.v.). The impairment of sympathetic vasoconstriction due to PTX-induced Gi protein inactivation prevents the full development of NO-deficient hypertension because BP of PTX-treated rats subjected to chronic L-NAME administration did not reach hypertensive values. Nevertheless, chronic NO synthase inhibition per se is capable to increase moderately BP even in PTX-treated rats. Our data suggest that the sympathetic vasoconstriction is essential for the development of established NO-deficient hypertension., J. Zicha ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) are characterized by enhanced sympathetic vasoconstriction, whereas their vasodilator mechanisms are relatively attenuated compared to their high BP. The objective of our in vivo study was to evaluate whether the impaired function of BKCa and/or KV channels is responsible for abnormal cAMP-induced vasodilatation in genetic hypertension. Using conscious SHR and normotensive WKY rats we have shown that under the basal conditions cAMP overproduction elicited by the infusion of β-adrenoceptor agonist (isoprenaline) caused a more pronounced decrease of baseline blood pressure (BP) in SHR compared to WKY rats. Isoprenaline infusion prevented BP rises induced by acute NO synthase blockade in both strains and it also completely abolished the fully developed BP response to NO synthase blockade. These cAMP-induced vasodilator effects were diminished by the inhibition of either BKCa or KV channels in SHR but simultaneous blockade of both K+ channel types was necessary in WKY rats. Under basal conditions, the vasodilator action of both K+ channels was enhanced in SHR compared to WKY rats. However, the overall contribution of K+ channels to cAMP-induced vasodilator mechanisms is insufficient in genetic hypertension since a concurrent activation of both K+ channels by cAMP overproduction is necessary for the prevention of BP rise elicited by acute NO/cGMP deficiency in SHR. This might be caused by less effective activation of these K+ channels by cAMP in SHR. In conclusion, K+ channels seem to have higher activity in SHR, but their vasodilator action cannot match sufficiently the augmented vasoconstriction in this hypertensive strain., M. Pintérová, M. Behuliak, J. Kuneš, J. Zicha., and Obsahuje bibliografii
High blood pressure (BP) of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) is maintained by enhanced activity of sympathetic nervous system (SNS), whereas that of Ren-2 transgenic rats (Ren-2 TGR) by increased activity of renin-angiotensin system (RAS). However, both types of hypertension are effectively attenuated by chronic blockade of L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel (L-VDCC). The aim of our study was to evaluate whether the magnitude of BP response elicited by acute nifedipine administration is proportional to the alterations of particular vasoactive systems (SNS, RAS, NO) known to modulate L-VDCC activity. We therefore studied thes e relationships not only in SHR, in which mean arterial pressure was modified in a wide range of 100-210 mm Hg by chronic antihypertensive treatment (captopril or hydralazine) or its withdrawal, but also in rats with augmented RAS activity such as homozygous Ren-2 TGR, pertussis toxin- treated SHR or L-NAME-treated SHR. In all studied groups the magnitude of BP response to nifedipine was proportional to actual BP level and it closely correlated with BP changes induced by acute combined blockade of RAS and SNS. BP response to nifedipine is also closely related to the degree of relative NO deficiency. This was true for both SNS- and RAS-dependent forms of genetic hypertension, suggesting common mechanisms responsible for enhanced L-VDCC opening and/or their upregulation in hypertensive animals. In conclusions, BP response to nifedipine is proportional to the vasoconstrictor activity exerted by both SNS and RAS, indicating a key importance of these two pressor systems for actual L-VDCC opening necessary for BP maintenance., J. Zicha ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
ncreased systemic vascular resistance is responsible for blood pressure (BP) elevation in most forms of human or experimental hypertension. The enhanced contractility of structurally remodeled resistance arterioles is mediated by enhanced calcium entry (through L type voltagedependent calcium channels - L-VDCC) and/or augmented calcium sensitization (mediated by RhoA/Rho kinase pathway). It is rather difficult to evaluate separately the role of these two pathways in BP control because BP response to the blockade of either pathway is always dependent on the concomitant activity of the complementary pathway. Moreover, vasoconstrictor systems enhance the activity of both pathways, while vasodilators attenuate them. The basal fasudil-sensitive calcium sensitization determined in rats deprived of endogenous renin-angiotensi n system (RAS) and sympathetic nervous system (SNS) in wh ich calcium entry was dose- dependently increased by L-VDCC opener BAY K8644, is smaller in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) than in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. In co ntrast, if endogenous RAS and SNS were present in intact rats, fasudil caused a greater BP fall in SHR than WKY rats. Our in vivo experiments indicated that the endogenous pressor systems (RAS and SNS) augment calcium sensitization mediated by RhoA/Rho kinase pathway, whereas the endogenous vasodilator systems (such as nitric oxide) attenuate this pathway. However, the modulation of calcium entry and calcium sensitization by nitric oxide is strain-dependent because NO deficiency significan tly augments low calcium entry in WKY and low calcium sensitization in SHR. Further in vivo and in vitro experiments should clarify the interrelationships between endogenous vasoactive systems an d the contribution of calcium entry and/or calcium sensitization to BP maintenance in various forms of experimental hypertension., J. Zicha ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy