Cardiac concentric remodelling induced by non-aromatizable (dihydro-)testosterone is antagonized by oestradiol in ovariectomized rats.

Previous studies on the cardiovascular effects of androgens in females, most of them using testosterone treatment, have yielded conflicting results. Testosterone is metabolized into oestradiol (E2) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) within cardiovascular tissues. The aim of the present study was to explore the cardiovascular effects exerted by E2 and the non-aromatizable androgen DHT and to study possible interactions between these in female rats. Ovariectomized rats were treated with DHT, E2, or DHT+E2 for 6 weeks. DHT increased left-ventricular posterior wall thickness, assessed by echocardiography, whereas left-ventricular dimension, as well as total heart weight and calculated left-ventricular mass, were unchanged. DHT also increased the levels of insulin-like growth factor-I mRNA in the left ventricle. E2 abolished the effect of DHT on left-ventricular remodelling and insulin-like growth factor-I mRNA when the two treatments were given in combination. E2 also reduced androgen receptor mRNA levels in the heart. Neither E2 nor DHT changed blood pressure measured by telemetry. In conclusion, treatment with the endogenous non-aromatizable androgen DHT causes cardiac concentric remodelling in ovariectomized rats, possibly mediated by increased local levels of insulin-like growth factor-I. The effect of DHT on cardiac wall thickness was antagonized by E2, possibly through downregulation of cardiac androgen receptors. These mechanisms may be of importance for the concentric left-ventricular geometric pattern developing in women after menopause.

Reduced sympathetic responsiveness as well as plasma and tissue noradrenaline concentration in growth hormone transgenic mice.

AIMS: Acromegaly [overproduction of growth hormone (GH)] and GH deficiency have both been associated with alterations in autonomic nervous system function. The aim of this study was to investigate autonomic nervous system influence on heart rate (HR) in transgenic mice overexpressing bovine GH (bGH). METHODS: HR and HR variability (HRV) were measured in conscious young (8-13 weeks) and old (5-6 months) female bGH and control mice using telemetry. HR control was studied using antagonists and an agonist of adrenergic and muscarinic receptors. Noradrenaline was measured in plasma, heart and kidney using high performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Average 24 h resting HR did not differ between bGH and control mice. After saline injection and after muscarinic blockade with methylscopolamine HR increase was blunted (in old) or absent (in young) bGH mice compared with control mice (P < 0.05). Phenylephrine caused a baroreflex mediated decrease in HR from around 550 to 300-350 beats min(-1), not different between bGH and control mice. Time- and frequency-domain measures of HRV were reduced in old bGH compared with control mice (P < 0.05). Noradrenaline concentrations were reduced by 25-49% in plasma and tissue of bGH compared with control mice (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The current study suggests reduced autonomic modulation of HR in bGH transgenic mice. Thus, GH appears to have marked effects on autonomic tone, reducing sympathetic nervous system function possibly via reduced noradrenaline stores.

Neurohormonal influences on maintenance and reversal of two-kidney one-clip renal hypertension.

The factors involved in maintenance and reversal of mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) in the chronic two-kidney one-clip hypertensive rat (2K1C-RHR) are still debated. The reduction in MAP after reversal of 2K1C hypertension has been ascribed either to release of a renal medullary depressor hormone (RMDH) or suppression of the renin-angiotensin and/or sympathetic nervous system. We studied in conscious rats: (i) The effects of angiotensin II receptor blockade (ARB; candesartan), sympathetic blockade (propranolol and phentolamine) or a combination on MAP in 6-week long 2K1C-RHR; (ii) The effects of reversal of 2K1C hypertension by removal of the constricting clip (unclipping, UC) or nephrectomy (Nx) on MAP, plasma renin activity (PRA) and noradrenaline (NA) spillover rates. The results show that: (i) MAP in the 2K1C-RHR was almost normalized by ARB but not significantly affected by the sympathetic blockade. The combination was not more effective than ARB alone; (ii) UC and Nx reduced MAP in 2K1C to similar levels as ARB. No significant changes in PRA or catecholamines could be detected in UC and Nx groups. We conclude that hypertension in 2K1C-RHR is maintained by the renin-angiotensin system without much contribution from the sympathetic nervous system. Furthermore, we found no evidence that UC of our model of 2K1C was associated with a generalized decrease in sympathetic tone or substantial release of RMDH from the unclipped kidney. Thus, we conclude that in the present model of 2K1C, both maintenance and reversal of hypertension are controlled by the renin-angiotensin system.

Effects of the ET(A)/ET(B) antagonist, TAK-044, on blood pressure and renal excretory function after unclipping of conscious one-kidney-one-clip hypertensive rats.

BACKGROUND: Restoring renal perfusion pressure (unclipping) of one-kidney-one-clip renal hypertensive (1 K1C) rats normalizes mean arterial pressure (MAP) rapidly. This has been attributed to salt/volume losses or release of the putative renal medullary depressor hormone (RMDH). OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of endothelin receptor A and B (ET(A)/ET(B)) antagonism on unclipping. DESIGN AND METHODS: Telemetric devices were implanted in male Wistar 1K1C rats for measurement of conscious MAP. Hypertension was reversed by unclipping with the animal under brief anaesthesia. Seven rats were treated with the ET(A)/ET(B) antagonist, TAK-044 (two doses of 10 mg/kg intraperitoneally in 24 h), and eight rats received its vehicle. In order to investigate whether endothelin receptor antagonism could release RMDH under resting conditions, TAK-044 was administered to telemetered non-clipped intact and chemically renal medullectomized rats (BEA treatment). RESULTS: TAK-044 did not affect resting MAP, urine flow or sodium excretion in 1K1C rats. However, after unclipping, the TAK-044-treated group showed a more marked reduction in MAP during the first 24 h after unclipping (P< 0.01). TAK-044 also reduced urine flow and sodium excretion during the first 8 h after unclipping (P< 0.05). TAK-044 reduced resting MAP (P< 0.05) to a similar extent in intact and BEA rats. CONCLUSIONS: TAK-044 potentiated the reduction in MAP after unclipping, independently of changes in urine flow and sodium excretion. It also reduced MAP in normotensive rats--an effect that was not dependent on an intact renal medulla. Potentiation of the depressor response to unclipping by TAK-044 could be the result of an interaction of endogenous endothelin receptors with renal depressor mechanisms--possibly, the release, actions, or both, of the putative RMDH.