Exaggerated natriuresis after selective AT1 receptor blockade in Dahl salt-sensitive rats.

Salt-sensitive individuals are susceptible to develop hypertension when exposed to high salt-diet. Such a phenomenon is considered to be due to a genetic impairment in the renal excretion of sodium. In the present studies extent of endogenous angiotensin-II (Ang-II) mediated antinatriuresis was comparatively evaluated in Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) and salt-resistant (SR) rats, using a selective AT1 receptor antagonist, candesartan. In addition, differences in plasma renin activity and characteristics of Ang-II receptors in the renal cortical tubular membranes were also examined. Under INACTIN anesthesia AT1 receptor blockade resulted in significant increases in renal sodium excretion, which was several-fold greater in SS rats than that observed in SR rats. These observations suggest that antinatriuretic function of endogenous angiotensin-II is exaggerated in SS rats. This functional overexpression appears to be related to an increase in the affinity of Ang-II receptors in renal cortical tubular membranes but not to receptor density or plasma renin activity. It is proposed that salt-dependent hypertension in Dahl salt-sensitive rats may be due to enhanced Ang-II mediated sodium retention.

Significance of exaggerated natriuresis after angiotensin AT1 receptor blockade or angiotensin- converting enzyme inhibition in obese Zucker rats.

1. Obese Zucker rats (OZR) were shown to be salt-sensitive in that they develop hypertension when placed on a high-salt diet. Because angiotensin (Ang) II is a major antinatriuretic factor, the present studies were undertaken to determine whether the characteristic of salt-sensitivity of OZR is associated with an enhanced antinatriuretic function of endogenous AngII. 2. The extent of AngII-mediated antinatriuresis was investigated in OZR and lean Zucker rats (LZR) using candesartan (100 microg/kg, i.v.), a selective angiotensin AT1 receptor antagonist, and ramipril (1 mg/kg, i.v.), an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. The total number of AngII binding sites and their affinity were also assessed in renal cortical tubular membrane preparations of OZR and LZR using a specific radioligand-binding assay. Plasma renin activity was determined using a standard radioimmunoassay. 3. Both candesartan and ramipril produced substantially greater increases in urinary sodium excretion and urine flow in OZR and these effects were significantly greater than those observed in LZR. These observations suggest that basal antinatriuretic function of endogenous AngII is exaggerated in OZR. 4. The functional overexpression of AngII was not due to any alterations in the affinity or the total number of AngII binding sites in renal cortical tubular membranes. Higher plasma renin values in the OZR could have contributed to the phenomenon. 5. In conclusion, marked diuresis and natriuresis after AT1 receptor blockade and/or ACE inhibition suggest that the extent of endogenous AngII-mediated sodium transport under basal conditions is greatly augmented in OZR. It is proposed this phenomenon may be a contributing factor for the salt- sensitivity in the OZR.