Chin-Pang Lau

Increased concentrations of atrial and plasma atrial natriuretic peptide in castrated male rats

The effects of orchiectomy and testosterone replacement on the plasma concentration and the atrial stores of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were studied in the rats. Male rats were orchiectomized (Orc) three weeks before replacement with testosterone propionate (TP, 20 mg/ml/kg body weight) or sesame oil for five days. Immunoreactive ANP (IR-ANP) in the extracted right atria and plasma of experimental rats was measured. Plasma ANP concentrations were 206 +/- 22, 927 +/- 151, and 264 +/- 61 pg/ml in normal control, Orc, and Orc + TP rats, respectively. ANP contents in right atria were higher in Orc (108 +/- 9 ng/mg tissue) and TP-treated Orc rats (123 +/- 9 ng/mg tissue) than in normal animals (32 +/- 7 ng/mg tissue). These results indicate an increased plasma concentration and atrial stores in the castrated male rats. Replacement of testosterone in the castrated male rats does not decrease the atrial ANP stores, but decreases the plasma ANP concentration.

Effects of ovarian steroid hormones and thyroxine on calcitonin secretion in pregnant rats

In the present study, the roles of ovarian steroid hormones and thyroxine (T4) in regulating the secretion of calcitonin (CT) in pregnant rats were examined. The levels of plasma progesterone, pre- and post-CaCl2 plasma CT, and recovery time of plasma CT and calcium after calcium challenge were greatest in midterm pregnant rats. The levels of basal plasma progesterone, CT, calcium, and recovery time of plasma CT after calcium challenge were less in late pregnant rats, but basal plasma estradiol was highest in late pregnancy. The concentrations of plasma T4 were gradually decreased in rats during pregnancy. Regardless of the presence of estradiol, administration of progesterone in ovariectomized (Ovx) rats resulted in an increase of plasma T4 as well as the basal and calcium-induced secretion of CT. Administration of estradiol alone did not alter the CaCl2-induced levels but decreased the post-CaCl2 levels of plasma calcium in Ovx rats. The basal levels of plasma CT were decreased in Ovx rats treated with T4. These results suggest that the hypercalcitoninemia in midterm pregnant rats is due to an increased secretion of progesterone. Hypocalcitoninemia in late pregnant rats, however, is due in part to lower plasma calcium.

Interrelationship between Thyroxine and Estradiol on the Secretion of Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone and Dopamine into Hypophysial Portal Blood in Ovariectomized-Thyroidectomized Rats

Effects of thyroxine (T4) on the secretion of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and catecholamines into hypophysial portal blood and on the concentrations of arterial plasma thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and prolactin (PRL) in ovariectomized and thyroidectomized (Ovx-Tx) rats were studied. Immediately after ovariectomy, rats were Tx or sham Tx. The Ovx-Tx rats were injected subcutaneously with estradiol benzoate (EB, 0.5 microgram/kg b.w.) or sesame oil, and T4 (20 micrograms/kg b.w.) or saline once daily for 2 weeks. The Ovx rats with intact thyroid gland were injected with saline and oil only. The hypophysial portal blood samples were collected and mixed with or without 2,3-dimercaptopropanol before extraction by methanol or perchloric acid, respectively. The femoral arterial blood was also collected. The concentrations of TRH in methanol-extracted portal plasma and that of TSH and PRL in arterial plasma were measured by radioimmunoassay. The concentrations of catecholamines in perchloric acid-extracted portal plasma samples were measured by radioenzymatic assay. Thyroidectomy in Ovx rats resulted in an increase in portal plasma TRH and arterial plasma TSH. Despite the presence or absence of estradiol, T4 replacement in Ovx-Tx rats decreased portal plasma TRH and arterial plasma TSH to euthyroid levels. Combination of the injection of T4 and EB in vivo caused significantly decreased levels of portal plasma dopamine and increased arterial plasma PRL compared with those in vehicle-injected Ovx-Tx animals. Concentrations of neither norepinephrine nor epinephrine in hypophysial portal plasma paralleled the altered concentrations of PRL or TSH in arterial plasma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alterations with age of the T3-stimulated release of atrial natriuretic peptide and its effect on water and sodium metabolism in rats

The influence of age on urinary excretion of sodium and water and in vitro release of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were studied in rats. Older rats had increased daily water intake and urine output. They also had increased plasma ANP, decreased right atrial contents of ANP and increased ANP release in response to 10 nM T3. The ageing process may have altered the regulatory mechanisms of water metabolism and secretion of ANP.