Hicham Labazi

Interleukin 6 Knockout Prevents Angiotensin II Hypertension: Role of Renal Vasoconstriction and Janus Kinase 2/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 Activation

Chronic angiotensin II (AngII) infusion stimulates IL-6 release, and we and others have shown that preventing the increase in IL-6 significantly attenuates AngII hypertension. This study measured renal blood flow (RBF) chronically, using Transonic flow probes in wildtype (WT) and IL-6 knockout (KO) mice, to determine the role of renal blood flow regulation in that response. AngII infusion at 200, 800, and 3600 ng/kg/min caused a dose-dependent decrease in renal blood flow in WT mice, and the response at 800 ng/kg/min was compared between WT and IL-6 KO mice. AngII infusion increased plasma IL-6 concentration in WT mice and increased MAP (19 hrs/day; DSI telemetry) from 113±4 to 149±4 mmHg (Δ 36 mmHg) over the 7-day infusion period, and that effect was blocked in IL-6 KO mice (119±7 to 126±7 mmHg). RBF decreased to an average of 61±8% of control over the 7-day period (control = 0.86±0.02 ml/min) in the WT mice; however, the average decrease to 72±6% of control (control = 0.88±0.02 ml/min) in the KO mice was not significantly different. There also was no difference in afferent arteriolar constriction by AngII in blood-perfused juxtamedullary nephrons in WT vs. KO mice. Phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3 in renal cortex homogenates increased significantly in AngII-infused WT mice, and that effect was prevented completely in AngII-infused IL-6 KO mice. These data suggest that IL-6-dependent activation of the renal JAK2/STAT3 pathway plays a role in AngII hypertension, but not by mediating the effect of AngII to decrease total renal blood flow.Chronic angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion stimulates interleukin (IL) 6 release, and we and others have shown that preventing the increase in IL-6 significantly attenuates Ang II hypertension. This study measured renal blood flow (RBF) chronically, using Transonic flow probes in wild-type (WT) and IL-6 knockout (KO) mice, to determine the role of RBF regulation in that response. Ang II infusion at 200, 800, and 3600 ng/kg per minute caused a dose-dependent decrease in RBF in WT mice, and the response at 800 ng/kg per minute was compared between WT and IL-6 KO mice. Ang II infusion increased plasma IL-6 concentration in WT mice and increased mean arterial pressure (19 h/d with telemetry) from 113±4 to 149±4 mm Hg (&Dgr;36 mm Hg) over the 7-day infusion period, and that effect was blocked in IL-6 KO mice (119±7 to 126±7 mm Hg). RBF decreased to an average of 61±8% of control over the 7-day period (control: 0.86±0.02 mL/min) in the WT mice; however, the average decrease to 72±6% of control (control: 0.88±0.02 mL/min) in the KO mice was not significantly different. There also was no difference in afferent arteriolar constriction by Ang II in blood-perfused juxtamedullary nephrons in WT versus KO mice. Phosphorylation of janus kinase 2 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 in renal cortex homogenates increased significantly in Ang II–infused WT mice, and that effect was prevented completely in Ang II–infused IL-6 KO mice. These data suggest that IL-6-dependent activation of the renal janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 pathway plays a role in Ang II hypertension but not by mediating the effect of Ang II to decrease total RBF.

New insights into hypertension-associated erectile dysfunction.

Purpose of reviewErectile dysfunction is recognized as a quality-of-life disorder that needs to be treated. Currently, it is estimated to affect as many as 30 million American men. Thirty percent of hypertensive patients complain of erectile dysfunction. The understanding of common mechanisms involved in the cause of erectile dysfunction associated with hypertension, and the investigation of antihypertensive drugs that impact erectile dysfunction, will provide important tools toward identifying new therapeutic targets that will improve the quality of life for patients in these conditions. Recent findingsHypertension and erectile dysfunction are closely intertwined diseases, which have endothelial dysfunction as a common base. During hypertension and/or erectile dysfunction, disturbance of endothelium-derived factors can lead to an increase in vascular smooth muscle (VSM) contraction. Hypertension can lead to erectile dysfunction as a consequence of high blood pressure (BP) or due to antihypertensive treatment. However, growing evidence suggests erectile dysfunction is an early sign for hypertension. Also, some phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors used to treat erectile dysfunction can improve BP, but the link between these conditions has not been totally understood. SummaryThis review will discuss the interplay between hypertension and erectile dysfunction, exploring newest insights regarding hypertension-associated erectile dysfunction, as well as the effect of antihypertensive drugs in erectile dysfunction patients.

Metformin Treatment Improves Erectile Function in an Angiotensin II Model of Erectile Dysfunction

INTRODUCTION Increased angiotensin II (AngII) levels cause hypertension, which is a major risk factor for erectile dysfunction (ED). Studies have demonstrated that increased AngII levels in penile tissue are associated with ED. A recent study showed that metformin treatment restored nitric oxide synthase (NOS) protein expression in penile tissue in obese rats; however, whether metformin treatment can be beneficial and restore erectile function in a model of ED has not yet been established. AIM The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that AngII induces ED by means of increased corpus cavernosum contraction, and that metformin treatment will reverse ED in AngII-treated rats. METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with mini-osmotic pumps containing saline or AngII (70 ng/minute, 28 days). Animals were then treated with metformin or vehicle during the last week of AngII infusion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Intracavernosal pressure; corpus cavernosum contraction and relaxation; nNOS protein expression; extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and eNOS protein expression and phosphorylation. RESULTS AngII-induced ED was accompanied with an increase in corpus cavernosum contractility, decreased nitrergic relaxation, and increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Metformin treatment improved erectile function in the AngII-treated rats by reversing the increased contraction and decreased relaxation. Metformin treatment also resulted in an increase in eNOS phosphorylation at ser1177. CONCLUSIONS Metformin treatment increased eNOS phosphorylation and improved erectile function in AngII hypertensive rats by reestablishing normal cavernosal smooth muscle tone.

Aorta from angiotensin II hypertensive mice exhibit preserved nitroxyl anion mediated relaxation responses

Hypertension is a disorder affecting millions worldwide, and is a leading cause of death and debilitation in the United States. It is widely accepted that during hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases the vasculature exhibits endothelial dysfunction; a deficit in the relaxatory ability of the vessel, attributed to a lack of nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. Recently, the one electron redox variant of NO, nitroxyl anion (NO(-)) has emerged as an endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) and a candidate for endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDRF). NO(-) is thought to exist protonated (HNO) in vivo, which would make this species more resistant to scavenging. However, no studies have investigated the role of this redox species during hypertension, and whether the vasculature loses the ability to relax to HNO. Thus, we hypothesize that aorta from angiotensin II (AngII)-hypertensive mice will exhibit a preserved relaxation response to Angelis Salt, an HNO donor. Male C57Bl6 mice, aged 12-14 weeks were implanted with mini-osmotic pumps containing AngII (90ng/min, 14 days plus high salt chow) or sham surgery. Aorta were excised, cleaned and used to perform functional studies in a myograph. We found that aorta from AngII-hypertensive mice exhibited a significant endothelial dysfunction as demonstrated by a decrease in acetylcholine (ACh)-mediated relaxation. However, vessels from hypertensive mice exhibited a preserved response to Angelis Salt (AS), the HNO donor. To confirm that relaxation responses to HNO were maintained, concentration response curves (CRCs) to ACh were performed in the presence of scavengers to both NO and HNO (carboxy-PTIO and L-cys, resp.). We found that ACh-mediated relaxation responses were significantly decreased in aorta from sham and almost completely abolished in aorta from AngII-treated mice. Vessels incubated with l-cys exhibited a modest decrease in ACh-mediated relaxations responses. These data demonstrate that aorta from AngII-treated hypertensive mice exhibit a preserved relaxation response to AS, an HNO donor, regardless of a significant endothelial dysfunction.

Role of Glomerular Filtration Rate in Controlling Blood Pressure Early in Diabetes

Perhaps the most obvious, and least contentious, examples of hypertension caused by the kidneys are renal artery stenosis and diabetic nephropathy, because there are readily identifiable, physical limitations in the ability of the kidneys to excrete sodium in each case. The former is characterized by a global restriction in renal perfusion, and the latter is characterized more specifically by glomerular injury and reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR), but in each case there must be an increase in arterial pressure to maintain salt and water balance.1–3 Thus, in long-standing diabetes, types 1 and 2, a progressive decline in GFR is matched by a reciprocal increase in arterial pressure, which enables maintenance of sodium balance and body fluid volume homeostasis at the expense of deleterious adverse effects of chronic hypertension.4 In this framework, decreased GFR in diabetic nephropathy is responsible for imparting a chronic sodium-retaining influence on the kidneys, and hypertension is the counterbalancing natriuretic influence required to maintain sodium balance and sustain life. It, therefore, becomes curious that the early stages of diabetes are characterized by increased GFR and sodium balance, yet blood pressure is normal rather than low. For sodium balance to be maintained at normal blood pressure in the face of the chronic natriuretic influence of elevated GFR, there must be a concurrent sodium-retaining influence. If not, then the natriuretic effect of increased GFR would act unopposed and result in the maintenance of sodium balance at a lower blood pressure, similar to the effect of a diuretic. However, the presence of an underlying salt-retaining influence has been difficult to realize conceptually because of the increase in absolute sodium excretion in diabetes and because normal blood pressure typically does not spur research interest. This review focuses on how sodium balance is maintained at the onset of diabetes with …

LACK OF BLOOD PRESSURE SALT-SENSITIVITY SUPPORTS A PREGLOMERULAR SITE OF ACTION OF NITRIC OXIDE IN TYPE I DIABETIC RATS

1 The relationship between sodium intake and blood pressure is affected differently by changes in angiotensin (Ang) II and preglomerular resistance, and this study measured that relationship to evaluate the link between nitric oxide and blood pressure early in diabetes. 2 Rats were chronically instrumented, placed on high‐sodium (HS = 12 mEq/d) or low‐sodium (LS = 0.07 mEq/d) intake diets and assigned to either vehicle‐ (V) or Nw‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester‐ (l‐NAME; L) treated groups. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was measured 18 h/day for a 6‐day control and 14‐day streptozotocin diabetic period in each animal. 3 The MAP of the control period averaged 95 ± 1 and 94 ± 1 mmHg in the LSV and HSV rats and 116 ± 2 and 124 ± 1 mmHg in the LSL and HSL rats, respectively (LSL vs HSL was significant at P < 0.05). Diabetes increased MAP only in the LSL and HSL rats to 141 ± 2 mmHg and 152 ± 2, respectively, similar to our previous reports, and those respective 25 and 28 mmHg increases were a parallel shift in the pressure natriuresis relationship. However, the apparent difference between the LSL and HSL groups when compared was a parallel of the control MAP difference. Plasma renin activity (PRA) in the control period averaged 1.5 ± 0.5 and 8.1 ± 1.8 ng AI/mL per h in the HSV and LSV rats, and 0.8 ± 0.2 and 2.8 ± 0.5 ng AI/mL per h in the HSL and LSL rats, respectively, and increased similarly by 4.6‐fold in the HSL and 4.8‐fold in the LSL rats during diabetes. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) increased in the vehicle but not the l‐NAME‐treated groups, consistent with our previous reports. 4 Thus, the hypertension caused by the onset of diabetes in l‐NAME‐treated rats was not salt‐sensitive. The normal modulation of PRA by salt intake and the failure of GFR to increase are consistent with our hypothesis that nitric oxide may protect against hypertension early in diabetes by preventing preglomerular vasoconstriction by AngII.

Interleukin 6 Knockout Prevents Angiotensin II Hypertension

Chronic angiotensin II (AngII) infusion stimulates IL-6 release, and we and others have shown that preventing the increase in IL-6 significantly attenuates AngII hypertension. This study measured renal blood flow (RBF) chronically, using Transonic flow probes in wildtype (WT) and IL-6 knockout (KO) mice, to determine the role of renal blood flow regulation in that response. AngII infusion at 200, 800, and 3600 ng/kg/min caused a dose-dependent decrease in renal blood flow in WT mice, and the response at 800 ng/kg/min was compared between WT and IL-6 KO mice. AngII infusion increased plasma IL-6 concentration in WT mice and increased MAP (19 hrs/day; DSI telemetry) from 113±4 to 149±4 mmHg (Δ 36 mmHg) over the 7-day infusion period, and that effect was blocked in IL-6 KO mice (119±7 to 126±7 mmHg). RBF decreased to an average of 61±8% of control over the 7-day period (control = 0.86±0.02 ml/min) in the WT mice; however, the average decrease to 72±6% of control (control = 0.88±0.02 ml/min) in the KO mice was not significantly different. There also was no difference in afferent arteriolar constriction by AngII in blood-perfused juxtamedullary nephrons in WT vs. KO mice. Phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3 in renal cortex homogenates increased significantly in AngII-infused WT mice, and that effect was prevented completely in AngII-infused IL-6 KO mice. These data suggest that IL-6-dependent activation of the renal JAK2/STAT3 pathway plays a role in AngII hypertension, but not by mediating the effect of AngII to decrease total renal blood flow.Chronic angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion stimulates interleukin (IL) 6 release, and we and others have shown that preventing the increase in IL-6 significantly attenuates Ang II hypertension. This study measured renal blood flow (RBF) chronically, using Transonic flow probes in wild-type (WT) and IL-6 knockout (KO) mice, to determine the role of RBF regulation in that response. Ang II infusion at 200, 800, and 3600 ng/kg per minute caused a dose-dependent decrease in RBF in WT mice, and the response at 800 ng/kg per minute was compared between WT and IL-6 KO mice. Ang II infusion increased plasma IL-6 concentration in WT mice and increased mean arterial pressure (19 h/d with telemetry) from 113±4 to 149±4 mm Hg (&Dgr;36 mm Hg) over the 7-day infusion period, and that effect was blocked in IL-6 KO mice (119±7 to 126±7 mm Hg). RBF decreased to an average of 61±8% of control over the 7-day period (control: 0.86±0.02 mL/min) in the WT mice; however, the average decrease to 72±6% of control (control: 0.88±0.02 mL/min) in the KO mice was not significantly different. There also was no difference in afferent arteriolar constriction by Ang II in blood-perfused juxtamedullary nephrons in WT versus KO mice. Phosphorylation of janus kinase 2 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 in renal cortex homogenates increased significantly in Ang II–infused WT mice, and that effect was prevented completely in Ang II–infused IL-6 KO mice. These data suggest that IL-6-dependent activation of the renal janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 pathway plays a role in Ang II hypertension but not by mediating the effect of Ang II to decrease total RBF.

Interleukin-6 Knockout Prevents Angiotensin II Hypertension: Role of Renal Vasoconstriction and JAK2/STAT3 Activation

Chronic angiotensin II (AngII) infusion stimulates IL-6 release, and we and others have shown that preventing the increase in IL-6 significantly attenuates AngII hypertension. This study measured renal blood flow (RBF) chronically, using Transonic flow probes in wildtype (WT) and IL-6 knockout (KO) mice, to determine the role of renal blood flow regulation in that response. AngII infusion at 200, 800, and 3600 ng/kg/min caused a dose-dependent decrease in renal blood flow in WT mice, and the response at 800 ng/kg/min was compared between WT and IL-6 KO mice. AngII infusion increased plasma IL-6 concentration in WT mice and increased MAP (19 hrs/day; DSI telemetry) from 113±4 to 149±4 mmHg (Δ 36 mmHg) over the 7-day infusion period, and that effect was blocked in IL-6 KO mice (119±7 to 126±7 mmHg). RBF decreased to an average of 61±8% of control over the 7-day period (control = 0.86±0.02 ml/min) in the WT mice; however, the average decrease to 72±6% of control (control = 0.88±0.02 ml/min) in the KO mice was not significantly different. There also was no difference in afferent arteriolar constriction by AngII in blood-perfused juxtamedullary nephrons in WT vs. KO mice. Phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3 in renal cortex homogenates increased significantly in AngII-infused WT mice, and that effect was prevented completely in AngII-infused IL-6 KO mice. These data suggest that IL-6-dependent activation of the renal JAK2/STAT3 pathway plays a role in AngII hypertension, but not by mediating the effect of AngII to decrease total renal blood flow.Chronic angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion stimulates interleukin (IL) 6 release, and we and others have shown that preventing the increase in IL-6 significantly attenuates Ang II hypertension. This study measured renal blood flow (RBF) chronically, using Transonic flow probes in wild-type (WT) and IL-6 knockout (KO) mice, to determine the role of RBF regulation in that response. Ang II infusion at 200, 800, and 3600 ng/kg per minute caused a dose-dependent decrease in RBF in WT mice, and the response at 800 ng/kg per minute was compared between WT and IL-6 KO mice. Ang II infusion increased plasma IL-6 concentration in WT mice and increased mean arterial pressure (19 h/d with telemetry) from 113±4 to 149±4 mm Hg (&Dgr;36 mm Hg) over the 7-day infusion period, and that effect was blocked in IL-6 KO mice (119±7 to 126±7 mm Hg). RBF decreased to an average of 61±8% of control over the 7-day period (control: 0.86±0.02 mL/min) in the WT mice; however, the average decrease to 72±6% of control (control: 0.88±0.02 mL/min) in the KO mice was not significantly different. There also was no difference in afferent arteriolar constriction by Ang II in blood-perfused juxtamedullary nephrons in WT versus KO mice. Phosphorylation of janus kinase 2 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 in renal cortex homogenates increased significantly in Ang II–infused WT mice, and that effect was prevented completely in Ang II–infused IL-6 KO mice. These data suggest that IL-6-dependent activation of the renal janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 pathway plays a role in Ang II hypertension but not by mediating the effect of Ang II to decrease total RBF.

Mesenteric arteries from spontaneously hypertensive stroke prone rats exhibit an increase in NO-dependent vasorelaxation.

The endothelium is crucial for the maintenance of vascular tone by releasing several vasoactive substances, including nitric oxide (NO). Systemic mean arterial pressure is primarily regulated by the resistance vasculature, which has been shown to exhibit increased vascular reactivity, and decreased vasorelaxation during hypertension. Here, we aimed to determine the mechanism for mesenteric artery vasorelaxation of the stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHRSP). We hypothesized that endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) is upregulated in SHRSP vessels, increasing NO production to compensate for the endothelial dysfunction. Concentration-response curves to acetylcholine (ACh) were performed in second-order mesenteric arteries; we observed decreased relaxation responses to ACh (maximum effect elicited by the agonist) as compared with Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) controls. Vessels from SHRSP incubated with Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester and (or) indomethacin exhibited decreased ACh-mediated relaxation, suggesting a primary role for NO-dependent relaxation. Vessels from SHRSP exhibited a significantly decreased relaxation response with inducible NO synthase (iNOS) inhibition, as compared with WKY vessels. Western blot analysis showed increased total phosphorylated NF-κB, and phosphorylated and total eNOS in SHRSP vessels. Overall, these data suggest a compensatory role for NO by increased eNOS activation. Moreover, we believe that iNOS, although increasing NO bioavailability to compensate for decreased relaxation, leads to a cycle of further endothelial dysfunction in SHRSP mesenteric arteries.

Angeli's Salt, a nitroxyl anion donor, reverses endothelin-1 mediated vascular dysfunction in murine aorta

ABSTRACT Nitroglycerin (Gtn) is a treatment for cardiovascular patients due to its vasodilatory actions, but induces tolerance when given chronically. A proposed mechanism is the superoxide (O2‐)‐oxidative stress hypothesis, which suggests that Gtn increases O2‐ production. Nitric oxide (NO) exists in three different redox states; the protonated, reduced state, nitroxyl anion (HNO) is an emerging candidate in vascular regulation. HNO is resistant to scavenging and of particular interest in conditions where high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) exist. We hypothesize that treatment with Gtn will exacerbate endothelin 1 (ET‐1) induced vascular dysfunction via an increase in ROS, while treatment with Angelis Salt (AS), an HNO donor, will not. Aorta from mice were isolated and divided into four groups: vehicle, ET‐1 [0.1 &mgr;M, 1 &mgr;M], ET‐1+Gtn [Gtn 1 &mgr;M] and ET‐1+AS [AS 1 &mgr;M]. Concentration response curves (CRCs) to acetylcholine (ACh) and phenylephrine (Phe) were performed. Aorta incubated with ET‐1 (for 20–22 h) exhibited a decreased relaxation response to ACh and an increase in Phe‐mediated contraction. Aorta incubated with AS exhibited a reversal in ET‐1 induced vascular and endothelial dysfunction. ET‐1 increased ROS in aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), visualized by dihydroethidium (DHE) staining. AS incubated reduced this ROS generation, yet maintained with Gtn treatment. These data suggest that aorta incubated with the HNO donor, AS, can reverse ET‐1 mediated vascular dysfunction, which may be through a decrease or prevention of ROS generation. We propose that HNO may be vasoprotective and that HNO donors studied as a therapeutic option where other organic nitrates are contraindicative.