title: Elevated plasma catecholamines and adrenal phenylethanolamine N-methyl transferase in experimental renal hypertension.
abstract: The participation of plasma catecholamine alterations in the development of renal hypertension is uncertain. Therefore, plasma catecholamines and phenylethanolamine N-methyl transferase (PNMT) activity in the adrenal gland were studied in rats with aortic ligation between the renal arteries. Blood pressure reached a plateau after 12 days (mean arterial pressure (MAP): 194 +/- 3 mmHg; P less than 0.001) and its elevation was accompanied by a biphasic elevation in plasma adrenaline. The first elevation (4-fold above control levels; P less than 0.001) occurred at 24 h after aortic ligation and lasted for 4 days. The second elevation commenced on day 6, reached its zenith at day 9 (16-fold increase; P less than 0.005) and lasted for 6 days. The first elevation was associated with the highest levels of plasma renin activity (PRA) (34-fold increase; P less than 0.001) and glucocorticoids (74% increase; P less than 0.001) but plasma noradrenaline, plasma dopamine and adrenal PNMT activity were minimally affected. However, a statistically significant increase in PNMT activity preceded and accompanied the second adrenaline elevation. Despite falling PRA and glucocorticoid levels, marked increases in plasma noradrenaline (5-fold increase; P less than 0.001) and plasma dopamine (2.5-fold increase; P less than 0.010) were observed. These experiments identify an early activation of the sympatho-adrenal axis in renal hypertension. Apparently there is a rapid release of the adrenaline pool followed by an elevation in PNMT activity. The results suggest that the sympatho-neuronal axis is also activated leading to increases in both plasma noradrenaline and dopamine levels.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Chatelain
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Bridle
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Manniello
authors.forename: B N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Dardik
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000201:enzymology*; D000818:Animals; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000097:blood*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000097:blood; D006977:Hypertension, Renal / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D002395:Catecholamines; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase; D012083:Renin