title: Effects of ACTH-induced hypertension in the pregnant ewe.
abstract: Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH; 5 microg/kg/ day) infused into 10 pregnant ewes (gestation age, 127-139 days) for 72 h caused an increase in arterial pressure within 1-2 h (p < 0.05), which was sustained for the rest of the experiment. Cardiac output was increased at 24 h (p < 0.05). Total peripheral resistance did not change. There were no changes in four pregnant ewes infused with 0.15 M saline at the same rate for 72 h. In ACTH-treated pregnant ewes, a relation between arterial pressure and plasma renin activity observed in nontreated pregnant ewes (r = 0.71; p = 0.0005) was no longer evident. Compared with nonsurgical pregnant ewes, total angiotensin II (Ang II)-receptor density in the uterine artery was decreased in ewes that had previously had surgery (p = 0.015) and further reduced in ACTH-treated ewes (p < 0.0005). This was due to a reduction in the AT2-receptor density, which was inversely related to plasma cortisol levels (r = 0.73; p < 0.03). AT1-receptor density and the affinities of the AT1 and AT2 receptors were unchanged. The correlation between plasma cortisol and AT2-receptor density in uterine blood vessels may partly explain why these receptors are downregulated after surgery.
authors.affiliation: School of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Burrell
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Lumbers
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bernasconi
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D006973:Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1; D044139:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects; D012756:Sheep; D013997:Time Factors; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1; D044139:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D012083:Renin; D006854:Hydrocortisone