title: Angiotensin II, independent of plasma renin activity, contributes to the hypertension of autonomic failure.
abstract: At least half of primary autonomic failure patients exhibit supine hypertension, despite profound impairments in sympathetic activity. Although the mechanisms underlying this hypertension are unknown, plasma renin activity is often undetectable, suggesting renin-angiotensin (Ang) pathways are not involved. However, because aldosterone levels are preserved, we tested the hypothesis that Ang II is intact and contributes to the hypertension of autonomic failure. Indeed, circulating Ang II was paradoxically increased in hypertensive autonomic failure patients (52±5 pg/mL, n=11) compared with matched healthy controls (27±4 pg/mL, n=10; P=0.002), despite similarly low renin activity (0.19±0.06 versus 0.34±0.13 ng/mL per hour, respectively; P=0.449). To determine the contribution of Ang II to supine hypertension in these patients, we administered the AT(1) receptor blocker losartan (50 mg) at bedtime in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (n=11). Losartan maximally reduced systolic blood pressure by 32±11 mm Hg at 6 hours after administration (P<0.05), decreased nocturnal urinary sodium excretion (P=0.0461), and did not worsen morning orthostatic tolerance. In contrast, there was no effect of captopril on supine blood pressure in a subset of these patients. These findings suggest that Ang II formation in autonomic failure is independent of plasma renin activity, and perhaps Ang-converting enzyme. Furthermore, these studies suggest that elevations in Ang II contribute to the hypertension of autonomic failure, and provide rationale for the use of AT(1) receptor blockers for treatment of these patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232-6602, USA.
authors.forename: Amy C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.forename: Luis E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Okamoto
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gamboa
authors.forename: Cyndya
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shibao
authors.forename: Satish R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Raj
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: Italo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Biaggioni
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000097:blood; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000097:blood*; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002216:Captopril / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D019808:Losartan / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054971:Orthostatic Intolerance / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D054970:Pure Autonomic Failure / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood*; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D000804:Angiotensin II; D000450:Aldosterone; D002216:Captopril; D012964:Sodium; D012083:Renin; D019808:Losartan