title: Time-course of neuroendocrine changes and its correlation with hypertension induced by ethanol consumption.
abstract: Ethanol (ETOH) consumption has been associated with endocrine and autonomic changes, including the development of hypertension. However, the sequence of pathophysiological events underlying the emergence of this effect is poorly understood.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to establish a time-course correlation between neuroendocrine and cardiovascular changes contributing to the development of hypertension following ETOH consumption.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male adult Wistar rats were subjected to the intake of increasing ETOH concentrations in their drinking water (first week: 5%, second week: 10%, third and fourth weeks: 20% v/v).
  
  
  RESULTS
  ETOH consumption decreased plasma and urinary volumes, as well as body weight and fluid intake. Furthermore, plasma osmolality, plasma sodium and urinary osmolality were elevated in the ETOH-treated rats. ETOH intake also induced a progressive increase in the mean arterial pressure (MAP), without affecting heart rate. Initially, this increase in MAP was correlated with increased plasma concentrations of adrenaline and noradrenaline. After the second week of ETOH treatment, plasma catecholamines returned to basal levels, and incremental increases were observed in plasma concentrations of vasopressin (AVP) and angiotensin II (ANG II). Conversely, plasma oxytocin, atrial natriuretic peptide, prolactin and the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis components were not significantly altered by ETOH.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Taken together, these results suggest that increased sympathetic activity may contribute to the early increase in MAP observed in ETOH-treated rats. However, the maintenance of this effect may be predominantly regulated by the long-term increase in the secretion of other circulating factors, such as AVP and ANG II, the secretion of both hormones being stimulated by the ETOH-induced dehydration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, School of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Andreia Lopes
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Da Silva
authors.forename: Silvia G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Ruginsk
authors.forename: Ernane Torres
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Uchoa
authors.forename: Carlos C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Crestani
authors.forename: America A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Scopinho
authors.forename: Fernando Morgan A
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Correa
authors.forename: Bruno Spinosa
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: De Martinis
authors.forename: Lucila Leico Kagohara
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Elias
authors.forename: Leonardo B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Resstel
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Antunes-Rodrigues
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000097:blood; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D051381:Rats; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D002395:Catecholamines; D014667:Vasopressins; D000804:Angiotensin II; D011388:Prolactin