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Vasopressin and v1br gene expression is increased in the hypothalamic pvn of borderline hypertensive rats

Hypertension Research volume 43, pages 1165–1174 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

Vasopressin (VP) is a neurohypophyseal peptide best known for its role in maintaining osmotic and cardiovascular homeostasis. The main sources of VP are the supraoptic and paraventricular (PVN) nuclei of the hypothalamus, which coexpress the vasopressin V1a and V1b receptors (V1aR and V1bR). Here, we investigated the level of expression of VP and VP receptors in the PVN of borderline hypertensive rats (BHRs), a key integrative nucleus for neuroendocrine cardiovascular control. Experiments were performed in male BHRs and Wistar rats (WRs) equipped with a radiotelemetry device for continuous hemodynamic recording under baseline conditions and after saline load without or with stress. Autonomic control of the circulation was evaluated by spectral analysis of blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) variability and baroreceptor reflex sensitivity (BRS) using the sequence method. Plasma VP was determined by radioimmunoassay, and VP, V1aR, and V1bR gene expression was determined by RT-qPCR. Under baseline conditions, BHRs had higher BP, lower HR, and stronger BRS than WRs. BP and HR variability was unchanged. In the PVN, overexpression of the VP and V1bR genes was found, and plasma VP was increased. Saline load downregulated V1bR mRNA expression without affecting VP mRNA expression or plasma VP and BP. Adding stress increased BP, HR, and low-frequency sympathetic spectral markers and decreased plasma VP without altering the level of expression of VP and VP receptors in the PVN. It follows that overexpression of VP and V1bR in the PVN is a characteristic trait of BHRs and that sympathetic hyperactivity underlies stress-induced hypertension.

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Acknowledgements

Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development (MPNT/III/41013 BS, OS, NJZ). British Heart Foundation (RG/11/28714, DM; FS/12/5/29339, DM). BBSRC (BB/J005452/1, DM, OS). Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior—Brasil (CAPES)—(Finance Code 001, ASM, JAR)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia

    Bojana Savić, Olivera Šarenac & Nina Japundžić–Žigon

  2. Bristol Medical School: Translational Health Sciences, Dorothy Hodgkin Building, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS1 3NY, UK

    Andrew Martin & David Murphy

  3. Paulista Medical School, Department of Biophysics, Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Andre Souza Mecawi

  4. Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Medical Statics and Informatics, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia

    Zoran Bukumirić

  5. Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, Department of Physiology, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil

    José Antunes-Rodrigues

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  1. Bojana Savić
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Savić, B., Martin, A., Mecawi, A.S. et al. Vasopressin and v1br gene expression is increased in the hypothalamic pvn of borderline hypertensive rats. Hypertens Res 43, 1165–1174 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41440-020-0469-2

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