Effect of Sodium Loading and Depletion on Vascular Reactivity and Prostacyclin Generation : IX Conference on the Pathogenesis of Hypertension

Abstract

In order to estimate the modulatory activity of Prostacyclin (PGI₂ ) to the vascular reactivity, pressor responses to angiotensin II (A II) and noradrenaline (NA) and PGI₂ generation of aorta were measured using the rats of sodium loading or of sodium depletion. On the sodium loading, the blood pressure increased gradually and plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) were decreased. The pressor responses to A II and NA were enhanced by sodium loading. The PGI₂ generation of aorta was enhanced at the initial stage of sodium loading and decreased thereafter. The increased generation of PGI₂ may represent the adaptive mechanism for the attenuation of the sustained elevation in blood pressure. In sodium depletion, the pressor responses to A II and NA were decreased, and PRA and PAC were elevated. PGI₂ generation of aorta was also increased. These findings suggested that PGI₂ could participate in blood pressure control mechanism on sodium loading and depletion.