The role of angiotensin II in the feedback control of renin gene expression

• Published in: Pflügers Archiv 1997-06, Vol.434 (2), p.166-172
• Main Authors: Shricker, K, Holmer, S, Krämer, B K, Riegger, G A, Kurtz, A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Angiotensin II - pharmacology; Animals; Feedback - drug effects; Gene expression; Gene Expression - drug effects; Kidneys; Male; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Renin - metabolism; Rodents
• ISSN: 0031-6768; 1432-2013
• DOI: 10.1007/s004240050379

This study aimed to characterize the influence of endogenous angiotensin II on renal renin gene expression during different states of a stimulated and of a suppressed renin system. To this end the renin system in male Sprague Dawley rats was stimulated by unilateral renal artery clipping (0.2 mm clip), by furosemide (60 mg/kg per diem) or isoproterenol (160 microg/kg per diem), and by ingestion of a low-salt diet (0.02%), or was suppressed by setting a contralateral renal artery clip (0.2-mm clip) or by ingestion of a high-salt diet (4%). During the last 2 days of these different treatment regimens, the animals were treated with the angiotensin II AT1 receptor antagonist losartan (40 mg/kg per diem) and renal renin mRNA levels were assayed. Renin gene expression was stimulated four- to fivefold by renal artery clipping and isoproterenol infusion, two- to three-fold by furosemide and a low-salt diet, and about four-fold by losartan. Additional treatment with losartan potentiated the stimulatory effects of a low-salt diet, of furosemide and of isoproterenol infusion on renin gene expression, whilst there was no significant additional effect of losartan on renin gene expression in clipped kidneys. Both contralateral renal artery clipping and a high-salt diet decreased renin mRNA levels to about 50% of the control value. In rts with a unilateral clip, additional losartan treatment caused renin mRNA to increase to about 350% of the control value in the contralateral kidney but to only 100% of the control value in animals on a high-salt diet. These findings suggest that the enhanced formation of angiotensin II during a low-salt intake, during tubular inhibition of salt reabsorption or during beta-adrenoreceptor activation plays a relevant negative feedback role in the activation of the renin gene. Moreover, in rats with one hypoperfused kidney, angiotensin II could be involved in the inhibition of renin gene expression in the contralateral kidney. In hypoperfused kidneys, however, and in animals on a high-salt diet, angiotensin II appears to play a only a minor feedback role in the regulation of the renin gene.