Role of Kidneys in Sex Differences in Angiotensin II-Induced HypertensionNovelty and Significance [Kidney]

The significance of kidneys in regulation of sodium and water balance and hemodynamics has been demonstrated both in patients and animal models. In the present study, we tested our hypothesis that kidneys play an essential role in control of sex differences in angiotensin II (Ang II)–dependent hypertension. Kidney transplantations (KTXs) were performed between male (M) and female (F) C57BL/6 mice (donor→recipient: F→F, M→M, F→M, and M→F). Radiotelemetry transmitters were implanted for measurement of mean arterial pressure during the infusion of Ang II (600 ng·kg−1·min−1). Gene expressions and inflammatory responses in the transplanted grafts were assessed. We found that same-sex–KTX mice still exhibited sex differences in Ang II–dependent hypertension (31.3±0.8 mm Hg in M→M versus 12.2±0.6 mm Hg in F→F), which were reduced between males and females when they received kidneys of the opposite sex (32.9±1 mm Hg in M→F versus 22.3±0.7 mm Hg in F→M). The sex differences in gene expressions, including AT1R (angiotensin II receptor, type 1), AT1R/AT2R, ET-1 (endothelin-1), ETA (endothelin receptor type A), NHE3 (sodium–hydrogen exchanger 3), α-ENaC (α-epithelial sodium channel), and γ-ENaC, were unaltered in same-sex KTXs and much lessened in cross-sex KTXs. In addition, the cross-sex KTXs exhibited more robust inflammatory responses reflected by higher expression of IL-6 (interleukin 6), TNFα (tumor necrosis factor α), and KC (kerati...
Source: Hypertension - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Hypertension, Transplantation Original Articles Source Type: research