Altered dipsogenic responses and expression of angiotensin receptors in the offspring exposed to prenatal high sucrose.

The present study determined water and salt intake as well as expression of AT(1) and AT(2) receptors in the brain and kidney in the adult offspring rats prenatally exposed to high sucrose. Following the exposure during pregnancy, water intake and salt intake at baseline levels were not changed in the adult offspring. However, after 24h water deprivation, consumption of water and salt was significantly increased compared to that of the control.

Prenatal dehydration alters renin-angiotensin system associated with angiotensin-increased blood pressure in young offspring.

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has an important role in cardiovascular homeostasis. This study determined the influence of water deprivation during pregnancy on the development of the RAS in rats, and examined blood pressure (BP) in the adolescent offspring. Pregnant rats were water deprived for 3 days at late gestation, and we examined fetal cardiac ultrastructure, as well as heart angiotensin (Ang) II receptor protein and mRNA, liver angiotensinogen and plasma Ang II concentrations.

Losartan chemistry and its effects via AT1 mechanisms in the kidney.

Besides the importance of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the circulation and other organs, the local RAS in the kidney has attracted a great attention in research in last decades. The renal RAS plays an important role in the body fluid homeostasis and long-term cardiovascular regulation. All major components and key enzymes for the establishment of a local RAS as well as two important angiotensin II (Ang II) receptor subtypes, AT1 and AT2 receptors, have been confirmed in the kidney.

Cardiovascular effects of losartan and its relevant clinical application.

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays an important role in the homeostasis of the cardiovascular system and in the development of cardiovascular diseases. An abnormal expression or over activation of the local RAS in the heart and vasculature system is one of the most common mechanisms in pathophysiological processes in cardiovascular diseases. This also provides a basis for medical prevention and treatments using chemical approaches.

Fetal and offspring arrhythmia following exposure to nicotine during pregnancy.

Although recent studies have demonstrated prenatal nicotine can increase cardiovascular risk in the offspring, it is unknown whether exposure to nicotine during pregnancy also may be a risk for development of arrhythmia in the offspring. In addition, in previous studies of fetal arrhythmia affected by smoking, only two patterns, bradycardia and tachycardia, were observed. The present study examined acute effects of maternal nicotine on the fetal arrhythmia in utero, and chronic influence on offspring arrhythmia at adult stage following prenatal exposure to nicotine.

Ovine fetal hormonal and hypothalamic neuroendocrine responses to maternal water deprivation at late gestation.

Angiotensin II (Ang II), aldosterone, and arginine-vasopressin (AVP) are three major neuropeptides or hormones that are important in the control of body fluid regulation. Dehydration during pregnancy induces alterations in maternal-fetal fluid homeostasis. It is still not clear about effects and mechanisms of maternal water deprivation on fetal neuroendocrine and hormonal responses.

Development of fetal brain renin-angiotensin system and hypertension programmed in fetal origins.

Since the concept of fetal origins of adult diseases was introduced in 1980s, the development of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in normal and abnormal patterns has attracted attention. Recent studies have shown the importance of the fetal RAS in both prenatal and postnatal development. This review focuses on the functional development of the fetal brain RAS, and ontogeny of local brain RAS components in utero.

Remodeled salt appetite in rat offspring by perinatal exposure to nicotine.

To determine the effect of perinatal exposure to nicotine on water intake and salt appetite related to renin-angiotensin system in the offspring, maternal rats during perinatal period [gestation (G) or gestation plus lactation (G+L)] were subcutaneously administrated with nicotine. Four months after birth, intake of 1.8% NaCl and water was measured following 24h water deprivation in the adult offspring, and angiotensin receptors in the brain were determined.

The effect of prenatal nicotine on expression of nicotine receptor subunits in the fetal brain.

Previous studies have suggested that prenatal exposure to nicotine is associated with abnormal development in fetuses, including fetal brain damage. The present study determined the effect of maternal administration of nicotine during different gestational periods on brain nicotine receptor subunits in fetal rats. Subcutaneous injections of nicotine in maternal rats from the early and middle gestation decreased fetal blood PO2, increased fetal blood PCO2 and hemoglobin, and decreased fetal brain weight.

Fetal functional capabilities in response to maternal hypertonicity associated with altered central and peripheral angiotensinogen mRNA in rats.

Although a number of studies have shown neural, hormonal, and behavioral capabilities in the control of body fluid regulation under conditions of dehydration in adults, limited information is available on the development of fetal functional abilities in response to osmotic challenge in rats. This study was performed to investigate the influence of maternal hypertonicity on fetal osmoregulatory capabilities at late gestational time in rats. Maternal and fetal plasma osmolality and blood sodium levels were determined and compared at continuous time points from 0.