Chronic imidazoline receptor activation in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Background: Acute intravenous administration of moxonidine, an imidazoline I-1-receptor agonist, reduces blood pressure (BP) in normotensive and hypertensive rats, induces diuresis and natriuresis, and stimulates plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). In these studies we investigated the involvement of natriuretic peptides (ANP and brain natriuretic peptide) in the effects of chronic activation of imidazoline receptors. Methods: Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR; 12 to 14 weeks old) received 7-day moxonidine treatment at various doses (10, 20, 60, and 120 mug/kg/h) via subcutaneously implanted osmotic minipumps. Results: Hemodynamic parameters (continuously monitored by telemetry) revealed that, compared with saline-treated rats, moxonidine dose-dependently decreased blood pressures (BPs). Maximal blood pressure lowering effect was achieved by day 4 of treatment, at which point 60 mug/kg/h reduced mean arterial pressure (MAP) by 14.5 +/- 6.8 mm Hg as compared with basal levels. The decrease in MAP was influenced by a drop in both diastolic and systolic pressures. Moxonidine treatment did not alter daily urinary sodium and potassium excretions, but 120 mug/kg/h moxonidine decreased urine volume after 2 days and increased cyclic guanosine 3'5' monophosphate excretion on days 4 to 7 of treatment. Chronic moxonidine treatment dose-dependently increased plasma ANP to reach, at 120 mug/kg/h, a 40% increase (P < .01) above that of corresponding saline-treated SHR, with a concomitant increase in left and right atrial ANP mRNA (more than twofold). Plasma BNP increased by 120 mug/kg/h moxonidine (11.0 +/- 1.1 v 16.5 +/- 1.9 pg/mL, P < .002) without significant increases in atrial and ventricular BNP mRNA. Conclusions: ANP and BNP may be involved in the antihypertensive effect of chronic moxonidine treatment. Accordingly, natriuretic peptides may contribute to the sympatholytic and cardioprotective effects of chronic activation of imidazoline I-1-receptors. (C) 2002 American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd.