Age-dependent effects of chronic hypoxia on renin-angiotensin and urinary excretions

The mechanisms regulating water, electrolyte, and blood volume homeostasis continue to mature in early postnatal life, and this maturation may be altered by perturbations of volume or cardiovascular status. To evaluate the long-term effects of chronic hypoxia on water balance, urinary electrolyte excretion, heart weights, systemic arterial pressure, and components of the renin-angiotensin system, male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to periods of simulated altitude of 10,000 ft up to 90 days of age beginning at 2 or 30 days of age. Altitude exposure of both neonatal and adult rats was associated with increases in urine output and water intake after 30 days of exposure, and right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy at all ages was examined. However, the percent increase in urine output, water intake, and RV hypertrophy was numerically greater in neonates. Neonates also had increases in urinary sodium and potassium excretion after 30 days of exposure. Plasma renin activity and serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity were not affected, but plasma renin substrate was reduced in both neonatal and adult altitude-exposed rats. Lung ACE activity was also decreased in altitude-exposed neonates. These data indicate that the degree and, in some cases, the nature of these homeostatic responses varies with age during long-term hypoxia.