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Maternal high-salt diets affected pressor responses and microvasoconstriction via PKC/BK channel signaling pathways
Le Bo1, Lin Jiang1, Anwen Zhou1
1Institute for Fetology & Reproductive Medicine Center, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, P. R. China.
Insights
Prenatal high-salt (HS) diet exposure increases offspring blood pressure and alters microvascular function. This may be due to changes in protein kinase C (PKC) and big potassium (BK) channel signaling, raising hypertension risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Developmental Biology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- High-salt (HS) intake is a known risk factor for hypertension.
- Prenatal exposure to maternal HS diets may have lasting effects on offspring cardiovascular health.
- The impact of prenatal HS exposure on adult cardiovascular systems warrants further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of prenatal HS exposure on cardiovascular function in adult offspring rats.
- To determine the impact of prenatal HS exposure on pressor responses and microvessel function.
- To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms, including signaling pathways, involved in these alterations.
Main Methods:
- Adult offspring rats exposed to HS diets during gestation were studied.
- Measurements included blood pressure, vascular tone, and intracellular calcium (Ca2+) in mesenteric arteries.
- Protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms and big potassium (BK) channel functions were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Prenatal HS offspring exhibited significantly higher phenylephrine (Phe)-induced pressor responses.
- Increased vessel tension and intracellular Ca2+ concentrations were observed in mesenteric arteries of HS offspring.
- Upregulation of PKC α- and δ-isoforms and altered PKC-modulated BK channel functions were identified.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal HS exposure alters microvascular activity in adult offspring.
- These alterations are likely mediated by changes in protein kinase C (PKC) and big potassium (BK) signaling pathways.
- Prenatal HS exposure may increase the risk of hypertension in offspring.
Scope:
High-salt (HS) intake is linked to hypertension, and prenatal exposure to maternal HS diets may have long-term impact on cardiovascular systems. The relationship between HS diets and cardiovascular disease has received extensive attention. This study determined pressor responses and microvessel functions in the adult offspring rats exposed to prenatal HS.
Methods And Results:
The offspring of 5-month old as young adults in rats were used. Blood pressure, vascular tone, intracellular Ca(2+), and BK channels in mesenteric arteries were measured in the offspring. Phenylephrine (Phe)-induced pressor responses were significantly higher in the prenatal HS offspring. Vessel tension and intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations associated with Phe-induced pressor responses were increased in the mesenteric arteries of the HS offspring. PKC α- and δ-isoforms were upregulated in mesenteric arteries of the HS offspring. The enhanced Phe-mediated vascular activity was linked to the altered PKC-modulated BK channel functions.
Conclusion:
The results suggested that prenatal exposure to HS altered microvascular activity probably via changes in PKC/BK signaling pathways, which may lead to increased risks of hypertension in the offspring.
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