Angiotensin II receptor alterations during pregnancy in rabbits

Despite activation of the renin-angiotensin system during pregnancy, renal and peripheral vascular blood flows increase, and the systemic blood pressure and the pressor response to exogenous angiotensin II (Ang II) fall. Gestational alterations in Ang II receptors could contribute to these changes. Ang II binding parameters were determined utilizing 125I-Ang II in vascular (glomeruli and mesenteric arteries) and nonvascular (adrenal glomerulosa) tissues from 24- to 28-day pregnant rabbits. Comparisons were made utilizing tissues from nonpregnant rabbits. Binding site concentrations (N) and dissociation constants (Kd) were obtained by Scatchard analyses of binding inhibition data. In glomeruli from nonpregnant and pregnant rabbits, N was 515 +/- 84 and 300 +/- 54 fmol X mg-1 protein (P less than 0.005; n = 8), respectively. Kd did not differ (P greater than 0.05). In mesenteric artery membranes from nonpregnant (n = 3) and pregnant (n = 4) rabbits, N was 304 +/- 21 and 112 +/- 23 fmol X mg-1 (P less than 0.005), respectively. Kd did not differ. Neither N nor Kd differed in adrenal glomerulosa tissues (n = 6). Meclofenamate (M) inhibits prostaglandin synthesis, reduces plasma renin activity, and enhances the pressor response to infused Ang II in pregnant rabbits. Administration of M to pregnant rabbits increased N in glomerular and in mesenteric artery membranes from 298 +/- 16 to 381 +/- 8 fmol X mg-1 (n = 3) and from 144 +/- 13 to 218 +/- 13 fmol X mg-1 (n = 4), respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)