Effects of ouabain, low K+, and aldosterone on hypoxic pressor reactivity of rat lungs

It can be postulated that inhibition of lung tissue Na+-K+-ATPase might potentiate hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction by depolarizing some excitable cell or, in contrast, that it might blunt the hypoxic response by reducing cellular metabolic rate and sensitivity to hypoxia. Thus the purpose of this study was to test in isolated rat lungs whether hypoxic pressor reactivity was related inversely or positively to Na+-K+-ATPase activity. Dose-pressor response curves to hypoxia, angiotensin II, or KCl were measured under control conditions and after exposure either to one of two inhibitors of Na+-K+-ATPase, ouabain, and low-K+ solution or to a stimulator of Na+-K+ pumping, aldosterone. Ouabain and low K+ depressed the response to hypoxia but had little effect on that to angiotensin II. The response to KCl was increased by ouabain. Aldosterone potentiated the hypoxic response. These results do not support the idea that membrane depolarization due to inhibition Na+-K+ pumping is a component of hypoxic vasoconstriction. They do suggest a positive relationship between Na+-K+-ATPase activity and hypoxic pressor reactivity and are consistent with the idea that Na+-K+-ATPase activity might influence hypoxic reactivity indirectly by altering cellular energy metabolism. It is also possible that the results were somehow due to changes in intracellular [Na+] or transmembrane Na+ gradient, rather than to changes in energy metabolism.