Adrenocorticotropin-induced hypertension in rats: role of ouabain-like compound

We examined the role of ouabain-like compound (OLC) in hypertension associated with corticotropin (ACTH) excess in rats. Physiological saline solution (1 mL/kg) or synthetic ACTH-Z (0.5 mg/kg) was injected intramuscularly for 15 days to 14 control and 13 male Wistar rats. Significant increases in blood pressure and plasma sodium/potassium ratio, and decreases in plasma potassium concentration and urinary sodium/potassium ratio were observed in ACTH-treated rats. The plasma OLC level was higher in ACTH-treated group (control; 76 +/- 13, ACTH; 202 +/- 48 pmol/L, P < .05). Plasma OLC level correlated with systolic blood pressure (SPB; r = 0.53, P < .01). Urinary OLC excretion was also higher in ACTH-treated group (control; 0.95 +/- 0.01, ACTH; 3.32 +/- 0.67 pmol/day, P < .01). A significant relation was also found between urinary OLC excretion and SBP (r = 0.66, P < .01). Plasma potassium concentration negatively correlated with SBP (r = -0.48, P < .01) and urinary sodium/potassium ratio also correlated inversely with urinary OLC excretion (r = -0.55, P < .01). Measurement of OLC levels after the fractionation of urine by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography showed that the major OLC peak in urine from both groups coincided with that of authentic ouabain. These results suggest the contribution of OLC to ACTH-induced hypertension in rats.