BIOCHEMICAL
Vol. 148, No. 2, 1987 October 29, 1987
AND BIOPHYSICAL
EARLY (1 to 24h) PLASMA ATRIAL
RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS Pages 582-588
NATRIURETIC FACTOR CHANGES
IN THE RAT DURING ANTIORTHOSTATIC
HYPOKINETIC SUSPENSION.
Guillemette Gauquelin, Christophe Kazek, Anne-Marie Allevard, Rolande Garcin, Jacques Bonnod*, Jolanta Gutkowska-,
Lab.
and Claude
Gharib
Physiol. Fat. Med. Grange-Blanche 69373 LYON Cedex 08,
l IFFA-CREDO **Clinical Received
Marc cantin:
69210 L’Arbresle - France
Research Institute of Montreal H2W lR7 MONTREAL, Canada
September
14,
1987
ABSTRACT: Antiorthostatic hypokinetic suspension (AOH) in rat is currently used as an animal model for simulating weightlessness. This maneuver is responsible for a diuresis, a natriuresis and an increase in central venous pressure (CVP). Knowing the role of CVP in atria1 natriuretic factor (ANF) secretion, the aim of the study was to examine the early plasma ANF changes during AOH (angle 30-35’) using Morey’s model (tail suspension). The rats were divided into 4 groups : 24 population cage (PC), 24 isolated in separate cages (I), 24 were attached by the tail (Morey’s model) and remained in the horizontal position (attached horizontal : AH). At the end of this period of 7 d, 12 AH were suspended for 1, 2, 6 and 24 h (AOH) and sacrificed with the controls for plasma ANF determination. Our results show that the level of ANF is significantly (p<.O5) higher in AOH rats after 2 h of suspension (16.622 pg/ml vs 10.9+1.5). A significant increase is also observed between AOH and AH after 2h of suspengon (p < 0.05). Six hours after suspension ANF presents a sharp decline in AOH and no difference is observed between AOH and AH and I. Morey’s tail suspension model seems to be valid 0 1987 for the study of the early hormonal effects of simulated weightlessness for ANF. Academic
Press,
Inc.
In man, head-down many
bedrest
is currently
used
for simulating weightlessness because
of the physiological responses are similar to those
The head-down
suspension (antiorthostatic
observed
during space flight (1).
hypokinesia) is also currently
used in rat as a
model for simulating weightlessness (2). Indeed, body fluid compartmentalization, and electrolyte dependent.
metabolism, volume regulating
Head-down
of the body.
tilt
gravity
induces a marked fluid shift from the lower to the upper half
Increased pressure in both
atria (increased central venous pressure=CVP)
leads to hormonal modifications characterizing 0006-291X/87 Copyright All rights
hormones are in large part
water
$1.50 0 I987 by Academic Press. of reproduction in any ,fornr
Inc. reserved.
582
the Gauer-Henry reflex
: inhibition of
Vol.
148,
No. 2, 1987
secretion
AND
BIOPHYSICAL
of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone
mammalian
atria1 myocytes
(4, 5) which
are known
ANF
is involved
blood
pressure
release
of
secrete
of potent
as atria1 natriuretic
(6, 7). For
these
are
modified
Another
problem
factors
of extracellular reasons, during
RESEARCH
natriuretic (ANF).
fluid
It
early
has
been
peptides
speculated
electrolyte whether
adaptative
was the choice of controls
(3). Moreover,
and diuretic
volume,
we investigated the
COMMUNICATIONS
and of vasopressin
system
a family
in the regulation
ANF
weightlessness. stress
BIOCHEMICAL
that
balance and
the synthesis
response
to
and
simulated
for such experiments
where
could play a major role.
MATERIALS Animal
and METHODS preparation
Male Wistar rats (230-250 g, IFFA-CREDO, les Oncins), kept at controlled room temperature under a 7 AM-7 PM light regimen, were fed regular pelleted rat chow and tap water “ad libitum” for 9 days prior to the experiment. On the first experimental day (adaptation period), all the animals were weighed and divided randomly and assigned to a predetermined treatment schedule, as shown in Table I. Rats (n=l2 par time point) were suspended in individual plastic cages using Morey’s tail suspension model (8) as modified by Roberts (9). A plastic hole-drilled disc was wrapped with adhesive tape to the tail and connected to a pulley by a plastic bar. The rats were capable of moving freely about the cage in any direction and had easy access to the food and water. These rats were maintained in the orthostatic position for seven days before the test period. 1, 2, 6 and 24 hours before the experiment, a head-down tilt of approximately 30-35” was applied (AOH). To separate the effects of orthostatic manipulations from the
TABLE EXPERIMNTAL
Adaptation
I SCHEDULE
Test
Period
period 1 day
Day
-9
0
Population
cage
Isolated
(I)
Attached tail
(PC)
by
12
per
cage
-7
5 per I,
0
cage
12
#I
9,
1
0
12
”
”
1 per
cage
(AH)
,*
11
11
1 per
cage
(AH)
and
ANF
(I)
Ih
2h
6h
24h
*
*
*
*
x
*
*
*
*
l
*
* AH
*
*
*
the
(horizontal)
AH
Suspended (30°)
*Blood for
AOH
was
drawn
under
AOH for
each
point).
penthobarbital
anesthesia
583
measured
(n
= 6 for
PC,
I and
AH and
* AOH
n = 12
BIOCHEMICAL
Vol. 148, No. 2, 1987
AND BIOPHYSICAL
RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
effects of hypokinesia, a group of rats was suspended by the same method as the antiorthostatic rats, except that these rats were maintained in a horizontal position. These are identified as orthostatic rats (AH: Attached Horizontally). Another control group consisted of physically unrestrained rats housed individually in plastic cages and were classified as isolated rats (I). A third group of controls were housed five in a standard cage and they are identified as (PC : Population Cage). Six rats of each group were killed at the same time as the antiorthostatic hypokinetic. Consequently, our study on the effects of head-down tilt was based first on comparisons between the antiorthostatic hypokinesic and the orthostatic hypokinesic rats and secondly on comparison of the isolated animals and those housed five to a cage. During the adaptation period, the rats were weighed daily. Preparation of blood samples At 1, 2, 6 and 24 h after head-down suspension, the experimental rats and their controls were anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium (60 mg/kg body weight, i.p.). Blood was coyected by aorta puncture. One ml, taken separately was processed for plasma Na+, K , proteins and osmolality analysis. The hematocrit was also measured. Three ml of -9ood were placed 9 ice-chilled plastic tubes containing the protease jyhibitors EDTA (10 M), pepstatin (lo- M), and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF, 3.10 M) for plasma IR-ANF (99-l 26). Plasma was obtained by centrifugation at 1500 g for 10 min at 4°C and stored at -7O“C until assayed. ANF was extracted from plasma by means of Vycor glass beads (Corning Glass Works Corning, WK) and measured by a specific radioimmunoassay (RIA) (10). The heart was removed immediately after sacrifice the right and left atria were dissected separately and atria1 ANF concentrations were measured by RIA (11). Atria1 protein content was assessed by a modification of Bradford’s methods (12). Plasma and atria1 IR-ANF concentrations were determined twice, and the mean of the two values was recorded. The data were evaluated by two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures to lobally test the time effect, the group effect and the group interaction over time fF-test). If a significant effect was detected, Newmann et Keul’s test was used to determine which treatment means were significantly different. Results are expressed as means -+ SEM.
RESULTS Table II depicts the hematocrit
plasma osmolality,
sodium, potassium and protein
values at 4 times of the test period in each of the four experimental groups. During all the
test
period,
no difference
osmolality and hematocrit. an initial
was found
in plasma sodium, potassium, proteins,
During the first two days of the adaptation period, there was
slight loss of weight for the orthostatic
hypokinetic
and isolated rats. Then
the growth rate remained similar in all groups (data not shown). Figure
1
illustrates
the
plasma ANF
concentrations (middle panel) and left four periods after was significantly
levels
(upper panel), right
atria1
atria1 ANF concentrations (lower panel) for the
suspension for antiorthostatic higher than for antiorthostatic
rats and controls. Plasma ANF in PC hypokinetic,
orthostatic
hypokinetic
isolated rats (p
ANF
and isolated rats. After
difference
two hours of suspension, plasma ANF
was signicantly higher in antiorthostatic
584
or
hypokinetic
rats than after
one
Vol.
148,
BIOCHEMICAL
No. 2, 1987
AND
TABLE EFFECT
OF SIMULATED
Na+
139+1
AH
13920.5
i
139+0.5 141+0.7 -
latter
721 pg/ml decline,
OSMOLALITY
6h
24h
140+0.5 14021
13722
14221
138+2-
13823
14022
137+1 -
13723
14121
141+0.7 -
13821
(%) 47.7+1.4 49.4+1.2 -
49.3+0.6 -
4820.7
AH
47.9+0.9 47.622
48
48.520.5
i
48.921
49.320.9
49
46.5+1.2 48.8~1
50.9+0.5 -
PC
51
50.6+0.5 -
~0.4
Osmolality
(mOsm/kg
20.7
0.5
H20)
AOH
30321
30121
30321.5
2985.5
AH
298+3_
301+1.5 -
301.823
i
298+229821
30322
30121.5
29721
PC
300+2.5 -
301+2_
29921.5
29821.5
K+ (mmol/l)
AOH
5+0.2
5~0.2
420.2
4.520.3
AH
5+1 5~0.2
4+0.2 5+0.3 -
4
i
4+0.2 4+0.3 -
4
-+O.l LO.2
PC
5+0.2 -
420.2
420.2
4
LO.3
(g/l)
AOH
6321
AH
i
60+1 6323
PC
6222
being
suspension,
(p < 0.05).
orthostatic
Na+,
AOH
Proteins
of
ON SERU4
Hematocrit
Serum
hour
AND SERW
2h
AOH
Serum
COMMUNICATIONS
(mmol/l) 1 h
PC
RESEARCH
II
WEIGHTLESSNESS
HEMATOCRIT
Serum
BIOPHYSICAL
respectively). and no difference
5922
5922
62+1 -
66+5
65+3 65+4 -
6522
6221
593
66~3
16.6 + 2 pg/ml
A significant
and isolated
61+2 62+3 -
rats
increase at 2 hours
Six hours between
after the
in the former was
also noted
of suspension suspension,
three
and
groups
this
10.9
+
1.5
pg/ml
in the
between
the antiorthostatic,
(16.6+2pg/ml,
7.521 pg/ml
parameter
was found.
presented
and
a sharp
Vol. 148, No. 2, 1987
BIOCHEMICAL
AND BIOPHYSICAL
q Pc ml
RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
q AH q AOH
.1 Figure
1.
Effect right
hypokinetic
24 of suspension (upper (lower
panel), panel).
vs I and AH vs AOH at 1 hour
concentration
rats after
6 hours
of simulate weightlessness on plasma ANF (middle panel) and left atria1 concentration
* p t 0.05 + p < 0.05
The atria1 ANF
2
was higher in the right
2 h of suspension compared to
atrium
of antiorthostatic
of suspension. No difference
1 h
was found later.
During the all stages of the test period, no difference
atrium was noted
between
in the left
groups.
the
DISCUSSION Experimental
model
Various techniques have
been
used
to
suspend
the
rat
to
weightlessness. All
simulate
of the methods used to produce head-down suspension in rats attempted to reproduce the physiological effects of simulated weightlessness, more particularly of
blood
Consequently,
volume.
The
problem
in these studies was to choose a correct
our conclusions on the effects
comparisons of the antiorthostatic
a cephalad shift
of weightlessness are
based
control.
primarily
on
hypokinetic rats and orthostatic hypokinetic rats. But 586
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
Vol. 148, No. 2, 1987
our data on the rats that were those isolated rats
in plastic
are smaller
housed five in a standard
cages. The baseline values in orthostatic
than those reported
appear
to be due to the method
animals
received
a standard Whether
cage are very
A relationship
potential
housed together
of weightlessness
between
RNA
ANF
(mRNA)
participation
acute
simulated
factor
during volume
and Kirsh urine flow
of ANF
synthesis
(maximum
at
ANF
increase
in
plasma
level
IR-ANF
and this is the first
investigation,
disappeared pressure central
of
changes
hours.
suspension
It has been demonstrated
changes
after
animals.
hours
was observed
of
suspension,
suspension.
in the rat occurred
within
of ANF
evaluation
(16)
examine
the
the effects
of
Gauer, Reevers in a increase
in the
simulation
at 9”
was
rapid
very
suspension
levels.
early
in plasma ANF
this
In our after
difference
central
They found that
the first
an
compared
in the rat.
but
in
studies
in the right atrium
have reported
(45’ tilt)
and
We recorded
of this phenomenon
of
in water
to pretilt
the increase
the head-down
587
elevation
of ANF.
Interestingly,
et al (22)
the release
results
had returned
two
one hour
and they decreased that
plasma
study an elevation
to
Shellock
in the rat during
venous pressure
to head-down
plasma
of a natriuretic
(18, 19). Henry,
ANF
a higher ANF concentration
six
The secretion
induced by simulation
This
observation
compared
we studied
(20) in a head-down
1 hr plasma
or isolated
suspension
after
rats.
of ANF -
(17). To further
that an atria1 distension
concentration
was
hours
in baseline
and changes
to fluid volume,
in human.
and by
hypokinesic
two
all
housed five in
(I 51, morphological
pre-proANF
The early changes
to orthostatic
present
(because
and secretion
atrium
had long been postulated
during an immersion
plasma
transient,
for rat
We have also reported
30 minutes)
demonstrated
on synthesis
by bioassay
to demonstrate
documented.
in
do not
(13) in anesthetized
elevations
on plasma and atria1 ANF.
and sodium excretion.
an increase
or anesthesia
by Horky
in the
in adjustments
expansion
the first
rat is not well
RIA
from
or isolated
(13, 14). These results
caused
simulation
analysis
weightlessness
were
hypokinetic
Our baseline levels in rats
to those reported
balance has been demonstrated
and messenger
very different
to be clarified.
Short term effects
Epstein
of blood collection,
similar
of the rats
ANF levels remains
electrolyte
by some investigators
the same dose of anesthesic).
the stress
cage were
venous the peak
60 min of exposure
or rose (20’) during the next 7 h. directly
correlates
with
changes in
BIOCHEMICAL
Vol. 148, No. 2, 1987
AND BIOPHYSICAL
RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
right atria1 pressure in water immersed rats (23). Volume expansion, by enhancing venous return, could elevate right atria1 pressure and increase the concentration of right atria1 ANF. In summary, the changes in the synthesis and secretion of ANF are comparable to those observed during bed rest and water immersion in humans. The antiorthostatic hypokinetic
rat therefore
appears to be a good model for the study of the hormonal
system during simulated weightlessness. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This work was supported by grants from CNES (87.1242), DRET (87086), UER de Biologie Humaine (Universitd Claude Bernard) and Centre J. Cartier. We thank J. Carew for correction of the English. REFERENCES 1. Greenleaf, J.E. (1984) 3. Appl. Physiol.:Respirat. Environ. Exercise 57, 619-633 2. Deavers, D.R., Musacchia, X.J. and Meininger, GA. (1980) J. Appl. Physiol. 49, 576-582 3. Gauer, O.H., Henry, J.P. and Behn, C. (1970) Ann. Rev. Physiol. 32, 547-595 4. de Bold, A.J., Borenstein, H.B., Veress, A.T. and Sonnenberg, H. (1981) Life Sci. 28, 89-94 5. Garcia, R., Cantin, M., Thibault, C., Ong, H. and Genes& J. (1981) Experientia 38, 1071-1073 6. de Bold, A.J. (1985) Science 230, 767-770 7. Cantin, M. and Genest, J. (1985) Endocrine Rev. 6, 107-l 27 8. Morey, E.R. (1979) Biosc ience 29, 168-l 72 9. Roberts, W.E. (1984) Bone Mineralisation Workshop. Brussels Jan. ESA SP.203, July 1984 10. Gutkowska, J., Horky, K., Schiffrin, E.L., Thibault, G., Garcia, R., De Lean, A., Hamet, P., Tremblay, J., Anand-Srivostava, M.B., Januszewicz, P., Genest, J. and Cantin, M. (1986) Fed. Proc. 45, 2101-2105 11. Gutkowska, J., Thibault, G., Januszewicz, P., Cantin, M. and Genest, J. (1984) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 122, 593-601 12. Spector, T. (1978) Annal. Biochem.86, 142-146 13. Horky, K., Gutkowska, J., Garcia, R., Thibault, G., Genest, J. and Cantin, M. (1985) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 129, 651-657 14. Long, R.E., Tholken, H., Ganten, D., Luft, F.C., Ruskoaho, H. and Unger, T. (1985) Nature (Lond.) 314, 264-266 15. Thibault, G., Garcia, R., Cantin, M. and Cenest, J. (1983) Hypertension 5 (suppl. I), 1.75-1.80 16. Marie, J.P., Guillemot, H. and Hatt, P.Y. (1976) Pathol. Biol. 24, 549-555 17. Nakayama, K., Girkuso, H., Hirobi, T., Inagama, S. and Nakanishi, 5. (1984) Nature 310, 699-70 1 18. Maack, T., Camargo, M.J.F., Kleinert, H.D., Laragh, J.H. and Atlas, S.A. (1985) Kidney Intern. 27, 607-615 19. Palluk, R., Gaida, W. and Hoelke W. (1985) Life Sci. 36, 1416-l 425 20. Gharib, C., Gauquelin, G., Geelen, G., Cantin, M., Gutkowska, J., Mauroux, J.L. and Guell, A. (1985) The Physiologist 28 (suppl.), S.30-S.33 21. Epstein, M., Loutzenhiser, R., Friedlead, E., Aceto, R.M., Camargo, M.J.F. and Atlas, S.A. (1987) J. Clin. Invest. 79, 738-745 22. Shellock, F.G., Swan, H.J.C. and Rubin, S.A. (1985) Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 56, 791-795 23. Katsube, N., Schwartz, D. and Needleman, P. (1985) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 133. 937-944 588