2007 JASN IMPACT FACTOR 7.111	HOME   AUTHOR INFO   EDITORIAL BOARD   SUBSCRIBE   FEEDBACK   ALERTS   HELP
advanced	CURRENT ISSUE	ARCHIVES	JASN Express	ONLINE SUBMISSION

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Ahmed, S. B. Articles by Miller, J. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Ahmed, S. B. Articles by Miller, J. A.

Effects of Oral Contraceptive Use on the Renal and Systemic Vascular Response to Angiotensin II Infusion

Division of Nephrology, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Correspondence to Dr. Judith A. Miller, Division of Nephrology, 11EN-221, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, 200 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5G 2C4. Phone: 416-340-4966; Fax: 416-340-4951; E-mail: judith.miller{at}utoronto.ca

ABSTRACT. We have previously shown that users of oral contraceptive (OC) medications exhibit increased plasma levels of angiotensin II (Ang II) with only modest hemodynamic consequences, suggesting estrogen-mediated Ang II type 1 (AT₁) receptor downregulation. Accordingly, in 10 women who were OC users and 10 women who, as OC nonusers, served as controls, all mean age 26 ± 1 yr, we examined the renal and peripheral hemodynamic response to graded Ang II infusion, plasma and urine cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels as a surrogate marker for AT₁ and/or AT₂ receptor-mediated activation of the nitric oxide pathway, and AT₁ receptor expression in skin biopsies. The OC nonusers were studied during the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle, whereas OC users were studied once during the 21-d medication phase. Subjects ingested a controlled sodium diet for 7 d before each study. Renal hemodynamic function was assessed using standard inulin and p-aminohippurate clearance techniques. AT₁ receptor mRNA levels in skin biopsy samples were assessed using a real-time PCR protocol. In response to graded Ang II infusion, OC users exhibited renal and peripheral hemodynamic responses that were augmented compared with those of OC nonusers, in conjunction with evidence of increased tissue AT₁ receptor expression. Plasma cGMP levels and 24-h urinary cGMP excretion did not differ. These data suggest that, contrary to our original hypothesis, OC use does not appear to be associated with AT₁ receptor downregulation. The factor protecting OC users from the hemodynamic impact of increased Ang II levels remains elusive.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. Z. I. Cherney, J. W. Scholey, R. Nasrallah, M. G. Dekker, C. Slorach, T. J. Bradley, R. L. Hebert, E. B. Sochett, and J. A. Miller Renal hemodynamic effect of cyclooxygenase 2 inhibition in young men and women with uncomplicated type 1 diabetes mellitus Am J Physiol Renal Physiol, June 1, 2008; 294(6): F1336 - F1341. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Z. I. Cherney, J. W. Scholey, D. C. Cattran, A. K. Kang, J. Zimpelmann, C. Kennedy, V. Lai, K. D. Burns, and J. A. Miller The effect of oral contraceptives on the nitric oxide system and renal function Am J Physiol Renal Physiol, November 1, 2007; 293(5): F1539 - F1544. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. A. Miller, D. Z. Cherney, J. A. Duncan, V. Lai, K. D. Burns, C. R.J. Kennedy, J. Zimpelmann, W. Gao, D. C. Cattran, and J. W. Scholey Gender Differences in the Renal Response to Renin-Angiotensin System Blockade J. Am. Soc. Nephrol., September 1, 2006; 17(9): 2554 - 2560. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. B. Ahmed, P. Hovind, H.-H. Parving, P. Rossing, D. A. Price, L. M. Laffel, M. C. Lansang, R. Stevanovic, N. D.L. Fisher, and N. K. Hollenberg Oral Contraceptives, Angiotensin-Dependent Renal Vasoconstriction, and Risk of Diabetic Nephropathy Diabetes Care, August 1, 2005; 28(8): 1988 - 1994. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Copyright © 2008 by the American Society of Nephrology. Online ISSN: 1533-3450 Print ISSN: 1046-6673