Figure 2.
Sc infusion of Ang II at 150 ng/kg/min similarly increases CYP11B2 mRNA (panel A) and protein (panels C and D) in the adrenal cortex of rats on regular (RS) or 2% high salt (HS) diet. Central infusion of an MR blocker (eplerenone or spironolactone), ENaC blocker (benzamil) or AT1R blocker (losartan) prevents the increase in CYP11B2 mRNA caused by Ang II in rats on HS diet (panel B). A representative immunoblot shows ∼49 kDa CYP11B2 protein in the adrenal cortex (panel C). Panels A and D: values are means ± SE (for CYP11B2 mRNA, n = 11–14/group for 2 studies combined; for protein levels, n = 5–6/group for second study only). Two-way ANOVA: †P<0.05 vs. regular salt. ‡P<0.05 vs. high salt. Panel B: values are means ± SE. n = 11 for vehicles (Veh), n = 9 for combined eplerenone and spironolactone (MR inh), n = 6 for benzamil (Ben), and n = 4 for losartan (Los). One-way ANOVA or Student t-test for Veh vs. blockers combined: *P<0.05 vs. others. In panel A, reference gene PGK1 mRNA in the first study was in the range of 6.7–7.2, and in the second study in the range of 6.2–6.7. In panel B, PGK1 mRNA was in the range of 6.5–6.7 (not different between groups).