Donate Help Contact The AHA Sign In Home
American Heart Association
Hypertension
Search: search_blue_button Advanced Search
Hypertension. 1997;30:1487-1492

This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Gonick, H. C.
Right arrow Articles by Vaziri, N. D.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Gonick, H. C.
Right arrow Articles by Vaziri, N. D.
Right arrowPubmed/NCBI databases
*Compound via MeSH
*Substance via MeSH
Medline Plus Health Information
*High Blood Pressure
Hazardous Substances DB
*LEAD ACETATE
*LEAD, ELEMENTAL
*NITRIC OXIDE

(Hypertension. 1997;30:1487-1492.)
© 1997 American Heart Association, Inc.


Articles

Lead-Induced Hypertension

Interplay of Nitric Oxide and Reactive Oxygen Species

Harvey C. Gonick; Yaoxian Ding; Steven C. Bondy; Zhenmin Ni; ; Nosratola D. Vaziri

From the University of California, at Los Angeles and Irvine and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, The Burns and Allen Research Institute, Los Angeles (H.C.G.) and the University of California, Irvine (Y.D., S.C.B., Z.N., N.D.V.).


*    Abstract
up arrowTop
*Abstract
down arrowIntroduction
down arrowMethods
down arrowResults
down arrowDiscussion
down arrowReferences
 
Abstract An elevation of mean blood pressure was found in rats treated with low lead (0.01% lead acetate) for 3 months, as contrasted to paired Sprague-Dawley control rats. In these rats, measurement of plasma and urine endothelins-1 and -3 revealed that plasma concentration and urinary excretion of endothelin-3 increased significantly after 3 months (plasma: lead group, 31.8±2.2, versus controls, 23.0+1.7 pg/mL, P<.001; urinary excretion: lead group, 46.6+11.7, versus controls, 35.6+6.7 pg/24 h, P<.05), whereas endothelin-1 was unaffected. Plasma and urinary nitric oxide (NO) and cyclic GMP concentrations were not significantly changed. However, assay of plasma and kidney cortex malondialdehyde by high-pressure liquid chromatography, as a measure of reactive oxygen species, was elevated in lead-treated rats compared with that in control rats (plasma: lead group, 4.74+1.27, versus controls, 2.14+.49 µmol/L, P<.001; kidney cortex: lead group, 28.75+3.46, versus controls, 16.38+2.37 nmol/g wet weight, P<.001). There was increased NO synthase activity in lead-treated rat brain cortex and cerebellum. In lead-treated rat kidney cortex, the endothelial constitutive NO synthase protein mass was unaffected, whereas the inducible NO synthase protein mass was increased. These data suggest a balance between increased NO synthesis and degradation (by reactive oxygen species) in lead-treated rats, which results in normal levels of NO. Thus, the hypertension may be related to an increase in the pressure substances, endothelin-3 and reactive oxygen species, rather than to an absolute decrease in nitric NO.


Key Words: nitric oxide • endothelins • reactive oxygen species • lead


*    Introduction
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
*Introduction
down arrowMethods
down arrowResults
down arrowDiscussion
down arrowReferences
 
Continuous exposure to low but not high levels of lead has been shown to result in increased blood pressure in both humans and animals.1 2 3 4 5 6 Our laboratory verified that rats treated continuously with low lead (0.01% lead acetate) had significantly increased blood pressure compared with age-matched controls. Elevation in blood pressure was observed after 3 months of lead exposure and continued for 1 year of persistent lead exposure. The elevation in blood pressure also persisted for 6 months after lead exposure was discontinued.5 6 We suggested that elevation in blood pressure was related to an increase in an endothelial-derived vasoconstrictor, endothelin-3, an increase in the Na-K-ATPase inhibitor-containing hypertension-associated protein, and a decrease in cyclic guanosine monophosphate as a second messenger for the vasodilator compound, EDRF, which has been identified as NO.7 8 9 Previous investigators demonstrated both increased and decreased plasma renin activities in lead-exposed rats,10 11 with decreased activity shown in rats that were most comparable to the present study (100 ppm lead for 6 months).10

The purposes of the present study were (1) to investigate the effects of lead exposure on plasma concentration and urinary excretion of NO, plasma concentrations of ET-1 and ET-3, and urinary excretion of these hormones; (2) to investigate the effects of lead on plasma and kidney MDA-TBA, a reflection of lipid peroxide formation (and thus, ROS); and (3) to determine whether lead exposure affects NO production by inducing changes in NOS activity or protein mass.


*    Methods
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
*Methods
down arrowResults
down arrowDiscussion
down arrowReferences
 
Animals
From the age of 2 months, male Sprague-Dawley rats (purchased from Charles River, Inc, Wilmington, Mass) weighing 200 g were fed a standard rodent Purina laboratory chow (containing 1% calcium) and were also given 0.01% lead acetate (100 ppm) in their drinking water for 3 months. The experimental animals had age-matched controls. Six animals each were included in experimental and control groups. Rats were weighed before entering into he study and also at the time of death.

Measurement of Blood Pressure
Conscious rats were placed in a restrainer and allowed to rest inside the cage for 15 minutes before blood pressure measurements. Rat tails were placed inside a tail cuff, and the cuff was inflated and released a few times to allow the animal to be conditioned to the procedure. Mean blood pressure values (four consecutive readings) were taken by a rat tail blood pressure monitor attached to a student oscillograph (Harvard Apparatus Limited) and averaged for presentation. This apparatus is capable of recording both mean blood pressure and systolic blood pressure.

Collection of Blood and Urine
One day before killing, rats were individually placed in metabolic cages during the day, and 24-hour urine samples were collected in plastic tubes placed on ice. Urine samples were centrifuged and frozen at -80°C for determination of cGMP, NO, creatinine, and ET-1 and ET-3 concentrations. On the day of killing, rats were anesthetized with methoxyflurane nd their blood was removed through the heart with an ice-cold syringe. An aliquot (1 mL) of whole blood was stored at 4°C for determination of blood lead. Plasma was separated from the red blood cells by centrifuging the blood at 3000 rpm for 15 minutes at 4°C. Plasma aliquots (1 mL) were stored at -80°C for determination of cGMP, NO, creatinine, MDA-TBA, and ET-1 and ET-3 levels.

Collection of Tissues
After removal of blood, kidneys and brains were excised quickly and placed on ice. Kidney cortex, brain cortex, and cerebellum were separated and placed into liquid nitrogen. All tissues were stored at -80°C.

Determination of Lead in Blood
Lead content of whole blood was measured using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Varian, model 400Z with graphite furnace). Whole-blood lead values were expressed as micrograms per deciliter.

Measurements of Urine and Plasma Nitrite and Nitrate (NO2-/NO3-)
The concentration of total NO2-/NO3- (NOx) in the test samples was determined by the modification of the procedure described by Braman and Hendrix12 using the purge system of a Sievers Instruments model 270B Nitric Oxide Analyzer (NOA, Sievers Instruments Inc). Briefly, the urine samples were diluted 10 times in distilled water before analysis. A saturated solution of VCl3 in 1 mol/L HCl was prepared and filtered before use. A total of 5 mL of the reagent was added to the purge vessel and purged with nitrogen gas for 5 to 10 minutes before use. The purge vessel was equipped with a cold-water condenser and a water jacket to permit heating of the reagent to 95°C, using a circulating water bath. The hydrochloric acid vapors were removed by a gas bubbler containing {approx}15 mL of 1 mol/L NaOH. The gas flow rate into the chemoluminescence detector was controlled using a needle valve adjusted to yield a cell pressure of {approx}7 mm Hg. The flow rate of nitrogen into the purge vessel was adjusted to prevent vacuum distillation of the reagent.

Samples were injected into the purge vessel to react with the VCl3/HCl reagent, which converted nitrite, nitrate, and S-nitroso compounds to NO. The NO product was stripped from the reaction chamber (by purging with nitrogen and vacuum) and detected by ozone-induced chemiluminescence in the chemiluminescence detector. The signal generated (NO peak and peak area) was recorded and processed by a Hewlett-Packard model 3390 Integrator. In a typical assay, 5 µL of the test sample was injected to the purge vessel, and all samples were run in triplicate. Plasma samples were deproteinized with cold ethanol and injected as the urine samples above.

A standard curve was constructed using various concentrations of NO3- (5 to 100 µmol/L) relating the luminescence produced to the given NO3- concentrations of the standard solutions. The amount of NOx in the test sample was determined by interpolation of the result into the standard curve.

Determination of cGMP, ET-1, and ET-3
ET-1 and ET-3 in extracted plasma and urine were measured by radioimmunoassay kits purchased from Peninsula Laboratories. cGMP in plasma and urine was also measured with an radioimmunoassay kit supplied by New England Nuclear.

Determination of Lipoperoxides in Plasma and Kidney Cortex
Lipoperoxides in plasma were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography measurement of MDA-TBA according the method of Wong.13 14 The whole procedure, briefly, is as follows: A volume of 50 µL plasma was mixed with .75 mL 0.44 M H3PO4, 0.25 mL aqueous 42 mmol/L TBA, and 0.45 ml H2O. The mixture was heated in a boiling water bath for 60 minutes. After cooling on ice, an equal volume of alkaline methanol (50 mL methanol+4.5 mL 1 N NaOH) was added. A volume of 50 µL of the neutralized reaction mixture was then injected into a 4.6x250-mm chromatographic column packed with µBondapak C18 (5-µm particle diameter). A guard column, 3.9x23 mm, packed with Bondapak Corasil C18 (37- to 50-µm particle diameter) was used. Mobile phase was a mixture of 50 mmol/L phosphate buffer (pH 6.8; 600 mL) and methanol (400 mL). The flow was 1 mL/min, and detection was done at 532 nm. The concentration of plasma lipoperoxides was determined from the calibration curve prepared with a tetramethoxypropane standard solution (.61 to 4.86 µmol/L), processed exactly as the plasma samples.

Lipoperoxides in kidney cortex were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography measurement of the MDA-TBA according to the method of Draper et al.15 The tissue samples were minced, and duplicate 0.5-g samples were placed in 15x100-mm pyrex tubes. A total of 5 mL of 10% trichloracetic acid plus 0.25 mL of 500 ppm BHT in methanol were added. After heating in a boiling water bath for 30 minutes, the sample was collected and centrifuged at 2500 rpm for 10 minutes. A total of 0.25 mL of supernate was combined with 0.25 mL of saturated aqueous TBA solution and heated in a boiling water bath for 30 minutes. After cooling, the reaction mixture was extracted with 1 mL of n-butanol using a vortex mixer. A 0.5-mL aliquot of the mixture was mixed with 0.25 mL methanol and 0.25 mL mobile phase. A total of 20 µL of the mixture was diluted to 1 mL with mobile phase, and 50 µL of this solution was injected into the column as above. A mobile phase of 15% acetonitrile and 0.6% tetrahydrofuran in 5 mmol/L phosphate buffer, pH 7, was used. The flow rate was 1 mL/min, and detection was done at 532 nm. The concentration of MDA-TBA in the supernate was determined from the calibration curve prepared with a tetramethoxy-propane standard solution.

Detection of Kidney Cortex NOS Protein Mass by Western Blotting
Kidney cortex ecNOS protein mass was measured by Western blotting.16 17 18 Briefly, 0.2 g kidney cortex was homogenized in 0.8 mL of lysis buffer (320 mmol/L sucrose, 0.1 mmol/L EDTA, 10 mmol/L HEPES pH 7.4, 1 mmol/L DTT, 10 µg/mL leupeptin, 20 µg/mL aprotinin). The tissue lysates were centrifuged at 12 000 rpm at 4°C for 20 minutes. The supernates were removed to fresh ice-cold microfuge tubes, and protein content was determined using the Bio-Rad Protein Assay. The samples (100 µg protein) were diluted in electrophoresis sample buffer, boiled for 2 minutes, and resolved by electrophoresis through 4% to 12% Tris-Glycine gels (Novex). Proteins were electrophoretically transferred to Hybond-ECL membrane (Amersham Life Science Inc). The membranes were quenched in blocking solution (6.5% nonfat dried milk in washing solution [10 mmol/L Tris, pH 7.5, 100 mmol/L NaCl, 0.1% Tween 20]) for 30 minutes in a 37°C water bath with gentle shaking. The blocking solution was decanted, and membranes were incubated for 30 minutes at 37°C with a monoclonal anti-ecNOS antibody (purchased from Transduction Laboratories) raised in mouse (1:2500 diluted in blocking solution). Membranes were washed for 30 minutes with several changes of washing solution at room temperature. The membrane was then incubated in the blocking solution plus diluted anti-mouse IgG–horseradish peroxidase. The washes were repeated before the membrane was developed with a light-emitting nonradioactive method using ECL reagent (Amersham Inc). The membrane was then subjected to autoradiography for 15 seconds. The autoradiographs were scanned with a laser densitometer (model PD 1211, Molecular Dynamics) to determine the relative optical densities of the bands. Kidney cortex iNOS protein mass was measured by a similar procedure, except that 200 µg protein was used with mouse monoclonal anti-iNOS antibody purchased from Transduction Laboratories.

Determination of NOS Activity in Brain Cortex and Cerebellum
NOS activity in the cytoplasmic fraction of brain cortex and cerebellum was determined by the method of Matsumoto et al,19 in which the conversion of 3H-arginine to 3H-citrulline is determined. Control for nonspecific counts was an incubation tube containing the NOS inhibitor nitroarginine. An attempt to measure NOS activity in kidney cortex was unsuccessful because of the competition between NOS and arginase for the metabolism of L-arginine in the kidney.20

Statistical Treatment of Data
Statistical analysis of the data was performed using unpaired t test and ANOVA where appropriate. Results were expressed as mean+SD. Statistical significance for the t test was assessed using a two-tailed level of P<.05.


*    Results
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
up arrowMethods
*Results
down arrowDiscussion
down arrowReferences
 
Blood Pressure, Weight, and Blood Lead Concentration
There was a sustained increase in mean blood pressure of rats treated with 0.01% lead acetate in their drinking water. Mean blood pressure elevation was observed after 1 month of lead exposure (Fig 1Down). At the end of 3 months of lead exposure, blood lead concentration in lead-treated rats was significantly higher than that of control rats (12.4±1.8 versus <1 µg/dL; P<.001). Body weights were not significantly different between the two groups.



View larger version (16K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 1. Changes in mean blood pressure of rats fed 0.01% lead acetate in their drinking water for various time periods. In this figure and the subsequent figures, values are expressed as mean±SD. *P<.01; **P<.001 compared with control.

Plasma Concentration and Urinary Excretion of NOx and cGMP
There were no significant differences in plasma NOx levels when lead-treated rats were compared with control rats. NOx urinary excretion was also not significantly different between the two groups. Plasma cGMP concentration and cGMP urinary excretion were similarly unaffected by lead treatment (Table 1Down).


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Table 1. NOx and cGMP Plasma Concentrations and Urinary Excretion in Lead-Treated Rats

Plasma Concentrations and Urinary Excretion of ET-1 and ET-3
In lead-treated rats, the plasma concentration of ET-3 was increased significantly above that of the control rats (Table 2Down), but there was no change in plasma concentration of ET-1. Urinary excretion of ET-3 in lead-treated rats was also significantly higher than that of control rats, but there was no change in urinary excretion of ET-1 (Table 2Down).


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Table 2. ET-1 and ET-3 Plasma Concentrations and Urinary Excretion in Lead-Treated Rats

Lipoperoxides in Plasma and Kidney Cortex
Lipoperoxides in plasma, represented by the MDA-TBA level, were significantly higher in lead-treated rats than that in control rats after lead exposure. MDA-TBA content of kidney cortex also was higher in lead-treated rats (Fig 2Down).



View larger version (16K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 2. Contents of MDA of kidney cortex and plasma in lead-treated rats.

Kidney Cortex NOS Protein Mass
There were no significant differences in kidney cortex ecNOS protein mass when lead-treated rats were compared with control rats, whereas iNOS protein mass was significantly elevated (Fig 3Down).



View larger version (19K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 3. A, Immunoblot analysis for ecNOS and iNOS protein under denaturing conditions. Lanes 1 and 2 show lysates of control rat kidney cortex. Lanes 3 and 4 show lysates of lead-treated rat kidney cortex. For ecNOS, 100 µg of lysate protein was used; for iNOS, 200 µg was used. B, Relative optical densities of the blots in the study groups.

NOS Activity in Brain Cortex
NOS activity in both brain cortex and cerebellum was elevated in lead-treated rats compared with controls (Fig 4Down). NOS activity in cortex was 1169±111 in lead-treated rats versus 810±97 counts per milligram protein in controls (P<.001); similarly, NOS activity in cerebellum was 967±126 in lead-treated rats versus 737±103 counts per milligram protein in controls (P<.01).



View larger version (16K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 4. NOS activity in brain cortex and cerebellum.


*    Discussion
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
up arrowMethods
up arrowResults
*Discussion
down arrowReferences
 
Exposure to low but not high levels of lead has been reported to cause hypertension in humans and animals.1 2 3 4 5 6 An increase in blood pressure of rats occurs at low lead exposure levels of approximately 0.1 to 100 ppm, which is similar to the exposure levels seen in the environment. However, rats exposed to concentrations greater than 500 ppm of lead (equivalent to industrial level exposure) do not develop hypertension. Our previous studies suggested that the elevation in blood pressure was related to an increase in an endothelial-derived vasoconstrictor (ET-3) associated with decreased cyclic GMP as a second messenger for the vasodilator compound, EDRF, and that another vasoconstrictor, the Na, K, ATPase inhibitor–containing hypertension-associated protein, was also increased with low lead feeding. (A recent report21 showed that inhibition of Na, K, ATPase by ouabain causes impairment of acetylcholine-induced relaxation in human resistance arteries, consistent with an effect on EDRF synthesis or release and therefore affording a possible link between these two effects.) We showed also that low lead feeding increased rather than decreased glomerular filtration rate and that no morphological or renal functional abnormalities were associated.22

In the study presented here, blood lead concentrations at 3 months in lead-treated rats (0.01% lead acetate in drinking water) were much higher than those in control rats but lower than those in low lead-treated rats studied previously (12.4±1.8 versus 29.4±4.1 µg/dL). The apparent reason for the difference was that a standard chow was used in place of the synthetic diet used previously. The latter is known to increase susceptibility to lead toxicity, possibly through a lower calcium content (48% of laboratory chow).23 Despite the lower blood lead levels, an elevation of blood pressure produced by exposure to lead was confirmed by the present investigation.

There was a significant increase in plasma concentration and in urinary excretion of ET-3 but no change in plasma concentration or urinary excretion of ET-1. The plasma results were compatible with the results of the prior study,5 although the absolute values for plasma concentrations of ET-3 and ET-1 were lower because of the use of extracted rather than unextracted plasma. It was noteworthy that urinary levels of ET-3 were also elevated, inasmuch as several studies have shown that urinary endothelin is a better reflection of intrarenal events.24 25 26 As lead deposition is localized primarily to the proximal tubule of the kidney27 and as ET-3 is produced within this segment of the nephron,28 this suggests that the effect of lead on endothelin production may occur via increased renal tubular rather than vascular endothelin synthesis. Although ET-3 is a less potent vasoconstrictor than ET-1,29 30 31 it appears to be a contributory factor to the hypertension induced by lead.

EDRF was also thought to play a critical role in lead-induced hypertension in our earlier study, as both plasma and urinary levels of cGMP, the second messenger for EDRF, were reduced by lead administration.5 In the present experiment, by contrast, EDRF, as measured by plasma and urine cGMP and more directly by NO, was unaffected by lead. However, NO levels reflect the balance between NO synthesis via NOS and NO degradation, a process affected by exposure to ROS.32 33 Levels of circulatory NO may be increased, normal, or decreased when iNOS activity and ROS are simultaneously increased, as exemplified by studies of experimental colitis in rats,34 in which tissue NO and iNOS levels were enhanced by cytokines despite a concomitant decrease in superoxide dismutase (and thus an increase in the ROS superoxide anion).

Measurement of NOS activity in brain was found to be increased after lead exposure, whereas in kidney cortex iNOS, but not ecNOS, protein mass was increased, indicating that NO synthesis was upregulated. Of interest is the in vitro observation that lead inhibits rather than stimulates brain constitutive NOS activity35 36 while having no effect on cytokine-inducible brain NOS activity,36 therefore implying that in the present study the increased NOS activity is a compensatory response to NO degradation by ROS or secondary to another biochemical change induced by lead exposure. An increased production of ROS in response to lead, previously suggested by Hermes-Lima et al,37 was confirmed by the elevated levels of MDA-TBA in plasma and kidney cortex of lead-treated rats.

A further implication of the results is that under the circumstances of the present study, increased ROS, rather than decreased EDRF, may be one of the principal reasons for lead-induced hypertension. First, we have shown that the ROS scavengers 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (a lead chelator and scavenger of ROS) and lazaroid (a pure scavenger of ROS) return blood pressure and ROS toward normal.38 39 In addition, Nakazono et al40 found that infusion of a fusion protein-bound form of superoxide dismutase, the enzyme that degrades superoxide anion, lowered the blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats. Katusic and Vanhoutte41 further demonstrated that superoxide anion, generated by xanthine and xanthine oxidase in the presence of catalase, caused contraction of canine basilar arteries in vitro. There is also preliminary evidence that another ROS, the hydroxyl radical, may be more potent than superoxide anion in eliciting vascular contractions. Auch-Schwelk et al42 demonstrated that aortic rings from spontaneously hypertensive rats had concentration-dependent contractions on exposure to xanthine plus xanthine-oxidase–derived ROS. Although superoxide dismutase and catalase (the enzyme that degrades hydrogen peroxide) showed modest effects in reducing the contractile tension, deferoxamine, the iron chelator that prevents the generation of hydroxyl radical from hydrogen peroxide, totally abolished the contractions. Dreher and Jurod43 also demonstrated that hypoxanthine–xanthine oxidase exposure led to an increase in intracellular calcium in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and this increase was inhibited by o-phenanthroline, a compound that blocks the iron-catalyzed formation of hydroxyl radical.

In summary, low lead administration increases blood pressure via an increase in the vasoconstricting compounds ET-3 and ROS. EDRF levels were unaffected in the present study as increased synthesis and degradation were balanced.


*    Selected Abbreviations and Acronyms
 
ecNOS = endothelial constitutive nitric oxide synthase
EDRF = endothelium-derived relaxing factor
ET = endothelin
iNOS = inducible nitric oxide synthase
MDA-TBA = malondialdehyde-thiobarbituric acid adduct
NO = nitric oxide
NOS = nitric oxide synthase
ROS = reactive oxygen species


*    Acknowledgments
 
The authors gratefully acknowledge the technical assistance and advice of Fariba Oveisi and the secretarial assistance of Lydian Reitz and Ruby McCarty.


*    Footnotes
 
Reprint requests to Harvey C. Gonick, MD, Division of Nephrology, Becker Building, Room 227, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048.

Received March 11, 1997; first decision April 8, 1997; accepted July 18, 1997.


*    References
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
up arrowMethods
up arrowResults
up arrowDiscussion
*References
 
1. Beevers DG, Erskine E, Robertson M, Beattie AD, Campbell BC, Goldberg A, Moore MR, Hawthorne VM. Blood lead and hypertension. Lancet.. 1976;2:1-3.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

2. Webb RC, Winquist RJ, Victery W, Vander AJ. In vivo and in vitro effects of lead on vascular reactivity in rats. Am J Physiol.. 1981;241:H211–H216.

3. Harlan WR. The relationship of blood lead levels to blood pressure in the US population. Environ Health Perspect.. 1988;78:9-13.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

4. Sharp DS, Osterloh J, Becker CE, Bernard B, Smith AH, Fisher JM, Syme SL, Holman BL, Johnston T. Blood pressure and blood lead concentration in bus drivers. Environ Health Perspect.. 1988;78:131-137.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

5. Khalil-Manesh F, Gonick HC, Weiler EJ, Prins B, Weber MA, Purdy R. Lead-induced hypertension: possible role of endothelial factors. Am J Hypertens.. 1993;6:723-729.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

6. Khalil-Manesh F, Gonick HC, Weiler EJ, Prins B, Weber MA, Purdy R, Ren Q. Effect of chelation treatment with dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) on lead-related blood pressure changes. Environ Res.. 1994;65:86-99.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

7. Palmer RMJ, Ferrige AG, Moncada S. Nitric oxide release accounts for the biological activity of endothelium-derived relaxing factor. Nature.. 1987;327:524-526.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

8. Palmer RMJ, Ashton DS, Moncada S. Vascular endothelial cells synthesize nitric oxide from L-arginine. Nature.. 1988;333:664-666.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

9. Palmer RMJ, Rees DD, Ashton DS, Moncada S. L-arginine is the physiological precursor for the formation of nitric oxide in endothelium-dependent relaxation. Biochem Biophys Res Commun.. 1988;153:1251-1256.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

10. Victery W, Vander AJ, Shulak JM, Schoeps P, Julius S. Lead, hypertension, and the renin-angiotensin system in rats. J Lab Clin Med.. 1982;99:354-362.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

11. Victery W, Vander AJ, Schoeps P, Germain C. Plasma renin is increased in young rats exposed to lead in utero and during nursing. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med.. 1983;172:1-7.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

12. Braman RS, Hendrix SA. Nanogram nitrite and nitrate determination in environmental and biological materials by vanadium (III) reduction with chemiluminescence detection. Anal Chem.. 1989;61:2715-2718.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

13. Wong SHY, Knight JA, Hopfer SM, Zaharia O, Leach CN Jr, Sunderman FW Jr. Lipoperoxides in plasma as measured by liquid-chromatographic separation of malondialdehyde-thio-barbituric acid adduct. Clin Chem.. 1987;33:214-220.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

14. Rabl H, Khoschsorur G, Colombo T, Tatzber F, Esterbauer H. Human plasma lipid peroxide levels show a strong transient increase after successful revascularization operations. Free Radic Biol Med.. 1992;13:281-288.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

15. Draper HH, Squires EJ, Mahmoodi H, Wu J, Agarwal S, Hadley M. A comparative evaluation of thiobarbituric acid methods for determination of malondialdehyde in the biological materials. Free Radic Biol Med.. 1993;1:353-363.

16. Dinerman, JL, Dawson TM, Schell MJ, Snowman A, Snyder SH. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase localized to hippocampal pyramidal cells. Implications for synaptic plasticity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A.. 1994;91:4214-4218.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

17. McKee M, Scavane C, Nathanson IA. Nitric oxide, cGMP and hormone regulation of active sodium transport. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A.. 1994;91:12056-12060.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

18. Besk KF, Mohaupt MG, Sterzel RB. Endothelin-1 inhibits cytokine-stimulated transcription of inducible nitric oxide synthase in glomerular mesangial cells. Kidney Int.. 1995;48:1893-1899.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

19. Matsumoto T, Pollock JS, Nakane M, Forstermann U. Development changes of cytosolic and particulate nitric oxide synthase in rat brain. Dev Brain Res.. 1993;73:199-203.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

20. Cook HT, Jansen A, Lewis S, Largen P, O'Donnell M, Reaveley D, Cattell V. Arginine metabolism in experimental glomerulonephritis: interaction between nitric oxide synthase and arginine. Am J Physiol.. 1994;36:F646–F653.

21. Woolfson RG, Poston L. Effect of ouabain on endothelium-dependent relaxation of human resistance arteries. Hypertension.. 1991;17:619-625.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

22. Khalil-Manesh F, Gonick HC, Cohen AH. Experimental model of lead nephropathy. III. Continuous low-lead administration. Arch Environ Health.. 1993;48:271-278.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

23. Mylorie AA, Moore L, Olyai B, Anderson A. Increased susceptibility to lead toxicity in rats fed semipurified diets. Environ Res.. 1978;15:57-64.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

24. Abassi ZA, Klein H, Golomb E, Keiser HR. Urinary endothelin: a possible biological marker of renal damage. Am J Hypertens.. 1993;6:1046-1054.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

25. Ohta K, Hirata Y, Shichiri M, Kanno K, Emori T, Tomita K, Muruma F. Urinary excretion of endothelin-1 in normal subjects and patients with renal disease. Kidney Int.. 1991;39:307-311.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

26. Benigni A, Perico N, Gaspari F, Zoja C, Bellizzi L, Gabanell M, Remuzzi G. Increased renal endothelin production in rats with reduced renal mass. Am J Physiol.. 1991;260:F331–F339.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

27. Goyer RA. Lead toxicity: a problem in environmental pathology. Am J Pathol.. 1971;64:167-181.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

28. Terada Y, Kimio T, Nonoguchi H, Marumo F. Expression of endothelin-3 RNA along rat nephron segments using polymerase chain reaction. Kidney Int.. 1993;44:1273-1286.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

29. Brenner BM, Troy JT, Ballermann BJ. Endothelium-dependent vascular responses. J Clin Invest.. 1989;84:1373-1378.

30. Yanagisawa M, Kurihara H, Kimura S, Tomobe Y, Kobayashi M, Mitsui Y, Yazaki Y, Goto K, Masaki T. A novel potent vasoconstrictor peptide produced by vascular endothelial cells. Nature.. 1988;332:411-415.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

31. Kon V, Badr KF. Biological actions and pathophysiological significance of endothelin in kidney. Kidney Int.. 1991;40:1-12.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

32. Gryglewski RJ, Palmer RMF, Moncada S. Superoxide anion is involved in the breakdown of endothelium-derived relaxing factor. Nature (London).. 1986;320:454-456.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

33. Rubanyi GM, Vanhoutte PM. Superoxide anions and hyperoxia inactivate endothelium-derived relaxing factor. Am J Physiol.. 1986;250:H822–H827.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

34. Seo HG, Takata I, Nakamura M, Tatsumi H, Suzuki K, Fujii J, Taniguchi N. Induction of nitric oxide synthase and concomitant suppression of superoxide dismutases in experimental colitis in rats. Arch Biochem Biophys.. 1995;324:41-47.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

35. Quinn MR, Harris CL. Lead inhibits Ca2+-stimulated nitric oxide synthase activity from rat cerebellum. Neurosci Lett.. 1995;196:65-68.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

36. Blazka ME, Harry GJ, Luster MI. Effect of lead acetate on nitrite production by murine brain endothelial cell cultures. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol.. 1994;126:191-194.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

37. Hermes-Lima M, Pereira B, Bakery EJH. Are free radicals involved in lead poisoning? Xenobiotica.. 1991;21:1085-1090.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

38. Vaziri ND, Ding Y, Ni Z, Gonick HC. Altered nitric oxide metabolism and increased oxygen free radical activity in lead-induced hypertension: effect of lazaroid therapy. Kidney Int.. 1997;52:1042–1046.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

39. Ding Y, Vaziri ND, Gonick HC. Lead-induced hypertension II. Response to sequential infusions of L-arginine, superoxide dismutase and nitroprusside. Environ Res. In press.

40. Nakazono K, Watanabe N, Matsuno K, Sasaki J, Sato T, Inoue M. Does superoxide underlie the pathogenesis of hypertension? Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A.. 1991;88:10045-10048.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

41. Katusic ZS, Vanhoutte PM. Superoxide anion is an endothelium-derived contracting factor. Am J Physiol.. 1989;257:H33–H37.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

42. Auch-Schwelk W, Katusic ZS, Vanhoutte PM. Contractions to oxygen-derived free radicals are augmented in aorta of the spontaneously hypertensive rat. Hypertension.. 1989;13:859-864.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

43. Dreher D, Junod AF. Differential effects of superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radical on intracellular calcium in human endothelial cells. J Cell Physiol.. 1995;162:147-153.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
ANN OCCUP HYGHome page
G. Fan, C. Feng, Y. Li, C. Wang, J. Yan, W. Li, J. Feng, X. Shi, and Y. Bi
Selection of Nutrients for Prevention or Amelioration of Lead-Induced Learning and Memory Impairment in Rats
Ann. Hyg., June 1, 2009; 53(4): 341 - 351.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
N. D. Vaziri
Mechanisms of lead-induced hypertension and cardiovascular disease
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, August 1, 2008; 295(2): H454 - H465.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Renal Physiol.Home page
C. Roncal, W. Mu, S. Reungjui, K. M. Kim, G. N. Henderson, X. Ouyang, T. Nakagawa, and R. J. Johnson
Lead, at low levels, accelerates arteriolopathy and tubulointerstitial injury in chronic kidney disease
Am J Physiol Renal Physiol, October 1, 2007; 293(4): F1391 - F1396.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Hum Exp ToxicolHome page
H. V. Robles, E. Romo, A. Sanchez-Mendoza, A. Rios, V. Soto, M. C. Avila-Casado, A. Medina, and B. Escalante
Lead exposure effect on angiotensin II renal vasoconstriction
Human and Experimental Toxicology, June 1, 2007; 26(6): 499 - 507.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
Circ. Res.Home page
A. Bhatnagar
Environmental Cardiology: Studying Mechanistic Links Between Pollution and Heart Disease
Circ. Res., September 29, 2006; 99(7): 692 - 705.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
A. Menke, P. Muntner, V. Batuman, E. K. Silbergeld, and E. Guallar
Blood Lead Below 0.48 {micro}mol/L (10 {micro}g/dL) and Mortality Among US Adults
Circulation, September 26, 2006; 114(13): 1388 - 1394.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J AndrolHome page
A. Agarwal, K. C. Nandipati, R. K. Sharma, C. D. Zippe, and R. Raina
Role of Oxidative Stress in the Pathophysiological Mechanism of Erectile Dysfunction
J Androl, May 1, 2006; 27(3): 335 - 347.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Hum Exp ToxicolHome page
S. Kasperczyk, E. Birkner, A. Kasperczyk, and J. Kasperczyk
Lipids, lipid peroxidation and 7-ketocholesterol in workers exposed to lead
Human and Experimental Toxicology, June 1, 2005; 24(6): 287 - 295.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
J. Am. Soc. Nephrol.Home page
E. Courtois, M. Marques, A. Barrientos, S. Casado, and A. Lopez-Farre
Lead-Induced Downregulation of Soluble Guanylate Cyclase in Isolated Rat Aortic Segments Mediated by Reactive Oxygen Species and Cyclooxygenase-2
J. Am. Soc. Nephrol., June 1, 2003; 14(6): 1464 - 1470.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther.Home page
M.-L. Si and T. J.-F. Lee
Pb2+ Inhibition of Sympathetic {alpha}7-Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor-Mediated Nitrergic Neurogenic Dilation in Porcine Basilar Arteries
J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., June 1, 2003; 305(3): 1124 - 1131.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
HypertensionHome page
B. Rodriguez-Iturbe, C.-D. Zhan, Y. Quiroz, R. K. Sindhu, and N. D. Vaziri
Antioxidant-Rich Diet Relieves Hypertension and Reduces Renal Immune Infiltration in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Hypertension, February 1, 2003; 41(2): 341 - 346.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Pathol.Home page
Y. Sun, J. Zhang, L. Lu, S. S. Chen, M. T. Quinn, and K. T. Weber
Aldosterone-Induced Inflammation in the Rat Heart : Role of Oxidative Stress
Am. J. Pathol., November 1, 2002; 161(5): 1773 - 1781.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther.Home page
X. J. Zhou, N. D. Vaziri, X. Q. Wang, F. G. Silva, and Z. Laszik
Nitric Oxide Synthase Expression in Hypertension Induced by Inhibition of Glutathione Synthase
J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., March 1, 2002; 300(3): 762 - 767.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Am. Soc. Nephrol.Home page
M. Marques, I. Millas, A. Jimenez, E. Garcia-Colis, J. A. Rodriguez-Feo, S. Velasco, A. Barrientos, S. Casado, and A. Lopez-Farre
Alteration of the Soluble Guanylate Cyclase System in the Vascular Wall of Lead-Induced Hypertension in Rats
J. Am. Soc. Nephrol., December 1, 2001; 12(12): 2594 - 2600.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther.Home page
N. D. Vaziri, Y. Ding, and Z. Ni
Compensatory Up-Regulation of Nitric-Oxide Synthase Isoforms in Lead-Induced Hypertension; Reversal by a Superoxide Dismutase-Mimetic Drug
J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., August 1, 2001; 298(2): 679 - 685.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
HypertensionHome page
N. D. Vaziri and Y. Ding
Effect of Lead on Nitric Oxide Synthase Expression in Coronary Endothelial Cells : Role of Superoxide
Hypertension, February 1, 2001; 37(2): 223 - 226.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
HypertensionHome page
R. A. Beswick, H. Zhang, D. Marable, J. D. Catravas, W. D. Hill, and R. C. Webb
Long-Term Antioxidant Administration Attenuates Mineralocorticoid Hypertension and Renal Inflammatory Response
Hypertension, February 1, 2001; 37(2): 781 - 786.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
HypertensionHome page
N. D. Vaziri, Z. Ni, F. Oveisi, and D. L. Trnavsky-Hobbs
Effect of Antioxidant Therapy on Blood Pressure and NO Synthase Expression in Hypertensive Rats
Hypertension, December 1, 2000; 36(6): 957 - 964.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
HypertensionHome page
N. D. Vaziri, X. Q. Wang, F. Oveisi, and B. Rad
Induction of Oxidative Stress by Glutathione Depletion Causes Severe Hypertension in Normal Rats
Hypertension, July 1, 2000; 36(1): 142 - 146.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Appl. Physiol.Home page
D. S. Sangha, N. D. Vaziri, Y. Ding, and R. E. Purdy
Vascular hyporesponsiveness in simulated microgravity: role of nitric oxide-dependent mechanisms
J Appl Physiol, February 1, 2000; 88(2): 507 - 517.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
HypertensionHome page
N. D. Vaziri, Y. Ding, and Z. Ni
Nitric Oxide Synthase Expression in the Course of Lead-Induced Hypertension
Hypertension, October 1, 1999; 34(4): 558 - 562.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Gastrointest. Liver Physiol.Home page
A. Caligiuri, S. Glaser, R. E. Rodgers, J. L. Phinizy, W. Robertson, E. Papa, M. Pinzani, and G. Alpini
Endothelin-1 inhibits secretin-stimulated ductal secretion by interacting with ETA receptors on large cholangiocytes
Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol, October 1, 1998; 275(4): G835 - G846.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Gonick, H. C.
Right arrow Articles by Vaziri, N. D.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Gonick, H. C.
Right arrow Articles by Vaziri, N. D.
Right arrowPubmed/NCBI databases
*Compound via MeSH
*Substance via MeSH
Medline Plus Health Information
*High Blood Pressure
Hazardous Substances DB
*LEAD ACETATE
*LEAD, ELEMENTAL
*NITRIC OXIDE