This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 49/3/542    most recent 01.HYP.0000256091.55393.92v1 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 Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Goossens, G. H. Articles by van Baak, M. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Goossens, G. H. Articles by van Baak, M. A. Related Collections Obesity Clinical Studies

(Hypertension. 2007;49:542.)
© 2007 American Heart Association, Inc.

Original Articles

Endocrine Role of the Renin-Angiotensin System in Human Adipose Tissue and Muscle

Effect of ß-Adrenergic Stimulation

Gijs H. Goossens; Johan W.E. Jocken; Ellen E. Blaak; Paul M. Schiffers; Wim H.M. Saris; Marleen A. van Baak

From the Department of Human Biology (G.H.G., J.W.E.J., E.E.B., W.H.M.S., M.A.v.B.), Nutrition and Toxicology Research Institute Maastricht, and the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology (P.M.S.), Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.

Correspondence to Gijs H. Goossens, Department of Human Biology, Nutrition and Toxicology Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, the Netherlands. E-mail G.Goossens{at}hb.unimaas.nl

The renin-angiotensin system has been implicated in obesity-related hypertension and insulin resistance. We examined whether locally produced components of the renin-angiotensin system in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle play an endocrine role in vivo in humans. Furthermore, the effects of ß-adrenergic stimulation on plasma concentrations and tissue release of renin-angiotensin system components were investigated. Systemic renin-angiotensin system components and arteriovenous differences of angiotensin II (Ang II) and angiotensinogen (AGT) across abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue and skeletal muscle were assessed in combination with measurements of tissue blood flow before and during systemic ß-adrenergic stimulation in 13 lean and 10 obese subjects. Basal plasma Ang II and AGT concentrations were not significantly different between lean and obese subjects. Ang II concentrations were increased in obese compared with lean subjects during ß-adrenergic stimulation (12.6±1.5 versus 8.1±1.0 pmol/L; P=0.04), whereas AGT concentrations remained unchanged. Plasma renin activity increased to a similar extent in lean and obese subjects during ß-adrenergic stimulation (both P<0.01). No net Ang II release across adipose tissue and skeletal muscle could be detected in both groups of subjects. However, AGT was released from adipose tissue and muscle during ß-adrenergic stimulation in obese subjects (both P<0.05). In conclusion, locally produced Ang II in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle exerts no endocrine role in lean and obese subjects. In contrast, AGT is released from adipose tissue and muscle in obese subjects during ß-adrenergic stimulation, which may contribute to the increased plasma Ang II concentrations during ß-adrenergic stimulation in obese subjects.

Key Words: angiotensin • ß-adrenergic receptors • obesity • renin • sympathetic nervous system

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. D. Fowler, N. D. Johnson, T. A. Haroldson, J. A. Brintnall, J. E. Herrera, S. A. Katz, and D. A. Bernlohr Regulated renin release from 3T3-L1 adipocytes Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, June 1, 2009; 296(6): E1383 - E1391. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. D. Fowler, S. B. Krueth, D. A. Bernlohr, and S. A. Katz Renin dynamics in adipose tissue: adipose tissue control of local renin concentrations Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, February 1, 2009; 296(2): E343 - E350. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]