Dopamine (DA) is an endogenous catecholamine, which serves as a biochemical precursor of norepinephrine and epinephrine. DA is well known as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. During the past decade, however, DA has been characterized as an important modulator of BP, Na+ balance, renal and adrenal function through an independent peripheral dopaminergic system. Evidence indicates that DA is synthesized locally within the kidney and acts at adjacent cells in an autocrine or paracrine fashion to control renal Na+ excretion (1,2).

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is a coordinated hormonal cascade, the principal effector of which is angiotensin II (ANG II). All of the components of the RAS are present within the kidney and intrarenal formation of ANG II provides major regulation of renal hemodynamic and tubule function via a self-contained intrarenal RAS (3,4). We propose to study the interaction of the renal dopaminergic and renin-angiotensin systems in the regulation of Na+ balance and Na+ sensitivity of blood pressure (BP) and in the pathophysiology of essential hypertension in man.

Our group has discovered a D1 receptor/adenylyl cyclase coupling defect in renal PTCs from subjects with essential hypertension. We have found increased GRK activity in renal PTCs in human essential hypertension due to activating variants of GRK-4, an effect that was reproduced in a transfected cell model. Preventing the translation of GRK-4 normalized the coupling of the D1 receptor to adenylyl cyclase in hypertension. The variants of GRK-4 cause a ligand-independent serine-phosphorylation of the D1 receptor, resulting in its uncoupling from the G-protein/effector complex. The desensitization of the D1 receptor in the renal PTC may be the cause of the compromised natriuretic effect of DA that eventually leads to Na+ retention and hypertension. Therefore, a primary objective of the entire Program Project Grant, of which this protocol is one part, is to identify humans with salt-sensitive hypertension and resistance to the inhibitory effect of D1-like receptor agonist fenoldopam on renal proximal Na+ reabsorption and determine whether these individuals have the activating polymorphisms of GRK-4 alone or in combination with polymorphisms of genes of the RAS.

Subjects are selected (on the basis of their GRK-4 genotype) from the pool of subjects that have already been genetically screened under IRB-HSR # 11494.

Subjects will be prepared and will be studied in approximate metabolic balance at 150 meq Na+/d. After approximate metabolic balance is achieved (estimated 5 days), subjects will receive either fenoldopam infusion or vehicle infusion on Day 6 and the opposite agent (fenoldopam or vehicle) will be infused on Day 7. The order of infusion will be randomized and the study will be conducted in double-blind fashion. Vehicle will be D5W and will be infused during the control period using the same rate as the post control period. At 1100 h on study Day 6, an i.v. infusion of fenoldopam or vehicle will be initiated and continued for 3h. The fenoldopam infusion rate will be 0.05 μg/kg/min. This infusion rate of fenoldopam has resulted in a greater than 2-fold increase in UNaV without alteration of systemic hemodynamic function in normal subjects (30). Plasma fenoldopam levels will be monitored to document delivery of this agent into the circulation. BP and heart rate will be measured in duplicate every 10 min during the experimental period (1100-1400h). The experimental period will be followed by a 2-hour post-control period (1400h-1600h) during which vehicle will be infused. Blood and urine samples will be obtained every 30 min and will be analyzed for Na+, K+, lithium and creatinine concentrations and osmolality. In addition, blood samples will be analyzed for PRA, cyclic AMP (blood and urine), plasma ANG II and aldosterone concentrations at 1045, 1215, 1345 and 1545 h. After completion of a post-control period at 1600h, the subjects will be allowed to be out of bed but remain as inpatients and receive the same diet as previously. No food is given after 2400h on Day 6. On Day 7, the identical protocol as on Day 6 will be repeated except that the opposite agent (fenoldopam or vehicle) will be infused. The subjects will be discharged from the GCRC on their previous diet.