Abstract-Marinobufagenin (MBG), an endogenous ligand of ␣-1 Na/K-ATPase, becomes elevated and contributes to hypertension in NaCl-loaded Dahl-S rats (DS). Protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylates ␣-1 Na/K-ATPase and increases its MBG sensitivity. Cicletanine, an antihypertensive compound with PKC-inhibitory activity, reverses MBG-induced Na/K-ATPase inhibition and vasoconstriction. We hypothesized that increased PKC levels in sodium-loaded hypertensive DS would sensitize ␣-1 Na/K-ATPase to MBG and that PKC inhibition by cicletanine would produce an opposite effect. We studied the effects of cicletanine on systolic blood pressure, left ventricular PKC isoforms, cardiac ␣-1 Na/K-ATPase levels, and sensitivity to MBG in hypertensive DS. Seven DS received 50 mg · kg Ϫ1 · d Ϫ1 cicletanine, and 7 DS received vehicle during 4 weeks of an 8% NaCl diet. Vehicle-treated rats exhibited an increase in blood pressure, left ventricular mass, MBG excretion (74Ϯ11 vs 9Ϯ1 pmol/24 h, PϽ0.01), myocardial ␣-1 Na/K-ATPase protein, and PKC 2 and ␦. The sensitivity of Na/K-ATPase to MBG was enhanced at the level of high-affinity binding sites (IC 50 , 0.8 vs 4.4 nmol/L, PϽ0.01). Cicletanine-treated rats exhibited a 56-mm Hg reduction in blood pressure (PϽ0.01) and a 30% reduction in left ventricular weight, whereas cardiac ␣-1 Na/K-ATPase protein and MBG levels were unchanged. In cicletanine-treated rats, PKC 2 was not increased, the sensitivity of Na/K-ATPase to MBG was decreased (IC 50 ϭ20 mol/L), and phorbol diacetate-induced ␣-1 Na/K-ATPase phosphorylation was reduced versus vehicle-treated rats. In vitro cicletanine treatment of sarcolemma from vehicle-treated rats also desensitized Na/K-ATPase to MBG, indicating that this effect was not solely attributable to a reduction in blood pressure. Thus, PKC-induced phosphorylation of cardiac ␣-1 Na/K-ATPase is a likely target for cicletanine treatment. Key Words: rats, Dahl Ⅲ Na/K-transporting ATPase Ⅲ digitalis-like factor Ⅲ bufanolides Ⅲ hypertrophy Ⅲ protein kinases Ⅲ antihypertensive agents E ndogenous digitalis-like sodium pump ligands (SPLs) increase during states of NaCl retention to induce inhibition of the renal tubular sodium pump and natriuresis. 1,2 Enhanced SPL levels, however, can also inhibit Na/KATPase (NKA) in cardiovascular tissues and raise arterial pressure. 2,3 Recently, we have shown that plasma and urine levels of marinobufagenin (MBG), an endogenous bufadienolide NKA inhibitor, rather than endogenous ouabain, increases and contributes to hypertension in Dahl salt-sensitive rats (DS) maintained on a long-term high-NaCl intake. 4,5 In vitro, MBG acts as a vasoconstrictor 6,7 and exhibits selectivity toward ␣-1 isoform of the sodium pump, ie, the major isoform in renal tubules and adult cardiomyocytes. 4,6 Protein kinase C (PKC) can affect NKA activity by altering its phosphorylation state. 8,9 This modulatory effect of PKC is specific to the NKA ␣-1 isoform. 9,10 In arterial sarcolemma, PKC induces the phosphorylation of ␣-1 NKA and enhances the NKA sensitivity to M...