Acute blockade of nitric oxide synthase inhibits renal vasodilation and hyperfiltration during pregnancy in chronically instrumented conscious rats.

Because the kidneys are vasodilated and the endogenous production of nitric oxide is increased in gravid rats, we tested whether nitric oxide mediates the renal vasodilatory response to pregnancy. Chronically instrumented, conscious rats of gestational days 12-14 were studied concurrently with age-matched virgin control animals. GFR and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) were determined by the renal clearances of inulin and para-aminohippurate before and during acute infusion of N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (NAME; 2, 20, and 50 micrograms/min) or NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (100 micrograms/min). Baseline GFR and ERPF were significantly increased, and effective renal vascular resistance was decreased by 30-40% in gravid rats compared with virgin controls. During infusion of all three dosages of NAME and NG-monomethyl-L-arginine, effective renal vascular resistance, GFR, and ERPF were equalized in the pregnant and virgin rats (the only exception being GFR during the 20 micrograms/min NAME infusion). When compared with virgin rats, the gravid animals were more responsive to nitric oxide synthase inhibition, showing a significantly greater decline in GFR and ERPF and rise in effective renal vascular resistance at each timepoint during the infusion of inhibitor. To exclude the possibility that nonspecific renal vasoconstriction per se led to equalization of renal function in the two groups of rats, we investigated angiotensin II. In contrast to the results observed with nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, pregnant rats were less responsive to the renal vasoconstrictory effects of angiotensin II, such that the baseline differences in renal parameters measured before infusion of the hormone were increased during the infusion. To determine whether nitric oxide synthase was inhibited to a similar extent in gravid and virgin rats, aortic and renal cortical cGMP content was assayed ex vivo at the end of inhibitor infusion. The lower 2-micrograms/min dose of NAME consistently reduced cGMP content of these tissues to comparable levels in the two groups of rats. In conclusion, we suggest that nitric oxide mediates reduced renal vascular resistance and hyperfiltration during pregnancy in conscious rats.     

Dissociation of systemic and renal effects in endotoxemia. Prostaglandin inhibition uncovers an important role of renal nerves.

To elucidate the mechanisms responsible for systemic and renal hemodynamic changes in early endotoxemia, the roles of prostaglandins (PG) and renal nerves were investigated. Endotoxin (E, 3 micrograms/kg i.v.) was given to two groups of anesthetized dogs that had undergone unilateral renal denervation: Group I (n = 9) E only; Group II (n = 11) E + indomethacin (10 mg/kg i.v.) or meclofenamate (5 mg/kg i.v.). A third group of dogs (Group III, n = 5) received indomethacin (10 mg/kg i.v.) only. 1 h after E group I dogs, mean arterial pressure (MAP) decreased from 126 to 94 mm Hg (P less than 0.001), and prostacyclin (6-keto-Fl alpha metabolite, PGI2) increased (from 0.64 to 2.08 ng/ml, P less than 0.005). Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal blood flow (RBF) declined comparably both in innervated and denervated kidneys. In marked contrast, group II dogs had a stable MAP (136-144 mm Hg, NS) and no increase in PGI2 levels. Plasma renin activity (0.7-2.5 ng/ml per h, P less than 0.005) increased, and renin secretion was greater in innervated compared with denervated kidneys (255 vs. 74 U/min, P less than 0.01) in these PG-inhibited dogs. In addition, denervated kidneys in group II dogs had a greater GFR (42 vs. 34 ml/min, P less than 0.01) and RFB (241 vs. 182 ml/min, P less than 0.01) than innervated kidneys after E. Group III animals had no significant changes in systemic or renal hemodynamics, plasma renin activity or PGI2 during the study. These results suggest that PGI2 mediates the systemic hypotension of early endotoxemia in the PG-intact animal. Moreover, PG inhibition uncovers an important effect of E to increase efferent renal nerve activity with a consequent decline in GFR and RBF independent of changes in MAP. Finally, the results demonstrate that renal nerves are important stimuli to renin secretion in early endotoxemia via pathways that are PG-independent.     

Role for intrarenal adenosine in the renal hemodynamic response to contrast media

The intrarenal injection of contrast media results in a transient fall in renal blood flow (RBF) and a decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR). These effects are enhanced by dietary sodium restriction and attenuated by sodium loading. A similar sodium-dependent response of RBF and GFR occurs with the intrarenal injection of adenosine. In view of these similarities, we sought to determine whether endogenous adenosine is involved in the renal hemodynamic response to contrast media. The intrarenal injection of contrast media (meglumine-Na diatrizoate, 76%) in six sodium-depleted, anesthetized dogs resulted in a 17% +/- 4% decrease in RBF and a 31% +/- 5% decrease in GFR. The infusion of the adenosine receptor antagonist, theophylline (5 mumol/min), reduced the decrease in RBF to 6% +/- 2% and in GFR to 12% +/- 3% of control values. During the intrarenal infusion of dipyridamole (24 micrograms/kg/min), a potentiator of adenosine through its action to inhibit the cellular uptake of nucleosides, the hemodynamic response to contrast media was greater; RBF fell 25% +/- 4% and GFR fell 44% +/- 7%. In addition, the urinary excretion of endogenous adenosine increased after the injection of contrast media (388 +/- 79 vs. 830 +/- 231 nmol/min). In summary, the contrast media-induced fall in RBF and GFR was attenuated by theophylline and augmented by dipyridamole, and the administration of contrast media resulted in an increase in the excretion of endogenous adenosine. These results support the hypothesis that endogenous adenosine is involved in the renal hemodynamic response to contrast media.     

Effect of cyclooxygenase and thromboxane synthase inhibition on the response to angiotensin II in the hypoperfused canine kidney

The potential for endogenous prostaglandin production to modulate the renal vascular response to intrarenal infusions of angiotensin II (AII) was investigated in the canine kidney at varying renal perfusion pressures (RPP), using suprarenal aortic constriction to vary RPP. AII, infused to achieve increments in renal arterial plasma concentrations of 300 pg/ml, induced reductions in renal blood flow (RBF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) when RPP was 80 mm Hg or above. When RPP was reduced to 60 mm Hg, AII decreased RBF, but GFR failed to change. The vasoconstrictor response to AII was enhanced by indomethacin (8 mg/kg) at all perfusion pressures, but was not modified by the thromboxane (Tx) A2 synthase inhibitor, UK 38,485 (1 mg/kg). In contrast, the lack of change in GFR in response to AII at a RPP of 60 mm Hg was converted to a significant reduction by both indomethacin and UK 38,485. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that the effect of AII on RBF is attenuated by renal release of vasodilator prostaglandins at all RPP. However, at low RPP, AII infusion also induces the release a factor that increases GFR. As this response can be prevented by both TxA2 synthase and cyclooxygenase inhibition, it is possible that this factor is TxA2.     

Mechanisms of amphotericin B-induced decrease in glomerular filtration rate in rats.

Mechanisms responsible for the reductions in renal blood flow (RBF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in response to acute infusions of amphotericin B were investigated in vivo in rats. The influence of salt status and the roles of adenosine, cyclic AMP, and calcium influx were examined. Amphotericin B was infused into the renal artery in seven groups of rats at 0.025 mg/kg of body weight per min for 15 min. RBF and GFR were measured over 15 min before, during, and after the infusion. Control rats were maintained on a normal salt diet; a second group of rats received a salt-depleted diet, and a third group received a high-salt intake. Four other groups were kept on a normal diet and received theophylline (0.5 mumol/kg/min into the renal artery, intra-arterially [i.a.]), dibutyryl cyclic AMP (85 micrograms/min, i.a.), the 5'-nucleotidase inhibitor adenosine alpha,beta-methylene diphosphate (4 mg/kg, intramuscularly), or diltiazem (20 micrograms/kg/min, i.a.). Control rats had a prompt 50% decrease in RBF in response to amphotericin B. This was sustained over the 15-min infusion period and was accompanied by a decrease in creatinine clearance (CLCR) (from 0.83 +/- 0.08 to 0.40 +/- 0.09 ml/min; P less than 0.05). On stopping the infusion, RBF returned quickly to baseline but CLCR continued to decrease further (to 0.35 +/- 0.07 ml/min; P less than 0.05). Salt loading, theophylline, and diltiazem administration prevented the decreases in both RBF and CLCR. Both RBF and CLCR responses in the remaining groups were not significantly different from those in controls. The results of this study reveal a protective effect of salt loading and theophylline against amphotericin B nephrotoxicity in the rat but deny a role for adenosine in mediating these effects. They further suggest that theophylline inhibits the acute responses by a mechanism unrelated to either adenosine receptor blockade or phosphodiesterase inhibition and that calcium influx into the cells is probably responsible for the acute changes in RBF and GFR in response to amphotericin B.     

Natriuretic and vasodilating activities of intrarenally administered atriopeptin II, substance P and bradykinin in the dog

The mechanism of the diuretic effect of atrial natriuretic factor is unclear. In this study, we compared the renal vasodilating and diuretic effects of renal arterial infusions of rat atriopeptin II in anesthetized dogs to see if natriuresis and increases in total renal blood flow were associated. The vasodilators substance P and bradykinin also were tested. Volume (V), Na+ and K+ concentration and Na+ and K+ content (UNaV; UkV) of urine from the infused and contralateral kidneys (IK; CK) were measured as well as mean total renal blood flow (RBF) of the IK. Atriopeptin II (30-1000 ng/kg/min) slightly promoted RBF by up to 20%, but raised V, UNaV and UkV by a maximum of 79, 190 and 100%, respectively. Substance P (0.01-30 ng/kg/min) raised RBF of IK by a maximum of 59%, reduced mean blood pressure by 26% and had a biphasic effect on IK excretion: V, UNaV and UkV were increased maximally by 105, 154 and 42% at 1.0 ng/kg/min, whereas progressively less diuresis, natriuresis and kaliuresis occurred at higher (hypotensive) doses. CK excretion was unchanged. Bradykinin (1-100 ng/kg/min) raised RBF, V, UNaV, and UkV of IKs by a mean maximum of 97, 70, 201 and 47%, respectively, with no changes in mean blood pressure or CK excretion. The natriuretic and hyperemic effects of nonhypotensive doses of each peptide were significantly correlated. However, atriopeptin II uniquely promoted Na+ excretion, but not RBF at the lowest dose tested, and, after 10 min washout of the 1000-ng/kg/min dose, and did not appreciably promote RBF after 10 min of infusion. It also caused CK diuresis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Role of platelet activating factor in endotoxemic acute renal failure in the male rat

We have developed a model of endotoxemic acute renal failure in the anesthetized male rat in which acute endotoxin infusion induces renal vasoconstriction and decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in the absence of systemic hypotension. Because increased levels of platelet activating factor (PAF) have been observed in experimental models of endotoxemia, we pretreated rats with PAF receptor antagonist BN 52021 or SRI 63-675 before administering endotoxin. Compared with treatment with vehicle, treatment with BN 52021 led to significant preservation of RBF, GFR, and urine flow rate. Pretreatment with SRI 63-675 resulted in significant improvement in RBF while completely preventing the fall in GFR and urine flow rate. Intrarenal artery infusion of exogenous PAF (30 ng/kg/min) resulted in renal vasoconstriction, decreased GFR, and oliguria. These effects were also prevented by pretreatment with SRI 63-675. Thus, the adverse renal hemodynamic effects of endotoxemia were blunted or prevented by pretreatment with PAF receptor antagonists. We conclude that endogenously produced PAF is an important mediator of endotoxemic acute renal failure.     

Interaction between renal prostaglandins and angiotensin II in controlling glomerular filtration in the dog

Although previous studies suggest that the renal vasoconstrictor effects of angiotensin II (ANG II) are normally confined to the efferent arterioles, the mechanisms that prevent ANG II from constricting preglomerular vessels are still unclear. In the present study, the role of prostaglandins (PG) in protecting preglomerular vessels from ANG II constriction was examined in dogs with normal or non-filtering kidneys in which ANG II formation was blocked with captopril and renal artery pressure was servo-controlled at 75-80 mmHg. Before PG blockade (n = 6), ANG II infusion (20 ng min-1 kg-1) decreased renal blood flow (RBF) by 54 +/- 4%, but did not change glomerular filtration rate (GFR) significantly. After PG blockade (n = 6), ANG II infusion decreased GFR by 37 +/- 7% and RBF by 56 +/- 6%, while increasing calculated preglomerular resistance much more than before PG blockade. In another group of dogs, secondary changes in renal resistances, due to tubuloglomerular feedback, were prevented by occluding the ureter during mannitol diuresis until glomerular filtration ceased. After inhibition of tubuloglomerular feedback in non-filtering kidneys (n = 7), ANG II decreased RBF by 40 +/- 3% and increased glomerular hydrostatic pressure, estimated from stop-flow ureteral pressure and plasma colloid osmotic pressure, by 8.7 +/- 1.7 mmHg. Postglomerular resistance increased by 91 +/- 12% while preglomerular resistance was unchanged.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The Role of Renal Nerves and Prostaglandins in Control of Renal Hemodynamics and Plasma Renin Activity during Hypotensive Hemorrhage in the Dog

The effects of hypotensive hemorrhage (HH) on renal hemodynamics and plasma renin activity (PRA) during prostaglandin (PG) synthesis inhibition were examined in three groups of dogs. In each group of animals arterial blood pressure was lowered by a 30% decrement. In the first group of eight control animals, HH was not associated with a significant change in glomerular filtration rate (GFR, 42-36 ml/min, NS); renal blood flow (RBF) declined significantly, from 234 to 171 ml/min, P < 0.05. In the second group of eight animals, pretreated with RO 20-5720 (RO, 2 mg/kg), a competitive inhibitor of PG synthesis, HH was associated with a significant fall in GFR (43-17 ml/min, P < 0.001) and RBF (195-89 ml/min, P < 0.001). In the third group of eight animals, pretreatment with indomethacin (IN, 10 mg/kg), a chemically dissimilar PG inhibitor, HH was also associated with a significant fall in GFR (38-8 ml/min, P < 0.001) and RBF (150-30 ml/min, P < 0.001). Renal denervation attenuated this renal ischemic effect of HH in the presence of PG inhibition. In the RO group, GFR (34 vs. 17 ml/min, P < 0.005) and RBF (145 vs. 89 ml/min, P < 0.025) were significantly greater in denervated vs. innervated kidneys during HH. Similarly, in animals treated with IN, a significantly higher GFR (28 vs. 8 ml/min, P < 0.005) and RBF (101 vs. 30 ml/min, P < 0.005) occurred in denervated as compared to innervated kidneys during HH. With HH, the increase in PRA in the control group (3.34-11.68 ng/ml per h, P < 0.005) was no different than that observed in the RO group (4.96-18.9 ng/ml per h, P < 0.001) or IN group (4.71-17.8 ng/ml per h, P < 0.001). In summary, the present results indicate that renal PG significantly attenuate the effect of HH to decrease GFR and RBF. Furthermore, renal denervation exerts a protective effect against the enhanced renal ischemic effects which occur in the presence of PG inhibition during HH. Finally, PG inhibition does not alter the effect of HH to cause an increase in PRA.     

Renal actions of a new adenosine agonist, CGS 21680A selective for the A2 receptor

This study compares the renal actions of the A2 selective adenosine agonist, CGS 21680A, with the A1 selective adenosine agonist, N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA), and the nonselective agonist, 5'-N-ethylcarboxamide adenosine (NECA), in the anesthetized dog. Initial receptor binding studies in dog brain demonstrated that CPA and CGS 21680A were selective for the A1 and A2 adenosine receptor, respectively, whereas NECA displayed slightly greater affinity for A1 than A2 adenosine receptors in the canine brain. Intravenous infusion of CGS 21680A (0.25 and 2.5 micrograms/kg/min) decreased blood pressure (BP) and increased heart rate (HR). CGS 21680A transiently increased renal blood flow (RBF) and either did not change or, at the highest dose infused, decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Both urine volume (UV) and urinary sodium excretion (UNaV) also were decreased by CGS 21680A. At the lowest infusion rate (0.025 micrograms/kg/min) CGS 21680A produced a slowly developing increase in RBF, no change in GFR and a significant decrease in sodium excretion. Intravenous infusion of CPA (15 micrograms/kg/min) lowered BP and HR RBF and GFR. UNaV, UV and renin release also were inhibited by CPA. At a lower infusion rate (2.5 micrograms/kg/min), CPA markedly inhibited UNaV in the absence of a significant change in either BP or renal hemodynamic parameters. Infusion of NECA (0.01 and 0.1 micrograms/kg/min) lowered BP but did not change HR. Furthermore, RBF was increased by NECA, whereas UV and UNaV were inhibited in the absence of a change in GFR. These results may be explained by the relative selectivity of each analog for A1 or A2 adenosine receptors.     

Role of endothelium-derived relaxing factor in the in vivo renal vascular action of adenosine in dogs.

Intrarenal infusion of adenosine induces transient renal vasoconstriction followed by sustained renal vasodilation. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the role of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) in renal hemodynamic actions of adenosine in anesthetized dogs. Intrarenal arterial infusion (i.r.a.) of EDRF synthesis inhibitors, L-NG-monomethyl-arginine (160 micrograms/kg/min) and L-NG-nitro-arginine (80 micrograms/kg/min), attenuated acetylcholine-induced increases in renal blood flow and renal vascular resistance was increased. Renal vasoconstriction elicited by adenosine (100 nmol/min i.r.a.) was potentiated and the duration was prolonged by pretreatment with either EDRF synthesis inhibitor. Adenosine infusion significantly decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by more than 30% in the presence of EDRF inhibitors, whereas GFR remained unchanged by adenosine in the absence of EDRF synthesis inhibitors. L-arginine (2 mg/kg/min i.r.a.) significantly reversed the potentiation of adenosine-induced renal vasoconstriction and adenosine-induced reduction in GFR elicited by pretreatment with EDRF synthesis inhibitors. On the other hand, the adenosine A2 selective agonist, CGS 21680C (0.37 nmol/kg/min i.r.a), elicited monophasic renal vasodilation and this effect on renal blood flow was unaffected by EDRF inhibitor. These results suggest that arginine-derived EDRF is involved in the renal vascular action of adenosine. In the present experimental setting, we obtained no evidence for the interaction between arginine-derived EDRF and CGS 21680C-activated A2 adenosine receptor in renal vascular beds.     

Effect of sodium orthovanadate on renal renin secretion in vivo

The effect of vanadate (0.5 mumol/min) on renin secretory rate (RSR) of the kidney has been studied in nembutal-anesthetized, volume-expanded dogs. Intrarenal vanadate infusion caused a 69.3 +/- 8.8% decrease in RSR. This was accompanied by marked decreases in renal blood flow (RBF), glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and fractional excretion of sodium (FENa). Renal vascular resistance rose from 1.3 +/- 0.09 to 6.1 +/- 2.3 mm Hg/ml/min (P less than .0005). Papaverine infusion partially blunted the effect of vanadate on RSR (RSR only fell to 42. +/- 10% of basal values). The decreases in RBF and GFR were also less and FENa slightly higher than normal. Acetylcholine prevented the effects of vanadate more fully. There was no fall in RBF, GFR or FENa and it basically abolished the fall in RSR which fell only 19.4 +/- 25.3 of control (P = N.S.). Nifedipine (a slow Ca++ channels blocker) also prevented the fall in RBF, GFR and FENa induced by vanadate. RSR did not change significantly (7.8 +/- 10.9%). These results clearly demonstrate that vanadate is a potent inhibitor of renin secretion and suggest that inhibition of smooth muscle Na+, K+, adenasine triphosphatase and changes in the cystosolic concentration of Na and Ca are involved in its mechanism. Changes in perfusion pressure and sodium delivery to the macula densa appear to have little if any role in the inhibition.     

Some determinants of the effects of VAL-5-angiotensin II amide on glomerular filtration rate and sodium excretion in dogs

In 12 dogs anesthetized with chloralose, angiotensin (angiotensin II amide) given intravenously increased the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of an ischemic kidney while simultaneously having little effect on the GFR of the contralateral kidney. In the ischemic kidney, in 14 of 30 observations, increments of GFR greater than 100% of mean control GFR (9 ml/min) occurred in response to angiotensin. The magnitude of the increase in GFR produced by angiotensin was independent of dose (range 0.005-0.050 mug/kg per min), the degree of accompanying pressor response, and alterations in renal blood flow (RBF) (electromagnetic flow-meter). In the ischemic kidney, increments of GFR could be produced by sub-pressor doses of angiotensin.Dissociations between increments of GFR and sodium excretion occurred. Equivalent increments of GFR in the ischemic kidney in dogs receiving either 5% glucose in water or 10% mannitol in 0.3% saline were associated with natriuresis only in the latter group: a) as an initial response of the contralateral kidney to renal arterial constriction (RAC) in spite of a concomitant reduction in RBF and an unchanged GFR; b) in the ischemic kidney on giving angiotensin. The natriuresis produced by angiotensin was independent of the magnitude of elevations in blood pressure, altered filtration fraction, and was associated with a further reduction in RBF. After release of RAC in the dogs receiving mannitol, an antinatriuresis was again observed in response to angiotensin.The presence of unilateral renal ischemia allowed the demonstration of a differential action of angiotensin on the GFR of an ischemic and nonischemic kidney. The natriuresis in response to angiotensin requires, in addition to mannitol, the participation of undefined factors invoked by unilateral renal ischemia.     

Effects of an orally active converting enzyme inhibitor (YS-980) on renal function in dogs

The angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor is a valuable pharmacological tool for studying the role of intrarenal humoral factors such as the renin-angiotensin and kallikrenin-kinin systems and prostaglandins as related to the regulation of renal function and the interrelation among them. An intrarenal infusion of such an inhibitor, YS-980 (thiazolidine carboxylic acid derivative), at a rate of 0.1 mg/min resulted in a significant fall in systemic arterial blood pressure and a significant increase in renal blood flow, urine flow, urinary excretion of sodium and renin release in anesthetized dogs. These renal effects evoked by YS-980 were abolished after the inhibition of kallikrein as induced by aprotinin (900 kallikrein inhibitory units per min). In addition, YS-980 given after the administration of indomethacin (5 mg/kg i.v.) had no effect on the renal hemodynamics and renin release except for the urinary excretion of sodium. These findings suggest that both the kallikrein-kinin system and prostaglandins contribute to the renal action and the vasodepressor effect of YS-980. It would appear that the intrarenal administration of this angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor induced marked renal effects through activation of kinin and prostaglandins and that the relative contribution of the renin-angiotensin system is negligible in anesthetized dogs.     

Effects of Volume Expansion, Purified Parathyroid Extract, and Calcium on Renal Bicarbonate Absorption in the Dog

The role of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and of Ca(++) in the regulation of bicarbonate absorption (RHCO(3)) and its response to extracellular volume expansion (VE) was studied in HCO(3) (-)-loaded dogs.VE lowered RHCO(3) in both intact (from 24.8 to 22.0 mmol/liter GFR, P < 0.01) and thyroparathyroid-ectomized (TPTX) (from 24.5 to 18.0 mmol/liter GFR, P < 0.001) dogs; glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and filtered HCO(3) (-) did not change. Both groups showed a significant increase in the fractional excretion of sodium (C(Na) x 100/GFR), calcium (C(Ca) x 100/GFR), and chloride (C(Cl) x 100/GFR) and a decrease in phosphorus reabsorption. Fractional clearance of phosphate (C(P) x 100/GFR) rose in both groups but did not achieve significance.Infusion of purified parathyroid extract (PTE) decreased RHCO(3) in intact dogs (from 24.6 to 22.5 mmol/liter GFR, P < 0.025) and in TPTX dogs (from 26.9 to 22.6 mmol/liter GFR, P < 0.05). No change was noted in GFR, renal blood flow (RBF), filtered HCO(3) (-), or fractional excretion of sodium, calcium, or chloride in either group. There was a significant increase in fractional phosphorus clearance and a decrease in phosphorus reabsorption in each group.Infusion of Ca(++) raised ultrafilterable Ca(++) from 5.7 to 7.9 mg/100 ml in intact and from 4.9 to 7.2 mg/100 ml in TPTX dogs; RHCO(3) increased in intact (from 22.9 to 26.9 mmol/liter GFR, P < 0.025) and in TPTX dogs (from 26.6 to 28.6 mmol/liter GFR, P < 0.05). The GFR, RBF, and the fractional excretion of sodium, chloride, and calcium did not change in either group. The reabsorbed phosphate increased in both groups, and fractional phosphorus clearance fell in the intact group but did not change significantly in the TPTX group.Superimposition of PTE on hypercalcemia in TPTX dogs resulted in a decrease in RHCO(3) (from 27.3 to 23.9 mmol/liter GFR, P < 0.001), which was accompanied by an increase in the fractional excretion of phosphate and a decrease in the reabsorbed phosphate. In this group of TPTX dogs hypercalcemia caused a drop in RBF from 135.6 to 105.8 ml/min with no change in GFR. The RBF returned to control value with PTE infusion.IT IS CONCLUDED THAT: (a) the lowering of RHCO(3) by VE is not dependent solely on stimulation of PTH by the lowered Ca(++), (b) PTE acts directly on the renal tubules to lower RHCO(3), (c) Ca(++) enhances RHCO(3) and this effect is exerted in the absence of PTH and calcitonin, (d) neither the effects of Ca(++) nor of PTH appear to be mediated by altered hemodynamics, although this cannot be excluded in Ca(++)-infused TPTX dogs, (e) Ca(++) enhanced phosphate reabsorption in the absence of PTH; this may be a specific effect of hypercalcemia on phosphate reabsorption or the nonspecific consequence of the rise in serum phosphorus.     

Evidence against the hypothesis that prostaglandins are the vasodepressor agents of pregnancy. Serial studies in chronically instrumented, conscious rats.

Renal hemodynamics increase dramatically during pregnancy, and pressor responsiveness to exogenous administration of vasoconstrictors is attenuated. We investigated whether or not vasodilatory prostaglandins mediate these phenomena. Trained, chronically instrumented, conscious pregnant rats were used. Control values of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) were elevated at midgestation (P less than 0.01 and P = 0.05 from prepregnant means, respectively), and effective renal vascular resistance was decreased (P = 0.05). Indomethacin (4.5-6.5 mg/kg body weight [BW]) failed to decrease renal hemodynamics at this stage of pregnancy; in fact, it raised GFR somewhat further (P less than 0.05). Systemic pressor responsiveness to bolus administration of norepinephrine and angiotensin II (AII) was significantly attenuated by at least gestational day 20. Neither indomethacin (7 mg/kg BW) or meclofenamate (6 mg/kg BW) affected the refractory response. The renal vasculature was also relatively unresponsive to an intravenous infusion of AII (5 ng X kg-1 X min-1) during late gestation (day 19); in particular, the fall in ERPF in response to AII (16 +/- 3%) was markedly less than that observed in the prepregnant condition (34 +/- 3%; P less than 0.05). Indomethacin (6 mg/kg BW) failed to restore this blunted response, and further attenuation was evident, despite the presence of the inhibitor (gestational day 21). We conclude that vasodilatory prostaglandins do not appear to mediate the rise in renal hemodynamics, and the attenuation of the systemic and renal pressor responsiveness observed during pregnancy, insofar as these phenomena were unaffected by acute cyclooxygenase inhibition in unstressed, conscious rats.     

Effects of alpha adrenoceptor blockade on renal nerve stimulation-induced norepinephrine release and vasoconstriction in the dog kidney

Effects of alpha-antagonists on renal norepinephrine (NE) release and vasoconstriction induced by renal nerve stimulation (RNS) were examined in pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs. RNS at 1,2 and 3 Hz (1 msec duration, 10-20 V) for 1 min decreased renal blood flow (RBF) and increased both the renal venous NE concentration (NEC) and calculated renal NE efflux (NEE). The RBF responses to 2 and 3 Hz RNS and NEC responses to 1, 2 and 3 Hz RNS during intrarenal arterial infusion of yohimbine (1.0 micrograms/kg/min) were greater than those observed during the control period. The NEE responses to 1 and 2 Hz RNS, but not to 3 Hz RNS, were also potentiated by the yohimbine infusion. Prazosin treatment (0.2 mg/kg i.v.) attenuated the RBF responses. Subsequent infusion of yohimbine potentiated both the NEC and NEE responses to 1, 2 and 3 Hz RNS in this alpha-1 adrenoceptor-blocked state. These results suggest that an alpha-2 adrenoceptor-mediated inhibitory mechanism of neural NE release exists in the dog kidney, which can be activated by endogenously released catecholamines to modulate the neural control of renal hemodynamics. Alpha-1 adrenoceptor-mediated renal vasoconstriction may affect the evaluation of neural NE release by NEE when high-frequency RNS is applied during inhibition of the alpha-2 adrenoceptor-mediated mechanism.     

Renal and femoral vascular responses to endothelin-1 in dogs: role of prostaglandins

Vascular responses to endothelin were examined with special reference to prostaglandins (PGs). Intrarenal infusion of endothelin (ET)-1 (1-5 ng/kg/min) to dogs caused a transient increase followed by a sustained decrease in renal blood flow, with no change in blood pressure or heart rate. Renal secretion rates of PGE2 and I2 (determined as 6-keto PGF1 alpha) were increased with ET, dose-dependently, and the intrarenal infusion of ET (5 ng/kg/min) elevated the systemic arterial concentration of 6-keto PGF1 alpha from 26 +/- 5 to 83 +/- 14 pg/ml. Because this increase in PG secretion was not affected by the platelet activating factor antagonist, CV 6209, it is unlikely that ET-induced renal PG production was platelet activating factor-mediated. Pretreatment with aspirin abolished completely the increased PG secretion elicited by ET and potentiated the ET-induced reduction renal blood flow. Intrafemoral infusion of ET (5 ng/kg/min) also induced an initial increase followed by a gradual decrease in femoral blood flow, without any increase in PG secretion from the hindlimb. Aspirin had no effects on the femoral hemodynamic action of ET. In addition, initial transient increases in either renal or femoral blood flow by endothelin were not affected by aspirin. Thus, the ET-induced production of renal PGs counteracts the renal vasoconstrictor action of ET, an event in marked contrast to the lack of any apparent involvement of PGs in the femoral hemodynamic action of ET. The ET-induced transient vasodilation shows no apparent relation to the cyclooxygenase products.     

Glomerular prostaglandin and thromboxane synthesis in rat nephrotoxic serum nephritis. Effects on renal hemodynamics.

Glomerular arachidonate cyclooxygenation by isolated rat glomeruli was assessed in vitro in antiglomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) antibody-induced glomerulonephritis by radioimmunoassay for prostaglandins (PG) and thromboxane. After a single intravenous injection of rabbit anti-rat GBM serum, we observed enhancement of glomerular thromboxane B2 (TxB2) synthesis as early as 2 to 3 h with smaller increments in PGF2 alpha, PGE2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha synthetic rates. On day 2 of the disease, the glomerular synthesis of TxB2 and, to a lesser extent, PGF2 alpha and PGE2 remained enhanced, whereas on days 8, 11, and 14, TxB2 was the only prostanoid synthesized at increased rates. Glomerular TxB2 synthesis correlated with the presacrifice 24-h protein excretion. 60 min after intravenous infusion of anti-GMB serum, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) decreased (0.66 +/- 0.04 to 0.44 +/- 0.03 ml/min per 100 g, P less than 0.05), without a significant change in renal plasma flow (RPF): 1.97 +/- 0.23 to 1.80 +/- 0.23 ml/min per 100 g) and without a change in glomerular PG synthetic rates. At 2 h, GFR and RPF reached a nadir (0.25 +/- 0.04 and 1.3 +/- 0.1 ml/min per 100 g, respectively) coinciding with a fivefold increment in glomerular TxB2. By 3 h GFR and RPF partially recovered to 0.43 +/- 0.07 and 1.77 +/- 0.20 ml/min per 100 g, respectively, P less than 0.05, despite further increments in TxB2 synthesis. This recovery of GFR and RPF coincided with increments in vasodilatory PG, (PGE2 and PGI2). The thromboxane synthetase inhibitor OKY-1581 markedly inhibited platelet and glomerular TxB2 synthesis and preserved GFR at 1, 2, and 3 h. Another thromboxane synthetase inhibitor, UK-38485, also completely inhibited platelet and glomerular TxB2 synthesis and prevented decrements of GFR at 2 and 3 h. A cyclooxygenase inhibitor, ibuprofen, inhibited platelet TxB2 and PGE2 synthesis and significantly reduced glomerular PGE2 but not TxB2 synthesis. In the ibuprofen-treated rats, the partial recoveries of GFR and RPF at 3 h were attenuated. The in vitro glomerular TxB2 synthesis correlated inversely with the presacrifice GFR and filtration fraction. These observations indicate that in anti-GBM nephritis there is enhanced synthesis of TxA2 and PG in the glomerulus that mediate changes in renal hemodynamics.     

Pharmacological doses of atrial natriuretic peptide ameliorate the acute renal dysfunction induced by systemic hypoxemia

The acute renal effects of systemic hypoxemia and the ability of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) to reverse these effects were assessed in seven anesthetized and mechanically ventilated adult rabbits. Throughout the experiment, arterial pH, PaCO2 and HCO3 remained unchanged. Hypoxemia induced a significant increase in rabbit-ANP plasma levels from 151 +/- 26 to 246 +/- 65 pg/ml. During the normoxemic period (PaO2 = 131 +/- 12 mm Hg), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), renal blood flow (RBF), renal vascular resistance (RVR) and urinary sodium excretion (UNaV) were similar in both kidneys. The subsequent hypoxemic period (PaO2 = 30 +/- 1 mm Hg) caused a decrease in right and left kidney function: GFR, -26 +/- 5 and -29 +/- 6%; RBF, -17 +/- 9 and -29 +/- 8%; RVR, +28 +/- 16 and +59 +/- 30%; urine flow rate, -38 +/- 6 and -36 +/- 6%; and UNaV, -51 +/- 7 and -50 +/- 7%, respectively. Human-ANP infusion in the left renal artery (100 ng/min) during sustained systemic hypoxemia induced a significant improvement in GFR (+57 +/- 18%), RBF (+21 +/- 8%), RVR (-20 +/- 7%), urine flow rate (+151 +/- 27%) and UNaV (+270 +/- 48%) in the left experimental kidney, as compared with the preceding hypoxemic period. In contrast, the function of the right control kidney remained impaired.