Eukaliuric natriuresis and diuresis in response to disprocynium24: studies on the tubular site of action

We previously described that 1,1’-diisopropyl-2,4’-cyanine (disprocynium24, DP24) exerts an eukaliuric diuresis and natriuresis in the anesthetized rat. The purpose of the present study was to localize the tubular site of action of DP24. Employing micropuncture experiments in anesthetized rats, we first tested the effect of systemic application of DP24 (300 μg/kg+300 μg/kg h, i.v.) on whole kidney excretion rates as well as on fluid, sodium and potassium ion delivery to the early distal tubule (V_ED, Na⁺ _ED, K⁺ _ED). It was found that the eukaliuric diuresis and natriuresis in response to DP24 was accompanied by a substantial increase in V_ED and Na⁺ _ED, suggesting a predominant tubular site of action upstream to the early distal tubule, most likely in the proximal tubule. DP24 caused a comparable fractional, although minor absolute increase in K⁺ _ED as compared to Na⁺ _ED . Second, application of DP24 into the first surface loop of the proximal tubule significantly increased V_ED and Na⁺ _ED at a concentration of about 10^–7 M, indicating that DP24 may act from the intratubular site. Third, microperfusion of tubular segments revealed that effects of DP24 on the proximal convoluted tubule and the loop of Henle accounted for about 70 and 30%, respectively, of its diuretic and natriuretic action upstream to the early distal tubule. With regard to the loop of Henle, the quantitative effect of DP24 on fluid and Na⁺ reabsorption proposed a predominant effect on the straight part of the proximal tubule rather than the thick ascending limb. Intratubular DP24 did not affect reabsorption in the distal tubule. In summary, the present findings indicate that: (1) the diuretic and natriuretic effect of DP24 resides predominantly in the proximal tubule, and (2) DP24 may act from the intratubular site. Since DP24 increased V_ED and Na⁺ _ED without apparently affecting sodium or potassium ion transport in the distal tubule, the mechanism of the eukaliuric response remains unclear. Received: 13 February 1998 / Accepted: 11 May 1998     

A micropuncture study of the effect of isoprenaline on renal tubular fluid and electrolyte transport in the rat

Summary To explain the mechanism of the isoprenaline induced antidiuresis the effect of this substance on fluid and electrolyte reabsorption in various nephron segments of the rat kidney has been studied using micropuncture techniques. Isoprenaline (1.5×10^–9 mol/kg·min i.v.) decreased GFR of superficial nephrons and increased fractional proximal fluid, sodium and potassium reabsorption. However, the fractions of filtered fluid and electrolytes, which had been reabsorbed up to the early distal tubule were unchanged after isoprenaline. This indicates that the increased fractional proximal reabsorption has been completely compensated by decreased reabsorption from Henle's loops. In the distal convoluted tubules an increase in the fractional fluid and sodium reabsorption could be established using a recollection technique. Given directly into the distal tubular lumen isoprenaline stimulated the isotonic fluid reabsorption, which was measured by the Gertz split oil droplet method.From these results it is concluded that the decrease in superficial GFR and the increased distal tubular fluid and sodium reabsorption lead to the decrease in urine volume and in urinary electrolyte excretion after isoprenaline.with the technical assistance of U. Greven and S. HildebrandSupported by Deutsche ForschungsgemeinschaftPortions of this work were presented at the Meeting of the Deutsche Pharmakologische Gesellschaft in Graz, 1974 (Greven, 1974b)     

Effects of beta-adrenergic blockade on the glomerular and tubular response to acute renal denervation.

Using micropuncture techniques in euvolemic adult male Munich-Wistar rats, we assessed the functional role of renal beta-adrenoceptors in mediating neural control of glomerular filtration and proximal tubular reabsorption. The determinants of nephron filtration and rate of proximal tubular reabsorption were measured in two groups of animals before and after acute surgical renal denervation (DNX). Group A animals (n = 6) were pretreated with the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol (25 mg/kg body weight per day for 4-6 days). Group B animals (n = 7) served as non-beta-blocked controls. Acute renal DNX resulted in no significant change in nephron filtration rate or any of its determinants in either group. Acute DNX caused similar decrements in the rate of fluid reabsorption from the proximal convoluted tubule of beta-blocked and control rats. Loop of Henle fluid reabsorption did not appear to be affected by DNX in either group. Because the effect of denervation on proximal tubular reabsorption was not conditioned by prior beta-blockade, the beta-adrenoceptors present within the proximal convoluted tubule do not appear to be the primary mediators of the adrenergic influence on fluid transport in that segment of the nephron.     

Sodium reabsorption in thick ascending limb of Henle's loop: effect of potassium channel blockade in vivo

1. Based on previous in vitro studies, inhibition of K(+) recycling in thick ascending limb (TAL) is expected to lower Na(+) reabsorption through (i) reducing the luminal availability of K(+) to reload the Na(+)-2Cl(-)-K(+) cotransporter and (ii) diminishing the lumen positive transepithelial potential difference which drives paracellular cation transport. 2. This issue was investigated in anaesthetized rats employing microperfusion of Henle's loop downstream from late proximal tubular site with K(+)-free artificial tubular fluid in nephrons with superficial glomeruli. 3. The unselective K(+) channel blocker Cs(+) (5 - 40 mM) dose-dependently increased early distal tubular delivery of fluid and Na(+) with a maximum increase of approximately 20 and 185%, respectively, indicating predominant effects on water-impermeable TAL. 4. The modest inhibition of Na(+) reabsorption in response to the 15 mM of Cs(+) but not the enhanced inhibition by 20 mM Cs(+) was prevented by luminal K(+) supplementation. Furthermore, pretreatment with 20 mM Cs(+) did not attenuate the inhibitory effect of furosemide (100 microM) on Na(+)-2Cl(-)-K(+) cotransport. 5. Neither inhibitors of large (charybdotoxin 1 microM) nor low (glibenclamide 250 microM; U37883A 100 microM) conductance K(+) channels altered loop of Henle fluid or Na(+) reabsorption. 6. The intermediate conductance K(+) channel blockers verapamil and quinine (100 microM) modestly increased early distal tubular Na(+) but not fluid delivery, indicating a role for this K(+) channel in Na(+) reabsorption in TAL. As observed for equieffective concentrations of Cs(+) (15 mM), Na(+) reabsorption was preserved by K(+) supplementation. 7. The results indicate that modest inhibition of K(+) channels lowers the luminal availability of K(+) and thus transcellular Na(+) reabsorption in TAL. More complete inhibition lowers paracellular Na(+) transport probably by reducing or even abolishing the lumen positive transepithelial potential difference. Under the latter conditions, transcellular Na(+) transport may be restored by paracellular K(+) backleak.     

Sodium reabsorption during intrarenal diazoxide infusion in the dog

Infusion of diazoxide, a potent benzothiazide antihypertensive, into the renal artery results in diuresis and natriuresis. The site within the nephron of decreased reabsorption has been controversial. Thus free flow recollection micropuncture studies of the superficial proximal tubule of the dog were undertaken to determine if diazoxide decreased sodium reabsorption from this part of the nephron. Renal blood flow, monitored by an electromagnetic flow meter, was increased by about 15% with the diazoxide infusion. Systemic blood pressure and hematocrit remained unchanged. Glomerular filtration rate increased significantly from 26 +/- 2 to 34 +/- 3 ml/min, urine flow and sodium excretion also increased (0.13 +/- 0.01 to 0.33 +/- 0.06 ml/min and 5.5 +/- 0.90 to 35.5 +/- 11.0 microEq/min, respectively). Decreased sodium reabsorption from the proximal tubule was demonstrated by a decrease in the tubular fluid to plasma inulin ratio (1.62 +/- 0.1 1.47 +/- 0.1) thus giving a reduction in fractional sodium reabsorption to the site of micropuncture (36.1 +/- 4.3 to 29.5 +/- 5.1%, p less than 0.05). To examine peritubular effects of diazoxide infusion, capillary protein concentration and pressure were measured; the former increasing significantly (9.17 +/- 0.32 to 9.80 +/- 0.35, p less than 0.05) and the latter did not change (13.1 +/- 1.0 vs. 15.2 +/- 1.4 mm Hg). Thus intrarenal diazoxide causes whole kidney vasodilatation with diuresis, natriuresis and decreased sodium reabsorption from the superficial proximal tubule. Additional studies provided no data to indicate that changes in peritubular physical factors account for the changes in sodium handling.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The diuretic action of 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine, a selective A1 adenosine receptor antagonist.

1. The diuretic effect of the selective A1 adenosine receptor antagonist, 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (CPX), was investigated in anaesthetized rats. 2. CPX (0.1 mg kg-1, i.v.) produced significant increases in urine flow, and the excretion rate and fractional excretion of both sodium and chloride. By contrast, CPX administration did not result in any significant change in the excretion of potassium. 3. The diuretic effect of CPX was accompanied by a transient increase in inulin clearance although p-amino-hippurate clearance was unaffected, indicating the CPX induced a temporary elevation of glomerular filtration rate but no change in renal blood flow. 4. The fractional excretion of lithium (a marker of delivery of fluid out of the proximal tubule) was also significantly increased by CPX. However, other measures of tubular function derived from lithium clearance indicated that there were no changes in the handling of sodium or water in the distal regions of the nephron. 5. CPX did not significantly alter the relationship between either free water reabsorption or free water clearance and the distal delivery of sodium, which suggests that CPX does not affect the renal concentration/dilution mechanism. 6. The results of this study show that the diuresis and increased excretion of sodium and chloride induced by CPX (0.1 mg kg-1) in the rat, occurs with only transient elevation in glomerular filtration rate and no change in renal blood flow. The primary reason for the diuresis appears to be inhibition of sodium reabsorption in the proximal tubule.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The influence of dietary potassium on the renal tubular effect of hydrochlorothiazide in the rat.

The influence of dietary potassium on the natriuretic effect of hydrochlorothiazide was investigated in conscious rats which had access to 0.46 M NaCl solution; the intake of saline was used as an index of the natriuresis. Control rats drank very little saline (less than 1 mmol 24 h-1), whereas animals given hydrochlorothiazide in the food (35 mg kg-1 dry weight) increased their saline intake to approximately 10 mmol 24 h-1. In a third group of rats, on a high-potassium diet (360 mmol kg-1 dry weight vs 60 mmol kg-1 dry weight), the same dose of hydrochlorothiazide increased the saline intake to only 2 mmol 24 h-1. In order to investigate the renal mechanisms involved in these effects, animals were anaesthetized and prepared for micropuncture. Collections were made from late surface convolutions of proximal tubules and from early and late regions of distal tubules. Total glomerular filtration rate, single-nephron filtration rate, and the delivery of sodium to the end of the proximal tubule and to the beginning of the distal tubule were similar in the three groups of rats. In rats on a normal diet, hydrochlorothiazide treatment was associated with an increased delivery of sodium to the end of the distal tubule. No such increase was seen in thiazide-treated rats on a high potassium intake. It is concluded that a high potassium intake reduces the natriuretic effect of hydrochlorothiazide as a result of interference with thiazide-induced inhibition of sodium reabsorption in the distal tubule. The effect of potassium does not depend on changes in sodium handling in other nephron segments. The possible roles of aldosterone and distal tubular potassium secretion in mediating this effect are discussed.     

Kappa-opioid-receptor agonists modulate the renal excretion of water and electrolytes in anaesthetized rats.

1. Subcutaneous injection of the kappa-opioid agonists U50,488 (10 mg kg-1) and tifluadom (3.5 mg kg-1) into Inactin-anaesthetized, saline-infused rats was associated with a diuresis, antinatriuresis and antikaliuresis which lasted for up to 2 h. A high (5 mg kg-1), but not low (0.1 mg kg-1), dose of naloxone blocked the renal effects of U50,488. 2. U50,488 administration in anaesthetized, vasopressin-deficient Brattleboro DI rats was associated with an attenuated diuresis, though the antinatriuretic response remained intact. 3. The diuretic action of U50,488 was associated with an increase in glomerular filtration rate while fractional fluid reabsorption remained steady. In contrast, fractional sodium and potassium reabsorption were increased. 4. These data suggest that kappa-opioid agonists alter renal handling of both water and electrolytes. This appears to be mediated by two separate mechanisms: increased fluid loss largely reflects altered glomerular events while the fall in electrolyte excretion results from altered tubular handling.     

Effects of furosemide on the tubular reabsorption of nitrates in anesthetized dogs.

The present study was performed to determine the tubular sites of nitrite and nitrate (NO) reabsorption and the effects of furosemide on the renal handling of NOx in anesthetized dogs, using renal clearance and stop-flow methods. Furosemide (2 mg/kg, i.v.) increased the urinary excretion rates of Na+ (U(Na+)V) and NOx (U(NOx)V) with a reduction of tubular reabsorption rates of Na+ and NOx. During inhibition of renal nitric oxide (NO) synthesis by an intrarenal infusion of L-nitro arginine (30 microg/kg-min), furosemide also increased U(NOx)V and decreased tubular reabsorption rate of NOx from 96.5+/-0.8% to 86.6+/-1.7%. An intravenous infusion of 10% mannitol (0.5 ml/kg-min) also increased both U(Na+)V and U(NOx)V. In addition, after furosemide administration or mannitol infusion. U(NOx)V was correlated with U(Na+)V. In stop-flow experiments, the distal dip in NOx curve was observed and the site of the dip in NOx curve was identical to that of Na+ curve. Furosemide shifted upward the U/P(Na+)/U/P(Cr) and U/P(NOx)/U/P(Cr) at the distal dip, indicating inhibition of Na+ and NOx reabsorption at distal tubules. These results indicate that more than 96% of the filtered NOx is reabsorbed in the renal tubules, and that the tubular handling of NOx is very close to that of Na+. In addition, the stop-flow experiments demonstrate that furosemide inhibited the reabsorption of NOx as well as Na+ at the distal tubule.     

Stereospecificity of the effects of ozolinone on renal hemodynamics and on segmental tubular sodium reabsorption in conscious rats

The study was performed to elucidate the effects of the two stereoisomers of ozolinone (d,l) on renal hemodynamics and proximal tubular Na reabsorption. Clearance experiments were performed in conscious water-loaded female Wistar rats. The clearances of [3H]inulin, [14C]tetraethylammonium and lithium were used as estimates for glomerular filtration rate, renal plasma flow and delivery of fluid from the proximal tubules, respectively. When the baseline parameters had stabilized, d- or l-ozolinone was injected i.v. in doses of 4, 20 and 100 mg/kg. 1-Ozolinone caused a transient and dose-dependent diuretic-natriuretic response with no evidence of a ceiling. At peak natriuresis, 2.5-5 min after 100 mg/kg of 1-ozolinone, the fractional Na excretion was increased from 0.5 to 25%; this was associated with an increased fractional excretion of lithium from 27 to 60%, and small transient decreases of renal hemodynamic parameters. d-Ozolinone had no significant effects except for a small natriuresis after 100 mg/kg. It is concluded that in water-loaded conscious rats 1-ozolinone is a powerful diuretic which, in contrast to d-ozolinone, increases the delivery of fluid from the proximal tubule as judged from changes in lithium clearance.     

Interaction of the neurosteroid alphaxalone with conventional antiepileptic drugs in different types of experimental seizures

Based on the results of micropuncture studies, it is generally assumed that amiloride inhibits Na+ (and Li+) reabsorption in the distal nephron, without affecting proximal tubular reabsorption. This is the basis for the use of amiloride to test for distal nephron Li+ reabsorption. We have examined the validity of this assumption by administering amiloride in doses of 0, 0.02, 0.07, 0.2 and 2.0 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1) to conscious, chronically instrumented rats fed a diet with a normal Na+ and K+ content. Na+ and water homeostasis was maintained by servo-controlled replacement in order to avoid any effect of volume depletion on proximal tubular reabsorption. The effects of the two highest doses of amiloride were also examined without Na+ and water replacement. In the servo-controlled rats, the two highest doses of amiloride increased the fractional excretion of both Na+ (FE(Na)) and Li+ (FE(Li)), whereas the two lowest doses affected only FE(Na). In the rats without servo-control, FE(Li) also rose in response to amiloride infusion, but the increase was significantly lower than that observed in the servo-controlled animals. Since distal Li+ reabsorption is absent or negligible in rats fed a diet with a normal Na+ and K+ content, the large increase in FE(Li) following the highest doses of amiloride (15-18% of the filtered load in servo-controlled rats) indicates inhibition of proximal tubular reabsorption. We conclude that amiloride, in doses usually employed to detect distal Li+ reabsorption, inhibits proximal tubular reabsorption in conscious euvolemic rats.     

Frusemide pretreatment blunts the inhibition of renal tubular sodium reabsorption by ANF in man

Summary The effects of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) 15 pmol/kg/min on renal function were studied in 7 normal male volunteers during maximal water diuresis. Subjects were studied in neutral salt balance either before, or after, seven days treatment with 40 mg oral frusemide. The post-frusemide state was associated with activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAAS) and generally higher noradrenaline levels; this state was also associated with sodium retention, mainly due to enhanced distal nephron reabsorption.Without diuretic pretreatment ANF produced a natriuresis and diuresis associated with inhibition of both proximal and distal nephron sodium reabsorption. In contrast, after frusemide pretreatment, ANF caused an increase in water excretion (urinary flow rate) but no change in sodium excretion. In the post-diuretic condition ANF did not affect renal tubular handling of sodium.The enhanced tubular reabsorption of sodium post-frusemide, and the failure of ANF to suppress this, could be due to activation of the RAAS and SNS.     

Localization of the nephron site of gentamicin-induced hypercalciuria in the rat: a micropuncture study

In vivo renal micropuncture techniques were used to locate the nephron site of hypercalciuria induced by acute gentamicin infusion in anaesthetized Sprague Dawley rats. Three series of experiments were conducted. The effect of gentamicin on calcium reabsorption in the proximal tubule (Series I) and loop of Henle (Series II) was investigated using in vivo microperfusion whereas the effect on distal calcium handling (Series III) was studied using in vivo microinfusion. In all three experimental series, acute systemic gentamicin infusion at 0.28 mg kg(-1) min(-1) caused significant hypercalciuria within 30 min of commencing drug infusion. Gentamicin had no effect on the rates of urine flow or sodium excretion. Acute gentamicin infusion had no effect on unidirectional calcium reabsorption in the proximal tubule or loop of Henle despite a simultaneous and highly significant hypercalciuria at the whole kidney level. Net fluid reabsorption was also unaffected by the drug in these nephron segments. Acute gentamicin infusion significantly increased the urinary recovery of calcium following microinfusion into early distal tubules, whereas urinary calcium recovery was decreased after microinfusion into late distal tubules. We conclude that acute gentamicin-induced hypercalciuria is mediated by a decrease in calcium reabsorption in the early distal tubule. Thus, the acute hypercalciuric effect of gentamicin occurs at a different nephron site to the nephrotoxic effects associated with longer-term administration of the drug. It is, therefore, unlikely that gentamicin-induced hypercalciuria is involved in the pathogenesis of subsequent proximal tubular cell injury.     

Influence of captopril on renal hemodynamics and segmental tubular reabsorption of sodium in humans

Acute angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) have been found to induce natriuresis in humans as well as in experimental animals. However, the tubular sites involved have not been precisely evaluated in humans. Using both free-water and lithium clearance, the latter as a marker of proximal tubular reabsorption, we measured segmental tubular movement of sodium before and after acute captopril administration in eight healthy normotensive volunteers on normal sodium diet. Captopril decreased slightly but significantly glomerular filtration rate (GFR), filtration fraction, and mean arterial pressure (MAP), whereas renal plasma flow (RPF) was unchanged. Captopril acutely increased excretion rate and fractional excretion of sodium. When assessed by lithium clearance, both absolute and fractional proximal reabsorption of sodium and fractional distal reabsorption of sodium were found to be decreased by captopril. When assessed by free-water clearance, both fractional proximal and distal reabsorption of sodium were found to be decreased by captopril but only the decrease in fractional proximal reabsorption was significant. These results indicate that captopril-induced natriuretic effect is due to decreased sodium reabsorption in both proximal and distal sites of the nephron. Shifts in segmental tubular sodium reabsorption obtained from either free-water or lithium clearance are directionally similar but quantitatively different. Results obtained from lithium clearance indicate that the rate of fluid delivery to the diluting segment is at least twice as great as that estimated from free-water calculations. Lithium clearance techniques therefore appear to be more sensitive in detecting subtle changes in segmental tubular reabsorption.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

FILTRATION FAILURE INDUCED BY pAMINOPHENOL IN RATS IS DUE TO RAISED INTRATUBULAR PRESSURE AND NOT CHANGES IN GLOMERULAR FUNCTION

1. The p-aminophenol (pAP) model of tubular necrosis displays elevated tubular pressures equivalent to 'stop-flow', with low glomerular filtration rate (GFR) but maintained blood flow and urine output. Renal function, micropuncture, and morphological studies were performed in anaesthetized rats to examine the causes of filtration failure. 2. At the height of pAP-induced renal failure proximal tubular fluid reabsorption (Jv(a] was markedly reduced while proximal and distal free-flow rates measured by tubular fluid collections during venting of the nephron were not significantly different from saline-injected controls. Renal blood flow was maintained over the 4 h observation period despite extensive and selective proximal tubular necrosis. There was no temporal relationship between increased tubular pressure and cast formation. 3. Maintained blood and tubular fluid flow rates indicate that activation of tubuloglomerular feedback plays little or no part in pAP-induced renal failure, which is apparently due to high fluid flow resistance in the region of the connecting tubule, late distal convolution or collecting ducts. Morphological appearances were consistent with compression of these segments.     

Site of action of moxonidine in the rat nephron

Moxonidine is a centrally acting antihypertensive agent which has been found to exert its blood pressure lowering effect by interaction with (alpha2-adrenoceptors and imidazoline receptors of the I(1)-type. These receptors have also been demonstrated to be present in the rat kidney. In the present study, clearance and micropuncture techniques were applied to anaesthetized rats to localize the site of action of moxonidine within the nephron. The clearance data show that moxonidine (0.25 mg/kg i.v., followed by a continuous i.v. infusion of 0.25 mg/h) induced a marked increase in urine flow and urinary excretion of sodium, chloride and potassium. The changes in urine flow and urinary solute excretion were accompanied by an enhanced glomerular filtration rate. The micropuncture experiments revealed that moxonidine significantly increased glomerular filtration rate of superficial nephrons, and significantly inhibited fractional reabsorption of fluid, sodium, potassium and chloride by similar amounts (by 9.0%-9.8%) in superficial proximal tubules. Regarding fluid and sodium reabsorption, the proximal effect of moxonidine was continuously weakened by a compensatory increase of reabsorption in the loop of Henle and the subsequent distal nephron segments. The inhibitory effect of moxonidine on fractional proximal potassium reabsorption was completely compensated in the loop of Henle, but the drug induced a net secretion of potassium into the segments lying beyond the early distal tubule, probably as a consequence of the increased tubule fluid and sodium load delivered to them. The experiments have identified the proximal tubule as the principal nephron site where the diuretic action of moxonidine arises. The proximal effect may be related to the increased glomerular filtration rate and to a direct inhibitory interaction of moxonidine with the proximal Na+/H+ exchanger.     

Modulation by locally produced luminal angiotensin II of proximal tubular sodium reabsorption via an AT1 receptor.

The concentration of angiotensin II reported in proximal tubular fluid in anaesthetized rats is considerably higher than in plasma, indicating secretion of this peptide into the tubular lumen. Shrinking split-drop micropuncture was used to examine the effect of endogenous angiotensin on sodium and water absorption in the proximal convoluted tubule. Addition of losartan, a nonpeptide AT1 receptor blocker, to intratubular fluid increased fluid uptake by 15.7 +/- 3.9% (10(-5) M) and 24.7 +/- 9.4% (10(-4) M) whereas the AT2 inhibitor, PD123319 had no effect. We conclude that angiotensin II is secreted into proximal tubular fluid and, in the anaesthetized rat, is maintained at a concentration that inhibits sodium and water transport via AT1 receptors.     

Renal sodium handling for body fluid maintenance and blood pressure regulation

Renal sodium handling is an essential physiologic function in mammal for body fluid maintenance and blood pressure regulation. Recent advances in molecular biology have led to the identification of kidney-specific sodium transporters in the renal tubule, thereby supplying vast information for renal physiology as well as systemic physiology. Renal urinary concentration for body fluid maintenance is accomplished by counter current multiplication in the distal tubule. Sodium transport in the thick ascending limb of Henle (TAL) is the initial process of this system. We have demonstrated that renal urinary concentration is regulated in part by the expression of the Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) co-transporter (BSC1) in TAL, by showing two mechanisms of BSC1 expression: pitressin vasopressin (AVP)-dependent and AVP-independent mechanisms. Two additional findings, namely, a lack of the ability to increase BSC1 expression leads to urinary concentrating defect and an enhanced BSC1 expression underlies the edema-forming condition, confirm the close association between sodium handling in TAL and body fluid accumulation. The lines of evidence from our genetic studies of the general Japanese population suggest the importance of mendelian hypertension genes in the genetic investigation of essential hypertension. Because those genes directly or indirectly regulate sodium transport by the Na-Cl co-transporter or the epithelial sodium channel in the distal convoluted tubule to the collecting duct (distal tubular segments after TAL), sodium handling in this part of the renal tubule may be, at least in part, involved in blood pressure regulation. The unveiling of such physiologic roles of sodium handling based on the sodium transporters or on the tubular segments may lead to a better understanding of systemic physiology as well as to the development of novel therapy for body fluid or blood pressure disorders.     

Regulation of renal tubular sodium transport by angiotensin II and atrial natriuretic factor

1. The effects of angiotensin II (AngII) on water and electrolyte transport are biphasic and dose-dependent, such that low concentrations (10(-12) to 10(-9) mol/L) stimulate reabsorption and high concentrations (10(-7) to 10(-6) mol/L) inhibit reabsorption. Similar dose-response relationships have been obtained for luminal and peritubular addition of AngII. 2. The cellular responses to AngII are mediated via AT(1) receptors coupled via G-regulatory proteins to several possible signal transduction pathways. These include the inhibition of adenylyl cyclase, activation of phospholipases A(2), C or D and Ca(2+) release in response to inositol-1,4,5,-triphosphate or following Ca(2+) channel opening induced by the arachidonic acid metabolite 5,6,-epoxy-eicosatrienoic acid. In the brush border membrane, transduction of the AngII signal involves phospholipase A(2), but does not require second messengers. 3. Angiotensin II affects transepithelial sodium transport by modulation of Na(+) /H(+) exchange at the luminal membrane and Na(+)/HCO(3) cotransport, Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity and K(+) conductance at the basolateral membrane. 4. Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) does not appear to affect proximal tubular sodium transport directly, but acts via specific receptors on the basolateral and brush border membranes to raise intracellular cGMP levels and inhibit AngII-stimulated transport. 5. It is concluded that there is a receptor-mediated action of ANF on proximal tubule reabsorption acting via elevation of cGMP to inhibit AngII-stimulated sodium transport. This effect is exerted by peptides delivered at both luminal and peritubular sides of the epithelium and provides a basis for the modulation by ANF of proximal glomerulotubular balance. The evidence reviewed supports the concept that in the proximal tubule, AngII and ANF act antagonistically in their roles as regulators of extracellular fluid volume.     

Effects of glycine on glomerular filtration rate and segmental tubular handling of sodium in conscious rats

1. Infusion of the amino acid glycine leads to an increase in effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by a mechanism that possibly involves stimulation of nitric oxide (NO). Because NO also increases proximal tubular fluid output (Vprox) by inhibition of proximal tubular Na+ reabsorption and modulation of the tubuloglomerular feedback system, we hypothesized that glycine would increase Vprox as measured by lithium clearance (CLi). 2. In the first series of experiments, the effect of glycine infusion (4 mg/min) was examined in conscious, unstressed, chronically catheterized rats. In an additional series of experiments, the effect of glycine was examined under similar conditions in rats pretreated with a NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor (NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), 2.5 microg/min). 3. Glycine significantly increased ERPF (from 3268 to 4018 microL/min per 100 g bodyweight (BW)), GFR (from 874 to 1009 microL/min per 100 g BW), CLi (from 275 to 461 microL/min per 100 g BW) and Na+ clearance (CNa; from 2.9 to 14.0 microL/min per 100 g BW). Fractional excretion of lithium (FELi; from 32 to 46%) and CNa/CLi (from 0.99 to 2.99%) also rose, indicating inhibition of proximal and distal nephron Na+ reabsorption, respectively. In the rats pretreated with L-NAME, similar haemodynamic and tubular responses to glycine infusion were seen, suggesting that the effects were not mediated by NO. 4. We conclude, that glycine increases ERPF and GFR and it also inhibits proximal and distal nephron Na+ reabsorption leading to an increase in CLi and CNa. There was no indication that any of these effects were mediated by NO.