Expression of type II cGMP-dependent protein kinase in rat kidney is regulated by dehydration and correlated with renin gene expression.

cGMP-based regulatory systems are vital for counteracting the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) which promotes volume expansion and high blood pressure. Natriuretic peptides and nitric oxide acting through their second messenger cGMP normally increase natriuresis and diuresis, and regulate renin release; however, the severe pathological state of cardiac heart failure is characterized by elevated levels of atrial natriuretic peptide that are no longer able to effectively oppose exaggerated RAS effects. There is presently limited information on the intracellular effectors of cGMP actions in the kidney. Recently we reported the cloning of the cDNA for type II cGMP-dependent protein kinase (cGK II), which is highly enriched in intestinal mucosa but was also detected for the first time in kidney. In the present study, cGK II was localized to juxtaglomerular (JG) cells, the ascending thin limb (ATL), and to a lesser extent the brush border of proximal tubules. An activator of renin gene expression, the angiotensin II type I receptor inhibitor, losartan, increased cGK II mRNA and protein three to fourfold in JG cells. In other experiments, water deprivation increased cGK II mRNA and protein three to fourfold in the inner medulla where both cGK II, and a kidney specific CI- channel shown by others to be regulated by dehydration, are localized in the ATL. Whereas additional data suggest that cGK I may primarily mediate cGMP-related changes in renal hemodynamics, cGK II may regulate renin release and ATL ion transport.     

Kidney renin gene expression after renin inhibition in the marmoset.

1. The effects of renin inhibitor ES-8891 on renin synthesis and its secretion by the kidney were investigated in normotensive sodium-depleted marmosets. We measured plasma renin activity, plasma immunoreactive renin concentration, plasma angiotensin II concentration and kidney renin mRNA content after oral administration of ES-8891 (60 mg day-1 kg-1) for 1 week. 2. The mean blood pressure was significantly decreased (P less than 0.01) on day 7 after oral administration of ES-8891. There was no significant change in heart rate during the administration. 3. Oral administration of ES-8891 for 1 week markedly decreased the plasma renin activity, the plasma immunoreactive renin concentration and the plasma angiotensin II concentration (to 18%, 41% and 24% of the corresponding control values; P less than 0.05 for each, n = 5). 4. The kidney renin mRNA content in ES-8891-treated marmosets was significantly lower than that in normal controls (4.2 +/- 3.5 versus 12.8 +/- 5.5 pg/micrograms of total RNA, means +/- SD, P less than 0.05, n = 5). 5. Oral administration of the renin inhibitor ES-8891 for 1 week not only inhibited plasma renin activity but also decreased renin synthesis and its secretion by the kidney.     

Unusual cause of ureteral obstruction in transplant kidney

Ultrasound and computed tomographic images are described in a patient who underwent renal transplantation and presented with hydronephrosis and partial ureteral obstruction secondary to herniation of the transplant ureter into a left inguinal hernia. To our knowledge, this is the first report of herniation of a transplanted ureter in the inguinal canal resulting in or exacerbating ureteral obstruction.     

氯沙坦对梗阻性肾病大鼠肾间质固有细胞的作用

目的研究氯沙坦对梗阻性肾病大鼠肾间质固有细胞的作用,寻找可能的临床抑制肾间质纤维化的方法。方法采用单侧输尿管结扎(UUO)模型,治疗组于造模当日至造模后14天给予科素亚[16mg(kg·d)]灌胃,另设假手术组及手术组作为对照。应用免疫组织化学方法检测肾间质TGF-β的表达,组化双染色观察α-SMA、E-钙粘素的表达。激光共聚焦显微镜观察间质小管区α-SMA表达。结果手术组两周时出现近端肾小管区TGF-β表达明显增高(P<0．01),伴α-SMA表达增高(P<0．01),E-钙粘素表达下降(P<0．05),部分肾小管细胞中可见α-SMA及E-钙粘素同时表达;治疗组与手术组相比TGF-β、α-SMA的表达明显下降(P<0．05),而E-钙粘素的表达上调(P<0．05)。共聚焦显微镜下见部分小管基底膜损伤,上皮细胞表达α-SMA。结论氯沙坦可通过抑制肾间质固有细胞转分化过程的进展,从而对肾间质纤维化具有治疗作用。     

Effect of dietary protein on rat renin and angiotensinogen gene expression.

Plasma renin activity varies with the level of dietary protein, being higher on a high protein diet. To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying this relationship we first examined the effect of dietary protein on renin and angiotensinogen gene expression at the level of steady state mRNA in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Renal renin mRNA was higher on a 50% (high) compared to a 6% (low) protein diet both 3 d (9.4 +/- 1.1 vs. 5.3 +/- 0.4 pg/micrograms of total RNA; P less than 0.02) and 21 d (6.8 +/- 1.0 vs. 3.5 +/- 0.4 pg/micrograms of total RNA; P less than 0.02) after dietary change. No change occurred in either renal or liver angiotensinogen mRNA. When three levels of dietary protein were examined, renal renin mRNA was elevated on a 50% and lowered on a 6% protein diet compared to a more standard 20% protein diet. Kidney weights and renal protein, RNA, and RNA/DNA increased with the level of dietary protein reflecting protein-induced renal hypertrophy. Uninephrectomy resulted in no change in renin mRNA compared to sham operation (3.7 +/- 0.1 vs. 3.4 +/- 0.1 pg/micrograms RNA; P = NS) despite renal growth in the uninephrectomy group implicating dietary protein and not hypertrophy as the major factor for stimulating renin mRNA. In conclusion, the level of dietary protein is a novel and specific stimulus for changes in renal renin mRNA. The increased plasma renin activity on a high protein diet is due at least in part to increased renin synthesis.     

3.0TBOLDMR技术对大鼠急性单侧输尿管梗阻肾损害的研究

目的探讨3.0T血氧水平依赖功能MRI（fMRI-BOLD）技术对急性单侧输尿管梗阻大鼠肾血氧水平改变的评估。材料与方法 16只健康SD大鼠,其中3只死亡出组,13只入组大鼠分别在结扎单侧输尿管前、结扎后1h及解除结扎后1h进行常规MR轴位T2WI及冠状位BOLD扫描。观察T2WI像上不同组别间双肾皮髓质信号及解剖结构改变,分别进行信噪比对比分析;在ADW4.4工作站进行BOLD图像重建,测量三次扫描双肾皮髓质R2＊值,分别进行R2＊值的对比分析。根据患侧肾盂扩张率不同,将其分为重度梗阻与轻度梗阻,并将其与R2＊变化率进行对比分析;根据解除组患侧肾盂恢复率不同,将其分为缓解组与未缓解组,并分析其与梗阻程度及R2＊变化率的关系。结果 T2WI像上梗阻前大鼠双肾皮质、髓质信噪比分别一致,双肾解剖结构清晰显示;梗阻后大鼠患侧肾实质信噪比均较梗阻前明显增高,皮、髓质分界欠清,肾盂均有不同程度扩张;解除组患侧肾实质信噪比高于梗阻前组,低于梗阻后组,皮髓质分界清晰,肾盂扩张不同程度恢复,健侧肾较梗阻前均未见明显变化。梗阻前组大鼠左、右肾髓质R2＊值均高于相应肾皮质;左肾与右肾皮质、髓质R2＊值无统计学差异。梗阻后组患肾髓质R2＊值低于梗阻前组髓质R2＊值,患侧肾皮质R2＊值与梗阻前组无差异;健侧肾皮质R2＊值略低于梗阻前组,髓质R2＊值略高于梗阻前组。解除组患肾髓质R2＊值低于梗阻前组,高于梗阻后组,患侧皮质R2＊值与梗阻前、后组皮质R2＊值无统计学差异;解除组健侧肾皮质R2＊值略低于梗阻后组,髓质R2＊值略高于梗阻后组。轻度梗阻R2＊变化率低于重度梗阻。缓解组的梗阻程度及R2＊变化率均低于未缓解组。结论 3.0TfMRI-BOLD技术通过测量R2＊值能反映肾脏皮、髓质在正常情况下及急性单侧输尿管梗阻时氧代谢的变化。     

虫草肾茶颗粒对单侧输尿管结扎大鼠肾间质纤维化模型CTGFmRNA的影响

目的观察虫草肾茶颗粒对单侧输尿管结扎致肾间质纤维化模型大鼠肾组织CTGFmRNA的影响。方法将60只雄性wistar大鼠随机分为五组,分别为假手术组、模型组、中药对照组、西药对照组、治疗组,每组12只。采用单侧输尿管结扎法制作肾间质纤维化模型,治疗组给予虫草肾茶为4ml.d-1.只-1;西药对照组给予福辛普利为1.5ml.d-1.只-1的水溶液;中药对照组给予肾衰宁胶囊4ml.d-1.只-1,1次/d给药;假手术组及模型组给予相同体积的生理盐水灌胃,1次/d。实验期间每周称一次体重,并观察大鼠生存状况。于第6周末处死大鼠,留取肾组织,应用realtime-PCR检测各组肾组织CTGFmRNA的表达。结果治疗组大鼠肾组织CTGFmRNA的表达与模型组相比明显下调。结论虫草肾茶颗粒可以部分抑制CTGF在单侧输尿管结扎大鼠肾组织的表达。     

Renin and renin mRNA in proximal tubules of the rat kidney.

The present study was undertaken to assess the presence of renin enzymatic activity and renin mRNA in proximal tubules of rat kidneys, and to determine the effect of converting enzyme inhibition (CEI) on proximal tubule renin gene expression. Proximal convoluted tubules (PCT), proximal straight tubules (PST), outer medullary collecting ducts (OMCD), and glomeruli (Gloms) were isolated by microdissection. Renin activity was measured in sonicated segments by radioimmunoassay. Renin mRNA levels were assessed using a quantitative PCR. Renin activity in PCT averaged 51 +/- 15 microGU/mm compared to 405 +/- 120 microGU/glomerulus. No measurable renin activity was found in PST and OMCD. Renin activity in both glomeruli and tubules had the same pH optimum, between 7.0 and 7.5. Renin mRNA was consistently detectable in cDNA prepared from PCT and PST, although its abundance per mm tubule was about 1/500th that found in one glomerulus. Renin mRNA was not detectable in OMCD. Tubular renin PCR product identity was confirmed by restriction digestion. CEI administration increased glomerular renin activity and renin mRNA, but not proximal tubular renin. The absence of a stimulatory effect of CEI on proximal tubule renin gene expression suggests the operation of different intracellular signals in control of renin synthesis in the proximal tubule than in the vascular compartment.     

Influence of renin depletion on renal function after release of 24-hour ureteral obstruction.

A marked increase in preglomerular resistance mediated through the renin-angiotensin system has been proposed as the mechanism for the sustained decrease in glomerular filtration rate seen following release of 24-hour ureteral obstruction. The importance of the renin-angiotensin system in mediating this response was evaluated by determining whole kidney and single nephron function following release of 24-hour ureteral obstruction in rats with normal renal renin content and in rats depleted of renal renin by desoxycorticosterone acetate acetate (DOCA) and saline treatment. The DOCA and saline treatment was effective in reducing renal renin content to less than 10% of the normal values. However, when compared to nonobstructed kidneys, both whole kidney filtration rate and single nephron filtration rate were similarly and significantly reduced in both groups following release of 24-hour ureteral obstruction. Single nephron stopflow techniques were used to determine the net hydrostatic force for filtration. The net hydrostatic force for filtration in control nonobstructed nephrons averaged 37.8 +/- 1.1 mm. Hg, but was significantly decreased to 22.5 +/- 2.2 mm. Hg in the normal renin obstructed kidney and to 18.8 +/- 1.0 mm. Hg in the renin-depleted obstructed kidney. It is concluded that the marked depression in glomerular filtration rate seen following release of 24-hour ureteral obstruction is due to increased afferent arteriole resistance and that the renin-angiotensin system is apparently not important in mediating the response.     

Inhibition of renin secretion in the isolated rat kidney by antidiuretic hormone.

1. The effect of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) on isoprenaline-stimulated renin secretion was examined in the isolated rat kidney perfused with modified Krebs-Ringer saline. 2. Intrarenal infusion OF ADH effectively prevented stimulation of renin secretion by isoprenaline whilst increasing renal perfusion pressure. 3. The exclusion of calcium ions from the perfusion medium abolished the vasoconstrictor effect of ADH and attenuated the inhibitory effect of ADH on isoprenaline-stimulated renin secretion. However, significant suppression of renin secretion was still apparent compared with experiments where isoprenaline was infused alone. 4. These observations indicate that ADH inhibits renin secretion and that this is effected by a direct action on the kidney. Although this may be partly mediated by the rise in renal perfusion pressure, an additional direct effect of ADH on the renin-producing cell, which is dependent on the availability of calcium ions, is proposed.     

Direct action of rat urinary kallikrein on rat kidney to release renin.

To study the effect of kallikrein on renal renin release, we superfused rat renal cortical slices with 3.5 to 140 milliesterase units (mEU)/ml of purified rat urinary kallikrein. Kallikrein was a potent stimulus of renin release. Renin rose in a dose-dependent fashion from 70 mEU/ml to 140 mEU/ml. The response to 140 mEU/ml was greater than that seen with maximal doses of prostaglandin E2 (170 +/- 43%, P < 0.05) and at least the same as isoproterenol (242 +/- 49% increase), or dibutyryl cyclic AMP (272 +/- 40%). Trypsin was ineffective under these experimental conditions. Kallikrein-stimulated renin release was completely abolished by trasylol, whereas bradykinin did not increase renin production, indicating that kallikrein's effect is not mediated via kinin generation. There was no demonstrable acid activation or kallikrein activation of the superfusate and chromatography on Sephacryl S-200 revealed a single renin peak of -40,000 mol wt, suggesting that all of the renin release was in the active form. The data suggests that urinary kallikrein acts directly on the rat kidney to release renin, possibly via proteolytic conversion of prorenin to active renin. Our results support the concept that kallikrein may be an endogenous activator of prorenin in the kidney.     

Evidence that 'inactive' renin is produced outside the kidney of the rat.

1. Inactive renin, which can be converted into an active form by acidification to pH 3-3, represents 4-63% of the total renin in rat peripheral plasma. 2. No inactive component could be found in the blood-free venous effluent of the perfused rat kidney before and after stimulation with isoprenaline. 3. This suggests a possible extrarenal source for inactive renin and may explain the presence of this component in anephric patients.     

Deep nephron function after release of acute unilateral ureteral obstruction in the young rat.

The effects of acute unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) of 18 h duration on deep nephron function was evaluated in 14 weanling rats with the technique of micropuncture. After release of UUO, 3.4 +/- 0.66% (SE) of the filtered water remained at the tip of the collecting duct nearly fivefold greater than in controls (0.75 +/- 0.10%). Similar differences were seen in fractional sodium that remained at this site. The ratio of tubular fluid osmolality to that of plasma was also reduced in the UUO group (1.53 +/- 0.06 vs. 4.60 +/- 0.26 in controls, P less than 0.001). Single nephron glomerular filtration rate of cortical and deep nephrons was significantly less (P less than 0.001) after release of UUO. Although the percentage of filtering nephrons was significantly reduced in both nephron populations, the decline in glomerular filtration rate was greater in cortical than in juxtamedullary nephrons (cortical:juxtamedullary nephrons = 27.6 +/- 4.5% vs. 53.3 +/- 5.2% in controls, P less than 0.005) which suggests that single nephron glomerular filtration rate is redistributed to deep nephrons after release of UUO. In contrast to cortical nephrons, the amount of tubular fluid which remains near the bend of the loop of Henle of deep nephrons was greater after release of UUO. This appeared to be the result of a decrease in the reabsorption of both water (tubular fluid:plasma inulin = 2.41 +/- 0.16 vs. 7.94 +/- 0.69 in controls, P less than 0.001) and sodium (52.3 +/- 4% vs. 40.7 +/- 2.9% of the filtered sodium in controls, P less than 0.02). It is suggested that this altered reabsorption occurs along both the proximal tubule and descending limb of the loop of Henle of juxtamedullary nephrons. Inner medullary plasma flow (IMPF), as measured with the [125I]albumin-accumulation technique, was significantly depressed before release of UUO, but exceeded control values 90 min postrelease. Such changes imply that the filtration fraction of deep nephrons is decreased and that physical factors in the proximal tubular reabsorption of sodium have been altered. When papillary solute content was measured before release of UUO it was low (428 +/- 23 vs. 1,205 +/- 106 mosmol/kg in controls, P less than 0.001) which indicates that the decline in papillary osmolality is not a consequence of the increased IMPF seen after ureteral release, but rather precedes it. In fact, the decline in papillary osmolality may contribute to the increase in IMPF after release of UUO and to the decreased reabsorption of fluid along the descending limb of the loop of Henle.     

Renal vein renin in essential hypertension.

A frequency distribution curve and interval percentages of variations in right versus left renal vein renin (RVR) were calculated from 227 sets of renin data from patients with mild and moderate essential hypertension (EH). A renal vein renin ratio (RVRR), large/small, of approximately 2.0 or more falls beyond the 95 per cent confidence interval, and may therefore by considered to be abnormal. Although assay variability and sampling errors may contribute to artifactually large RVRR's in EH, they usually indicate true disparity, probably secondary to asymmetrical nephrosclerosis. Recent hypotheses regarding diagnostic value of RVR in hypertension are evaluated in light of data yielded by this investigation. Simultaneous and/or replicate sampling should reduced within-patient variability and improve clinical interpretation of test results.     

Anatomical and developmental patterns of facilitative glucose transporter gene expression in the rat kidney.

In situ hybridization was used to map cellular patterns of gene expression for facilitative glucose transporters (GTs) 1-5 in the developing and adult rat kidney. GT3 was not detected. GT1 mRNA was present in the proximal straight tubule (PST), distal nephron and collecting duct. GT2 mRNA was localized in both proximal convoluted and PST, while GT5 mRNA was detected only in the PST. GT4 mRNA and immunoreactivity were focally localized in the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop and were coexpressed with IGF-I. Thus, each of the four different isoforms demonstrated a distinct renal distribution, with GTs 1, 2, and 5 coexpressed in the PST. Renal GT1 and GT5 gene expression were unchanged throughout development, while GT2 was most abundant before weaning and GT4 was first detected after weaning. Only GT4 appeared to be hormonally regulated: It was decreased after hypophysectomy and increased after vasopressin treatment, but was not affected by 1 or 4 d of insulinopenic diabetes mellitus. The coexpression of GT4 and IGF-I in the thick ascending limb segment of the nephron suggests a novel autocrine/paracrine mechanism by which cells may control local fuel economy independently from that of the larger structure to which they belong and from the systemic hormonal milieu.     

Role of the renal nerves in modulating renin release during pressure reduction at the feline kidney

Experiments were undertaken in pentobarbitone-anaesthetized cats to determine how reflex activation of the renal nerves altered the responsiveness of the kidney to release renin during reductions in renal perfusion pressure. Reflex activation of the renal nerves was achieved by reducing carotid sinus perfusion pressure by 30 mmHg, which increased systemic blood pressure. During this period renal perfusion pressure was regulated at control levels and neither renal blood flow nor glomerular filtration rate changed, but there was a significant decrease in sodium excretion and increase in renin secretion. Renal denervation abolished both these latter responses. Renal perfusion pressure reduction, by 25-30 mmHg, had no effect on renal blood flow or glomerular filtration rate but significantly decreased sodium excretion and increased renin secretion. Simultaneous reduction of carotid sinus and renal perfusion pressures had no effect on renal blood flow or glomerular filtration rate, decreased sodium excretion, and the magnitude of the increase in renin secretion was significantly greater than that obtained with reduction in renal perfusion pressure alone. Renal denervation abolished the increase in renin secretion during these manoeuvres. During atenolol administration, renal haemodynamics and sodium excretion responses to renal pressure reduction were similar to those obtained in the absence of the drug. Renin secretion was increased, but significantly less than in the absence of atenolol. Simultaneous carotid sinus and renal pressure reductions during atenolol administration had no effect on renal haemodynamics, reduced sodium excretion and increased renin secretion, the magnitude of which was significantly greater than that recorded with only renal pressure reduction in the presence of atenolol. Direct electrical stimulation of the renal nerves, at frequencies which caused a 5-10% reduction in renal blood flow, did not change glomerular filtration rate, decreased sodium excretion by 30% and increased the rate of renin secretion twofold. In the presence of atenolol, such renal nerve stimulation reduced renal blood flow to the same degree, did not change filtration rate, decreased sodium excretion by 37% but did not change renin secretion. These results show that the magnitude of the release of renin in response to renal pressure reduction is dependent on activity within the renal nerves, being blunted after denervation, and enhanced during reflex activation of the renal nerves.     

On the site of decreased fluid reabsorption after release of ureteral obstruction in the rat.

Fluid reabsorption in surface nephrons was studied by micropuncture 3 hours after release of complete left ureteral ligation (LUL) or after unilateral release of bilateral ureteral ligation (BUL). In 11 rats with LUL, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) averaged 0.23 +/- 0.04 ml. per minute in the experimental vs. 1.25 +/- 0.11 ml. per minute in the control kidney. GFR averaged 0.18 +/- 0.02 ml. per minute in BUL. Single nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR) was decreased in the experimental kidney of LUL or BUL when determined at proximal or distal sites as compared to the SNGFR determined in shams or the left kidney following right ureteral ligation (RUL). Fractional water excretion was increased after release of obstruction. LUL 2.72 +/- 0.66 per cent; BUL 12.3 +/- 2.82 per cent when compared to sham-operated rats (0.48 +/- 0.07 per cent) or to the untouched kidneys of the RUL group (0.60 +/- 0.09 per cent). Despite increased water and sodium excretion after release of unilateral ureteral ligation and BUL there were marked differences in tubular fluid reabsorption between these two groups. Following release of LUL there was increased fractional water reabsorption along the accessible length of surface nephrons of the experimental kidney. At 55 per cent of proximal tubular length TF/Pin averaged 4.02 +/- 0.02 in LUL vs. 2.18 +/- 0.06 in shams. The mean TF/Pin at 90 per cent of distal tubular length was 31.0 +/- 1.37 in LUL vs. 10.6 +/- 0.08 in sham-operated rats. In contrast, water reabsorption after BUL was slightly but significantly suppressed proximally (TF/Pin 1.95 +/- 0.02) and markedly depressed distally (TF/Pin 3.35 +/- 0.29). These results suggest that the change in fluid reabsorption observed after relief of LUL is located at a site beyond the accessible length of surface nephrons, most likely in the collecting duct. However, the data could also be explained by alterations in fluid reabsorption in deep nephrons. The changes in fluid reabsorption seen following release of BUL reflect the additive effects of release of obstruction and a marked reduction in functioning nephron mass.     

Deficiency in 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase activity after unilateral ureteral obstruction of the dog kidney

In the present study, metabolism of prostaglandins (PGs) by 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-OH PGDH) was investigated in dog kidneys with ureteral obstruction. After 24 hr of ureteral obstruction, the obstructed kidney and the contralateral kidney were removed and the cytosolic fractions (105,000 X g), enriched in 15-OH PGDH, were prepared from the cortex and medulla. 15-OH PGDH activity was estimated by radiometric assays of the metabolism of [3H]PGE2 and [3H]prostacyclin. Cortical 15-OH PGDH activity decreased by greater than 50% in the ureter-obstructed kidney as compared to the contralateral kidney. Similar results were obtained by estimating the stereo-specific release of tritium from position 15 using 15-[3H]PGF2 alpha as substrate. In contrast to the cortex, there were no differences in 15-OH PGDH activity found in the medulla of the obstructed and contralateral kidneys. Because the cortex contains higher levels of 15-OH PGDH activity, the deficiency in that site may contribute to the elevated levels of PGs in renal venous blood during ureteral obstruction.