Glucocorticoids downregulate the vasopressin-regulated urea transporter in rat terminal inner medullary collecting ducts.

This study tested whether glucocorticoids regulate tubular urea transport. Urea permeability was measured in perfused inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) subsegments from rats that underwent adrenalectomy, adrenalectomy plus replacement with a physiologic dose of glucocorticoid (dexamethasone), or sham operation. Compared with sham rats, basal urea permeability in terminal IMCD was significantly increased in adrenalectomized rats and reduced in dexamethasone-treated rats. Vasopressin significantly increased urea permeability in all three groups. In contrast, there was no difference in basal or vasopressin-stimulated urea permeability in initial IMCD between the three groups. Next, membrane and vesicle fraction proteins were isolated from inner medullary tip or base and Western analysis was performed by use of an antibody to the rat vasopressin-regulated urea transporter. Vasopressin-regulated urea transporter protein was significantly increased in both membrane and vesicle fractions from the inner medullary tip of adrenalectomized rats. There was no change in vasopressin-regulated urea transporter protein in the inner medullary base, and Northern analysis showed no change in urea transporter mRNA abundance in either inner medullary region. It was concluded that glucocorticoids can downregulate function and expression of the vasopressin-regulated urea transporter in rat terminal IMCD.     

Aldosterone plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of thrombotic microangiopathy in SHRSP

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and aldosterone receptor antagonists ameliorate malignant nephrosclerotic lesions of thrombotic microangiopathy in salt-loaded, stroke-prone, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) without controlling hypertension. This suggests that angiotensin II (Ang II) and/or aldosterone (ALDO) plays a critical role in renal injury in this model. For evaluating their relative roles in the pathogenesis of thrombotic microangiopathy, SHRSP were adrenalectomized and infused with vehicle, Ang II, or ALDO or were sham-operated for adrenalectomy (SHAM). Saline-drinking rats were assigned to one of four groups: SHAM, adrenalectomy, adrenalectomy + Ang II (25 ng/min, subcutaneously), or adrenalectomy + ALDO (40 micro g/kg per d, subcutaneously). All SHRSP received dexamethasone (12 micro g/kg per d, subcutaneously). Adrenalectomy did not show changes in body weight, plasma creatinine, sodium and potassium, and daily urinary sodium and potassium excretion; did not prevent hypertension but prevented proteinuria (12 +/- 1 versus 49 +/- 3 mg/d; P < 0.01); and abrogated thrombotic microangiopathy and decreased plasma aldosterone (<16 versus 710 +/- 91 pg/ml; P < 0.001) compared with SHAM. Systolic BP in adrenalectomy + Ang II and adrenalectomy + ALDO (238 +/- 8 and 241 +/- 9 mmHg, respectively) was similar to SHAM. Despite Ang II infusion, proteinuria (17 +/- 9 mg/d) and thrombotic microangiopathy and plasma aldosterone (18 +/- 18 pg/ml) remained low but daily urinary excretion of sodium and potassium were not different from adrenalectomy + ALDO. Adrenalectomy + ALDO showed plasma aldosterone levels of 735 +/- 147 pg/ml; plasma potassium was lower; plasma creatinine and proteinuria (78 +/- 7 mg/d) were greater and thrombotic microangiopathy lesions were comparable to SHAM. These results demonstrate a pivotal role for aldosterone in the development of thrombotic microangiopathy, independent of hypertension.     

Molecular mechanisms of impaired urinary concentrating ability in glucocorticoid-deficient rats

The purpose of this study was to examine urinary concentrating ability and protein expression of renal aquaporins and ion transporters in glucocorticoid-deficient (GD) rats in response to water deprivation as compared with control rats. Rats underwent bilateral adrenalectomies, followed only by aldosterone replacement (GD) or both aldosterone and dexamethasone replacement (control). As compared with control rats, the GD rats demonstrated a decrease in cardiac output and mean arterial pressure. In response to 36-h water deprivation, GD rats demonstrated significantly greater urine flow rate and decreased urine osmolality as compared with control rats at comparable serum osmolality and plasma vasopressin concentrations. The initiator of the countercurrent concentrating mechanism, the sodium-potassium-2 chloride co-transporter, was significantly decreased, as was the medullary osmolality in the GD rats versus control rats. There was also a decrease in inner medulla aquaporin-2 (AQP2) and urea transporter A1 (UT-A1) in GD rats as compared with control rats. There was a decrease in outer medulla Gsalpha protein, an important factor in vasopressin-mediated regulation of AQP2. Immunohistochemistry studies confirmed the decreased expression of AQP2 and UT-A1 in kidneys of GD rats as compared with control. In summary, impairment in the urinary concentrating mechanism was documented in GD rats in association with impaired countercurrent multiplication, diminished osmotic equilibration via AQP2, and diminished urea equilibration via UT-A1. These events occurred primarily in the relatively oxygen-deficient medulla and may have been initiated, at least in part, by the decrease in mean arterial pressure and thus renal perfusion pressure in this area of the kidney.     

肾上腺切除对5/6肾切除大鼠肾脏的保护作用

目的通过切除5／6肾切除大鼠的肾上腺,探讨醛固酮对慢性肾脏疾病发生及发展的作用。方法雄性Wister大鼠分成5组:(1)假手术组(SHAM组);(2)5／6肾切除组(SNX组); (3)SNX+双肾上腺切除组(ADX组);(4)ADX+地塞米松组(DXM组);(5)ADX+地塞米松+醛固酮组(ALDO组)。所有大鼠自由饮用生理盐水,于成模第8周测定大鼠收缩压、各项血尿指标及肾小球硬化程度。应用Western印迹和实时定量PCR检测大鼠肾皮质TGF-β1、醛固酮受体 (MR)及保护MR的酶11β-羟类固醇脱氢酶2(11β-HSD2)的mRNA表达水平。结果 SNX组大鼠表现为明显的白蛋白尿、高血压、肾小球硬化、肾皮质TGF-β1表达升高,血醛固酮水平是 SHAM组的4倍以上。与SNX组比较,ADX组大鼠血浆醛固酮水平明显下降,同时病变明显改善 [尿白蛋白(mg／24 h)19．7±2．0比31．7±1．7,P<0．01;收缩压(mmHg)173．8±4．3比210．4±4．1,P <0．01;肾小球硬化指数38．2±7．9比92．3±6．7,P<0．01;TGF-β1 3．8±0．6比10．3±1．2,P< 0．01]。ALDO组的血浆醛固酮水平为SHAM组的近2倍,与ADX组比较,以上病变又加重[尿白蛋白(mg／24 h)24．9±1．4,收缩压(mmHg)201．5±4．5,肾小球硬化指数88．1±7．2,TGF-β1 5．8± 0．6,P均<0．01]。肾脏皮质MR mRNA在SNX组的表达明显增加;在ADX组明显下降[SNX(复制数／百万GAPDH)39866．7±10579．0比SHAM 2366．7±446．3,P<0．05;比ADX 22100．0±4435．7, P<0．05]。然而,11β-HSD2 mRNA表达和MR相反,SNX组为9150．0±969．9,明显低于SHAM组 (48100．0±9315．2,P<0．05);而ADX组的表达比SNX组显著升高(30066．7±5150．2,P<0．05)。 4个实验组大鼠肾脏Ccr和肾重／体重无显著性差别。结论醛固酮参与慢性肾脏病变的进展, 其对肾小球损伤的作用除血流动力学效应外,还可能存在非血流动力学的直接致纤维化作用。     

Down-regulation of urea transporters in the renal inner medulla of lithium-fed rats

BACKGROUND: Lithium is commonly used to treat bipolar psychiatric disorders but can cause reduced urine concentrating ability. METHODS: To test whether lithium alters UT-A1 or UT-B urea transporter protein abundance or UT-A1 phosphorylation, rats were fed a standard diet supplemented with LiCl for 10 or 25 days, and then compared to pair-fed control rats. To investigate another potential mechanism for decreased urea transport, inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) suspensions from lithium-fed or control rats were incubated with 32P-orthophosphate to measure the phosphorylation of UT-A1. RESULTS: In lithium-fed rats (25 days), UT-A1 abundance was reduced to 50% of control rats in IM tip and to 25% in IM base, and UT-B abundance was reduced to 40% in IM base. Aquaporin-2 (AQP2) protein abundance was reduced in both IM regions. Vasopressin (100 pmol/L) increased UT-A1 phosphorylation in IMCD suspensions from control but not from lithium-fed rats; a higher vasopressin concentration (100 nmol/L) increased UT-A1 phosphorylation in control and lithium-fed rats. CONCLUSIONS: Decreases in UT-A1, UT-B, and AQP2 protein abundance, and/or vasopressin-stimulated phosphorylation of UT-A1, can contribute to the reduced urine concentrating ability that occurs in lithium-treated rats.     

Effects of aldosterone on the protein expressions and the urea transport activity of UT-A1 and UT-A3

Objective To investigate the effects of protein expressions and the urea transport activity of aldosterone on urea transporter A1 (UT-A1) and urea transporter A3 (UT-A3) in HEK293 cells and Xenopus laevis oocytes. Methods (1) Western Blot was used to investigate the protein expressions of UT-A1 and UT-A3. (2) Cell surface biotinylation was used to investigate the protein expressions of UT-A1 and UT-A3 on the cell surface of Xenopus laevis oocytes. (3) 14C-urea transport experiment was conducted to investigate the transport activity of UT-A1 and UT-A3 in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Results (1) Compared with UT-A1 or UT-A3 high expression groups, the total protein levels of UT-A1 and UT-A3 were all significantly reduced in aldosterone treatment groups (all P＜0.01). (2) Compared with UT-A1 or UT-A3 high expression groups, the levels of protein expression on cell surface were all significantly reduced in aldosterone groups (all P＜0.01). (3) Compared with UT-A1 or UT-A3 high expression groups, 14C-urea transport experiment results showed that aldosterone treatment groups had significantly reduced the urea transporter activity of UT-A1 (1 min: 94.32±9.044 vs 40.68±4.274, P＜0.01, n=6; 3 min: 165.0±4.7 vs 80.3±0.6, P＜0.01, n=6), and UT-A3 (1 min: 204.6±3.1 vs 176.7±9.1, P＜0.05, n=6; 3 min: 371.4±14.9 vs 318.8±12.0, P＜0.05, n=6). Conclusion Aldosterone can directly down-regulate the protein expressions of UT-A1 and UT-A3 in both total protein and cell surface level, which reduces their urea transport activity.     

The ability of the rat epididymis to concentrate spermatozoa. Responsiveness to aldosterone

Experiments have been performed to determine if aldosterone is involved in the control of water reabsorption from the epididymal lumen in vivo. Micropuncture samples of lumen content were collected from the epididymides of control rats and those receiving aldrenalectomy, adrenalectomy + 25 micrograms aldosterone/day, 10 mg spironolactone/kg body weight/day, 10 mg spironolactone + 1 mg testosterone/kg body weight/day, 5 mg desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)/day, 50 micrograms aldosterone/day, or 0.1 ml vehicle alone. The treatment period was three days. Seminal vesicles weights and testis weights were obtained. Sperm concentrations (SEM) in the caput, corpus, and cauda epididymidis of normal rats were 0.75 +/- 0.05, 1.24 +/- 0.13, and 1.99 +/- 0.15 x 10(9) sperm/ml, respectively. Both inhibition and removal of aldosterone caused significant reduction (P less than .01) of intraluminal sperm concentrations. Sham treatment had no effect. Sperm concentrations were normal in animals receiving aldrenalectomy plus aldosterone replacement. It is concluded that water resorption in the rat epididymis is responsive to aldosterone.     

大剂量螺内酯对自发性高血压大鼠肾脏纤维化的影响

目的 观察大剂量螺内酯对自发性高血压大鼠（SHR）肾脏纤维化的影响。 方法 8周龄的雄性SHR 24只随机分为低剂量和大剂量螺内酯干预组[分别为20和100 mg&#8226;kg-1&#8226;d-1螺内酯灌胃]和高血压对照组，同时设同源正常对照组京都大鼠（WKY）8只。干预8周，检测收缩压、尿蛋白、血白蛋白、钾、钠、Scr和肾组织及血浆醛固酮水平。肾组织切片分别行HE和Masson染色，以评价肾小球损伤及肾小球内胶原沉积情况。免疫组化SABC法检测肾组织TGF-β1和醛固酮受体蛋白表达。RT-PCR检测肾组织TGF-β1和醛固酮受体mRNA水平。 结果 与高血压组大鼠相比，低剂量螺内酯干预后，尿蛋白减少（P < 0.05），血白蛋白升高（P < 0.05），血浆和肾组织醛固酮水平降低，但差异无统计学意义；大剂量螺内酯干预后，血压没有显著改变，尿蛋白显著升高[（27.3±4.5）比（24.5±3.2） mg/d， P < 0.05]，血白蛋白显著减少[（20.2±4.2）比（22.7±3.5） g/L, P < 0.05]，血浆和肾组织醛固酮水平显著升高[肾组织（28.3±1.5）比（22.2±0.6） ng/g， P < 0.05]。与高血压组比较，低剂量螺内酯干预后，蛋白管型增多、管周炎性细胞浸润均减少（P < 0.05）；大剂量螺内酯干预后，蛋白管型、小管扩张加重，管周炎性细胞浸润明显增多（P < 0.05），肾小球内胶原形成亦明显增多（P < 0.05）。与高血压组大鼠比较，低剂量螺内酯干预后，肾组织醛固酮受体mRNA和蛋白表达均无显著改变，TGF-β1 mRNA和蛋白的表达显著减少（P < 0.05）；大剂量螺内酯干预后，肾组织醛固酮受体及TGF-β1 mRNA和蛋白的表达均显著升高(P < 0.05)。 结论 大剂量螺内酯可以加重高血压肾脏纤维化，可能是通过上调醛固酮及其受体表达实现的。     

Reduction of proteinuria by adrenalectomy and its restoration by glucocorticoids in rats bearing functioning pituitary tumor

Intense proteinuria in rats bearing a functioning pituitary tumor MtT SA5 was considered to be evoked by overproduction of albumin due to elevated serum growth hormone (GH). The present study revealed a striking reduction of proteinuria by bilateral adrenalectomy. Supplementation for about 6 weeks with glucocorticoids to adrenalectomized tumor-bearing rats again induced marked proteinuria, but supplementation with mineralocorticoids failed to augment proteinuria. An analysis of systemic blood pressure and renal blood flow did not yield any conclusive result. In spite of an assumption that glucocorticoids enhance GH production of the tumor based on the presence of glucocorticoid receptor in the tumor tissue, no difference was found in serum GH levels between glucocorticoid- and mineralocorticoid-supplemented adrenalectomized rats. The mechanism remains to be clarified, but modification of glomerular permeability or a change in glomerular hydraulic pressure by glucocorticoids might be considered.     

Vasopressin increases plasma membrane accumulation of urea transporter UT-A1 in rat inner medullary collecting ducts

Urea transport, mediated by the urea transporter A1 (UT-A1) and/or UT-A3, is important for the production of concentrated urine. Vasopressin rapidly increases urea transport in rat terminal inner medullary collecting ducts (IMCD). A previous study showed that one mechanism for rapid regulation of urea transport is a vasopressin-induced increase in UT-A1 phosphorylation. This study tests whether vasopressin or directly activating adenylyl cyclase with forskolin also increases UT-A1 accumulation in the plasma membrane of rat IMCD. Inner medullas were harvested from rats 45 min after injection with vasopressin or vehicle. UT-A1 abundance in the plasma membrane was significantly increased in the membrane fraction after differential centrifugation and in the biotinylated protein population. Vasopressin and forskolin each increased the amount of biotinylated UT-A1 in rat IMCD suspensions that were treated ex vivo. The observed changes in the plasma membrane are specific, as the amount of biotinylated UT-A1 but not the calcium-sensing receptor was increased by forskolin. Next, whether forskolin or the V(2)-selective agonist dDAVP would increase apical membrane expression of UT-A1 in MDCK cells that were stably transfected with UT-A1 (UT-A1-MDCK cells) was tested. Forskolin and dDAVP significantly increased UT-A1 abundance in the apical membrane in UT-A1-MDCK cells. It is concluded that vasopressin and forskolin increase UT-A1 accumulation in the plasma membrane in rat IMCD and in the apical plasma membrane of UT-A1-MDCK cells. These findings suggest that vasopressin regulates urea transport by increasing UT-A1 accumulation in the plasma membrane and/or UT-A1 phosphorylation.     

Effect of adrenalectomy on calcium metabolism in vitamin D-treated and rachitic rats

The effect of adrenalectomy on radiocalcium distribution in rachitic and vitamin D-treated rats was studied. Adrenalectomy resulted in an increased deposition of radiocalcium in the femurs of both rachitic and vitamin D-treated rats when compared with their respective shamoperated controls. However, kinetic analysis of the data on the skeletal uptake of radiocalcium demonstrated that accretion rates of bone mineral were decreased by adrenalectomy at least in vitamin D-treated animals. Vitamin D administration, on the other, hand increased the accretion rate over that of rachitic controls in both adrenalectomized and non-adrenalectomized animals. In addition vitamin D was shown to enhance intestinal absorption as well as skeletal deposition of radiocalcium in the adrenalectomized rachitic rat.     

Expression of salt and urea transporters in rat kidney during cisplatin-induced polyuria.

BACKGROUND: Cisplatin (CP) induced polyuria in rats is associated with a reduction in medullary hypertonicity, normally generated by the thick ascending limb (TAL) salt transporters, and the collecting duct urea transporters (UT). To investigate the molecular basis of this abnormality, we determined the protein abundance of major salt and UT isoforms in rat kidney during CP-induced polyuria. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats received either a single injection of CP (5 mg/kg, N = 6) or saline (N = 6) intraperitoneally five days before sacrifice. Urine, blood, and kidneys were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: CP-treated rats developed polyuric acute renal failure as assessed by increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN), urine volume and decreased urine osmolality. Western analysis of kidney homogenates revealed a marked reduction in band density of the bumetanide-sensitive Na-K-2Cl cotransporter in cortex (60% of control values, P < 0.05), but not in outer medulla (OM) (106% of control values). There were no differences in band densities for the renal outer medullary potassium channel (ROMK), the type III Na-H exchanger (NHE3), the alpha-subunit of Na,K-ATPase in the OM; or for UT-A1, UT-A2 or UT-A4 in outer or inner medulla. However, the band pattern of UT-A2 and UT-A4 proteins in the OM of CP-treated rats was different from the control rats, suggesting a qualitative modification of these proteins. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in the abundance of outer or inner medullary salt or urea transporters are unlikely to play a role in the CP-induced reduction in medullary hypertonicity. However, qualitative changes in UT proteins may affect their functionality and thus may have a role.     

Effects of dietary protein restriction and glucocorticoid administration on urea excretion in rats.

Rats were sampled for clearance studies under anesthesia after 0, 2, 4, 7 and 14 days of dietary protein restriction. Mean fractional urea excretion decreased between day 2 and day 7 of protein restriction after a two-day lag in response. Seven-day administration of dexamethasone in protein-restricted rats caused a significant increase in mean fractional urea excretion. Adrenalectomized rats fed a normal diet had fractional urea excretion values resembling those in protein-restricted rats. Chronic administration of dexamethasone in adrenalectomized rats caused a consistent increase in fractional urea excretion. Fractional urea excretion values were no lower in protein-restricted adrenalectomized rats fed a normal diet. The mean plasma corticosterone concentration (measured 6 to 8 PM) was decreased in rats fed a low protein diet relative to rats fed a high protein diet. The results suggest that glucocorticoids may play a role in the tubular regulation of urea excretion either by a direct effect on the renal tubule or through some intermediate factor. A mediating role of glomerular filtration rate in glucocorticoid-induced changes of fractional urea excretion could not be ruled out, however.     

Renal phenotype of UT-A urea transporter knockout mice

The urea transporters UT-A1 and UT-A3 mediate rapid transepithelial urea transport across the inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD). In a previous study, using a new mouse model in which both UT-A1 and UT-A3 were genetically deleted from the IMCD (UT-A1/3(-/-) mice), we investigated the role of these transporters in the function of the renal inner medulla. Here the authors report a new series of studies investigating more generally the renal phenotype of UT-A1/3(-/-) mice. Pathologic screening of 33 tissues revealed abnormalities in both the testis (increased size) and kidney (decreased size and vascular congestion) of UT-A1/3(-/-) mice. Total urinary nitrate and nitrite (NOx) excretion rates in UT-A1/3(-/-) mice were more than double those in wild-type mice. Total renal blood flow was not different between UT-A1/3(-/-) and wild-type mice but underwent a greater percentage decrease in response to NG-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) infusion. Whole kidney GFR (FITC-inulin clearance) was not different in UT-A1/3(-/-) mice compared with controls and underwent a similar increase in response to a greater dietary protein intake. Fractional urea excretion was markedly elevated in UT-A1/3(-/-) mice on a 40% protein diet, reaching 102.4 +/- 8.8% of the filtered load, suggesting that there may be active urea secretion somewhere along the renal tubule. Although there was a marked urinary concentrating defect in UT-A1/3(-/-) mice, there was no decrease in aquaporin 2 or aquaporin 3 expression. Furthermore, although urea accumulation in the inner medulla was markedly attenuated, there was no decrease in sodium ion concentration in tissue from outer medulla or two levels of the inner medulla. These results support our conclusion that the urinary concentrating defect in UT-A1/3(-/-) mice is caused by a failure of urea transport from the IMCD lumen to the inner medullary interstitium, resulting in osmotic diuresis.     

Effect of spironolactone and captopril on nitric oxide and S-nitrosothiol formation in kidney of L-NAME-treated rats

Although angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are well-established drugs in the treatment of hypertension, they are not supposed to be sufficient in the inhibition of aldosterone formation. The present study analyzes the effect of aldosterone receptor antagonist, spironolactone and ACE inhibitor, captopril on nitric oxide (NO) and S-nitrosothiol formation in the kidney of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-treated rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into six groups: (1) controls, (2) L-NAME (40 mg/kg/day), (3) spironolactone (200 mg/kg/day), (4) captopril (100 mg/kg/day), (5) L-NAME+spironolactone, and (6) L-NAME+captopril. After 4 weeks, NO synthase (NOS) activity, protein expression of endothelial NOS, inducible NOS and concentration of thiol and S-nitrosothiol groups were determined in the kidney. Besides the increase in systolic blood pressure (by 32%) and the decrease in NOS activity (by 37%), L-NAME treatment lowered the concentration of thiols (by 32%) and S-nitrosothiols (by 36%) in the renal tissue. Simultaneous treatment with spironolactone preserved NOS activity and S-nitrosothiols on the control level, whereas captopril did not affect these parameters modified by L-NAME treatment. Moreover, spironolactone increased expression of endothelial NOS protein without affecting inducible NOS protein expression. In conclusion, both captopril and spironolactone prevented L-NAME-induced hypertension and the decline of the antioxidant potential of the kidney tissue. However, only spironolactone improved NOS activity which led to the S-nitrosothiols formation. Both NO itself and S-nitrosothiols may contribute to the preventive effect of spironolactone against development of L-NAME-induced hypertension.     

醛固酮-WNK4途径参与盐负荷对上皮钠通道的调节

目的 通过建立生理条件下的盐负荷饮食大鼠模型,观察醛固酮和WNK4在水盐代谢调节中的作用。 方法 将SD大鼠分为5组：高盐组（H,4% NaCl）、正常盐组（N,0.4% NaCl）、低盐组（L,0.07% NaCl）、高盐加醛固酮组（H+A,4% NaCl+1 mg&#8226;kg-1&#8226;d-1醛固酮）、低盐加螺内酯（L+S,0.07% NaCl+0.1 g&#8226;kg-1&#8226;d-1螺内酯）,所有大鼠自由饮水,喂养2周。用放射免疫法检测血浆醛固酮的变化。应用实时定量PCR和Western印迹法检测大鼠肾脏上皮钠通道γ亚基（γENaC）、WNK4的mRNA和蛋白的变化。 结果 H组大鼠血浆醛固酮水平低于N组（P < 0.05）,H+A组高于H组（P < 0.05）;L组大鼠血浆醛固酮水平高于N组（P < 0.05）,显示SD大鼠造模成功。L组大鼠肾脏γENaC蛋白表达高于N组,但是L+S低于L组;同时H组低于N组,H+A组高于H组,差异均有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。mRNA变化趋势和蛋白变化趋势一致。H组肾脏WNK4的蛋白表达高于N组,但是H+A组低于H组;同时L组低于N组,L+S组高于L组,差异均有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。mRNA的变化趋势和蛋白的变化趋势一致。 结论 饮食中的盐可以调节γENaC在肾脏的蛋白表达,醛固酮和WNK4都参与了机体对盐的调节,WNK4受到醛固酮的负调节作用。