内源性一氧化氮合酶抑制物在糖尿病大鼠勃起功能障碍中的作用

目的:探讨内源性一氧化氮合酶(NOS)抑制物非对称性二甲基精氨酸(ADMA)在糖尿病大鼠勃起功能障碍中的作用及其机制。方法:采用高脂饲养加小剂量链脲佐菌素腹腔注射诱导8周病程的2型糖尿病大鼠模型;麻醉下分离大鼠阴茎海绵体,用器官浴槽方法检测海绵体对乙酰胆碱的内皮依赖性舒张反应以反映其勃起功能;检测血清ADMA含量;检测海绵体组织NOS活性及一氧化氮(NO)和环磷酸鸟苷(c GMP)含量;用Western blot检测海绵体ADMA信号通路蛋白和磷酸二酯酶5(PDE5)的表达;检测超氧化物歧化酶活性和脂质过氧化产物丙二醛含量以评价氧化应激。结果:糖尿病大鼠血糖升高,胰岛素敏感性降低,表明糖尿病大鼠模型建立成功;与正常对照组比较,糖尿病大鼠海绵体舒张功能明显降低,血清ADMA浓度升高,海绵体组织NOS活性及NO和c GMP含量降低,ADMA生成酶蛋白精氨酸甲基转移酶1表达上调,ADMA代谢酶二甲基精氨酸二甲胺水解酶1、2及ADMA靶酶内皮型NOS和神经元型NOS表达下调,PDE5蛋白表达上调,氧化应激增加;体外用ADMA孵育正常大鼠离体海绵体,亦可产生与糖尿病大鼠海绵体相似的舒张功能障碍及NO和c GMP含量减少。结论:内源性NOS抑制物ADMA蓄积是导致糖尿病大鼠勃起功能障碍的重要原因,其机制可能与减少NO生成、增加氧化应激有关。     

内源性一氧化氮合酶抑制物上调4周运动大鼠骨骼肌收缩功能和线粒体生物合成

目的:观察内源性一氧化氮合酶(NOS)抑制物非对称性二甲基精氨酸(ADMA)及其信号通路在4周运动大鼠NO水平及骨骼肌收缩功能与线粒体生物合成中的调节作用。方法:建立4周运动大鼠模型,检测离体比目鱼肌对电刺激的单次、强直和疲劳收缩的最大张力;并检测骨骼肌中ATP和线粒体DNA含量以及过氧化物酶增殖体受体γ辅激活因子1α(PGC-1α)、核呼吸因子(NRF)mRNA的表达以反映线粒体生物合成及功能;用高效液相色谱测定血清ADMA浓度;用Western blot法检测骨骼肌中内源性ADMA生成酶PRMT1和ADMA代谢酶DDAH2种亚型以及NOS 3种亚型蛋白的表达;用比色法测定NOS活性及一氧化氮(NO)含量等。结果:与正常对照组相比,运动组大鼠比目鱼肌对电刺激诱导的各种收缩张力均明显增强,比目鱼肌ATP含量、线粒体DNA含量和PGC-1α、NRF mRNA增加显著(P0.01)。运动组大鼠比目鱼肌中构成型NOS(cNOS)的蛋白表达及其NOS活性明显上调(P0.01),而NO含量仅小幅增加(P0.05);同时,4周运动增加大鼠血清ADMA浓度,并伴有骨骼肌DDAH2表达下调。结论:短期耐力运动增强比目鱼肌单次收缩、强直收缩和抗疲劳收缩肌功能,其机制可能与过度增加的cNOS促使ADMA水平反馈性升高,从而维持骨骼肌NO低幅度增加,促进线粒体生物合成有关。     

自发性高血压大鼠肾脏L-精氨酸/一氧化氮系统与红细胞L-精氨酸转运

目的:研究自发性高血压大鼠(SHR)肾脏(L-精氨酸／一氧化氮)L-Arg／NO系统的改变及其与红细胞L-Arg转运的关系。方法:检测16周龄SHR、卡托普利治疗4周的16周龄SHR(CAP)和16周龄WKY大鼠肾脏L-Arg转运、NOS活性、NO₂^-和cGMP含量,红细胞L-Arg转运。结果: SHR肾脏高低亲和L-Arg转运体的Vmax均低于WKY组(P＜0.01,P＜0.05),Km值则无明显差异。NOS活性、NO₂^-、cGMP含量分别较WKY组低35.4%、36.2%和85.2%(P＜0.05或P＜0.01)。CAP组高亲和L-Arg转运体的Vmax、NOS活性均高于SHR组(+90%,P＜0.01;+58.6%,P＜0.05)。NOS活性与高亲和L-Arg转运体的Vmax呈正相关,r=0.585,P＜0.05。红细胞L-Arg转运的改 变与肾脏相似, SHR组的Vmax低于WKY组(－30%,P＜0.01),CAP组高于SHR组(+26.5%,P＜0.01),Km值组间比较无明显差异。红细胞L-Arg转运的Vmax与肾脏高或低亲和L-Arg转运体的Vmax均呈正相关,r=0.8434,P＜0.01(高亲和)和r=0.5255,P＜0.05(低亲和)。 结论:SHR肾脏L-Arg/NO系统活动抑制,卡托普利治疗明显解除此抑制状态。肾脏L-Arg转运的改变与红细胞L-Arg转运的改变基本一致。     

跑台运动对自发性高血压大鼠下丘脑室旁核神经递质及nNOS表达的影响

目的:探讨跑台运动影响自发性高血压大鼠(SHR)血压的可能机制。方法:将22只雄性SHR大鼠随机分为高血压对照组(SHR+C)及高血压运动组(SHR+E),同时将11只Wistar-Kyoto大鼠作为正常血压组(WKY)。然后SHR+E组大鼠进行12周跑台运动(60 min/d,5 d/周)。运动结束后,利用无创血压测量仪测量大鼠尾动脉血压;用高效液相色谱-电化学法(HPLC-EC)检测大鼠下丘脑室旁核(PVN)中神经递质谷氨酸(Glu)及γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)的含量,利用免疫组织化学染色检测大鼠PVN中神经元型一氧化氮合酶(n NOS)的表达。结果:与WKY组大鼠相比,6月龄SHR+C组大鼠收缩压(SPB)及舒张压(DBP)明显升高(P <0.05),PVN组织Glu水平增加(P <0.05),GABA水平下降(P <0.05),PVN区n NOS阳性细胞平均光密度(MOD)显著下降(P <0.05)。而12周跑台运动可显著降低SHR+E组大鼠SBP及DBP(P <0.05),PVN组织Glu水平下降,GABA水平增加(P <0.05),PVN区...     

原发性高血压与应激性高血压大鼠NO/NOS、ET的变化

目的：探讨强物理因子诱发高血压后，一氧化氮（NO）／一氧化氮合酶（NOS）系统和内皮素（ET）的作用。方法：电击大鼠足底结合噪音刺激制作慢性应激性高血压大鼠（CSHR）模型，采用特异性放射免疫测定技术和化学比色法，检测原发性高血压大鼠（SHR）和正常血压（Wistar-kyoto WKY）大鼠，以及CSHR和正常血压Wistar大鼠心肌ET、NO和NOS的含量。结果：（1）SHR的尾动脉收缩压（CASP），左心室重量指数（LVW／BW）明显高于WKY大鼠（P〈0．01）。SHR的心肌ET水平明显高于WKY大鼠（P〈0．05）。（2）CSHR的CASP明显高于Wistar大鼠（P〈0．01），而LVW／BW及右心室重量指数（RVW／BW）与Wistar大鼠无差异（P〉0．05）。CSHR的心肌ET水平明显高Wistar大鼠（P〈0．01），而心肌NO及NOS水平则低于Wistar大鼠（P〈0．05）。结论：ET的增多以及NO／NOS系统功能低下可能参与了自发性高血压与慢性应激性高血压的发生和发展。NO／NOS系统和ET可能参与了SHR心肌肥厚的发生和发展。在CSHR中，应激四周可以造成血压升高，ET增多以及NO／NOS系统功能低下，但来发生心肌肥厚。     

自发性高血压大鼠第三脑室触液神经元内一氧化氮合酶与加压素的共表达

目的:观察自发性高血压大鼠(SHR)与SD大鼠第三脑室触液神经元(CSFCN)内一氧化氮合酶(NOS)与加压素(VP)的分布和共存。方法:应用还原型尼克酰胺嘌呤二核苷酸磷酸脱氢酶(NADPH-d)组织化学方法,结合ABC免疫组织化学技术。结果:在SHR视前区至室间核后大细胞亚核平面的第三脑室室壁均有NOS阳性CSFCN的分布;在SHR第三脑室室壁的CSFCN内NOS与VP具有共存性,且SHR组第三脑室的CSFCN内NOS与VP共存率较SD组高。结论:一氧化氮(NO)与VP在下丘脑的血压神经内分泌活动调节中起着重要的介导作用,也可能对高血压的发生发展有影响。     

一氧化氮合酶抑制物对大鼠离体乳头肌收缩力的影响及其机制

目的:探讨一氧化氮合酶(NOS)抑制物对电刺激大鼠离体左心室乳头肌收缩力的影响及其机制。方法:制备大鼠离体左心室乳头肌条,用Muscle Research System记录电刺激(频率1 Hz、波宽5 ms)诱导心肌收缩张力。结果:与正常对照组比较,用30μmol/L内源性NOS抑制物非对称二甲基精氨酸(asymmetric dimethylarginine,ADMA)孵育乳头肌60 min后,肌条对电刺激收缩张力明显降低;用相同浓度的外源性NOS抑制物NG-硝基-L-精氨酸孵育60 min,均可产生与ADMA相似的抑制作用。用1 mmol/L一氧化氮(NO)合成前体L-精氨酸或10μmol/L NO供体硝普钠预孵育肌条15 min,再与ADMA共孵育60 min,均可逆转ADMA对心肌收缩的抑制作用。用10μmol/L蛋白激酶C抑制剂chelerythrine或抗氧化剂N-乙酰半胱氨酸预处理,亦可逆转ADMA的抑制作用。结论:NOS抑制物对电刺激大鼠离体左心室乳头肌收缩具有抑制作用,可能是由于减少NO生成、活化蛋白激酶C、使氧化应激增加所致。     

大鼠脑创伤后MKP-1表达上调、NO的生成减少

目的研究创伤性脑损伤(TBI)周围皮质中丝裂原活化蛋白激酶磷酸酶-1(MKP-1)的表达变化,探讨其对一氧化氮(NO)含量的影响及机制。方法用自由落体法制作大鼠TBI模型;酶化学法检测周围皮质中NO的含量;免疫组织化学和免疫印迹等方法检测脑皮质MKP-1、e NOS及MAPKs的表达。结果对照组脑皮质NO水平为34.4±3.2μmol/L,TBI损伤后3、6、24及72 h均显著下降,分别为20.8±2.5、23.9±3.8、24.0±1.6及26.8±2.6μmol/L(均P0.05)。脑损伤周围皮质中胞质和突起呈棕黄色的MKP-1免疫阳性细胞数量增加。脑损伤后3和6 h MKP-1蛋白表达水平明显增加(P0.05),随后降低至正常水平;e NOS蛋白表达水平在脑损伤后3和6h则明显降低(均P0.05),至24 h接近正常水平;p ERK和p-P38 MAPK蛋白表达水平在脑损伤后3和6 h也分别下降(均P0.05)。结论大鼠TBI后,皮质中MKP-1表达上调可能负向调控MAPK信号而降低e NOS水平,引起NO生成减少造成脑血流灌注不足。     

依普利酮对高盐诱导的高血压大鼠主动脉内皮型一氧化氮合酶表达及活性的影响

目的:探讨依普利酮对高盐诱导的高血压大鼠主动脉内皮型一氧化氮合酶(e NOS)的表达及活性的影响。方法:50~60 g 4周龄雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为3组:对照(control,C)组用普通饲料饲养16周,高盐饮食(high salt diet,HS)组及依普利酮(eplerenone,Epl)组用5%高盐饲料饲养16周,C组和HS组于末4周给予同等剂量生理盐水灌胃,而Epl组于末4周给予依普利酮40 mg·kg-1·d-1灌胃。每2周检测各组大鼠尾动脉收缩压,16周后处死大鼠,留取主动脉。ELISA法检测醛固酮含量,蛋白免疫印迹法检测盐皮质激素受体(MR)及e NOS蛋白表达水平,化学比色法测定一氧化氮合酶活性,免疫组化染色法观察主动脉e NOS、神经型一氧化氮合酶(n NOS)及MR蛋白表达与定位。结果:(1)高盐饲料饲养8周后,大鼠收缩压即明显升高,并逐渐上升,16周时HS组收缩压较同时点C组明显升高(P0.05);依普利酮灌胃4周后,收缩压比灌胃前明显下降(P0.05)。(2)与C组比较,HS组、Epl组主动脉醛固酮含量明显增加(P0.05),且MR表达明显增加(P0.05)。(3)HS组较C组e NOS蛋白表达减少(P0.05)、结构型一氧化氮合酶(c NOS)活性也降低(P0.05);Epl组较HS组e NOS蛋白表达增加(P0.05)、c NOS活性增高(P0.05)。结论:(1)高盐诱导高血压大鼠的主动脉醛固酮含量明显增加,醛固酮可能通过激动MR降低主动脉e NOS蛋白表达及酶活性。(2)选择性MR拮抗剂依普利酮可恢复e NOS蛋白表达及活性,改善e NOS功能。     

黄芪注射液治疗糖尿病肾病的实验研究

目的:探讨黄芪注射液对糖尿病肾病(DN)的作用。方法:链尿佐菌素(STZ)腹腔注射诱导建立DN大鼠模型,检测体重、血糖、内皮素(ET)和一氧化氮(NO)的变化。结果:DN大鼠NO含量降低,体重、血糖、ET含量明显升高;黄芪注射液能减少DN大鼠体重、血糖和ET含量,提高NO水平。结论:黄芪注射液具有保护肾脏的作用。     

Renal function and sympathetic activity during mental stress in normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats

The aim of the present study was to explore the role of the renal sympathetic nerves in the urinary sodium excretion response to ‘mental stress’ in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In conscious male SHR and male Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) urinary sodium excretion and renal function were measured both during ‘rest’ and during a 20 min period of ‘mental stress’. Experiments were also performed on renal denervated rats. In addition, renal sympathetic activity was measured in a separate group of rats. Urinary sodium excretion, similar at rest in SHR and WKY, decreased significantly more during the stress period in SHR (-64±5%) than in WKY (-34±7%), despite a greater arterial pressure increase in SHR. Renal sympathetic nerve activity which already at rest was higher in SHR than in WKY, also increased much more in SHR during stress than in WKY. The more intense renal sympathetic activation during stress may explain the greater reduction in urinary sodium excretion in SHR, because renal denervation almost abolished this latter response. Thus, during ‘mental stress’ the increased renal sympathetic activity reduces urinary sodium excretion in SHR despite the pressure rise, perhaps explaining why renal denervation delays the rise in arterial pressure in young SHR. The tachycardia response in SHR gradually subsided towards the end of the stress period, while renal sympathetic activity remained elevated. This indicates that neurogenic heart rate increases if anything underestimate the extent of sympathetic activation to e. g. the renal and splanchnic regions during increased alertness.     

Upregulation of the brain renin-angiotensin system in rats with chronic renal failure

Aim: We investigated how the brain renin–angiotensin system is involved in regulation of the sympathetic activity and arterial pressure in rats with chronic renal failure. Methods: Systolic arterial pressure, heart rate and diurnal urinary noradrenaline excretion were measured for 12 weeks in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with or without subtotal nephrectomy. Expression of mRNAs related to the brain renin–angiotensin system was measured using polymerase chain reaction. Effects of a 6‐day intracerebroventricular infusion of a type 1 angiotensin II receptor antagonist (candesartan) or bilateral dorsal rhizotomy on these variables were also investigated. Results: Systolic arterial pressure and urinary excretion of noradrenaline were consistently higher in subtotally nephrectomized SHR than in sham‐operated SHR (262 ± 5 vs. 220 ± 3 mmHg, P < 0.001; 2.71 ± 0.22 vs. 1.69 ±0.19 ng g^?1 body weight day^?1, P < 0.001). Expression of renin, angiotensin‐converting enzyme and type 1 angiotensin II receptor mRNAs in the hypothalamus and lower brainstem was greater in subtotally nephrectomized SHR than in sham‐operated SHR. Continuous intracerebroventricular infusion of candesartan attenuated hypertension and the increase in urinary noradrenaline excretion in subtotally nephrectomized SHR. Dorsal rhizotomy decreased arterial pressure, urinary excretion of noradrenaline and expression of renin–angiotensin system‐related mRNAs in brains of subtotally nephrectomized SHR. Conclusion: The brain renin–angiotensin system in subtotally nephrectomized SHR appears to be activated via afferent nerves from the remnant kidney, resulting in sympathetic overactivity and hypertension in this chronic renal failure model.     

Renal tubular reabsorption in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

We characterized renal tubular reabsorption before and during acute expansion in anesthetized 12-wk-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Although mean arterial pressure was higher in euvolemic, nondiuretic SHR than in WKY, 158 vs. 114 mmHg, kidney and nephron glomerular filtration rate (GFR) as well as fluid reabsorption by the proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, and distal convoluted tubule-collecting duct were similar. In euvolemic SHR with aortic constriction (SHR-AC), an acute decrease in renal perfusion pressure to 114 mmHg reduced sodium and water excretion. Kidney and nephron GFR and fluid reabsorption by segments along the nephron resembled values for SHR and WKY. Infusion of isotonic saline (3 ml.100 g body wt-1.h-1) produced similar increases in fractional sodium and water excretion by SHR and WKY, whereas SHR-AC exhibited a blunted natriuresis and diuresis. During expansion, fluid reabsorption by the nephron segments did not differ appreciably among the three groups. The effect(s) of perfusion pressure on reabsorption by superficial nephrons may be covert and was not unmasked, or may be manifested preferentially by deeper nephrons. We conclude that kidneys of SHR require a higher arterial pressure than kidneys of WKY to excrete a given amount of salt and water.     

Mild proteinuria in patients with unilateral kidney

Summary Arterial blood pressure, 24 h urinary excretion, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in 24 patients with unilateral kidney were compared with an age and sex matched control group of healthy persons. Of the patients with unilateral kidney, 13 were uninephrectomized and 11 patients had a congenital unilateral kidney. The 24 h urinary protein excretion in patients with one kidney was significantly higher (630±51 mg/24 h) compared to the control group (206±36 mg/24 h). The arterial systolic and diastolic blood pressures and GFR did not differ in both groups. Furthermore, no differences were found between patients with unilateral kidneys following nephrectomy or renal agenesis. This study shows that mild proteinuria occurs in patients with unilateral kidney. An increased risk for deterioration in renal function or severe arterial hypertension was not detected in this investigation.Mit Unterstützung der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft Sta 193/2-2. Herrn Prof. Dr. W. Gerok zum 60. Geburtstag gewidmet     

Sympatho-renal interactions in the determination of arterial pressure: role in hypertension

Renal mechanisms and the sympathetic nervous system contribute to the development of arterial hypertension. Renal transplantation experiments in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were performed to investigate how the sympathetic nervous system and the kidneys interact during the development and maintenance of hypertension. Our findings indicate that the rise in arterial pressure that occurs after transplantation of a kidney from a SHR into normotensive recipients is not mediated by elevations in sympathetic activity. However, chronic reductions in sympathetic tone reduce the rise in arterial pressure which can be induced by SHR renal grafts in normotensive recipients. Untreated SHRs transplanted with a kidney from sympathectomized donors have lower arterial pressure and reduced sodium sensitivity of arterial pressure compared to SHRs transplanted with a kidney from hydralazine-treated donors. It is concluded that chronic non-adapting changes in sympathetic activity modulate the degree to which renal mechanisms can cause hypertension in SHRs. Severe reduction in sympathetic tone during early ontogeny causes long-term changes in renal function that mitigate hypertension development in SHRs even when the extrarenal neuro-hormonal environment is restored.     

Influence of circadian time, ageing, and hypertension on the urinary excretion of nitric oxide metabolites in rats

Urinary excretion of NO metabolites (NOx) was measured in male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and their normotensive Wistar-Kyoto controls (WKY) in two age groups: young (11 weeks) and old (58 weeks). Urine was collected every 6 h throughout 24 h with and without injection interperitoneally of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine-methyl-ester (L-NAME), 30 mg/kg, at 7:00 or 19:00 h. In addition, blood pressure changes by L-NAME were evaluated using radiotelemetry. In both strains of rats, injection of L-NAME abolished almost completely the urinary excretion of NOx, indicating that urinary NOx indeed reflect the endogenous rate of NO synthesis. Time-dependent variation in urinary NOx excretion was observed in WKY rats of both ages (analysis of variance, P<0.05), with higher excretion in the dark period. In SHR rats, time-dependent variation in NOx excretion was lost, and the overall amount of NOx excreted within 24 h was significantly lower in young SHR than in age-matched WKY rats. Moreover, blood pressure increases by L-NAME were significantly smaller in SHR than in WKY rats. In old rats of both strains, NOx excretion was reduced, and the difference between the strains disappeared. Our findings demonstrate that ageing is accompanied by a loss in NOx excretion, and suggest that hypertension in SHR leads to a reduction in NO synthesis already at young age.     

Influence of neonatal sympathectomy on proximal renal resistance artery function in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Renal transplantation experiments have shown that the kidney contributes to chronic sympathectomy-induced arterial pressure reduction in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The underlying mechanisms are currently unclear but may include alterations in the function of small renal arteries. Neonatal SHR were sympathectomized by intraperitoneal guanethidine injections and removal of adrenal medullary tissue. Controls were sham- or hydralazine-treated. At 12 weeks of age, distal interlobar artery segments were investigated using small-vessel wire myography. Vessels from sympathectomized animals showed increased sensitivity to noradrenaline (NE). Vasopressin- and endothelin-1-induced vasoconstriction was similar in all groups (as reflected by the pD₂, i.e. –logEC₅₀, where EC₅₀ is the molar concentration of agonist eliciting a half-maximal response). Maximum vasopressin-induced tension was similar in all groups while endothelin-1-induced maximum tension was significantly higher in sympathectomized than in sham-treated SHR. The sensitivity of NE-induced vasoconstriction to extracellular Ca²⁺ did not differ between groups while sensitivity to L-type Ca²⁺ channel activation was significantly higher in both sympathectomized and hydralazine-treated animals than in sham-treated animals. Endothelium-dependent and independent vasodilation were similar in all groups. Sequential blockade of NO-synthase and cyclooxygenase had similar effects in all groups. In conclusion, neonatal sympathectomy does not induce any changes in the function of isolated proximal renal resistance arteries from SHR that could explain the blood pressure lowering effect of a kidney graft from sympathectomized SHR.     

Renal denervation abolishes the protective effects of ischaemic preconditioning on function and haemodynamics in ischaemia‐reperfused rat kidneys

Studies were conducted to investigate the role of renal sympathetic nerves in the process of acquiring ischaemic tolerance in ischaemic preconditioned ischaemia‐reperfused rat kidneys. Two periods of 3‐min occlusion of bilateral renal arteries was performed prior to 30‐min bilateral ischaemia and 90‐min reperfusion in acute renal denervated or innervated kidneys. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR), fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) and lithium (FELi), and renal blood flow (RBF) were assessed in reperfused kidneys. Ischaemic preconditioning significantly improved values for all these parameters as compared with no treated ischaemia‐reperfused kidneys. Denervation caused slight increase in GFR, diuresis and natriuresis without improving RBF after reperfusion. However, protecting effects of ischaemic preconditioning on renal function were disappeared in denervated kidneys, while in innevated kidneys the effects of ischaemic preconditioning were maintained. These results clearly showed that ischaemic preconditioning pre‐treatment protects kidneys against ischaemia–reperfusion injury, and the effects are, at least in part, mediated by sympathetic nerves, as the protective effects were abolished by denervation.     

Renal denervation abolishes the protective effects of ischaemic preconditioning on function and haemodynamics in ischaemia-reperfused rat kidneys

Studies were conducted to investigate the role of renal sympathetic nerves in the process of acquiring ischaemic tolerance in ischaemic preconditioned ischaemia-reperfused rat kidneys. Two periods of 3-min occlusion of bilateral renal arteries was performed prior to 30-min bilateral ischaemia and 90-min reperfusion in acute renal denervated or innervated kidneys. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR), fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) and lithium (FELi), and renal blood flow (RBF) were assessed in reperfused kidneys. Ischaemic preconditioning significantly improved values for all these parameters as compared with no treated ischaemia-reperfused kidneys. Denervation caused slight increase in GFR, diuresis and natriuresis without improving RBF after reperfusion. However, protecting effects of ischaemic preconditioning on renal function were disappeared in denervated kidneys, while in innervated kidneys the effects of ischaemic preconditioning were maintained. These results clearly showed that ischaemic preconditioning pre-treatment protects kidneys against ischaemia-reperfusion injury, and the effects are, at least in part, mediated by sympathetic nerves, as the protective effects were abolished by denervation.     

Effect of renal venous pressure elevation on tubular sodium and water reabsorption in the dog kidney

This study was performed in order to quantify the effects of renal venous pressure (RVP) elevation on absolute and fractional reabsorption rates of sodium and water in proximal and distal segments of the nephron in dog kidneys. Renal blood flow (RBF) was measured electromagnetically. Clearance of [51Cr]EDTA was used as a measure of the rate of glomerular filtration (GFR). GFR, urinary excretion rates of sodium and water, and lithium clearance were used for assessing the absolute and fractional reabsorption rates of sodium and water in the proximal as well as in more distal segments of the nephron. In the kidneys with intact innervation RVP elevation to 19.9 +/- 0.1 mmHg caused significant increases in both absolute (APR) and fractional (FPR) proximal reabsorption rates from 33.4 +/- 4.2 to 38.7 +/- 2.0 ml min-1 and from 0.62 +/- 0.04 to 0.71 +/- 0.04, respectively. These responses were unaffected by acute surgical denervation of the kidneys. In contrast, chronic renal denervation or infusion of phentolamine (5 micrograms kg-1 min-1) into the renal artery eliminated the increase in APR and FPR during RVP elevation to 20 mmHg. Chronic, but not acute renal denervation depleted renal tissue content of adrenaline and noradrenaline. The results suggest that the increase in APR and FPR during RVP elevation is due mainly to local sympathetic reflex mechanisms.