Two mechanisms of inhibition by prostaglandin E2 of hormone-dependent cell cAMP in the rat collecting tubule.

The effect of exogenous prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on hormone-dependent adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation was investigated by microradioimmunoassay in collecting tubules microdissected from the cortex (CCT) or outer medulla (MCT) of the rat kidney. Two phosphodiesterase inhibitors were used: either a xanthine derivative (isobutyl-methylxanthine (IBMX, 1 mM] active on all forms of phosphodiesterase or Ro 20-1724 (50 microM) active on the phosphodiesterase type III. A prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor was added to all media. In the presence of IBMX, 0.3 microM PGE2 inhibited by 39.1% the response induced in the CCT by the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol (1 microM). Under the same experimental conditions, arginine vasopressin (AVP)-stimulated cAMP accumulation in CCT or MCT was not affected by PGE2. In the presence of Ro 20-1724, 0.3 microM PGE2 did not modify the response to 1 nM AVP in CCT but inhibited this response in MCT samples (mean inhibition: 52.7%). The inhibition by PGE2 was dose dependent with a maximum at 0.3 microM, observed for all concentrations of AVP tested (from 50 pM to 1 nM) and did not affect the concentration of AVP inducing half-maximal cAMP accumulation. In a second experimental series performed in the presence of adenosine deaminase, an A1-adenosine agonist [theta)-N6-(R-phenylisopropyl)adenosine (PIA, 0.1 microM] also decreased the response to 1 nM AVP in the MCT. The addition of an A1-adenosine antagonist relieved the effect of PIA but did not modify the inhibition observed with PGE2. Thus PGE2 decreased the synthesis of cAMP in beta-adrenergic sensitive cells in rat CCT and might affect the catabolism of AVP-dependent cAMP level rather than its synthesis in rat MCT.     

Inhibition by phorbol ester of cellular adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate production and cellular free calcium mobilization in response to arginine vasopressin in rat renal papillary collecting tubule cells in culture.

We determined whether tumor-promoting factor phorbol ester modulates cellular cAMP production and the cellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in response to arginine vasopressin (AVP) in rat renal papillary collecting tubule cells in culture. In the presence of 5 x 10(-4) M 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, AVP increased cellular cAMP production in a dose-dependent manner. A 1-h exposure to 3 x 10(-7)-3 x 10(-6) M phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) significantly attenuated the cAMP response to AVP (1 x 10(-9) M AVP; 474.9 +/- 24.8 vs. 368.1 +/- 22.8 fmol/microgram protein; P less than 0.01). The dose-response relation with AVP thus shifted to the right. Such an inhibition was totally reversed in the presence of 2 x 10(-6) M 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine dihydrochloride (H-7), an inhibitor of protein kinase-C. Also, 1 x 10(-7) M AVP produced an increase in [Ca2+]i from 99.4 +/- 3.3 to 200.0 +/- 8.6 nM. When cells were preexposed to 1 x 10(-6) M PMA, an increase in [Ca2+]i in response to 1 x 10(-7) M AVP was significantly diminished (75.5 +/- 4.6 to 101.4 +/- 4.3 nM). The inhibition by PMA of AVP-induced increment in [Ca2+]i was significantly attenuated in the presence of 2 x 10(-5) M H-7 compared to that in its absence. Prolonged exposure to PMA did not alter the AVP-induced increases in cAMP production and [Ca2+]i. These results indicate that phorbol ester inhibits the cellular action of AVP mediated through the activation of protein kinase-C and suggest that there is an interaction between cAMP and phosphatidylinositol systems in modulating the AVP action in renal papillary collecting tubule cells.     

Role of potassium in vasopressin-induced production of cyclic AMP in rat renal papillary collecting tubule cells in culture

The effect of potassium (K)-free medium on the stimulation of cyclic AMP (cAMP) production by arginine vasopressin (AVP) and forskolin was examined in rat renal papillary collecting tubule cells in culture. All experiments were performed in the presence of 3-isobutyl-l-methylxanthine (0.5 mmol/l). Cellular cAMP levels in response to 1 nmol and 0.1 mumol AVP/1 were 430.9 +/- 42.1 (S.E.M.) and 501.8 +/- 43.6 fmol/micrograms protein per 10 min respectively; these levels were significantly (P less than 0.01) higher than those in the vehicle-treated group (126.6 +/- 23.3 fmol/micrograms protein per 10 min). The cellular cAMP response to 1 nmol AVP/1 was significantly attenuated after 24 and 72 h of exposure of cells to K-free medium, cellular concentrations of cAMP being 280.2 +/- 37.1 and 233.0 +/- 9.6 fmol/microgram protein per 10 min respectively. The response of cAMP to AVP remained unchanged when the cells were preincubated with K-free medium for 1 h. Similarly, forskolin (20 nmol/l)-stimulated cellular cAMP production was also significantly impaired after 24 or 72 h of exposure of cells to K-free medium. When the cells preincubated in K-free medium were again exposed for 1 h to K-replete medium containing 5 mmol KC1/1, cellular cAMP production in response to AVP or forskolin recovered totally. Cellular protein and ATP content and cellular viability were not altered by exposure of cells to K-free medium for 24 h, and thus the impaired cAMP response to AVP or forskolin in the K-depleted cells was independent of altered cellular viability and source of ATP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The vasopressin-sensitive adenylate cyclase in collecting tubules and in thick ascending limb of Henle's loop of human and canine kidney

The major tubular effects of [8-Arg]vasopressin (AVP) in regulation of renal water excretion are initiated by stimulation of adenylate cyclase (AdC) coupled with V2 receptors. We explored whether the AVP-sensitive AdC is present in both collecting tubules and the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop of human and canine kidney. In cortical collecting tubule (CCT) and medullary collecting tubules (MCT) of human kidney, AdC was markedly stimulated by AVP [maximum change from basal level (delta), +2700%] and the the nonhormonal stimulatory agent forskolin (delta, +2000%). In human CCT, the effects of both compounds were synergistic. In contrast, AVP had no effect on AdC in either the medullary (MAL) or cortical (CAL) segment of the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop of human kidney; AVP also did not stimulate AdC in CAL or MAL in the presence of forskolin. Similar to that in the human kidney, in the canine kidney, AdC in CCT and MCT was markedly stimulated by AVP and forskolin (delta, +1000%), but AVP had no effect on AdC in CAL and MAL of the canine kidney. In intact tubules dissected from dog kidney and incubated in vitro, AVP markedly increased cAMP accumulation in MCT. AVP also elicited a small but detectable increase in cAMP accumulation in MAL. From these observations, we conclude that AVP-sensitive AdC is well developed in collecting tubules, but that AVP-sensitive AdC is absent in MAL and CAL of human kidney. Likewise, in canine nephron, the AVP-sensitive AdC of MAL and CAL is rudimentary or very labile. These findings suggest that the unresponsiveness of the AdC-cAMP system to AVP in segments of the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop may be a factor that accounts for a relatively low maximum osmotic concentration of urine which can be achieved by human or canine kidneys.     

Evidence for a role of calmodulin in cellular cAMP production in response to vasopressin, prostaglandin E2 and forskolin in cultured rat renal papillary collecting tubule cells

In the present study, the role of calmodulin in the cellular action of arginine vasopressin (AVP), prostaglandin (PG) E2 and forskolin on adenosine-3', 5'-monophosphate (cAMP) production was examined in cultured rat renal papillary collecting tubule cells. In the presence of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor, submaximal concentrations of 10(-9) M AVP, 2 X 10(-8) M PGE2 and 2.4 X 10(-7) M forskolin significantly increased cellular cAMP accumulation by 2.3, 6.0 and 8.4-fold, respectively. Two chemically dissimilar inhibitors of calmodulin, namely trifluoperazine and N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (W-7), attenuated the cellular production of cAMP in a dose-related manner in response to all three stimuli. A dose which inhibited the cellular production of cAMP by 50% (ID50) ranged from 1.6 X 10(-5) to 2.8 X 10(-5) M for trifluoperazine and from 3.5 X 10(-5) to 4.4 X 10(-5) M for W-7. Basal accumulation of cellular cAMP was also decreased by treatment with either trifluoperazine or W-7, but an effective dose was relatively higher than that which inhibited agents-stimulated cellular cAMP production. Since forskolin is recognized as activating adenylate cyclase at one step of the catalytic component and the cellular action of AVP to activate adenylate cyclase is mediated through receptor-catalytic component, the present study indicates calmodulin regulation of basal, AVP-, PGE2- and forskolin-activated adenylate cyclase in the papillary collecting tubule cells. Further study demonstrated the inhibition of AVP- or PGE2-induced cellular cAMP production by treatment with either a calcium-free medium or verapamil, a blocker of cellular calcium uptake, before and during the experiment. These findings suggest that an increase in cytosolic calcium, which interacts with calmodulin to form an active complex, is, at least in part, due to the increased cellular influx of calcium from the extracellular space.     

Vasopressin response in collecting ducts of rats resistant to mineralocorticoid hypertension.

In previous studies we found that vasopressin stimulation of both cyclic AMP (cAMP) formation in cortical collecting tubules (CCT) and sodium reabsorption in isolated perfused kidneys was markedly exaggerated in rats with mineralocorticoid hypertension. In the present study, we tested the response (cAMP accumulation) of cortical and outer medullary collecting tubules (OMCT) to vasopressin in two rat models that are resistant to deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-induced hypertension, the Wistar-Furth strain and NaCl-deficient rats. The blood pressure of normal outbred Wistar rats rose to hypertensive levels (systolic pressure more than 165 mm Hg) during a 5-week treatment with DOCA (10 mg/week) and 1% saline to drink. Significant hypertrophy of the heart and kidneys was also observed. Vasopressin (10(-8) M)-induced cAMP formation was enhanced 3.4-fold in the CCT (OMCT unchanged) of hypertensive rats compared with normotensive controls. Significant hypertrophy (as indexed by tubule diameter) of the CCT but not the OMCT was also observed in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats. Restriction of dietary NaCl (0.13% in chow, tap water to drink) completely prevented DOCA-induced hypertension, organ and CCT hypertrophy, and enhancement of vasopressin-stimulated cAMP formation in the CCT. In Wistar-Furth rats, DOCA-salt treatment did not alter blood pressure or cause significant organ hypertrophy. However, DOCA-salt treatment enhanced vasopressin-stimulated cAMP formation by 4.1-fold in CCT of Wistar-Furth rats, with significant tubular hypertrophy in the CCT but not the OMCT. We conclude that DOCA-induced hypertension and changes in CCT function are dependent on excess dietary NaCl.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Stimulation of renal prostaglandins by pressor hormones in man: comparison of prostaglandin E2 and prostacyclin (6 keto prostaglandin F1 alpha)

The effect of vasoconstrictive agonists and their nonpressor analogs on renal prostaglandin production was investigated in normal subjects maintained on constant diets. Arginine vasopressin (AVP), 10 U, desamino-d arginine vasopressin (dDAVP), 4 micrograms, angiotensin II (AII), 5 ng/kg . min, des-Asp angiotensin II (AIII), 5 ng/kg . min, norepinephrine (NE), 0.1 microgram/kg . min, and NE plus phenoxybenzamine (PHB), 0.8 mg/kg, were administered on separate days. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and the stable prostacyclin metabolite, 6 keto prostaglandin F1 alpha were measured in 4-h urine collections by procedures with high resolution chromatography and RIA using highly specific antisera. AVP and dDAVP similarly reduced urine volume and increased urine osmolality. AII, AIII, NE, and NE + PHB did not alter basal urine volume, osmolality, creatinine, or electrolyte excretion. Blood pressure was similarly increased by AII and NE infusions (23 +/- 3 vs. 19 +/- 2 (SE) mm Hg). AVP and AII increased only PGE2 excretion (61 +/- 8 to 151 +/- 34 ng/4 h for AVP, and 38.7 +/- 7 to 75 +/- 19 ng/4 h for AII, P less than 0.05). The nonpressor analogs, dDAVP and AIII, had no effect on urinary prostaglandin excretion. In contrast, NE increased both PGE2 (from 38.7 +/- 7 to 74.5 +/- 12 ng/4 h, P less than 0.02) and 6 keto prostaglandin F1 alpha (from 34.6 +/- 8 to 56.1 +/- 9 ng/4 h, P less than 0.02). alpha-Blockade with PHB totally abolished the NE-induced systemic pressor and prostaglandin stimulatory effect. These data suggest that renal PGE2 and prostacyclin are not altered in parallel by vasoactive stimuli. PGE2 appears to be released in response to agents that induce renal vasoconstriction and reduced renal blood flow whereas renal prostacyclin excretion is stimulated by an adrenergic agonist via alpha-receptor activation and not vasoconstriction per se.     

Contribution by the glycogen pool and adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate release to the evanescent effect of glucagon on hepatic glucose production in vitro

To elucidate in vitro the transience of glucagon-induced hepatic glucose release, the effects of glucagon on hepatic glucose production and cAMP release were evaluated in the isolated rat liver preparation perfused by a nonrecirculating system. Glucagon was added to the infusate in stepwise increasing concentrations at 0, 60, and 100 min to give final concentrations of 2.5 X 10(-11), 10(-9), and 5 X 10(-8) M, respectively. Glucagon at 2.5 X 10(-11) M caused cAMP release [basal (mean +/- SD), 11.2 +/- 3.0 pmol/(min X 100 g BW)] to rise rapidly and plateau at 23.3 +/- 7.0 pmol/(min X 100 g BW), whereas hepatic glucose production [basal, 3.7 +/- 1.6 mumol/(min X 100 g BW)] increased only transiently to a maximum of 15.3 +/- 3.1 mumol/(min X 100 g BW) and fell thereafter. The enhanced cAMP release during the consecutive glucagon infusion was accompanied by a transient rise in hepatic glucose production during the second, but not during a third, glucagon infusion. When 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, a potent phosphodiesterase inhibitor, was added to the perfusion medium (0.5 mM), the cAMP response to 2.5 X 10(-11) M glucagon was enhanced [247 +/- 124 pmol/(min X 100 g BW)] as was hepatic glucose production (+ 21%; P less than 0.05). Further augmentation of the glucagon concentration was followed by an increase in hepatic cAMP, but not glucose, release. When glucagon infusion (2.5 X 10(-11) M) was repeated with a glucagon-free period of 30 min in between, no stimulation of cAMP and consecutive glucose release was found during the second period. However, when the second glucagon dose was increased to 10(-9) M, glucose and cAMP release were again stimulated to the same extent as in experiments with no glucagon-free period in between. We conclude that the size of the glycogen pool and the cAMP concentration directly modulate hepatic glucose production and are responsible for evanescent glucagon action. This mechanism can be described by computer simulation.     

Sites of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis along the rabbit nephron

The purpose of this study was to establish whether the nephron segments recognized as PGE2 target sites in the rabbit, i.e. the proximal tubule, the thick ascending limb and the collecting tubule, are also sites of PGE2 production. We therefore developed a microimmunoassay sensitive enough to allow the measurement of PGE2 on microdissected tubular segments about 1 mm in length. Under the conditions used (30 min incubation at 20 degrees C), a basal rate of PGE2 production was measured in the cortical (CCT) and medullary portions of the collecting tubule, as could be expected. In the presence of 10(-4) M sodium arachidonate, it was shown that: (1) The thin descending limb (TDL) is also an active site of PGE2 formation. When expressed per mm tubule length the amounts formed were lower in TDL than in CCT (14.1 +/- 2.7 SE pg/mm, n = 5, vs. 93.5 +/- 10.7, n = 8). They were quite comparable, however, when expressed per microgram total proteins (0.70 ng in TDL vs 0.6 in CCT). (2) A slight PGE2 production was noted in the connecting tubule but it was likely due to contamination by adjacent CCT cells. (3) In the other nephron segments, only negligible amounts of PGE2 were formed, which are probably of no physiological significance.     

Enhancement by veratridine and 60 mM KCl of vasopressin-induced 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate production and cellular free calcium concentration in rat renal papillary collecting tubule cells in culture

The effect of extracellular calcium (Ca2+) on the cellular action of arginine vasopressin (AVP) was examined using depolarizing agents in rat renal papillary collecting tubule cells in culture. One-hour exposure of cells to veratridine enhanced AVP-induced cAMP production in a dose-dependent manner. This enhancement by veratridine of cellular cAMP production in response to AVP was totally blunted by cotreatment with 5 X 10(-4) M verapamil, 3 X 10(-3) M cobalt, or Ca2+-free medium containing 1 X 10(-3) M EGTA. These agents block cellular Ca2+ uptake by different mechanisms. Similarly, 60 mM KCl enhanced AVP-induced cAMP production, and this effect was blocked by pretreatment with verapamil, cobalt or Ca2+-free medium containing 1 X 10(-3) M EGTA. When cellular free Ca2+ concentrations [Ca2+]i were measured by the fluorescence dye fura-2, both 1 X 10(-4) M veratridine and 60 mM KCl significantly increased [Ca2+]i from 67.6 to 141.8 nM and from 74.6 to 166.2 nM, respectively. Such rises in [Ca2+]i depended on extracellular Ca2+ since the increase in [Ca2+]i was completely blocked in Ca2+-free medium or in the presence of 3 X 10(-3) M cobalt. In addition, veratridine and 60 mM KCl significantly augmented the AVP-induced increase in [Ca2+]i. The possible mechanisms by which depolarizing agents induce cellular Ca2+ mobilization include the opening of voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels in the plasma membrane. The present results indicate that veratridine and 60 mM KCl enhance AVP-induced cAMP production and cellular free Ca2+ concentration through cellular Ca2+ uptake in renal papillary collecting tubule.     

A kinetic analysis of hepatocyte responses to a glucagon pulse: mechanism and metabolic consequences of differences in response decay times

Pulsatile administration of glucagon to perifused rat hepatocytes stimulates hepatocyte glucose production (HGP) more effectively than continuous administration. Having established that this effect was due to delayed relaxation of glucagon-stimulated HGP (t1/2 for decay = 3.54 +/- 0.60 min) we wished to examine the mechanism of response termination. Delayed dissociation of glucagon from its receptor was excluded by the brisk washout of [125I]glucagon from perifusion columns (t1/2 = 1.00 +/- 0.13) and the rapid decay in glucagon-stimulated cAMP released into the perifusion medium (t1/2 = 1.14 +/- 0.12). The relaxation of the HGP response to a pulse of administered cAMP was comparable to the decay in glucagon-stimulated HGP (t1/2 = 3.28 +/- 0.22). Furthermore, the phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutyl-methylxanthine did not alter the decay of the HGP response to glucagon despite increasing the amplitude of the response (t1/2 = 3.04 +/- 0.36). These data place the rate-limiting step for HGP relaxation distal to cAMP generation and degradation. The decay of the beta-hydroxybutyrate response to a glucagon pulse was not different from the cAMP response (t1/2 = 1.14 +/- 0.23), whereas the decay of gluconeogenesis from lactate was not significantly different from HGP relaxation (t1/2 = 1.94 +/- 0.08). We conclude that rate-limiting events for HGP relaxation occur distal to the second messenger cascade; however, ketogenesis is more closely coupled to the kinetics of cAMP. These results may help to explain the absence of excessive ketosis during fasting in normal humans, who secrete glucagon episodically at 10- to 14-min intervals.     

Prompt inhibition of arginine vasopressin-induced cellular adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate production by extracellular sodium depletion in rat renal inner medullary collecting duct cells in culture

The present study was undertaken to determine whether the absence of extracellular Na+ affects cellular action of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in rat renal inner medullary collecting duct cells in culture. AVP increased cellular cAMP production in a dose-dependent manner. Na+ depletion promptly diminished the cellular cAMP response to AVP (1 nM AVP; 405.9 +/- 26.1 vs. 189.8 +/- 12.1 fmol/micrograms protein, P less than 0.01). The dose-response relation shifted to the right. The inhibition of the ability of AVP to produce cAMP was observed with an extracellular Na+ concentration less than 60 mM. Similar results were obtained with 2 x 10(-8) M forskolin, a diterpene activator of adenylate cyclase. Such inhibition was easily released, since only 10-min reexposure of the Na(+)-depleted cells to the control medium totally recovered the cAMP response to AVP. Extracellular Na+ depletion promptly decreased the cellular Na+ concentration from 15.8 +/- 1.0 to 5.4 +/- 0.6 mM (P less than 0.01), measured using the fluorescence dye sodium-binding benzofuran isophthalate. If the Na(+)-depleted cells were again incubated with the control medium, intracellular Na+ rapidly recovered to the precontrol level. Such a change was closely related to the change in cellular pH, which decreased from 7.19 +/- 0.02 to 6.97 +/- 0.02, measured using the fluorescence dye 2',7'-bis-(2-carboxymethyl)-5 (and -6)carboxyfluorescein,acetamethylester. However, Na+ depletion did not affect the cellular free calcium concentration or cellular protein and ATP contents. These results indicate that Na+ depletion promptly attenuated the ability of AVP to produce cAMP mediated through either the decrease in intracellular Na+ or cellular pH in renal inner medullary collecting duct cells.     

Effects of infused norepinephrine and angiotensin-II on vasopressin levels in humans

Angiotensin II (A-II) has been shown to stimulate plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) secretion in experimental animals, although offsetting effects from a rise in arterial pressure may obscure the effect. A rise in plasma norepinephrine (NE) may have several effects on plasma AVP because of changes in arterial pressure and central adrenergic stimulation. As little data exist concerning these neurohumoral interrelationships in humans, the current investigation was performed to examine the role of acute changes in plasma NE and A-II in the control of arginine vasopressin (AVP). The question is of potential importance because of diffuse disturbances in neurohumoral control in diseases such as hypertension and congestive heart failure. We measured heart rate, arterial pressure, and plasma AVP during 2.5 and 5.0 micrograms/min infusions of NE, and during .05 and .10 micrograms/kg/min infusions of A-II. NE increased mean blood pressure from 81 +/- 11 mm Hg to 87 +/- 16 mm Hg at 2.5 micrograms/min and to 93 +/- 16 mm Hg at 5.0 micrograms/min (p less than .001). Heart rate was unchanged during the 2.5 micrograms/min infusion but declined from 58 +/- 9 beats/min to 54 +/- 9 beats/min during the 5.0 micrograms/min infusion (p = NS). Plasma AVP, 3.0 +/- 0.9 pg/mL, did not change. During A-II infusions, mean arterial pressure increased from 81 +/- 13 mm Hg to 92 +/- 17 mm Hg and 112 +/- 21 mm Hg at the two rates (p less than .001); heart rate declined from 61 +/- 6.8 beats/min to 59 +/- 9.1 beats/min and 56 +/- 11.3 beats/min (p = NS).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of ouabain on cellular free calcium and cellular cyclic AMP production in response to arginine vasopressin in rat renal papillary collecting tubule cells in culture

The effect of extracellular calcium (Ca2+) on the cellular action of arginine vasopressin (AVP) was examined using an Na+, K+-ATPase inhibitor in rat renal papillary collecting tubule cells in culture. The pretreatment of cells with ouabain enhanced basal and AVP-induced cAMP production in a dose-dependent manner. The augmentation by ouabain of cellular cAMP production in response to AVP was totally abolished by co-treatment with cobalt, lanthanum, verapamil or Ca2+-free medium containing 1 mmol EGTA/l, each blocking cellular Ca2+ uptake by different mechanisms. Two other findings indicated that ouabain directly stimulated cellular Ca2+ mobilization; namely, that ouabain significantly increased 45Ca2+ influx and cellular free Ca2+ concentration [( Ca2+]i) determined by Fura-2 fluorescence. The ouabain-induced increase in [Ca2+]i was completely blocked by either cobalt or Ca2+-free medium containing 1 mmol EGTA/l. AVP at 0.1 mumol/l increased [Ca2+]i to 177.1 +/- 26.2 nmol/l from 92.2 +/- 8.0 nmol/l (P less than 0.01) in renal papillary collecting tubule cells, and ouabain significantly enhanced the AVP-induced increase in [Ca2+]i. The increase of cellular free Ca2+ induced by ouabain probably binds to calmodulin to form an active complex of Ca2+-calmodulin in the cell, since two chemically dissimilar antagonists of calmodulin attenuated the enhancement by ouabain of cAMP production in response to AVP. These results therefore indicate that ouabain increases cellular Ca2+ uptake and enhances AVP-induced cellular free Ca2+ mobilization and its own second messenger cAMP production in renal papillary collecting tubule cells, and that extracellular Ca2+ is an important source for ouabain-mobilized cellular Ca2+.     

Renal proximal tubular alpha-adrenergic receptors oppose urinary 3,5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate response to parathyroid hormone in vivo

In both man and rat, urinary cAMP (U cAMP) level increases in response to PTH. The increased cAMP arises largely by secretion from the proximal tubule where cAMP synthesis is stimulated by PTH through adenylate cyclase-coupled receptors. We have previously demonstrated alpha 2-adrenergic receptors which inhibit PTH-stimulated adenylate cyclase in rat renal cortex membranes in vitro. In the present study, the effects of alpha-adrenergic agonists and antagonists on the U cAMP response to PTH were investigated in anesthetized rats in vivo. Injection of PTH (15 U/kg iv) produced an increase in U cAMP from 1.7 +/- 0.3 to 7.4 +/- 0.7 nmol cAMP/mumol creatinine (n = 6), (P less than 0.001). This rise was largely due to an increase in nephrogenous cAMP which increased 10-fold. Infusion of the alpha 2-adrenergic agonist clonidine at 1 microgram/kg X min caused a decrease in the cAMP response to PTH to 3.6 +/- 0.5 nmol cAMP/mumol creatinine (n = 12) (P less than 0.001). Infusion of the alpha 2-selective catecholamine alpha-methylnorepinephrine (1 microgram/kg X min) caused a similar reduction in U cAMP response to that observed with clonidine. The alpha-adrenergic antagonist phentolamine (100 micrograms/kg X min) reversed the effects of clonidine and, when administered in the absence of alpha-agonists, caused an increased cAMP response to PTH. These results demonstrate the presence of alpha-receptors in the rat proximal convoluted tubule which oppose the actions of PTH in vivo.     

The effect of somatostatin on the activation of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase in isolated rat islets of Langerhans

Somatostatin has been reported to inhibit the increases in cAMP levels induced by glucagon in isolated islets of Langerhans. The present study was undertaken to test whether the reported effects of somatostatin on islet cAMP levels were also reflected in changes in the cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity. Isolated islets were found to contain both isoenzymes of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase. In the presence of theophylline (2 mM), glucagon (2.9 X 10(-6) M) increased the islet protein kinase activity ratio from 0.24 +/- 0.02 to 0.55 +/- 0.02. Somatostatin (6.6 X 10(-7) M) fully inhibited both the glucagon (2.9 X 10(-7) M)- and theophylline (2 mM)-induced increases in the protein kinase activity ratio. Omission of Ca2+ from the islet incubation media did not alter the inhibitory effect of somatostatin on the glucagon-dependent activation of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The present study has demonstrated that in the islets of Langerhans, glucagon-dependent activation of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase can be modulated by somatostatin.     

pH dependence of inhibition of arginine vasopressin-induced adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate production by cellular sodium depletion in rat renal inner medullary collecting duct cells in culture.

The present study was undertaken to determine whether the change in cellular Na+ concentration ( [Na+]i) or cellular pH (pHi) is essential for the modulation by Na+/H+ antiporter of the cellular action of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in renal inner medullary collecting duct cells in culture. Extracellular Na+ depletion promptly decreased [Na+]i from 15.8 to 5.4 mM (P less than 0.01), which was closely related to the decrease in pHi (7.19 to 6.97; P less than 0.01). In the presence of 0.5 mM 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, AVP increased cellular cAMP production in a dose-dependent manner. This was significantly blunted in the Na(+)-depleted cells (1 nM AVP; 481.9 vs. 341.0 fmol/micrograms protein; P less than 0.01). When cells were incubated with the Na(+)-depleted medium containing 25 mM NaHCO3, [Na+]i decreased promptly, but the pHi remained unchanged. Under this condition, the AVP-induced increase in cellular cAMP production was not altered (1 nM AVP; 390.9 vs. 334.8 fmol/micrograms protein). Also, after the Na(+)-depleted cells were incubated in 20 mM NH4Cl, which promptly normalized pHi despite the decreased [Na+]i, the response of cAMP production to AVP was restored. Amiloride (1 x 10(-5)-1 x 10(-3) M), which blocks the Na+/H+ exchange, decreased pHi and AVP- and forskolin-induced cAMP production in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that the decrease in [Na+]i promptly inhibits AVP-induced cAMP production mediated through the reduction in pHi in renal inner medullary collecting duct cells.     

In vitro stimulation and inhibition of adrenocorticotropin release by pituitary cells from ovine fetuses and lambs

Short term cultured pituitary cells from fetal (63-144 days old) and young lambs (30-120 days old) were tested for their in vitro ability to release immunoreactive ACTH and cAMP in response to stimulation by ovine (o) oCRF1-41, arginine vasopressin (AVP), epinephrine, and forskolin, both in the absence and presence of corticosteroids. For each culture, the percentage of corticotrophs was determined by immunocytochemistry using ACTH antibodies, and the net responses (stimulated-baseline) were expressed per 10(5) corticotrophs. During gestation, basal ACTH release did not change significantly except at 125 days where it was 2-fold higher than at other fetal stages. Basal ACTH release was 2-fold higher in lambs than in fetuses. In the presence of oCRF1-41, a significant increase in ACTH secretion over basal value was observed at all stages studied. The maximal response decreased from 7.89 +/- 1.19 ng ACTH 10(5) corticotrophs-1 3 h-1 at 63 days of gestation to 3.49 +/- 0.88 ng at 115 days, then remained fairly constant in prepartum animals and lambs. No significant change in the ED50 was observed. The cAMP output induced by oCRF1-41 decreased progressively between 63 and 133 days of gestation from 10.72 +/- 1.84 to 2.21 +/- 0.62 pmol, then increased in lambs to values similar to that of 63-day-old fetuses. The ACTH response to AVP was higher than that to oCRF1-41 at 115 days, decreased dramatically in late gestation without modification of the ED50, and remained low in lambs. The ACTH response to epinephrine was always very low. Forskolin-induced ACTH release was lower between 115 and 144 days of gestation than at other stages. The synergistic effect of AVP and epinephrine on both cAMP and ACTH productions stimulated by oCRF1-41 decreased at the end of gestation. The ACTH response to each stimulus was inhibited by dexamethasone, cortisol, and corticosterone (10(-9) and 10(-7) M) throughout the period studied. This effect was maximum at 63 days of gestation. cAMP release was not altered by glucocorticoids. These results indicate that 1) maximal ACTH response in vitro of corticotrophs to AVP is achieved during fetal life; 2) the capacity of fetal corticotrophs to release ACTH in response to oCRF1-41 is similar to that of lambs throughout the last month of gestation; and 3) corticotrophs are sensitive to the glucocorticoid-negative feedback at least during the second half of fetal life.     

Transmembrane signals mediating adrenocorticotropin release from mouse anterior pituitary cells

The effect of arginine vasopressin (AVP) and corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) an adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secretion, phosphatidylinositol breakdown and cAMP accumulation was examined in primary cultures of mouse anterior pituitary cells. AVP and CRF added alone stimulated ACTH secretion in a dose-dependent manner. At 10(-8) M concentration of peptide, AVP and CRF stimulated ACTH secretion 2.8- and 4.6-fold, respectively. AVP and CRF added in combination at equal doses gave an additive effect. CRF enhanced cAMP accumulation, but AVP had no effect on basal or CRF-induced cAMP accumulation. Both forskolin (10(-5) M) and 8-bromo-cAMP (10(-3) M) increased ACTH secretion in these cells by 2.8- and 1.7-fold, respectively. AVP induced the breakdown of phosphoinositides, and CRF alone, or in combination with AVP did not modify this effect. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (10(-7) M), dioctanoylglycerol (10(-4) M) and phospholipase C (100 mU/ml) also stimulated ACTH secretion in these cells by 4.2-, 2.4-, and 3.7-fold, respectively. Depletion of intracellular and extracellular Ca2+ decreased ACTH secretion, but had no significant effect on CRF-induced cAMP accumulation. However, AVP-induced phosphoinositide breakdown was dependent on extracellular Ca2+. These results indicate that CRF stimulates ACTH secretion via the cAMP-dependent pathway and AVP via the phosphoinositide breakdown-phospholipase C pathway. In the presence of AVP and CRF, both pathways appear to operate independently to produce an additive effect on ACTH secretion.     

Effects of atrial natriuretic factor and vasopressin on cyclic nucleotides in cultured kidney cells

The cellular mechanism of the action of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) is thought to involve activation of guanylate cyclase. Increasing evidence shows a direct tubular effect of ANF. Part of the ANF-induced diuresis has been suggested to be due to inhibition of the action of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in the cortical collecting tubule. In this study we investigated the effect of ANF on cyclic nucleotide production in primary cultures of cortical collecting tubule cells immunodissected with a monoclonal antibody. ANF caused a dose-dependent stimulation in cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) production; the half-maximal stimulation was observed at approximately 1 nM of ANF. ANF (0.01-100 nM) had no effect on cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation in cortical collecting tubule cultures. AVP caused a dose-dependent increase in cAMP production, and this effect was not altered by the simultaneous addition of ANF (100 nM). Similarly, ANF-induced cGMP stimulation was not influenced by AVP (10 nM). We conclude that 1) ANF has a direct stimulatory action on cGMP production by cultured cortical collecting tubule cells and 2) any interaction between ANF and AVP is likely to occur at steps distal to cyclic nucleotide formation.