Hepatic portal vein infusion of glucose on sodium excretion in the rat

Anesthetized rats were prepared with catheters in the hepatic portal (HPV) and femoral (FEM) veins and in the bladder or ureters. In some experiments the left kidney was denervated. HPV infusion of 1 M glucose at 2 ml/h for 20 min increased Na excretion by the kidney when given as a second infusion. Bilateral cervical vagotomy eliminated the increase in Na excretion during glucose infusion and uncovered a delayed decrease in Na and K excretion. Renal denervation attenuated the increase in Na excretion to HPV glucose. FEM infusion of glucose had variable effects, increasing Na excretion only after vagotomy. The results are interpreted to suggest that central and vagal receptors tend to enhance Na excretion whereas splanchnic nerve afferents and humoral mediator(s) have the opposite effect.     

Renal nerve blunts natriuretic and diuretic response to atrial natriuretic peptide in conscious rabbits

The contribution of the renal nerve to the natriuretic and diuretic responses to rat atrial natriuretic peptide (rAMP) was investigated in conscious rabbits with unilateral renal denervation. Renal nerve activity (RNA) was measured at the contralateral innervated kidney. Catheters were bilaterally implanted into the ureters. Urine samples were collected from each kidney by gravity drainage at 10-min clearance intervals. In rabbits with all baroreflexes intact, infusion of rANP at 0.3 micrograms/(kg.min) for 30 min decreased mean arterial pressure by 8 +/- 4 mmHg and increased RNA by 53 +/- 13%. After sinoaortic baroreceptor denervation (SAD), hypotensive response to infusion of rANP was greater than that in intact rabbits, while RNA did not change. After SAD plus vagotomy, infusion of rANP lowered mean arterial pressure by 21 +/- 4 mmHg and RNA by 19 +/- 6%. In the denervated kidney, infusion of rANP increased Na+ excretion by 16.1 +/- 4.5 from 3.5 +/- 1.0 muEq/min and water excretion by 0.17 +/- 0.05 from 0.08 +/- 0.02 ml/min. In the contralateral innervated kidney, infusion of rANP increased the amount of Na+ and water excretion by 4.5 +/- 3.2 muEq/min and 0.07 +/- 0.04 ml/min, which were significantly less than those in the denervated kidney. These results indicate that infusion of rANP increases RNA, due to baroreceptor reflexes, and that this increase in RNA blunts natriuretic and diuretic action of rANP.     

Endogenous opioids and electrolyte excretion after contralateral renal exclusion

Acute reductions in functioning renal mass result in increases in both sodium (U Na V) and potassium (U K V) excretion by the contralateral kidney (CK). We studied the role of endogenous opioids in this response. In control experiments acute unilateral nephrectomy (AUN) increased U Na V from 1,788 +/- 1,125 (SD) to 3,939 +/- 1,819 and U K V from 1,385 +/- 561 to 2,254 +/- 832 neq/min by the CK (P less than 0.005 for both); similar results occurred in rats undergoing acute unilateral ureteral occlusion (UUO). These increases occurred without overall change in GFR or mean arterial pressure. In rats receiving a continuous infusion of the opiate-receptor antagonist naloxone (0.3 mg . kg-1 . h-1) neither AUN nor UUO produced significant alterations in U Na V or U K V by the CK; naloxone infusion by itself did not alter GFR or basal rates of cation excretion. A separate group of rats was made tolerant to morphine by subcutaneous implantation of pellets containing 75 mg morphine base. In these rats, AUN also failed to produce any increase in U Na V or U K V by the CK. The results suggest that acute reductions in functioning renal mass produced by either AUN or UUO stimulate cation excretion by the remaining kidney through reflex pathways that involve opiate receptors.     

Inhibition of vasopressin-release during developing hypernatremia and plasma hyperosmolality: an effect of intracerebroventricular glycerol

In non-hydrated goats prolonged (3 h, 0.02 ml/min) intracerebroventricular (IVT) infusion of 0.35 M glycerol depressed the plasma vasopressin level during the entire infusion period which resulted in a conspicuous water diuresis outlasting the infusion by about 20 min. Since no compensatory drinking occurred during this sustained water diuresis it gradually induced pronounced dehydration (loss of greater than 1 liter of total body water causing 5% increase in plasma [Na+] and osmolality). The same degree of dehydration was in other experiments induced by water deprivation. It then caused a 5-fold increase in plasma vasopressin level. Corresponding IVT infusions of 0.35 M d-glucose depressed plasma vasopressin level only during the first half of the 3 h infusion period. Consequently, the resulting water diuresis was transient and subsided before the glucose infusion was finished. Plasma renin activity increased during the IVT glycerol infusion and during water deprivation, but was largely unaffected by IVT glucose. Both IVT glycerol and glucose decreased renal sodium excretion. The possibility is discussed that the pronounced ability of IVT glycerol to depress the vasopressin release and thirst is not only due to dilution induced reduction of CSF [Na+], but also to an influence of glycerol on choroidal and/or transependymal Na+-transporting mechanisms.     

Reducing brain sodium concentration prevents post-prandial and dehydration-induced natriuresis in sheep

Renal Na excretion during the 24 h following feeding was studied in sheep. A pronounced natriuresis occured 3.5-5.5 h after feeding. Na excretion then fell to low levels in animals allowed to drink water, but was significantly elevated above this level in water-deprived sheep for most of the remaining period. Both the post-prandial and dehydration-induced natriuresis were prevented by intracerebroventricular (icv) infusions of low Na concentration 0.3 mol 1^-1 mannitol at 1 ml h^_1, and a water diuresis also occurred. These effects were not caused by icv infusion of artificial cerebrospinal fluid (Na concentration = 150 mmol l^-1). As a result, there was a much greater increase in plasma Na concentration and osmolality in the sheep given icv mannitol. Intravenous infusion of vasopressin prevented the water diuresis induced by icv mannitol, but the inhibition of natriuresis was still observed and plasma Na concentration increased by 8 mmol l^-1 over 24 h compared with an increase of 3 mmol l^-1 in dehydrated sheep infused icv with artificial cerebrospinal fluid. The results show that the ambient Na concentration in the brain plays an important role in the normal homeostatic regulation of Na balance by the kidney in sheep.     

Relationship between glucose and sodium excretion in the new-born dog

1. The relationship between renal glucose and sodium excretion was studied in thirty-three new-born dogs aged 1-14 days and in ten adult dogs.2. Glucose was infused into the animals at rates sufficient to produce an amount of filtered glucose at least 1.5 times the tubular transport of glucose (saturating glucose load). In both puppies and adults tubular glucose reabsorption at saturating glucose loads varied directly with the glomerular filtration rate (r = 0.54 and 0.73 respectively, P < 0.01 for both).3. In the puppy, as the fraction of filtered sodium excreted (C(Na)/C(In)) increased from 0.05 to 0.45, the ratio, renal tubular glucose transport divided by glomerular filtration rate at saturating glucose loads, (T(G)/GFR)(m), decreased from 3.7 to 1.7 mg/ml. (r = -0.75, P < 0.01). In the adult C(Na)/C(In) was below 0.08 in all experiments and (T(G)/GFR)(m) was within the 95% confidence limits predicted by regression analysis of the data from puppies. Although mean (T(G)/GFR)(m) was greater in the adult than in the puppy (P < 0.01), when puppies had C(Na)/C(In) similar to that for adults, they had (T(G)/GFR)(m) values equivalent to that for the adult.4. There was excellent correlation between glucose excretion and water excretion for both adult and new-born dogs (r = 0.93 and 0.87, respectively). However, for any glucose loss, water loss was greater in the puppy than in the adult (P < 0.01).5. During the control period total sodium excretion (per gram kidney) and C(Na)/C(In) were similar in the new-born and adult dog. However, during glucose loading, the puppies excreted more sodium and had a higher C(Na)/C(In) than did the adult, although glucose excretion was greater in the adult than in the puppy (P < 0.01 for all comparisons).6. Glomerular blood flow, as measured by radioactive microspheres, was redistributed towards inner cortical nephrons during glucose loading in the puppy. There was no such redistribution of glomerular blood flow in the adult.7. Sodium reabsorption beyond the proximal tubule was blocked with ethacrynic acid and chlorothiazide. In the puppy, the increase of C(Na)/C(In) following a glucose load was the same whether the glucose load followed control or distal blockade collections, suggesting that reductions of sodium reabsorption following a glucose load probably came from the proximal tubule. C(Na)/C(In) during glucose loading plus distal blockade was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in the puppy (0.598) than in the adult (0.280), indicating that glucose diuresis produced a greater inhibition of proximal tubular sodium reabsorption in the new-born than in the adult dog.These results support the hypothesis that the high sodium excretion rate during glucose diuresis in the new-born dogs appears to be due to the greater sensitivity of the neonatal proximal tubule to the osmotic effect of glucose. When presented with a glucose osmotic load the new-born dog diminishes net proximal sodium reabsorption more than does the adult and thus depresses tubular glucose reabsorption to a greater extent. The lower values of maximal glucose transport rates found in new-born animals may be related, therefore, to the higher fractional sodium excretion rates during glucose diuresis rather than to a diminished intrinsic glucose transport capacity in the new-born kidney.     

Alterations in histamine metabolism of rat gastric mucosa following vagotomy

1. In female rats subjected to truncal vagotomy with pyloroplasty, pyloroplasty alone or sham operation, the behaviour of gastric mucosal histamine was investigated combining in vivo and in vitro methods.2. Following truncal vagotomy with pyloroplasty mucosal histamine formation, determined in vitro, increased about fivefold and histamine content was significantly elevated. The heightened histamine formation was reflected in increased excretion of histamine in the urine.3. On pentagastrin infusion, mucosal histamine formation increased about twofold following vagotomy with pyloroplasty and sevenfold in the sham-operated controls. Histamine content concomitantly fell in both groups to about the same level. These alterations were paralleled by increased excretion of histamine in the urine.4. Kinetic studies in which [(14)C]histidine was injected and the resulting urinary [(14)C]histamine determined, indicated that during the first hour of pentagastrin infusion newly formed histamine was more slowly mobilized following vagotomy with pyloroplasty than in the controls.5. In rats subjected to a pyloroplasty alone, the increase in urinary histamine on pentagastrin infusion was significantly larger than in the sham-operated controls. Kinetic studies indicated that this was due to a larger mobilization of preformed histamine.6. The changes in mucosal histamine metabolism are discussed in relation to the pattern of acid secretion following the actual surgical procedures.     

The functional state of the isolated rabbit kidney perfused with autologous blood

This report describes the technique and procedure for perfusing an isolated rabbit kidney with 25 ml heparinized autologous blood in a closed circuit including a pump and an oxygenator. The duration of the operative ischaemia was 5-8 min; the perfusion lasted 2.5 hours. An additional infusion was made to compensate for urinary losses. Renal blood flow increased progressively from 2.01+/-0.1 to 2.65+/-0.22* ml/g kidney weight (kw) per min (*P<0.05). Between the first (P1) and the last (P4) urine collection period the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) fell from 288+/-25 to 217+/-38* microl/g kw per min, urine flow from 5.58+/-1.13 to 4.91+/-0.75 microl/g kw per min, Na+ excretion from 1.07+/-0.19 to 0.63+/-0.12* micromol/g kw per min, K+ excretion from 0.46+/-0.03 to 0.28+/-0.05* micromol/g kw per min, P excretion from 2.5+/-0.2 to 2.0+/-0.5 microg/g kw per min, Ca excretion from 0.4+/-0.1 to 0.12+/-0.05* microg/g kw per min, creatinine excretion from 6.94+/-0.32 to 5.68+/-0.54 microg/g kw per min, glucose excretion from 18.2+/-3.2 to 1.6+/-0.5* microg/g kw per min, the free water clearance (CH2O) from -6.57+/-0.85 to -5.10+/-1.31 microl/g kw per min and urine osmolality from 600+/-52 to 590+/-105 mOsm/kg, urea excretion from 0.75+/-0.16 to 0.95+/-0.13 micromol/g kw per min. Excretion of glucose, P or Ca was observed only above a given plasma threshold value, and no transport maximum was found for glucose or P. Ca reabsorption paralleled the Na reabsorption. The proximal tubule pressure, measured within the 1st h of perfusion, was 12.5+/-1.1 mm Hg. Histological examination at the end of the perfusion showed dilatation of the tubules as in the non-perfused kidneys, and the presence of numerous bacteria. Hypertonic urine (380-1110 mOsm/kg) was observed in the presence of vasopressin, in the latter's absence the urine was hypotonic urine (206-278 mOsm/kg). There was no correlation between renal plasma flow and the GFR. CH2O increased with increasing filtered Na+ load. In conclusion, the blood-perfused, isolated rabbit kidney has a fairly constant functional capacity for approximately 2 h.     

Water and sodium excretion in unilaterally denervated normal and sodium depleted anesthetized rats before and after plasma volume repletion

The possible role of a reduction in plasma volume (PV) by surgery as well as the importance of dietary Na supply in denervation natriuresis have been investigated on Inactinanesthetized male rats subjected to acute unilateral renal sympathectomy. Four groups were studied: I. Normal Na diet (n=14); II. Low Na diet (boiled rice for 2 weeks)-isotonic glucose infusion (n=10); III. Low Na diet-isotonic saline infusion (n=5); IV. Normal and low Na diet rats served as conscious control (n=10). Surgery caused a 9–11% increase in hematocrit and a 15–18% decrease in PV in groups I–III. Plasma volume repletion (PVR) reverted these changes. In group I sodium excretion from both kidneys was only a fraction of that in conscious animals kept on the same diet (group IV) and marked denervation natriuresis was observed. After PVR sodium output of innervated (I) kidneys was not different from that of conscious rats but denervated (D) kidneys excreted twice that amount. In group II Na excretion was increased compared to conscious Na depleted controls, and PVR augmented further this difference. Surprisingly, the difference in urinary sodium excretion (U_NaV) between I and D kidneys was absent after surgery and was minimal after PVR in this group. In group III physiological saline infusion reverted the effect of Na depletion and denervation natriuresis was present both before and after PVR. It is concluded that PV reduction does not play a major role in denervation phenomenon. In Na depleted anesthetized rats denervation natriuresis is absent or minimal.     

Renal hydrogen ion secretion after release of unilateral ureteral obstruction.

The effect of 24 h of unilateral ureteral obstruction on HCO3 reabsroption and urinary acidification was studied in dogs. The postobstructed kidney (EK) had a significantly lower glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow than the contralateral kidney (CK). Urinary pH prior to HCO3 loading was significantly higher in the EK as was maximal HCO3 reabsorption. Saline loading depressed HCO3 reabsorption to the same degree in both kidneys. Urinary PCO2, during HCO3 loading, and during phosphate infusion, was significantly lower in the EK than the CK. Fractional Na excretion was significantly higher in the EK than the CK after deoxycorticosterone acetate administration. Na2SO4 administration enhanced acid excretion only in the CK. K excretion was significantly lower in the EK than the CK both during HCO3 loading and Na2SO4 administration. There was redistribution of cortical blood flow from the outer cortex toward the inner cortex in the EK as compared to the CK. There was no difference in plasma renin activity from both renal veins. These data demonstrate enhanced proximal H+ secretion (which is abolished by volume expansion) and impaired distal H+ secretion by the postobstructed kidney. The distal defect is likely an effect of a generalized disorder of distal transport in that both K secretion and steroid-responsive Na reabsorption were impaired in the postobstructed kidney.     

A central osmosensitive receptor for renal sodium excretion.

1. The effect on renal Na and water excretion of increasing the NaCl concentration of blood supplying the brain was investigated in conscious water-loaded sheep. Intracarotid infusion ot 4 M-NACl at 0-8 ml./min for 60 min was compared with equivalent intrajugular infusion. 2. A more rapid increase in renal Na excretion and urine osmolality occurred with the intracarotid infusions than with intrajugular infusions. 3. Intracarotid infusions of 2 M sucrose or fructose at 1-6 ml./min for greater increase in renal Na excretion, urine osmolality and a decrease in urine flow rate. 4. The results suggest that there are receptors in the brain sensitive to changes in extracellular tonicity which influence renal Na excretion. It is possible that changes in ADH secretion alone mediate the early natriuresis seen with intracarotid hypertonic infusions although an alternative concurrent mechanism cannot be ruled out.     

Different effects of furosemide on urinary excretion of prostaglandin E2 and F2 alpha in rabbits.

The effect of a constant infusion of furosemide (130 micrograms/min i.v. for 60 min, n = 8) was studied on urinary excretion of water, electrolytes and immunoreactive prostaglandin E2 (iPGE2) and iPGF2alpha in chloralose-urethane anesthetized rabbits. During the furosemide infusion sodium and water excretion increased ten-fold and the excretion of potassium and iPGE2 two to three times. The excretion of iPGF2alpha (0.06 +/- 0.03 micrograms/min/100 g kidney weight) was not significantly changed during the furosemide infusion but increased markedly after the infusion and reached a maximum (1.0 +/- 0.6 microgram/min/100 g) 30 to 45 min later, while the small increase in iPGE2 excretion at this time could be attributed to cross-reaction with PGF2alpha. The results indicate that PGE2 might possibly be involved directly in the action of furosemide, while PGF2alpha might participate in sodium and water conserving mechanisms in the rabbit kidney, activated by the drug induced diuresis.     

Effect of parathyroid hormone on urinary acidification.

The effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH) administration on urinary acidification was studied in intact and thyroparathyroidectomized dogs. PTH administration resulted in a significant increase in urine pH and HCO3 excretion. In dogs with maximally acid urine caused by Na2SO4 infusion PTH administration also led to a significant increase in urine pH and to a decrease in ammonium excretion. To examine the effect of PTH on H+ secretion in the distal nephron we measured the urine-blood (U-B) PCO2 gradient in dogs with maximally alkaline urine (urine pH greater than 7.8) before and after PTH administration. After infusion of the hormone, HCO3 excretion increased significantly but the U-B PCO2 gradient remained unchanged. The effects of PTH infusion on urinary acidification in animals with distal renal tubular acidosis caused by LiCl administration were also studied. PTH administration to these dogs increased HCO3 excretion to the same level seen in normal dogs. These data suggest that PTH does not inhibit distal H+ secretion but increases HCO3 excretion by depressing proximal HCO3 reabsorption.     

The dopamine receptor antagonist haloperidol blocks natriuretic but not hypotensive effects of the atrial natriuretic factor

Studies were performed on anesthetized male Münich-Wistar rats to investigate the influence of the dopamine (DA) receptor antagonist haloperidol on the natriuretic response to infusion of a synthetic atrial natriuretic factor. The whole kidney glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urinary excretion of electrolytes, and arterial blood pressure (BP) were therefore measured in groups of animals pretreated with haloperidol or vehicle and given a continuous intravenous infusion of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP; 28 amino acids). Forty-five minutes of ANP infusion at 10 micrograms h-1 kg-1 body wt did not increase GFR (change from 1.14 +/- 0.08 to 1.15 +/- 0.05 ml min-1 g-1 kidney wt). Sodium excretion (UNaV) increased more than four-fold from 0.037 +/- 0.008 to 0.165 +/- 0.070 mumol min-1 g-1 kidney wt (P less than 0.01). Potassium excretion (UKV) increased by 86% (P less than 0.001) and the urine flow rate (V) increased transiently by 63% (P less than 0.05) and did not differ from the control value during the last 15 min of ANP infusion. The urinary sodium concentration (UNa) increased almost three-fold, while BP decreased by 14%. There was no change in urine osmolality. In animals pretreated with haloperidol (1 mg kg-1 body wt), 45 min of ANP infusion did not significantly alter GFR (from 1.10 +/- 0.08 to 0.98 +/- 0.09 ml min-1 g-1 kidney wt). The UNaV did not increase significantly (change from 0.026 +/- 0.006 to 0.030 +/- 0.009 mumol min-1 g-1 kidney wt). The UKV was not elevated by ANP infusion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Action of phlorizin on luminal and antiluminal membranes of proximal cells of kidney

In accord with results of others, we have observed that the infusion of phlorizin at low rates (2.16-117 microgram-kg-1-min-1) progressively increases fractional excretion of glucose from 0.47 to 0.85. Further increasing the rate of infusion to 2.19 mg-kg-1-min-1 increases fractional excretion to 1.0. The relationship appears to describe a single function having characteristics of an adsorption isotherm. The metabolism of the kidney, expressed as rate of total CO2 production from all substrates, is modestly and variably reduced by infusion of phlorizin at both high and low rates. The metabolism of glucose, expressed as rate of CO2 production, is variably but not consistently altered by infusion of phlorizin. The oxidation of [14C]lactate derived from [14C]glucose is negligible and introduces no significant error into measurement of 14CO2 from [14C]glucose. The percent of total CO2 derived from glucose does not differe significantly in control periods from the mean of all periods following phlorizin. Accordingly interaction of phlorizin with peritubular membranes at high rates of infusion, in the sense of blocking penetration of glucose, does not occur. Our methods do not rule out nor do they prove adsorption of phlorizin to these membranes.     

Influence of mannitol-induced reduction in CSF Na on nervous and endocrine mechanisms involved in the control of fluid balance

Infusions (20 μl/min) of isotonic (0.27 M) and hypertonic (0.7 M) mannitol dissolved in Na-free artificial CSF were made for 1 h. into the lateral cerebral ventricle (IVT) of conscious water-replete sheep. The IVT infusion of both 0.27 M and 0.7 M mannitol induced a water-diuresis. Samples of CSF were collected prior to, and 5, 35, 65 and 125 min after the end of the infusion. These consistently showed a reduction in CSF [Na], while CSF osmolality remained unchanged after 0.27 M mannitol, and was considerably increased after 0.7 M mannitol. In the 44 h dehydrated sheep IVT infusion of 0.7 mannitol in Na-free artificial CSF was made for 6 h. The water deprivation as such caused a marked increase in plasma and CSF [Na] and osmolality. The 6 h IVT infusion of hypertonic mannitol further increased the CSF osmolality, while CSF [Na] decreased and reached a value below the normal for water-replete animals. The infusion also induced a fall in plasma ADH resulting in a water-diuresis, and extinguished the thirst of the dehydrated sheep. Furthermore, the infusion markedly reduced renal sodium excretion without causing any substantial change in blood aldosterone, in spite of the fact that there was a conspicuous increase in plasma renin concentration. The study supports the view that sodium sensitive receptors close to the cerebral ventricular system participate in the regulation of ADH secretion, water intake, renin release, and renal sodium excretion.     

On the importance of CSF Na in the regulation of renal sodium excretion and renin release

Infusions (20 microliters/min) of isotonic (0.27 M) mannitol dissolved in Na-free artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were made for 2 h into the lateral cerebral ventricle (IVT) of conscious 68 h dehydrated sheep. The IVT infusion induced a conspicuous drop in renal sodium excretion and marked rise in plasma renin concentration (PRC). The antinatriuretic response to the IVT infusion was not altered by the intravenous administration of ADH or te converting enzyme blocker (SQ 14225, Captopril). Surgical bilateral renal denervation did not change the antinatriuretic response while the increase in PRC was extinguished. Samples of CSF were collected prior to, and 15 min after the end of the infusion. These showed a reduction in CSF [Na], while CSF osmolality remained unchanged. The study supports the view that sodium sensitive receptors close to the cerebral ventricular system participate in the regulation of renal sodium excretion and renin release, it also suggests that renal sodium excretion is affected by an unknown hormonal factor of cerebral origin, while the release of renin seen in response to a reduction in CSF [Na] is mediated by the renal nerves.     

Renal Response to Arginine Vasopressin During the Oestrous Cycle in the Rat: Comparison of Glucose and Saline Infusion Using Physiological Doses of Vasopressin

The renal response to arginine vasopressin in the rat has been shown to depend on reproductive status. However there is no consensus as to when the kidney is most responsive. The varying results could depend on the protocol and the dose of hormone used. A study has been performed, with physiological doses of vasopressin, comparing the responses during infusion of hypotonic saline and glucose. After an equilibration period of 150 min, conscious rats were infused on each of the four days of the oestrous cycle with either isotonic saline (0.077 M) or 0.14 M glucose for a control period of 45 min. Vasopressin was then infused at 10-40 fmol min(-1) for 1 h, followed by a recovery period of 90 min. Timed urine samples were collected for determination of volume, sodium concentration and osmolality. During the control period urine flow was greatest at oestrus and dioestrus day 2 and sodium excretion on dioestrus day 2 irrespective of the infusate. Vasopressin concentrations achieved lay within the physiological range and no difference was observed between the different days for a given dose. Infusion of vasopressin in both saline and glucose produced a dose-dependent antidiuresis, the greatest responses being seen of pro-oestrus and dioestrus day 2. It was only with the highest rate of infusion that a significant increase in sodium excretion was seen on each day of the cycle and the greatest responses were seen on pro-oestrus and dioestrus day 1 for both infusates. Thus the kidney shows the greatest response to physiological doses of vasopressin at pro-oestrus and dioestrus day 1 irrespective of the infusate employed.     

Interleukin-1beta increases urine flow rate and inhibits protein expression of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase in the rat jejunum and kidney.

The effect of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) on urine flow rates and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity and expression was studied in rat intestinal and renal epithelia. The cytokine produced a significant diuretic effect and increased urine flow rate by around 10-fold compared with the control. This effect was considered to be secondary to the well-documented natriuretic effect of the cytokine described in the literature. On the other hand, we have shown previously that IL-1beta inhibits glucose absorption from the jejunum. As sodium excretion and glucose absorption are both dependent on Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity, the effect of the cytokine on the renal and intestinal pump was investigated. IL-1beta inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, the activity of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase in villus and crypt jejunal cells and in medullary and cortical kidney cells. Western blot analysis revealed a decrease in the protein expression of the enzyme, which was confirmed by the radiolabeled ouabain binding assay. The results suggest that the diuretic and natriuretic effect of IL-1beta and its inhibitory effect on glucose absorption are all due to downregulation of the Na(+)/K(+) pump in the kidney and jejunum.     

Effect of KCl infusion on renin secretory rates and aldosterone excretion in dogs.

The effects of unilateral intrarenal arterial KCl infusion in dogs (12 mueq/kg per min) on bilateral renal function, renin secretory rates, and aldosterone excretion were studied. During KCl infusion, infused-side renal arterial plasma [K+] increased by 2.2 +/- 0.6 meq/liter. Systemic plasma [K+] simultaneously rose by 0.6 +/- 0.1 meq/liter. Plasma renin activity decreased 29 +/- 9%, and the decrease correlated with the increases in plasma [K+]. Renin secretory rate decreased bilaterally, the decrease being greater in each experiment on the infused side. Aldosterone excretion increased during KCl infusion by 72 +/- 17%, despite a decrease in plasma renin activity. With KCl infusion there was a bilateral increase in K+ excretion, and a positive correlation was observed between the net alterations in K+ and Na+ excretion. No significant alterations in systemic blood pressure, glomerular filtration rate, total renal blood flow, or intracortical renal blood flow distribution were observed. These studies suggest that K+ inhibits the release of renin by an intrarenal mechanism, which may be related to a K+-induced alteration in Na+ absorption.