Effects of complement depletion on glomerular eicosanoid production and renal hemodynamics in rat nephrotoxic serum nephritis

The role of complement in mediating the changes in renal hemodynamics and glomerular eicosanoid synthesis after the administration of heterologous antibody against rat glomerular basement membrane (AGBM) was studied in Munich-Wistar rats. AGBM serum decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and increased glomerular thomboxane B2 (TxB2) production without associated changes in glomerular prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) or PGF2 alpha production. Pretreatment of rats with cobra venom factor to deplete complement blocked the fall in GFR produced by AGBM without altering the increment in glomerular TxB2 production. In these animals, glomerular PGE2 synthesis was elevated. The results indicate that the salutary effects of complement depletion in nephrotoxic serum nephritis are not mediated by changes in the glomerular production of the vasoconstrictor TxA2. An enhanced production of PGE2 may participate in preventing the fall in GFR after AGBM administration in the complement-depleted rats.