AST-120 to Target Protein-Bound Uremic Toxins Improves Cardiac Output and Kidney Oxygenation in Experimental Chronic Kidney Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health problem with increasing incidence which is closely associated with cardiac dysfunction. In CKD, uremic toxins accumulate as kidney function declines. Additionally, high salt intake is a growing health issue worldwide which can exacerbate kidney disease. In this study, we investigated the effect of reducing plasma levels of protein-bound uremic toxins in a rat model of CKD, challenged with high salt intake and compared the effects to those of conventional treatment using an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI). METHODS: In rats, the right kidney and 2/3 of the left kidney were surgically removed (5/6 nephrectomy). Animals were fed a normal-salt diet and randomized to either no treatment (control) or chronic treatment with either the oral absorbent AST-120 to reduce plasma levels of protein-bound uremic toxins or the ACEI enalapril to inhibit angiotensin II signaling for 5 weeks. Following treatment, kidney function was measured before and after a week of high salt intake. Cardiac output and markers of oxidative stress were measured at the end of the study period. RESULTS: Treatment with AST-120 resulted in decreased levels of the uremic toxin indoxyl sulfate, improved cardiac output (mL/min: AST-120 44.9 ± 5.4 compared to control 26.6 ± 2.0; p < 0.05), and decreased urinary oxidative stress. ACEI reduced oxidative stress in kidney tissue and improved the glomerular filtration rate in response to high salt intake (mL/min: ACEI 1.5 ± 0.1; compared to control 1.1 ± 0.1; p < 0.05). Both interventions improved intrarenal oxygen availability (mm Hg: AST-120 42.8 ± 0.8; ACEI 43.2 ± 1.9; compared to control 33.4 ± 1.3; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: AST-120 administered to reduce plasma levels of uremic toxins, such as indoxyl sulfate, has potential beneficial effects on both cardiac and kidney function. Targeting uremic toxins and angiotensin II signaling simultaneously could be an efficient strategy to target both cardiac and kidney dysfunction in CKD, to further slow progression of disease in patients with CKD.

Activation of hypoxia-inducible factors prevents diabetic nephropathy.

Hyperglycemia results in increased oxygen consumption and decreased oxygen tension in the kidney. We tested the hypothesis that activation of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) protects against diabetes-induced alterations in oxygen metabolism and kidney function. Experimental groups consisted of control and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats treated with or without chronic cobalt chloride to activate HIFs. We elucidated the involvement of oxidative stress by studying the effects of acute administration of the superoxide dismutase mimetic tempol. Compared with controls, diabetic rats displayed tissue hypoxia throughout the kidney, glomerular hyperfiltration, increased oxygen consumption, increased total mitochondrial leak respiration, and decreased tubular sodium transport efficiency. Diabetic kidneys showed proteinuria and tubulointerstitial damage. Cobalt chloride activated HIFs, prevented the diabetes-induced alterations in oxygen metabolism, mitochondrial leak respiration, and kidney function, and reduced proteinuria and tubulointerstitial damage. The beneficial effects of tempol were less pronounced after activation of HIFs, indicating improved oxidative stress status. In conclusion, activation of HIFs prevents diabetes-induced alteration in kidney oxygen metabolism by normalizing glomerular filtration, which reduces tubular electrolyte load, preventing mitochondrial leak respiration and improving tubular transport efficiency. These improvements could be related to reduced oxidative stress and account for the reduced proteinuria and tubulointerstitial damage. Thus, pharmacologic activation of the HIF system may prevent development of diabetic nephropathy.

Angiotensin II reduces transport-dependent oxygen consumption but increases transport-independent oxygen consumption in immortalized mouse proximal tubular cells.

Oxidative stress is closely associated with renal dysfunction following diabetes and hypertension. Angiotensin II (Ang II) can activate the NADPH-oxidase, increasing oxidative stress that is thought to blunt proximal tubular electrolyte transport and thereby oxygen consumption (QO2). We investigated the effect of Ang II on QO2 in immortalized mouse proximal tubular cells over-expressing the NADPH oxidase subunit p22(phox); a model of increased oxidative stress. Cultured cells were exposed to either Ang II or H2O2 for 48 h. QO2 was determined during baseline (113 mmol/l NaCl; transport-dependent QO2) and during sodium-free conditions (transport-independent QO2). Ang II reduced transport-dependent QO2 in wild-types, but not in p22(phox) which also displayed increased QO2 at baseline. Transport-independent QO2 was increased in p22(phox) and Ang II had no additional effect, whereas it increased QO2 in wild-type. Addition of H2O2 reduced transport-dependent QO2 in wild-types, but not in p22(phox). Transport-independent QO2 was unaffected by H2O2. The similar effects of Ang II and H2O2 to reduce transport-dependent QO2 suggest a direct regulatory role of oxidative stress. In accordance, the transport-dependent QO2 was reduced in p22(phox) already during baseline. The effects of Ang II on transport-independent QO2 was not replicated by H2O2, indicating direct regulation via Ang II-receptors independently of oxidative stress. However, the Ang II effect was absent in p22(phox), suggesting that oxidative stress also modulates normal Ang II signaling. In conclusion, Ang II affects both transport-dependent and transport-independent QO2 in proximal tubular cells and may be an important pathway modulating renal QO2.

Renal oxygenation and haemodynamics in acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major burden on health systems and may arise from multiple initiating insults, including ischaemia-reperfusion injury, cardiovascular surgery, radiocontrast administration and sepsis. Similarly, the incidence and prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) continues to increase, with significant morbidity and mortality. Moreover, an increasing number of AKI patients survive to develop CKD and end-stage renal disease. Although the mechanisms for the development of AKI and progression to CKD remain poorly understood, initial impairment of oxygen balance likely constitutes a common pathway, causing renal tissue hypoxia and ATP starvation that, in turn, induce extracellular matrix production, collagen deposition and fibrosis. Thus, possible future strategies for one or both conditions may involve dopamine, loop diuretics, atrial natriuretic peptide and inhibitors of inducible nitric oxide synthase, substances that target kidney oxygen consumption and regulators of renal oxygenation, such as nitric oxide and heme oxygenase-1.

Hypoxia in the diabetic kidney is independent of advanced glycation end-products.

Sustained hyperglycemia is closely associated with increased risk to develop nephropathy. We have previously reported alterations in the intrarenal oxygen metabolism already after the early onset of diabetes. Furthermore, formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGE) is postulated as a major contributor to diabetic nephropathy. We therefore investigated the possible relationship between altered oxygen metabolism and AGE in diabetic kidneys.Normoglycemic and streptozotocin-diabetic rats with and without chronic treatment with aminoguanidine (AGE inhibitor; 600 mg/kg bw/24 h in drinking water) or L-N(6)-(1-Iminoethyl)lysine (L-NIL, iNOS inhibitor, 1 mg/kg bw/24 h in drinking water) were studied 2 weeks after induction of diabetes. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated by inulin clearance, oxygen tension (pO(2)) and interstitial pH by microelectrodes and regional renal blood flow (RBF) by laser-Doppler. Histological changes were evaluated on fixed tissue.Glomerular hyperfiltration was unaffected by aminoguanidine, whereas L-NIL normalized GFR in diabetic rats. pO(2) and interstitial pH, but not RBF, were lower in both kidney cortex and medulla compared to control rats, but was unaffected by both chronic treatments. Urinary protein excretion was higher in diabetic rats and unaffected by L-NIL, whereas aminoguanidine paradoxically increased this parameter. Damage scores were similar in all groups.In conclusion, diabetes-induced alterations in intrarenal oxygen metabolism are independent of the AGE pathway, and precede any morphological changes. These findings highlight the early stage of diabetes as being a metabolic disorder also in the kidney.

Increased kidney metabolism as a pathway to kidney tissue hypoxia and damage: effects of triiodothyronine and dinitrophenol in normoglycemic rats.

Intrarenal tissue hypoxia is an acknowledged common pathway to end-stage renal disease in clinically common conditions associated with development of chronic kidney disease, such as diabetes and hypertension. In diabetic kidneys, increased oxygen metabolism mediated by mitochondrial uncoupling results in decreased kidney oxygen tension (PO2) and contributes to the development of diabetic nephropathy. The present study investigated whether increased intrarenal oxygen metabolism per se can cause intrarenal tissue hypoxia and kidney damage, independently of confounding factors such as hyperglycemia and oxidative stress. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were untreated or treated with either triiodothyronine (T3, 10 g/kg bw/day, subcutaneously for 10 days) or the mitochondria uncoupler dinitrophenol (DNP, 30 mg/kg bw/day, oral gavage for 14 days), after which in vivo kidney function was evaluated in terms of glomerular filtration rate (GFR, inulin clearance), renal blood flow (RBF, Transonic, PAH clearance), cortical PO2 (Clark-type electrodes), kidney oxygen consumption (QO2), and proteinuria. Administration of both T3 and DNP increased kidney QO2 and decreased PO2 which resulted in proteinuria. However, GFR and RBF were unaltered by either treatment. The present study demonstrates that increased kidney metabolism per se can cause intrarenal tissue hypoxia which results in proteinuria. Increased kidney QO2 and concomitantly reduced PO2 may therefore be a mechanism for the development of chronic kidney disease and progression to end-stage renal disease.

Renal oxidative stress, oxygenation, and hypertension.

Hypertension is closely associated with progressive kidney dysfunction, manifested as glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis, proteinuria, and eventually declining glomerular filtration. The postulated mechanism for development of glomerulosclerosis is barotrauma caused by increased capillary pressure, but the reason for development of interstitial fibrosis and the subsequently reduced kidney function is less clear. However, it has been hypothesized that tissue hypoxia induces fibrogenesis and progressive renal failure. This is very interesting, since recent reports highlight several different mechanisms resulting in altered oxygen handling and availability in the hypertensive kidney. Such mechanisms include decreased renal blood flow due to increased vascular tone induced by ANG II that limits oxygen delivery and increases oxidative stress, resulting in increased mitochondrial oxygen usage, increased oxygen usage for tubular electrolyte transport, and shunting of oxygen from arterial to venous blood in preglomerular vessels. It has been shown in several studies that interventions to prevent oxidative stress and to restore kidney tissue oxygenation prevent progression of kidney dysfunction. Furthermore, inhibition of ANG II activity, by either blocking ANG II type 1 receptors or angiotensin-converting enzyme, or by preventing oxidative stress by administration of antioxidants also results in improved blood pressure control. Therefore, it seems likely that tissue hypoxia in the hypertensive kidney contributes to progression of kidney damage, and perhaps also persistence the high blood pressure.

Early transcriptional regulation by C-peptide in freshly isolated rat proximal tubular cells.

BACKGROUND: Clinical studies have shown that proinsulin C-peptide exerts renoprotective effects in type 1 diabetes, although the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. As C-peptide has been shown to induce several intracellular events and to localize to nuclei, we aimed to determine whether gene transcription is affected in proximal tubular kidney cells, and if so, whether the genes with altered transcription include those related to protective mechanisms. METHODS: The effect of C-peptide incubation (2 h) on gene expression was investigated in freshly isolated proximal tubular cells from streptozotocin-diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats using global gene expression profiling and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Protein expression was assayed using western blotting. Different bioinformatic strategies were employed. RESULTS: Gene transcription profiling demonstrated differential transcription of 492 genes (p < 0.01) after 2 h of C-peptide exposure, with the majority of these genes repressed (83%). Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction validation supported a trend of several G protein-coupled receptors being activated, and certain transcription factors being repressed. Also, C-peptide repressed the transcription of genes associated with the pathways of circulatory and inflammatory diseases. CONCLUSION: This study shows that C-peptide exerts early effects on gene transcription in proximal tubular cells. The findings also bring further knowledge to the renoprotective mechanisms of C-peptide in type 1 diabetes, and support a transcriptional activity for C-peptide. It is suggested that C-peptide may play a regulatory role in the gene expression of proximal tubular cells.

Renal tubulointerstitial hypoxia: cause and consequence of kidney dysfunction.

1. Intrarenal oxygen availability is the balance between supply, mainly dependent on renal blood flow, and demand, determined by the basal metabolic demand and the energy-requiring tubular electrolyte transport. Renal blood flow is maintained within close limits in order to sustain stable glomerular filtration, so increased intrarenal oxygen consumption is likely to cause tissue hypoxia. 2. The increased oxygen consumption is closely linked to increased oxidative stress, which increases mitochondrial oxygen usage and reduces tubular electrolyte transport efficiency, with both contributing to increased total oxygen consumption. 3. Tubulointerstitial hypoxia stimulates the production of collagen I and α-smooth muscle actin, indicators of increased fibrogenesis. Furthermore, the hypoxic environment induces epithelial-mesenchymal transdifferentiation and aggravates fibrosis, which results in reduced peritubular blood perfusion and oxygen delivery due to capillary rarefaction. 4. Increased oxygen consumption, capillary rarefaction and increased diffusion distance due to the increased fibrosis per se further aggravate the interstitial hypoxia. 5. Recently, it has been demonstrated that hypoxia simulates the infiltration and maturation of immune cells, which provides an explanation for the general inflammation commonly associated with the progression of chronic kidney disease. 6. Therapies targeting interstitial hypoxia could potentially reduce the progression of chronic renal failure in millions of patients who are otherwise likely to eventually present with fully developed end-stage renal disease.

Uremia induces abnormal oxygen consumption in tubules and aggravates chronic hypoxia of the kidney via oxidative stress.

In addition to causing uremic symptoms, uremic toxins accelerate the progression of renal failure. To elucidate the pathophysiology of uremic states, we investigated the effect of indoxyl sulfate (IS), a representative uremic toxin, on oxygen metabolism in tubular cells. We demonstrated an increase in oxygen consumption by IS in freshly isolated rat and human proximal tubules. Studies utilizing ouabain, the Na-K-ATPase inhibitor, and apocynin, the NADPH oxidase inhibitor, as well as the in vivo gene-silencing approach to knock down p22(phox) showed that the increase in tubular oxygen consumption by IS is dependent on Na-K-ATPase and oxidative stress. We investigated whether the enhanced oxygen consumption led to subsequent hypoxia of the kidney. An increase in serum IS concentrations in rats administered indole was associated with a decrease in renal oxygenation (8 h). The remnant kidney in rats developed hypoxia at 16 wk. Treatment of the rats with AST-120, an oral adsorbent that removes uremic toxins, reduced serum IS levels and improved oxygenation of the kidney. Amelioration of hypoxia in the remnant kidney was associated with better renal functions and less histological injury. Reduction of serum IS levels also led to a decrease in oxidative stress in the kidney. Our ex vivo and in vivo studies implicated that uremic states may deteriorate renal dysfunction via dysregulating oxygen metabolism in tubular cells. The abnormal oxygen metabolism in tubular cells by uremic toxins was, at least in part, mediated by oxidative stress.

Proinsulin C-peptide prevents type-1 diabetes-induced decrease of renal Na+-K+-ATPase alpha1-subunit in rats.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: C-peptide reduces renal damage in diabetic patients and experimental animal models. In vitro studies suggest that the renal effects of C-peptide may, in part, be explained by stimulation of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity. However, the responses of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase expression in the kidney of diabetic animals to C-peptide administration remain unclear. The aim of this study was to clarify the responses. METHODS: Type 1 diabetic rats were produced by injecting streptozotocin (STZ), and some of the rats were treated with either C-peptide or insulin by the aid of an osmotic pump for 1 week. The mRNA expression and immunohistochemical localization of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha1-, alpha2- and beta3-subunits were investigated in the kidney of these rats. RESULTS: Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha1-subunit was abundantly expressed in the medullary collecting ducts of control animals, but the expression was markedly decreased in the diabetic state with concomitant decrease in its mRNA expression. Similar decreases were observed in the insulin-treated diabetic rats, whereas in the C-peptide-treated diabetic rats, there was no reduction in the alpha1-expression. The beta3-subunit was expressed in podocytes and parietal cells in the glomeruli, vascular endothelial cells, and cortical collecting ducts, but lesser signals were observed in the proximal and distal tubules. However, the beta3-subunit did not appear to be affected by the diabetic state. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes selectively reduced Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha1-subunit expression and abundance. Chronic administration of C-peptide prevented this decrease. This implies a role for C-peptide in the long-term regulation of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase function.

Diabetes-induced up-regulation of uncoupling protein-2 results in increased mitochondrial uncoupling in kidney proximal tubular cells.

We have previously reported increased O(2) consumption unrelated to active transport by tubular cells and up-regulated mitochondrial uncoupling protein (UCP)-2 expressions in diabetic kidneys. It is presently unknown if the increased UCP-2 levels in the diabetic kidney results in mitochondrial uncoupling and increased O(2) consumption, which we therefore investigated in this study. The presence of UCP-2 in proximal tubular cells was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and found to be increased (western blot) in homogenized tissue and isolated mitochondria from kidney cortex of diabetic rats. Isolated proximal tubular cells had increased total and ouabain-insensitive O(2) consumption compared to controls. Isolated mitochondria from diabetic animals displayed increased glutamate-stimulated O(2) consumption (in the absence of ADP and during inhibition of the ATP-synthase by oligomycin) compared to controls. Guanosine diphosphate, an UCP inhibitor, and bovine serum albumin which removes fatty acids that are essential for UCP-2 uncoupling activity, independently prevented the increased glutamate-stimulated O(2) consumption in mitochondria from diabetic animals. In conclusion, diabetic rats have increased mitochondrial UCP-2 expression in renal proximal tubular cells, which results in mitochondrial uncoupling and increased O(2) consumption. This mechanism may be protective against diabetes-induced oxidative stress, but will increase O(2) usage. The subsequently reduced O(2) availability may contribute to diabetes-induced progressive kidney damage.

Proinsulin C-peptide reduces diabetes-induced glomerular hyperfiltration via efferent arteriole dilation and inhibition of tubular sodium reabsorption.

C-peptide reduces diabetes-induced glomerular hyperfiltration in diabetic patients and experimental animal models. However, the mechanisms mediating the beneficial effect of C-peptide remain unclear. We investigated whether altered renal afferent-efferent arteriole tonus or alterations in tubular Na+ transport (T(Na)) in response to C-peptide administration mediate the reduction of diabetes-induced glomerular hyperfiltration. Glomerular filtration rate, filtration fraction, total and cortical renal blood flow, total kidney O2 consumption (QO2), T(Na), fractional Na+ and Li+ excretions, and tubular free-flow and stop-flow pressures were measured in anesthetized adult male normoglycemic and streptozotocin-diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats. The specific effect of C-peptide on transport-dependent QO2 was investigated in vitro in freshly isolated proximal tubular cells. C-peptide reduced glomerular filtration rate (-24%), stop-flow pressure (-8%), and filtration fraction (-17%) exclusively in diabetic rats without altering renal blood flow. Diabetic rats had higher baseline T(Na) (+40%), which was reduced by C-peptide. Similarly, C-peptide increased fractional Na+ (+80%) and Li+ (+47%) excretions only in the diabetic rats. None of these parameters was affected by vehicle treatments in either group. Baseline QO2 was 37% higher in proximal tubular cells from diabetic rats than controls and was normalized by C-peptide. C-peptide had no effect on ouabain-pretreated diabetic cells from diabetic rats. C-peptide reduced diabetes-induced hyperfiltration via a net dilation of the efferent arteriole and inhibition of tubular Na+ reabsorption, both potent regulators of the glomerular net filtration pressure. These findings provide new mechanistic insight into the beneficial effects of C-peptide on diabetic kidney function.

Effects of proinsulin C-peptide on oxygen transport, uptake and utilization in insulinopenic diabetic subjects--a review.

Exogenous C-peptide administration has beneficial effects in many of the tissues commonly affected by diabetic complications. Diabetes-induced circulatory impairments such as decreased blood flow are prevented by C-peptide, possibly via Ca2+-mediated effects on nitric oxide release. C-peptide also improves diabetes-induced erythrocyte deformability, which likely improves oxygen availability and uptake in affected tissues. Furthermore, C-peptide prevents diabetic neuropathy via improvements of endoneural blood flow and by preventing axonal swelling. In the kidney, C-peptide normalizes the diabetes-induced increase in oxygen consumption via inhibition of the Na+/K+-ATPase. Surprisingly, C-peptide has also been shown to prevent complications in patients with type II diabetes. Taken together, these results may indicate that C-peptide treatment has the potential to reduce the prevalence of diabetic complications. In this paper, the current knowledge regarding these beneficial effects of C-peptide administered to diabetic subjects will be reviewed briefly.

C-peptide normalizes glomerular filtration rate in hyperfiltrating conscious diabetic rats.

Tubular electrolyte transport accounts for a major part of the oxygen consumed by the normal kidney. We have previously reported a close association between diabetes and increased oxygen usage, partly due to increased tubular electrolyte transport secondary to glomerular hyperfiltration during the early onset of diabetes. Several studies have shown that acute administration of C-peptide to diabetic rats with glomerular hyperfiltration results in normalized glomerular filtration rate (GFR). In this study, we validated a novel method for precise and repetitive GFR measurements in conscious rats and used C-peptide injection in diabetic rats for evaluation. First, GFR was determined in normoglycemic control rats before and after C-peptide administration. Thereafter, all rats were made diabetic by an i.v. streptozotocin injection. Fourteen days later, GFR was again determined before and after C-peptide administration. GFR was estimated from plasma clearance curves using a single bolus injection of FITC-inulin, followed by serial blood sampling over 155 min. FITC-inulin clearance was calculated using non-compartmental pharmacokinetic data analysis. Baseline GFR in normoglycemic controls was 2.10 +/- 0.18 ml/min, and was unaffected by C-peptide (2.23 +/- 0.14 ml/min). Diabetic rats had elevated GFR (3.06 +/- .034 ml/min), which was normalized by C-peptide (2.35 +/- 0.30 ml/min). In conclusion, the used method for estimation of GFR in conscious animals result in values that are in good agreement with those obtained from traditional GFR measurements on anaesthetized rats. However, multiple measurements from the same conscious subject can be obtained using this method. Furthermore, as previously shown on anaesthetized rats, C-peptide also normalizes GFR in hyperfiltrating conscious diabetic rats.

Identification and distribution of uncoupling protein isoforms in the normal and diabetic rat kidney.

Uncoupling protein (UCP)-2 and -3 are ubiquitously expressed throughout the body but there is currently no information regarding the expression and distribution of the different UCP isoforms in the kidney. Due to the known cross-reactivity of the antibodies presently available for detection of UCP-2 and -3 proteins, we measured the mRNA expression of UCP-1, -2 and -3 in the rat kidney in order to detect the kidney-specific UCP isoforms. Thereafter, we determined the intrarenal distribution of the detected UCP isoforms using immunohistochemistry. Thereafter, we compared the protein levels in control and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats using Western blot. Expressions of the UCP isoforms were also performed in brown adipose tissue and heart as positive controls for UCP-1 and 3, respectively. UCP-2 mRNA was the only isoform detected in the kidney. UCP-2 protein expression in the kidney cortex was localized to proximal tubular cells, but not glomerulus or distal nephron. In the medulla, UCP-2 was localized to cells of the medullary thick ascending loop of Henle, but not to the vasculature or parts of the nephron located in the inner medulla. Western blot showed that diabetic kidneys have about 2.5-fold higher UCP-2 levels compared to controls. In conclusion, UCP-2 is the only isoform detectable in the kidney and UCP-2 protein can be detected in proximal tubular cells and cells of the medullary thick ascending loop of Henle. Furthermore, diabetic rats have increased UCP-2 levels compared to controls, but the mechanisms underlying this increase and its consequences warrants further studies.

Painless drug delivery through microneedle-based transdermal patches featuring active infusion.

This paper presents the first microneedle-based transdermal patch with integrated active dispensing functionality. The electrically controlled system consists of a low-cost dosing and actuation unit capable of controlled release of liquid in the microliter range at low flow-rates and minimally invasive, side-opened, microneedles. The system was successfully tested in vivo by insulin administration to diabetic rats. Active infusion of insulin at 2 mul/h was compared to passive, diffusion-driven, delivery. Continuous active infusion caused significantly higher insulin concentrations in blood plasma. After a 3-h delivery period, the insulin concentration was five times larger compared to passive delivery. Consistent with insulin concentrations, actively administered insulin resulted in a significant decrease of blood glucose levels. Additionally, insertion and liquid injection was verified on human skin. This study shows the feasibility of a patch-like system with on-board liquid storage and dispensing capability. The proposed device represents a first step towards painless and convenient administration of macromolecular drugs such as insulin or vaccines.

The effect of amiloride during infusion of oxytocin in male sprague-dawley rats: a study of a possible intrarenal target site for oxytocin.

A possible natriuretic mechanism of action of oxytocin was investigated in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The effects of an intravenous bolus injection of amiloride on urine volume, potassium and sodium excretion, and osmolality were measured with and without an intravenous infusion of oxytocin in saline. Control values were obtained during the infusion of saline. Amiloride administered during an oxytocin infusion increased sodium excretion from 0.1 +/- 0.0 to 16.6 +/- 2.1 micromol/min. In animals treated with amiloride only, the sodium excretion was 4.5 +/- 0.8 micromol/min. The administration of oxytocin only resulted in a sodium excretion of 1.2 +/- 0.3 micromol/min. After the administration of oxytocin, amiloride increased urinary flow from 4.3 +/- 0.6 microl/min to 48.8 +/- 6.1 microl/min. In animals treated with amiloride only, the flow after the bolus dose was 17.7 +/- 1.8 microl/min. The administration of oxytocin only resulted in a flow of 8.5 +/- 1.6 microl/min. The amiloride-caused change in potassium excretion was not inhibited by oxytocin. In summary, the effects of amiloride were not inhibited by the actions of oxytocin. Amiloride administrated after reaching a near steady-state effect of oxytocin was found to give rise to an effect far greater than that after the administration of oxytocin or amiloride alone. It is concluded that the intrarenal natriuretic mechanisms of oxytocin do not emanate from the amiloride-sensitive sodium channels.

Nitric oxide in the kidney; direct measurements of bioavailable renal nitric oxide.

Increasing efforts have been directed towards investigating the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) for normal kidney function. Recently, a crucial role of NO in the development of progressive renal dysfunction has been reported during diabetes and hypertension. Indirect estimation of renal NO production include urinary nitrite/nitrate measurements, but there are several disadvantages of indirect methods since production and bioavailability of NO rarely coincide. Thus, direct measurement of in vivo NO bioavailability is preferred, although these methods are more time consuming and require highly specialized equipment and knowledge. This review focuses on two techniques for in vivo measurement of bioavailable NO in the kidney. We have applied Whalen-type recessed NO microsensors for measurement of NO in the kidney cortex, whereas the hemoglobin-trapping technique seems to be more suitable for NO measurement in the renal medulla. Both methods are robust and reliable, and we discuss advantages and shortcomings of each method.