Direct demonstration of macula densa-mediated renin secretion.

An in vitro method has been used to examine whether secretion of renin from the juxtaglomerular apparatus is affected by changes in the sodium chloride concentration of the tubular fluid at the macula densa. Single juxtaglomerular apparatuses were microdissected from rabbits and the tubule segment containing the macula densa was perfused, while simultaneously the entire juxtaglomerular apparatus was superfused, and the fluid was collected for renin measurement. In this preparation, in which influences from renal nerves and local hemodynamic effects are eliminated, a decrease in the tubular sodium chloride concentration at the macula densa results in a prompt stimulation of the renin release rate.

Effect of adenosine1-receptor blockade on renin release from rabbit isolated perfused juxtaglomerular apparatus.

Adenosine has been proposed to act within the juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA) as a mediator of the inhibition of renin secretion produced by a high NaCl concentration at the macula densa. To test this hypothesis, we studied the effects of the adenosine1 (A1)-receptor blocker 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (CPX) on renin release from single isolated rabbit JGAs with macula densa perfused. The A1-receptor agonist, N6-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA), applied in the bathing solution at 10(-7) M, was found to inhibit renin secretion, an effect that was completely blocked by adding CPX (10(-5) M) to the bath. Applied to the lumen, 10(-5) M CPX produced a modest stimulation of renin secretion rates suppressed by a high NaCl concentration at the macula densa (P less than 0.05). The effect of changing luminal NaCl concentration on renin secretion rate was examined in the presence of CPX (10(-7) and 10(-5) M) in the bathing solution and in vehicle control experiments. The control response to increasing luminal NaCl concentration was a marked suppression of renin secretion, that was maintained as long as luminal NaCl concentration was high and was promptly reversible when concentration was lowered. CPX did not alter renin release when luminal NaCl was low, but diminished the reduction caused by high NaCl (P less than 0.01). It is concluded that A1-receptors are located within the JGA, and that A1-receptor activation inhibits renin release. A high NaCl concentration at the macula densa appears to influence A1-receptor activation, but a low NaCl concentration does not. The findings support participation of adenosine in macula densa control of renin secretion.

P/Q-type and T-type voltage-gated calcium channels are involved in the contraction of mammary and brain blood vessels from hypertensive patients.

AIM: Calcium channel blockers are widely used in cardiovascular diseases. Besides L-type channels, T- and P/Q-type calcium channels are involved in the contraction of human renal blood vessels. It was hypothesized that T- and P/Q-type channels are involved in the contraction of human brain and mammary blood vessels. METHODS: Internal mammary arteries from bypass surgery patients and cerebral arterioles from patients with brain tumours with and without hypertension were tested in a myograph and perfusion set-up. PCR and immunohistochemistry were performed on isolated blood vessels. RESULTS: The P/Q-type antagonist ω-agatoxin IVA (10-8  mol L-1 ) and the T-type calcium blocker mibefradil (10-7  mol L-1 ) inhibited KCl depolarization-induced contraction in mammary arteries from hypertensive patients with no effect on blood vessels from normotensive patients. ω-Agatoxin IVA decreased contraction in cerebral arterioles from hypertensive patients. L-type blocker nifedipine abolished the contraction in mammary arteries. PCR analysis showed expression of P/Q-type (Cav 2.1), T-type (Cav 3.1 and Cav 3.2) and L-type (Cav 1.2) calcium channels in mammary and cerebral arteries. Immunohistochemical labelling of mammary and cerebral arteries revealed the presence of Cav 2.1 in endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Cav 3.1 was also detected in mammary arteries. CONCLUSION: P/Q- and T-type Cav are present in human internal mammary arteries and in cerebral penetrating arterioles. P/Q- and T-type calcium channels are involved in the contraction of mammary arteries from hypertensive patients but not from normotensive patients. Furthermore, in cerebral arterioles P/Q-type channels importance was restricted to hypertensive patients might lead to that T- and P/Q-type channels could be a new target in hypertensive patients.

Differential expression of T- and L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels in renal resistance vessels.

The distribution of voltage-dependent calcium channels in kidney pre- and postglomerular resistance vessels was determined at the molecular and functional levels. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis of microdissected rat preglomerular vessels and cultured smooth muscle cells showed coexpression of mRNAs for T-type subunits (Ca(V)3.1, Ca(V)3.2) and for an L-type subunit (Ca(V)1.2). The same expression pattern was observed in juxtamedullary efferent arterioles and outer medullary vasa recta. No calcium channel messages were detected in cortical efferent arterioles. Ca(V)1.2 protein was demonstrated by immunochemical labeling of rat preglomerular vasculature and juxtamedullary efferent arterioles and vasa recta. Cortical efferent arterioles were not immunopositive. Recordings of intracellular calcium concentration with digital fluorescence imaging microscopy showed a significant increase of calcium in response to K(+) (100 mmol/L) in isolated afferent arterioles (140+/-25%) and in juxtamedullary efferent arterioles (118+/-21%). These calcium responses were attenuated by the L-type antagonist calciseptine and by the T-type antagonist mibefradil. Intracellular calcium increased in response to K(+) in cortical efferent arterioles (21+/-9%). Mibefradil and nickel concentration dependently blocked K(+)-induced contraction of perfused rabbit afferent arterioles. Calciseptine blocked the contraction mediated by K(+) (EC(50) 8x10(-14)). S-(-)-Bay K 8644 had no effect on vascular diameter in the afferent arteriole. We conclude that voltage-dependent L- and T-type calcium channels are expressed and of functional significance in renal cortical preglomerular vessels, in juxtamedullary efferent arterioles, and in outer medullary vasa recta, but not in cortical efferent arterioles.

Vascular smooth muscle cells express the alpha(1A) subunit of a P-/Q-type voltage-dependent Ca(2+)Channel, and It is functionally important in renal afferent arterioles.

In the present study, we tested whether the alpha(1A) subunit, which encodes a neuronal isoform of voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels (VDCCs) (P-/Q-type), was present and functional in vascular smooth muscle and renal resistance vessels. By reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Southern blotting analysis, mRNA encoding the alpha(1A) subunit was detected in microdissected rat preglomerular vessels and vasa recta, in cultures of rat preglomerular vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and in cultured rat mesangial cells. With immunoblots, alpha(1A) subunit protein was demonstrated in rat aorta, brain, aortic smooth muscle cells (A7r5), VSMCs, and mesangial cells. Immunolabeling with an anti-alpha(1A) antibody was positive in acid-macerated, microdissected preglomerular vessels and in A7r5 cells. Patch-clamp experiments on aortic A7r5 cells showed 22+/-4% (n=6) inhibition of inward Ca(2+) current by omega-Agatoxin IVA (10(-8) mol/L), which in this concentration is a specific inhibitor of P-type VDCCs. Measurements of intracellular Ca(2+) in afferent arterioles with fluorescence-imaging microscopy showed 32+/-9% (n=10) inhibition of the K(+)-induced rise in Ca(2+) in the presence of 10(-8) mol/L omega-Agatoxin IVA. In microperfused rabbit afferent arterioles, omega-Agatoxin IVA inhibited depolarization-mediated contraction with an EC(50) of 10(-17) mol/L and complete blockade at 10(-14) mol/L. We conclude that the alpha(1A) subunit is expressed in VSMCs from renal preglomerular resistance vessels and aorta, as well as mesangial cells, and that P-type VDCCs contribute to Ca(2+) influx in aortic and renal VSMCs and are involved in depolarization-mediated contraction in renal afferent arterioles.

Rapid inhibition of vasoconstriction in renal afferent arterioles by aldosterone.

Aldosterone has been suggested to elicit vessel contraction via a nongenomic mechanism. We tested this proposal in microdissected, perfused rabbit renal afferent arterioles. Aldosterone had no effect on internal diameter in concentrations from 10(-10) to 10(-5) mol/L, but aldosterone abolished the ability of 100 mmol/L KCl to induce vascular contraction. The inhibitory effect of aldosterone was observed from 1 pmol/L. The inhibitory effect was significant after 5 minutes and maximal after 20 minutes and was fully reversible. Actinomycin D (10(-6) mol/L) prolonged the effect of aldosterone. The effect was abolished by the mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist spironolactone (10(-7) mol/L) but not by the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist mifepristone (10(-6) mol/L). The K+-mediated increase of intracellular calcium concentration in afferent arterioles was not affected by aldosterone. Mineralocorticoid receptor was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry in rat renal vasculature and rabbit endothelial cells. Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol (PI)-3 kinase with LY 294002 (3x10(-6) mol/L) restored sensitivity to K+ in the presence of aldosterone, and afferent arterioles were immunopositive for PI-3 kinase subunit p110alpha. Inhibition of NO formation by L-NAME (10(-4) mol/L) or inhibition of soluble guanylyl cyclase with 1H-(1,2,4)Oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxaline-1-one restored K+-induced vasoreactivity in the presence of aldosterone. Similar to aldosterone, the NO donor sodium nitroprusside inhibited K+-induced vascular contraction. Geldanamycin (10(-6) mol/L), an inhibitor of heat shock protein 90, abolished aldosterone-induced vasorelaxation. We conclude that aldosterone inhibits depolarization-induced vasoconstriction in renal afferent arterioles by a rapid nongenomic mechanism that is initiated by mineralocorticoid receptor activation and involves PI-3 kinase, protein kinase B, and heat shock protein 90-mediated stimulation of NO generation.

Sodium excretion and renin secretion after continuous versus pulsatile infusion of oxytocin in rats.

Neurohypophyseal oxytocin (OT), secreted continuously under conditions of hyperosmolality, is a potent natriuretic hormone in rats. In contrast, OT secretion during lactation is pulsatile and is not accompanied by increased urinary Na+ excretion. The present experiments compared the effects of continuous and pulsatile infusion of OT on natriuresis in rats. In male rats anesthetized with Inactin, continuous infusion of OT (125 ng/kg x h) increased plasma OT to about 70 pg/ml; renal Na+ excretion increased 10-fold, and urine volume and K+ excretion also were elevated. However, when OT was administered i.v. in the same amount but in pulses given once every 5 or 10 min, to simulate the pattern of OT secretion during lactation, rats did not excrete significantly more urine, Na+, or K+ than did vehicle-treated animals. The plasma renin concentration, measured in these experiments because OT receptors are present in the macula densa, increased 2-fold when OT was infused either continuously or in pulses. These results indicate that the effects of OT administration on urinary Na+ excretion in rats varies depending on whether the infusion is pulsatile or continuous, whereas the effects of OT on renin secretion show no such difference.

Chloride regulates afferent arteriolar contraction in response to depolarization.

-Renal vascular reactivity is influenced by the level of dietary salt intake. Recent in vitro data suggest that afferent arteriolar contractility is modulated by extracellular chloride. In the present study, we assessed the influence of chloride on K+-induced contraction in isolated perfused rabbit afferent arterioles. In 70% of vessels examined, K+-induced contraction was abolished by acute substitution of bath chloride. Consecutive addition of Cl- (30, 60, 80, 100, 110, and 117 mmol/L) restored the sensitivity to K+, and half-maximal response was observed at 82 mmol/L chloride. The calcium channel antagonist diltiazem (10(-6) mol/L) abolished K+-induced contractions. Bicarbonate did not modify the sensitivity to chloride. Norepinephrine (10(-6) mol/L) induced full contraction in depolarized vessels even in the absence of chloride. Iodide and nitrate were substituted for chloride with no inhibitory effect on K+-induced contraction. Approximately 30% of the vessels constricted in response to K+ in the absence of chloride. This response was reversibly blocked by the alpha1-blocker phentolamine (PA) (10(-5) mol/L) and, with PA present, the dependence on chloride was similar to the above series. The results show that K+-induced contraction of smooth muscle cells in the afferent arteriole is highly sensitive to chloride, whereas neurotransmitter release and ensuing contraction is not dependent on chloride. Thus, there are different activation pathways for depolarizing vasoconstrictors and for the sympathetic nervous system in renal afferent arterioles. This could be of physiological relevance for the resetting of afferent arteriolar sensitivity during changes in salt intake.

Cellular mechanisms within the juxtaglomerular apparatus.

The tubular-vascular connection via the juxtaglomerular apparatus appears to serve two functions, local control of renal vascular resistance and regulation of renin secretion. A fall in single nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR) and an increase in resistance are produced by an increase in NaCl concentration at the macular densa. This change also results in inhibition of secretion of renin. The macula densa has a unique location near the terminal end of the thick ascending limb, where NaCl concentration is highly flow dependent. The cellular mechanisms by which changes in tubular fluid NaCl produce vasoconstriction and inhibition of renin secretion are unknown, but the anatomy of the juxtaglomerular apparatus strongly suggests that such responses may be mediated by the extraglomerular mesangial cells located in the polar cushion underlying the macula densa. Recent evidence suggests that interstitial chloride concentration in this compartment may be quite variable, and that increases in external chloride may enhance the activation of the mesangial cell.

Mechanisms of renin release from juxtaglomerular cells.

In microdissected, nonperfused afferent arterioles changes in intravascular pressure did not affect renin secretion. On the contrary, renin release from isolated afferent arterioles perfused in a free-flow system has been reported to be sensitive to simultaneous changes in luminal pressure and flow. Hence local blood flow may be involved in the baroreceptor control of renin release. If flow is sensed, the sensor is likely to be located near the endothelial cell layer, where ion channels have been shown to be influenced by variations in shear stress.

[Cellular and intrarenal aspects of renin secretion]. / Cellulaere og intrarenale aspekter af reninsekretionen.

Renin is synthesized, stored and excreted from cells (JG cells) localized in the afferent glomerular arteriole. Preprorenin is formed first by biosynthesis. After splitting off of the pre-fraction, glycosylering and passage through the Golgi apparatus, prorenin, which is biologically inactive, may be excreted immediately or be stored in secretory granules where activation occurs by splitting off of the pro-fraction. Excretion of the secretory granules is regulated and takes place by exocytosis. Important intracellular signal molecules include, inter alii, calcium which is inhibitory and cyclic AMP which stimulates release. In addition, osmotic water movements also play an important role. The physiological regulatory mechanisms include 1) a baroreceptor: lowered perfusion pressure to the kidney stimulates release of renin, 2) a tubular signal: decrease in Cl(-)-concentration at the macula densa stimulates release of renin, 3) the nerve supply of the kidney which stimulates directly via beta-receptors on the JG cells and also indirectly via alpha-adrenergic influence on haemodynamic and tubular resorption and 4) local and circulating hormones, particularly angiotensin II and prostaglandins.

Mechanisms of renal NaCl retention in proteinuric disease.

In diseases with proteinuria, for example nephrotic syndrome and pre-eclampsia, there often are suppression of plasma renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system components, expansion of extracellular volume and avid renal sodium retention. Mechanisms of sodium retention in proteinuria are reviewed. In animal models of nephrotic syndrome, the amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channel ENaC is activated while more proximal renal Na(+) transporters are down-regulated. With suppressed plasma aldosterone concentration and little change in ENaC abundance in nephrotic syndrome, the alternative modality of proteolytic activation of ENaC has been explored. Proteolysis leads to putative release of an inhibitory peptide from the extracellular domain of the γ ENaC subunit. This leads to full activation of the channel. Plasminogen has been demonstrated in urine from patients with nephrotic syndrome and pre-eclampsia. Urine plasminogen correlates with urine albumin and is activated to plasmin within the urinary space by urokinase-type plasminogen activator. This agrees with aberrant filtration across an injured glomerular barrier independent of the primary disease. Pure plasmin and urine samples containing plasmin activate inward current in single murine collecting duct cells. In this study, it is shown that human lymphocytes may be used to uncover the effect of urine plasmin on amiloride- and aprotinin-sensitive inward currents. Data from hypertensive rat models show that protease inhibitors may attenuate blood pressure. Aberrant filtration of plasminogen and conversion within the urinary space to plasmin may activate γ ENaC proteolytically and contribute to inappropriate NaCl retention and oedema in acute proteinuric conditions and to hypertension in diseases with chronic microalbuminuria/proteinuria.

Relief of chronic partial ureteral obstruction attenuates salt-sensitive hypertension in rats.

AIM: The incidence of hydronephrosis due to ureteropelvic junction obstruction is approx. 0.5%. During the last decade, the management of non-symptomatic hydronephrosis has become much more conservative, but the long-term physiological consequences of this policy are not clear. Previously, we have shown that animals with chronic partial unilateral ureteral obstruction develop salt-sensitive hypertension. In this study, the effects of ipsilateral and contralateral nephrectomy and ureterovesicostomy on blood pressure were studied in hydronephrotic animals. METHODS: Partial unilateral ureteral obstruction was created in 3-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats and blood pressure was measured telemetrically 4-6 weeks later during a normal and high salt diet before and after uninephrectomy or ureterovesicostomy. Plasma samples for renin assay were collected during both diets before and after ipsilateral nephrectomy. RESULTS: All hydronephrotic animals developed salt-sensitive hypertension, of different degrees. Before nephrectomy the plasma renin concentration was significantly higher in the hydronephrotic animals than in controls (160 +/- 15 microGU mL(-1) vs. 96 +/- 12 microGU mL(-1), respectively), but after the ipsilateral nephrectomy no differences were found between the groups. In the hydronephrotic animals both ipsilateral nephrectomy and ureterovesicostomy reduced the blood pressure and salt-sensitivity but the former still differed significantly from the controls. In contralaterally, nephrectomized hydronephrotic animals the salt-sensitive hypertension became more pronounced. CONCLUSION: Hydronephrosis in rats causes salt-sensitive hypertension that can be markedly reduced by removing the hydronephrotic kidney or relieving the obstruction by ureterovesicostomy. The mechanisms appear to be intrarenal and primarily located in the diseased kidney, but a secondary mechanism is also present.

Intercellular calcium signaling and nitric oxide feedback during constriction of rabbit renal afferent arterioles.

Vasoconstriction and increase in the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) of vascular smooth muscle cells may cause an increase of endothelial cell [Ca(2+)](i), which, in turn, augments nitric oxide (NO) production and inhibits smooth muscle cell contraction. This hypothesis was tested in microperfused rabbit renal afferent arterioles, using fluorescence imaging microscopy with the calcium-sensitive dye fura-2 and the NO-sensitive dye 4-amino-5-methylamino-2',7'-difluorescein. Both dyes were loaded into smooth muscle and endothelium. Depolarization with 100 mmol/l KCl led to a transient vasoconstriction which was converted into a sustained response by N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME). Depolarization increased smooth muscle cell [Ca(2+)](i) from 162 +/- 15 nmol/l to a peak of 555 +/- 70 nmol/l (n = 7), and this response was inhibited by 80% by the l-type calcium channel blocker calciseptine. After a delay of 10 s, [Ca(2+)](i) increased in endothelial cells immediately adjacent to reactive smooth muscle cells, and this calcium wave spread in a nonregenerative fashion laterally into the endothelial cell layer with a velocity of 1.2 microm/s. Depolarization with 100 mmol/l KCl led to a significant increase in NO production ([NO](i)) which was inhibited by l-NAME (n = 5). Acetylcholine caused a rapid increase in endothelial [Ca(2+)](i), which did not transfer to the smooth muscle cells. l-NAME treatment did not affect changes in smooth muscle [Ca(2+)](i) after depolarization, but it did increase the calcium sensitivity of the contractile apparatus. We conclude that depolarization increases smooth muscle [Ca(2+)](i) which is transferred to the endothelial cells and stimulates NO production which curtails vasoconstriction by reducing the calcium sensitivity of the contractile apparatus.

Hydronephrosis causes salt-sensitive hypertension and impaired renal concentrating ability in mice.

AIM: Hypertension is a common disease in the industrialized world and approximately 5% of all cases are secondary to kidney malfunction. We have recently shown that hydronephrosis due to partial unilateral ureteral obstruction (PUUO) causes salt-sensitive hypertension in rats. The mechanisms are still unclear, but appear to be intrarenal and primarily located to the diseased kidney. In the present study, we have developed a model for PUUO to study if hydronephrotic mice develop salt-sensitive hypertension. METHODS: PUUO was created in 3-week-old mice (C57bl/6J). Blood pressure and heart rate were measured telemetrically in adult animals on normal and high salt diets. Metabolism cages were used to study the renal excretion of electrolytes and water. Plasma samples for renin analysis were collected and renal histological changes were evaluated. RESULTS: All hydronephrotic animals developed salt-sensitive hypertension that correlated to the degree of hydronephrosis. In hydronephrotic animals, blood pressure increased from 114 +/- 1 mmHg on normal salt diet to 120 +/- 2 mmHg on high salt diet, compared with 103 +/- 1 to 104 +/- 1 in controls. Hydronephrotic animals showed increased diuresis and reduced ability to regulate electrolyte concentration. No differences in plasma renin concentration were found between the groups. The parenchymal weight and glomerular area of contralateral kidneys were significantly increased in the hydronephrotic animals. Histopathology of the hydronephrotic kidneys displayed areas with fibrosis, inflammation and glomerular changes. CONCLUSION: This study provides a model for PUUO in mice and demonstrates the presence of salt-sensitive hypertension and an impaired renal concentrating ability in mice which has not been described before.

Growth hormone receptor deficiency in mice results in reduced systolic blood pressure and plasma renin, increased aortic eNOS expression, and altered cardiovascular structure and function.

To study the role of the growth hormone receptor (GHR) in the development of cardiovascular structure and function, female GHR gene-disrupted or knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice at age 18 wk were used. GHR KO mice had lower plasma renin levels (12 +/- 2 vs. 20 +/- 4 mGU/ml, P < 0.05) and increased aortic endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) expression (146%, P < 0.05) accompanied by a 25% reduction in systolic blood pressure (BP, 110 +/- 4 vs. 147 +/- 3 mmHg, P < 0.001) compared with WT mice. Aldosterone levels were unchanged, whereas the plasma potassium concentration was elevated by 14% (P < 0.05) in GHR KO. Relative left ventricular weight was 14% lower in GHR KO mice (P < 0.05), and cardiac dimensions as analyzed by echocardiography were similarly reduced. Myograph studies revealed a reduced maximum contractile response in the aorta to norepinephrine (NE) and K(+) (P < 0.05), and aorta media thickness was decreased in GHR KO (P < 0.05). However, contractile force was normal in mesenteric arteries, whereas sensitivity to NE was increased (P < 0.05). Maximal acetylcholine-mediated dilatation was similar in WT and GHR KO mice, whereas the aorta of GHR KO mice showed an increased sensitivity to acetylcholine (P < 0.05). In conclusion, loss of GHR leads to low BP and decreased levels of renin in plasma as well as increase in aortic eNOS expression. Furthermore, GHR deficiency causes functional and morphological changes in both heart and vasculature that are beyond the observed alterations in body size. These data suggest an important role for an intact GH/IGF-I axis in the maintenance of a normal cardiovascular system.

Adrenomedullin expression during hypoxia in fetal sheep.

AIM: We asked how adrenomedullin (AM), a vasodilator peptide, was distributed in fetal sheep organs and whether expression of AM would be upregulated in response to moderate acute fetal hypoxia in vivo. METHODS: In four sheep at day 126-130 of gestation, nitrogen was added to the inspired air by tracheal infusion to reduce fetal arterial oxygen content for a period of 4 h. Control fetuses were from four ewes given a tracheal infusion of room air. Fetal and maternal blood samples were taken prior to and during hypoxia/sham hypoxia. Fetal tissue samples were frozen for RNA analysis and fixed for immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In hypoxic fetuses, arterial oxygen content was significantly reduced to 50% compared with sham fetuses with no change in arterial pH in either group. Plasma ACTH levels rose significantly at 2 and 4 h in hypoxic fetuses only. Initial plasma concentrations of AM in control and hypoxic fetuses were 457 +/- 20 and 430 +/- 35 pg mL(-1) and did not change during the experiment. The relative abundance of AM mRNA was placental cotyledons >> lung > cerebral cortex approximately equal to renal cortex > left ventricle approximately equal to right ventricle > adrenal gland > renal medulla > aorta approximately equal to liver. Immunohistochemical staining for AM confirmed distinct labelling in organs with significant expression. AM mRNA level increased significantly in cerebral cortex of hypoxic fetuses. CONCLUSION: Our results show expression of AM in placenta and in several fetal organs in late gestation sheep. AM may participate in the cerebral vasodilatation that is an integral part of the fetal response to hypoxia.

Reduced activity of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 is not responsible for sodium retention in nephrotic rats.

AIM: In mineralocorticoid target cells 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11betaHSD2) converts glucocorticoids into non-active metabolites thereby protecting the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) from stimulation by glucocorticoids. In nephrotic syndrome, a decreased activity of 11betaHSD2 has been suggested to allow glucocorticoids to stimulate MR, thereby contributing to sodium retention. We tested this hypothesis in the puromycin aminonucleoside model of nephrotic syndrome in rats. METHODS: Complete sodium and potassium intakes and excretions (faeces and urine) were measured in rats in metabolic cages. RNase protection assay of mRNA and Western blotting of protein were used to estimate renocortical expression of 11betaHSD2 and of the MR downstream effector serum and glucocorticoid induced kinase (SGK). In an intervention series, dexamethasone was given [10 microg (100 g bw)(-1)] to suppress endogenous glucocorticoids in the proteinuric stage during active sodium retention. RESULTS: Nephrotic rats developed proteinuria, positive sodium balance, decreased plasma aldosterone concentration, and decreased urinary Na(+)/K(+) ratio. 11betaHSD2 mRNA expression was down-regulated but protein expression was unchanged. SGK mRNA and phosphorylated SGK protein were up-regulated while total SGK protein expression was unchanged. Dexamethasone treatment, which suppressed plasma corticosterone concentration, did not correct sodium balance or fluid retention in nephrotic rats. CONCLUSION: Our results do not support the hypothesis that stimulation of the MR by endogenous glucocorticoids induces sodium and fluid retention in experimental nephrotic syndrome in rats.