Renal tubular sites of increased phosphate transport and NaPi-2 expression in the juvenile rat.

To determine the tubular sites and mechanisms involved in enhanced renal phosphate (P(i)) reabsorption seen in the juvenile animal, renal micropuncture experiments were performed in acutely thyroparathyroidectomized adult (>14 wk old) and juvenile (4 wk old) male Wistar rats fed either a normal P(i) diet (NPD, 0.6% P(i)) or low P(i) diet (0.07% P(i)) for 2 days, in the presence and absence of parathyroid hormone (PTH). P(i) reabsorption was greater in proximal convoluted (PCT) and straight tubules (PST) of the juvenile compared with adult rats fed NPD, whether or not PTH was present. These findings were consistent with a greater P(i) uptake in brush-border membrane (BBM) vesicles from both superficial (SC) and outer juxtamedullary (JMC) cortices of juvenile animals. Western blot analysis revealed a 2- and 1.8-fold higher amount of NaPi-2 protein in the SC and JMC, respectively, in juvenile rats. Immunofluorescence microscopy also indicated that NaPi-2 protein expression was present in the proximal tubule (PT) BBM to a greater extent in juvenile rats. Dietary P(i) restriction in juvenile rats resulted in a significant increase in P(i) reabsorption in the PCT and PST segments. NaPi-2 expression in the PT BBM was also increased, as was the expression of intracellular NaPi-2 protein. These studies indicate that P(i) reabsorption in both the PCT and PST segments of the renal tubule contributes to the attenuated response to PTH in the normal juvenile animal. In addition, dietary P(i) restriction in the juvenile rat upregulates BBM NaPi-2 expression, which is associated with a further increase in proximal tubular P(i) reabsorption.

Evidence for induction of a phosphate appetite in juvenile rats.

This study examined whether dietary phosphate (Pi) restriction stimulates an appetite for Pi in the juvenile rat, which normally has a high metabolic Pi demand for growth. Juvenile Wistar rats were placed in individual cages with unrestricted access to tap water and a low (LPD, 0.02% Pi) or normal Pi diet (NPD, 0.6% Pi) for 7 days. On day 8, both groups of rats were given unlimited access to a solution of 0.3 M potassium phosphate water (PiH2O) for 8 additional days. Rats fed LPD consumed 70-100% more PiH2O then those rats fed NPD (P < 0.001). The increase in PiH2O intake resulted in a marked rise in the growth rate of rats fed LPD during days 8-15. A similar Pi intake was inducible after only 2 days of LPD and was associated with significant reductions in both plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Pi levels; these levels remained low throughout Pi restriction, despite a significant PiH2O intake. Furthermore, the renal adaptation to enhance Pi reabsorption (TmPi) during Pi deprivation remained elevated despite enhanced PiH2O intake. Replenishment with a high-Pi diet rapidly quenched the PiH2O appetite and was associated with restoration of both plasma and CSF Pi levels. These findings suggest that an appetite for Pi can be induced in juvenile rats, perhaps through lowered plasma and CSF Pi levels. This behavioral response may serve as an additional mechanism to maintain an adequate supply of Pi necessary for growth and development of the animal.

Changes in renal phosphate reabsorption in the aged rat.

Depletion of inorganic phosphate (Pi) reserves occurs frequently in aged animals and can result in diminished bone mineralization and osteoporosis. This altered Pi balance results from a reduction in intestinal Pi absorption and an elevation in renal Pi excretion. Since the kidney plays a central role in maintaining Pi homeostasis, we tested whether the increased phosphaturia seen with aging is a consequence of changes in the intrinsic tubular capacity to reabsorb Pi (TmPi). Male Wistar rats (12-, 18-, and 24-months-old) were acutely thyroparathyroidectomized (TPTX) and prepared for renal clearance studies in the presence and absence of fixed levels of parathyroid hormone (synthetic PTH-(1-34), 1 U/kg/min). The maximum capacity for Pi transport (TmPi) was assessed by infusion of Pi at progressively higher rates (0-6 micromol/min) to increase the filtered load of Pi and facilitate the determination of the TmPi. TmPi declined significantly with age (3.51 +/- 0.12 vs 3.04 +/- 0.19 vs 2.30 +/- 0.18 micromol/ml, for 12-, 18-, and 24-month-old rats, respectively, P < 0.05) in TPTX rats. Administration of PTH markedly reduced the TmPi in all age groups. Although the TmPi attained was similar among the age groups (1.15 +/- 0.13 vs 1.15 +/- 0.06 vs 1.03 +/- 0.09 micromol/ml, for 12-, 18-, and 24-month-old rats, respectively), the magnitude of the reduction in the presence of PTH declined from 67% in 12-month-old rats to 62% and 55% in 18- and 24-month-old rats, respectively. These results demonstrate that aging is associated with a PTH-independent decrease in the intrinsic capacity of the kidney to reabsorb phosphate. Further, the kidney of the aged rat can respond to a pharmacological dose of PTH with appropriate reductions in the TmPi although the magnitude of the response declines with age.

Impaired nitric oxide-mediated renal vasodilation in rats with experimental heart failure: role of angiotensin II.

BACKGROUND: Congestive heart failure (CHF) is associated with a decrease in renal perfusion. Because endothelium-derived NO is important in the regulation of renal blood flow (RBF), we tested the hypothesis that an impairment in the NO system may contribute to the decrease in RBF in rats with experimental CHF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Studies were performed in rats with experimental high-output CHF induced by aortocaval (AV) fistula and sham-operated controls. In controls, incremental doses of acetylcholine (ACh, 1 to 100 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1)) increased RBF and caused a dose-related decrease in renal vascular resistance (RVR). However, the increase in RBF and decrease in RVR were markedly attenuated in rats with CHF. Likewise, the effects of ACh on urinary sodium and cGMP excretion were also diminished in CHF rats, as was the renal vasodilatory effect of the NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP). These attenuated responses to endothelium-dependent and -independent renal vasodilators in CHF rats occurred despite a normal baseline and stimulated NO2+NO3 excretion and normal expression of renal endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), as determined by eNOS mRNA levels and immunoreactive protein. Infusion of the NO precursor L-arginine did not affect baseline RBF or the response to ACh in rats with CHF. However, administration of the nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonist A81988 before ACh completely restored the renal vasodilatory response to ACh in CHF rats. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that despite a significant attenuation in the NO-related renal vasodilatory responses, the integrity of the renal NO system is preserved in rats with chronic AV fistula. This impairment in NO-mediated renal vasodilation in experimental CHF appears to be related to increased activity of the renin-angiotensin system and may contribute further to the decrease in renal perfusion seen in CHF.

Temporal changes in insulin-like growth factor I, c-fos, and c-jun gene expression during hyperplastic kidney growth in weanling rats.

We have previously determined that compensatory renal growth (CRG) during the initial 24-48 h after uninephrectomy (UNX) is GH independent in weanling animals, but associated with significant increases in insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and IGF-I receptor gene expression. The purpose of the present study was to determine the temporal sequence of molecular and cellular events that occur at various time points (1, 6, 12, 18, 24, 48, and 72 h post-UNX) during this early period of accelerated renal growth in the weanling (21- to 25-day-old) rat. Rapid and sustained increases in steady state renal IGF-I receptor and IGF-I messenger RNA (mRNA) were observed at 1 and 6 h, respectively, and remained elevated in the remnant kidneys until 72 h post-UNX. The mRNAs for the early response genes, c-fos and c-jun, were not induced in the remnant kidneys from weanling rats until between 12-18 h, but were also sustained through 48 h post-UNX. Increases in remnant kidney DNA content and [3H]thymidine incorporation also occurred from 18-48 h post-UNX and returned to baseline levels by 72 h post-UNX, indicating that the hyperplastic response in the weanling remnant kidney occurs over a discrete period early after UNX. Neither IGF-I nor early response genes were elevated in kidneys from adult animals, which exhibited only hypertrophic renal growth at those early time points after UNX. These findings suggest that early CRG in the weanling rat is associated with rapid increases in IGF-I mRNA followed by a rise in c-fos and c-jun gene expression and a mitogenic response. Furthermore, when the mRNA levels of IGF-I and early response genes returned to baseline levels, mitogenic growth stopped, and slower prolonged hypertrophic renal growth ensued.

Morphometric analysis of atrial natriuretic peptide-containing granules in atriocytes of rats with experimental congestive heart failure.

The morphometric characteristics of atrial natriuretic peptide-containing granules were studied in atrial myoendocrine cells of rats with aorto-caval fistula, an experimental model of congestive heart failure. A total of 6680 granules of control and aorto-caval rats were analyzed by a computerized image analysis system that evaluated the number and sectioned surface area of granules and their subcellular location. Compared with control animals, rats with congestive heart failure displayed a slight increase in the number of peripheral granules, adjacent to the sarcolemma, but not centrally located in the Golgi areas. The mean sectioned surface area of granules in rats with congestive heart failure was about 50% of that in controls, both in the right and left atria. Rats with aorto-caval fistula had a higher percent of small granules and lower percent of large granules compared with controls. The data demonstrate different morphometric characteristics in atrial natriuretic peptide-containing granules in atriocytes in rats with experimental congestive heart failure; this may reflect the enhanced synthesis and release of atrial natriuretic peptide in heart failure.

Renal effects of big endothelin-1 in experimental congestive heart failure.

The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of big endothelin (ET) on renal hemodynamics and excretory functions in rats with experimental congestive heart failure (CHF) produced by aortocaval fistula. Clearance studies were performed in control and in chronic (7 day) CHF rats. Administration of bit ET (1 and 3 nmol/kg, i.v.) to control rats caused an increase (29%) in mean arterial pressure (MAP) associated with a decrease (38%) in renal blood flow (RBF) and a marked increase (130%) in renal vascular resistance (RVR). These changes were accompanied by a decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and a significant increase in sodium excretion. In contrast, the effects of big ET on MAP and renal hemodynamics were blunted in CHF rats, and sodium excretion increased only minimally in response to big ET despite a significant increase in GFR. The data suggest that rats with CHF have reduced sensitivity to the vascular and renal action of ET.

Early increase in pulsatile growth hormone release after unilateral nephrectomy in adult rats.

Removal of one kidney results, within days, in accelerated growth of the remaining kidney. However, the mechanisms that underlie this compensatory renal hypertrophic response, particularly in the early time period following nephrectomy, are not understood. In this study we tested the hypothesis that removal of one kidney leads to a change in the pulsatile release of growth hormone (GH), which facilitates compensatory renal growth. Adult Wistar rats were implanted with Silastic cannulas in jugular veins and underwent either unilateral nephrectomy (UNX) or sham operation. Plasma levels of GH were determined 24 and 48 h after sham operation or UNX. Blood samples were taken every 20 min over a 6-h period from conscious, unrestrained animals. Pulsatile GH release was markedly elevated 24 h after UNX in both the amplitude of the surges as well as in the duration of release. Peak GH levels after 24 h were three- to fourfold higher in UNX rats compared with sham controls (417 +/- 75 vs. 119 +/- 23 ng/ml, P < 0.05). However, this enhanced release of GH appeared to be of short duration and began declining by 48 h post-UNX (peak level of 227 +/- 37 ng/ml, P < 0.05 vs. both 24 h UNX and sham controls). To examine whether this rise in GH release post-UNX contributed to the compensatory renal growth, rats underwent UNX and were immediately treated with an antagonist to GH-releasing factor (GRF-AN; i.e., [N-Ac-Tyr1,D-Arg2]GRF-(1-29) amide, 200 micrograms/kg twice daily), and the effects on GH release and renal growth were determined. Administration of GRF-AN significantly suppressed the increase in GH release post-UNX and was associated with a significant attenuation in renal growth 48 h post-UNX in GRF-AN-treated rats (8.7 +/- 2.6% vs. 22.7 +/- 3.0% in UNX controls, P < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Diuretic-natriuretic actions and pressor effects of big-endothelin (1-39) in phosphoramidon-treated rats.

The effects of phosphoramidon, a metalloproteinase inhibitor, on the pressor and renal actions of big-endothelin (BET), the precursor of porcine Endothelin-1 (ET), was studied in rats. In control rats, BET (0.3, 1.0, and 3.0 nmol/kg) elicited a marked increase in mean arterial blood pressure (from 110 +/- 7 to 105 +/- 7, 120 +/- 8, 147 +/- 6 mm Hg, respectively), and a prominent, dose-dependent, diuretic and natriuretic response (fractional sodium excretion (FENa) increased from 0.4 +/- 0.2 to 0.8 +/- 0.2, 3.1 +/- 0.1, and 8.5 +/- 1.7%, respectively). Pretreatment with phosphoramidon (10 mg/kg + 0.25 mg/kg/min) completely abolished the increase in blood pressure induced by BET, but the diuretic-natriuretic effects were only partially inhibited (FENa increased from 2.0 +/- 0.9 to 3.7 +/- 1.5, 3.9 +/- 1.3, and 4.3 +/- 1.2%, respectively, P < 0.05). Rats treated with phosphoramidon only had no natriuresis over time (FENa changed from 1.9 +/- 0.5 to 2.3 +/- 0.3, 1.6 +/- 0.4, 1.7 +/- 0.6 respectively, P--NS). The data suggest that, unlike the vascular type of the enzyme, the renal endothelin converting enzyme is relatively insensitive to phosphoramidon. Further, diuresis and natriuresis can be induced by BET in the absence of any pressor effect.

Regulation of renal glomerular and papillary ANP receptors in rats with experimental heart failure.

Rats with aortocaval (A-V) fistula, an experimental model of congestive heart failure (CHF), display high circulating atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels and a markedly blunted natriuretic response to ANP infusion. The present study was designed to evaluate whether alterations in renal ANP receptors may contribute to renal hyporesponsiveness to ANP in experimental CHF. Densities (Bmax) and dissociation constants (Kd) of both the biologically active (ANPA) and clearance receptors (ANPC) were evaluated in glomerular and papillary membranes from A-V fistula rats (n = 18) and sham-operated controls (n = 20). ANPA and ANPC receptor subtypes were assayed by displacement of 125I-ANP-(99-126) bound to glomerular or papillary membranes by increasing concentrations of unlabeled ANP-(99-126) or des-(18-22)-ANP-(4-23), an analogue which binds only to ANPC. Seven days after the operation, rats with A-V fistula displayed avid sodium retention, elevated plasma renin activity, and approximately a 10-fold increase in plasma ANP levels. Bmax of total ANP binding sites was significantly decreased in rats with A-V fistula compared with controls (220 +/- 61 vs. 399 +/- 88 fmol/mg protein, P < 0.05). The decrease was mainly due to a reduction in ANPA receptor density (51 +/- 10 vs. 110 +/- 15 fmol/mg protein, P < 0.05) with no change in receptor affinity. Likewise, a significant reduction in the density of ANPA (23 +/- 5 vs. 64 +/- 10 fmol/mg protein, P < 0.05) with no change in receptor affinity was observed in papillary membranes of rats with A-V fistula.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of a growth hormone-releasing factor antagonist on compensatory renal growth, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and IGF-I receptor gene expression after unilateral nephrectomy in immature rats.

We have recently reported that pulsatile GH secretion is elevated 24 h after unilateral nephrectomy (UNX) in adult rats. In addition, suppression of the increase in GH with an antagonist to GH-releasing factor (GRF-AN) significantly attenuated compensatory renal growth (CRG) in adult rats. The present study examined the role of GH in CRG in immature animals. Pulsatile GH release was determined 24 h post-UNX in immature (26-28 days of age) sham-operated and UNX male Wistar rats. In contrast to the adult UNX rats, no increase in GH secretion was seen in the immature UNX rats compared with that in the controls. When pulsatile GH release was suppressed with GRF-AN, there was preferential growth of the remnant kidney despite the attenuated gain in whole body weight. In addition, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF-I receptor mRNA levels were elevated 3-fold in the remnant kidneys of GRF-AN-treated rats, despite the suppression of pulsatile GH release. These findings suggest that the initial phase of CRG is GH independent in the immature rat and, further, that CRG is associated with an increase in IGF-I and IGF-I receptor gene expression that is independent of episodic GH secretion.

Altered expression of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF receptor genes after unilateral nephrectomy in immature rats.

There is a developmental difference in the initial phase of compensatory renal growth (CRG) following unilateral nephrectomy (UNX), in that CRG is GH-dependent in adult rats and GH-independent in immature rats. Furthermore, CRG in immature rats is associated with an increase in renal IGF-I mRNA, an effect not seen in adult rats. In this study we have examined the age-related differences in expression of the insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF-II genes as well as in IGF-I and IGF-II receptors and membrane binding after UNX. Immature (22-24 days of age) and adult (4 months of age) male Wistar rats underwent a sham operation or left UNX and were killed 24 or 48 h later. Levels of mRNA for IGF-I and IGF-II and their receptors were determined in the left (control) and right (compensated) remnant kidneys using solution hybridization/RNase protection assays. Steady state levels of IGF-I mRNA as well as IGF-I receptor and IGF-II/mannose-6-phosphate receptor mRNAs were increased 3- to 4-fold in immature remnant kidneys, but not in adult kidneys. The findings related to IGF-I gene expression were confirmed by in situ hybridization to immature and adult kidney slices. The increase in IGF-I gene expression in the immature remnant kidneys was localized to the thick ascending limbs of the loops of Henle. Furthermore, in concert with the changes in mRNA levels, membrane binding studies showed significant increases in specific binding to IGF-I in cortical membranes and increases in specific binding to IGF-II in whole kidney membranes from immature, but not adult, rats. Thus, these findings demonstrate that the initial phase of CRG in the immature rat is associated with increased renal IGF-I gene expression as well as enhanced specific renal binding of IGF-I and IGF-II to plasma membranes and support the notion that this period of rapid renal growth in the immature UNX rat may involve the paracrine influence of the IGFs.

Suppression of growth hormone release restores phosphaturic response to PTH in immature rats.

Immature rats display a blunted rise in urinary phosphate but not adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) excretion in response to parathyroid hormone (PTH), perhaps as a consequence of the increased demand for phosphate during growth. Because a major driving force for growth is growth hormone (GH), and in view of the fact that GH has been shown to promote renal phosphate retention in the immature animal, it is possible that GH may attenuate the phosphaturic effect of PTH. The objective of this study was to determine whether suppression of pulsatile GH release, during administration of a synthetic peptide antagonist to GH-releasing factor, i.e., [N-acetyl-Tyr1-D-Arg2]-GRF-(1-29)-NH2 (GRF-AN), alters the renal response to increasing doses of PTH (1.5-15.0 micrograms.100 g-1.h-1) in the acutely thyroparathyroidectomized immature rat. Baseline fractional excretion of phosphate (FEPi), before administration of PTH, was negligible in all groups (less than 0.05%). Infusion of PTH resulted in an attenuated rise in FEPi in immature control rats compared with adult control rats (from 3.8 +/- 1.4% at lowest PTH dose to 16.7 +/- 3.1% at highest dose in immature rats vs. 21.1 +/- 3.5 to 31.9 +/- 4.4% in adult rats, P less than 0.05). In contrast, immature rats treated for 2 days with GRF-AN (100 micrograms/kg, twice daily) displayed an enhanced phosphaturic response (FEPi from 12.0 +/- 4.2 to 42.9 +/- 3.7%, P less than 0.05) compared with immature control rats, which was not different from that observed in control adult rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Atrial natriuretic peptide and renal cGMP in rats with experimental heart failure.

Rats with chronic aortocaval (AV) fistula, an experimental model of congestive heart failure, display high plasma levels of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and a blunted natriuretic response to ANF infusion. We previously reported that rats with AV fistula either develop progressive sodium retention (urinary sodium excretion, UNaV less than 100 microeq/24 h) or compensate (UNaV greater than 1,200 microeq/24 h). To gain further insight into the mechanism of renal hyporesponsiveness to ANF, we evaluated the effect of ANF on renal guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) production in sham-operated control rats and in the two groups of rats with AV fistula. Infusion of synthetic ANF-(99-126) (at either 10 or 50 micrograms.kg-1.h-1) resulted in a reduced fractional sodium excretion (P less than 0.05) in both compensated rats (0.7 +/- 0.2 and 7.9 +/- 1.6%) and sodium-retaining rats (0.3 +/- 0.1 and 0.5 +/- 0.1%) compared with controls (8.5 +/- 1.2 and 13.7 +/- 2.3% for low and high doses, respectively). Similarly, urinary cGMP excretion corrected by glomerular filtration rate (UcGMPV/GFR) during low-dose ANF infusion was significantly reduced (P less than 0.05) in both groups with AV fistula (compensated: 39 +/- 10 pmol/ml; sodium-retaining: 55 +/- 13 pmol/ml) compared with controls (115 +/- 16 pmol/ml). During high-dose ANF infusion, compensated rats, but not sodium-retaining rats, displayed a significant increase in UcGMPV/GFR. The differences in UcGMPV/GFR are probably not due to variations in urine flow because furosemide infusion to a separate group of rats with AV fistula increased urine flow approximately eightfold but did not increase UcGMPV/GFR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Renal IGF-1 mRNA levels are enhanced following unilateral nephrectomy in immature but not adult rats.

The increase in IGF-1 gene expression following unilateral nephrectomy (UNX) in adult rats is controversial. In this study we have examined whether developmental differences exist in the effect of UNX on IGF-1 gene expression. Immature (23 days) and adult (4 months) Wistar rats underwent a sham operation or left UNX, and were sacrificed 24 or 48 hrs later. IGF-1 mRNA levels were determined in left (control) and right (compensated) kidneys using solution hybridization/RNase protection assays. By 48 hrs post-UNX, remnant kidneys had grown 20 +/- 1% in adult rats (P less than 0.05), and 69 +/- 5% in immature rats (P less than 0.05). IGF-1 mRNA levels were not increased in the adult compensated kidneys at either 24 or 48 hrs post-UNX. In contrast, kidneys from immature rats 24 and 48 hrs post-UNX had an average 4-fold increase (P less than 0.05) in exon 1 IGF-1 mRNA levels, and an average 3-fold increase (P less than 0.05) in exon 2 mRNA levels. Thus, these findings suggest that there is an age-dependent difference in the effects of UnX on IGF-1 gene expression, and provide the first evidence that IGF-1 gene expression increases following unilateral nephrectomy in immature rats.

Regulation of renal phosphate reabsorption during development: implications from a new model of growth hormone deficiency.

It has been hypothesized that the high rate of renal phosphate (Pi) reabsorption in the immature animal is a consequence of the increased demand for Pi associated with the rapid rate of growth. Although growth hormone (GH) has been proposed to play a role in this process, investigations of the relationship between GH, growth and the renal Pi transport have been hampered by the lack of methods available to specifically alter circulating GH levels. This review summarizes the findings from recent studies using a newly developed peptidic antagonist to GH-releasing factor (GRF-AN) as a method of specifically inhibiting GH release. Systemic injection of GRF-AN was effective in suppressing the pulsatile release of GH, and in significantly attenuating the rate of growth, in both immature and adult rats. However, the inhibition of growth was associated with a reduction in net Pi retention only in immature rats, resulting in a doubling in the urinary excretion of Pi. GRF-AN treatment of immature rats lead to a decrease in the maximum tubular capacity to transport Pi-down to the level seen in adult rats. However, GRF-AN treatment did not alter renal Pi reabsorption in adult rats. We conclude that chronic administration of an antagonist to GRF in rats provides a new model of GH deficiency with which to study the interrelationships between growth, GH and other physiological systems. Furthermore, the findings suggest that the pulsatile release of GH, directly or indirectly, contributes to the high rate of renal Pi reabsorption in young, growing animals and may play a critical role in regulating Pi homeostasis during development.