Clemizole and La3+ salts ameliorate angiotensin II-induced glomerular hyperpermeability in vivo.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) induces marked, dynamic increases in the permeability of the glomerular filtration barrier (GFB) in rats. After binding to its receptor, Ang II elicits Ca2+ influx into cells, mediated by TRPC5 and TRPC6 (transient receptor potential canonical type 5 and 6). Clemizole and La3+ salts have been shown to block TRPC channels in vitro, and we therefore tested their potential effect on Ang II-induced glomerular hyperpermeability. Anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats were infused with Ang II (80 ng kg-1  min-1 ) alone, or together with clemizole or low-dose La3+ (activates TRPC5, blocks TRPC6) or high-dose La3+ (blocks both TRPC5 and TRPC6). Plasma and urine samples were taken during baseline and at 5 min after the start of the infusions and analyzed by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography for determination of glomerular sieving coefficients for Ficoll 10-80 Å (1-8 nm). Ang II infusion evoked glomerular hyperpermeability to large Ficolls (50-80 Å), which was ameliorated by clemizole, having no significant effect on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) or Ang II-mediated increase in mean arterial pressure (ΔMAP). In contrast, high- and low-dose La3+ significantly lowered ΔMAP and reduced Ang II-induced hyperpermeability. Combined, clemizole and low-dose La3+ were less effective at ameliorating Ang II-induced glomerular hyperpermeability than low-dose La3+ alone. In conclusion, our data show that both clemizole and La3+ are effective against Ang II-induced glomerular hyperpermeability, with differential effects on blood pressure. Further research using more specific blockers of TRPC5 and TRPC6 should be performed to reveal the underlying mechanisms.

Sustained, delayed, and small increments in glomerular permeability to macromolecules during systemic ET-1 infusion mediated via the ETA receptor.

Emerging evidence indicates that endogenous production of endothelin (ET)-1, a 21-amino acid peptide vasoconstrictor, plays an important role in proteinuric kidney disease. Previous studies in rats have shown that chronic administration of ET-1 leads to increased glomerular albumin leakage. The underlying mechanisms are, however, currently not known. Here, we used size-exclusion chromatography to measure glomerular sieving coefficients for neutral FITC-Ficoll (molecular Stokes-Einstein radius: 15-80 Å, molecular weight: 70 kDa/400 kDa) in anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 12) at baseline and at 5, 15, 30, and 60 min after intravenous administration of ET-1. In separate experiments, ET-1 was given together with the selective ET type A (ETA) or ET type B (ETB) receptor antagonists JKC-301 and BQ-788, respectively. At both 15 and 30 min postadministration, the glomerular sieving coefficient for macromolecular Ficoll (70 Å) was significantly increased to 4.4 × 10-5 ± 0.7 × 10-5 (P = 0.024) and 4.5 × 10-5 ± 0.8 × 10-5 (P = 0.007), respectively, compared with baseline (2.2 × 10-5 ± 0.4 ×10-5). Decreased urine production after ET-1 prevented the use of higher doses of ET-1. Data analysis using the two-pore model indicated changes in large-pore permeability after ET-1, with no changes in the small-pore pathway. Administration of ETA blocker abrogated the permeability changes induced by ET-1 at 30 min, whereas blockade of ETB receptors was ineffective. Mean arterial pressure was only significantly increased at 60 min, being 123 ± 4 mmHg compared with 111 ± 2 mmHg at baseline (P = 0.02). We conclude that ET-1 evoked small, delayed, and sustained increases in glomerular permeability, mediated via the ETA receptor.

Glomerular hyperpermeability after acute unilateral ureteral obstruction: effects of Tempol, NOS, RhoA, and Rac-1 inhibition.

It is well known that proteinuria following urinary tract obstruction is mainly of a tubular nature. However, it is unknown whether there are also changes in glomerular permeability. In this study, we compared glomerular sieving coefficients (θ) of polydisperse fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-Ficoll 70/400 following a 120- or 180-min unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats. Samples were collected from the obstructed kidney at 5, 15, and 30 min postrelease and analyzed by means of high-pressure size-exclusion chromatography. After 120-min UUO, mean θ for Ficoll70Å was increased ( P < 0.01) from 2.2 ± 0.5 × 10-5 (baseline) to 10.6 ± 10 × 10-5 15 min postrelease (highest value). After 180-min UUO, mean θ for Ficoll70Å was further increased ( P < 0.001) from 1.4 ± 0.5 × 10-5 (baseline) to 40 ± 10 × 10-5 at 5 min postrelease (highest value). Administration of a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger (Tempol; 1 mg·kg-1·min-1) partly abrogated the permeability effects following 120-min UUO but not after 180 min. Moreover, administration of the RhoA kinase inhibitor Y-27632, the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, or Rac-1 inhibition did not ameliorate glomerular hyperpermeability following 180-min UUO. We show, for the first time, that acute UUO results in marked elevations in glomerular permeability. In addition, our data suggest a time-dependent pathophysiology of UUO-induced hyperpermeability, where reactive oxygen species generation may play an important role in the early stages.

Nitric oxide synthase inhibition causes acute increases in glomerular permeability in vivo, dependent upon reactive oxygen species.

There is increasing evidence that the permeability of the glomerular filtration barrier (GFB) is partly regulated by a balance between the bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) and that of reactive oxygen species (ROS). It has been postulated that normal or moderately elevated NO levels protect the GFB from permeability increases, whereas ROS, through reducing the bioavailability of NO, have the opposite effect. We tested the tentative antagonism between NO and ROS on glomerular permeability in anaesthetized Wistar rats, in which the left ureter was cannulated for urine collection while simultaneously blood access was achieved. Rats were systemically infused with either l-NAME or l-NAME together with the superoxide scavenger Tempol, or together with l-arginine or the NO-donor DEA-NONOate, or the cGMP agonist 8-bromo-cGMP. To measure glomerular sieving coefficients (theta, θ) to Ficoll, rats were infused with FITC-Ficoll 70/400 (mol/radius 10-80 Å). Plasma and urine samples were analyzed by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) for determination of θ for Ficoll repeatedly during up to 2 h. l-NAME increased θ for Ficoll70Å from 2.27 ± 1.30 × 10-5 to 8.46 ± 2.06 × 10-5 (n = 6, P < 0.001) in 15 min. Tempol abrogated these increases in glomerular permeability and an inhibition was also observed with l-arginine and with 8-bromo-cGMP. In conclusion, acute NO synthase inhibition in vivo by l-NAME caused rapid increases in glomerular permeability, which could be reversed by either an ROS antagonist or by activating the guanylyl cyclase-cGMP pathway. The data strongly suggest a protective effect of NO in maintaining normal glomerular permeability in vivo.

Acute reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent effects of IL-1ß, TNF-α, and IL-6 on the glomerular filtration barrier (GFB) in vivo.

This study was performed to investigate the immediate actions of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1ß, TNF-α, and IL-6 on the permeability of the glomerular filtration barrier (GFB) in rats and to test whether these actions are dependent upon the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In anesthetized rats, blood access was achieved and the left ureter was cannulated for urine collection. Rats were continuously infused intravenously with either IL-1ß (0.4 and 2 µg·kg(-1)·h(-1)), TNF-α (0.4 and 2 µg·kg(-1)·h(-1)), or IL-6 (4 and 8 µg·kg(-1)·h(-1)), together with polydisperse FITC-Ficoll-70/400 and inulin for 1 h. Plasma and urine samples were analyzed by high performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) for determination of glomerular sieving coefficients (θ). The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was also assessed (51Cr-EDTA). In separate experiments, the superoxide scavenger tempol (30 mg·kg(-1)·h(-1)) was given before and during cytokine infusions. IL-1ß and TNF-α caused rapid, partly reversible increases in glomerular permeability to large molecules (Ficoll50-80Å), peaking at 5-30 min, while IL-6 caused a more gradual increase in permeability, leveling off at 60 min. Tempol almost completely abrogated the glomerular permeability effects of the cytokines infused. In conclusion IL-1ß, TNF-α, and IL-6, when infused systemically, caused immediate and partly reversible increases in glomerular permeability, which could be inhibited by the superoxide scavenger tempol, suggesting an important role of ROS in acute cytokine-induced permeability changes in the GFB.

mTOR inhibition with temsirolimus causes acute increases in glomerular permeability, but inhibits the dynamic permeability actions of puromycin aminonucleoside.

Inhibitors of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTORi) can produce de novo proteinuria in kidney transplant patients. On the other hand, mTORi has been shown to suppress disease progression in several animal models of kidney disease. In the present study, we investigated whether glomerular permeability can be acutely altered by the mTORi temsirolimus and whether mTORi can affect acute puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) or angiotensin II (ANG II)-induced glomerular hyperpermeability. In anesthetized Wistar rats, the left ureter was cannulated for urine collection, while simultaneously blood access was achieved. Temsirolimus was administered as a single intravenous dose 30 min before the start of the experiments in animals infused with PAN or ANG II or in nonexposed animals. Polydispersed FITC-Ficoll-70/400 (molecular radius 10-80 Å) and (51)Cr-EDTA infusion was given during the whole experiment. Measurements of Ficoll in plasma and urine were performed sequentially before the temsirolimus injection (baseline) and at 5, 15, 30, 60, and 120 min after the start of the experiments. Urine and plasma samples were analyzed by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) to assess glomerular sieving coefficients (θ) for Ficoll10-80Å. Temsirolimus per se increased baseline glomerular permeability to Ficoll50-80Å 45 min after its administration, a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent phenomenon. PAN caused a rapid and reversible increase in glomerular permeability, peaking at 5 min, and again at 60-120 min, which could be blocked by the ROS scavenger tempol. mTORi abrogated the second permeability peak induced by PAN. However, it had no effect on the immediate ANG II- or PAN-induced increases in glomerular permeability.

Dynamic, size-selective effects of protamine sulfate and hyaluronidase on the rat glomerular filtration barrier in vivo.

The proteinuric actions of protamine sulfate (PS) have classically been, at least partly, attributed to alterations of the negatively charged glomerular endothelial glycocalyx. To investigate whether the charge-selective properties of the glomerular filtration barrier (GFB) would be altered by PS, we assessed the glomerular sieving of conventional, uncharged, polydispersed Ficoll (n-Ficoll) compared with charge modified, conformationally intact, anionic (carboxymethylated) Ficoll (a-Ficoll) before and after systemic infusions of PS in rats. For comparison, we also investigated the impact of hyaluronidase (hyase), which partially degrades the glycocalyx, on GFB permeability. In anaesthetized Wistar rats, blood access was achieved, and the left ureter was cannulated for urine collection. Rats were infused with either n-Ficoll or a-Ficoll before and during systemic infusions with either PS or hyase. Plasma and urine samples were taken repeatedly and analyzed by high-performance size exclusion chromatography to assess glomerular sieving coefficients (θ) for Ficoll (radius 10-80 Å). The GFB showed a significant glomerular charge selectivity for Ficoll molecules of radius 20-35 Å. PS and hyase infusions reversibly increased θ for large Ficoll molecules (Ficoll molecules of radius 50-80 Å). Thus, for PS, θ for a-Ficoll molecules of radius 70 Å increased from 2.47 × 10(-5) ± 1.1(-5) to 7.25 × 10(-5) ± 1.1(-5) (P < 0.05) at 15 min. For hyase, changes in a-Ficoll molecules of radius 50-80 Å were, however, not statistically significant. Neither PS nor hyase had any effect on θ for n-Ficoll molecules of radius 20-45 Å or a-Ficoll molecules of radius 20-45 Å. It is concluded that systemically administered PS and hyase in moderate doses dynamically decreased the size selectivity of the rat GFB without affecting its charge selective properties.

Extracellular fetal hemoglobin induces increases in glomerular permeability: inhibition with α1-microglobulin and tempol.

Extracellular fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and adult hemoglobin (HbA) are proinflammatory and generate ROS. Increased plasma levels of extracellular HbF have recently been reported to occur in early preeclampsia. α1-Microglobulin (A1M) is a physiological heme-binding protein and radical scavenger that has been shown to counteract vascular permeability increases induced by HbA in the perfused placenta. The present study was performed to investigate whether HbF and HbA will increase glomerular permeability in vivo and to test whether A1M and tempol, a ROS scavenger, can prevent their effects. Anesthetized Wistar rats were continuously infused intravenously with either HbA, HbF, or cyano-inactivated HbF together with FITC-Ficoll-70/400, inulin, and (51)Cr-labeled EDTA for 2 h. Plasma samples and urine samples (left ureter) were taken repeatedly and analyzed by high-performance size exclusion chromatography to assess glomerular sieving coefficients for Ficoll of radius 10-80 Å. In separate experiments, A1M or tempol was given before and during Hb infusions. Extracellular HbF caused rapid, transient increases in glomerular permeability to large Ficoll molecules (50-80Å), contrary to the effects of HbA and cyano-inactivated HbF. For HbF, glomerular sieving coefficients for Ficoll of radius 60Å increased from 3.85 ± 0.85 × 10(-5) to 2.60 ± 0.96 × 10(-4) at 15 min, changes that were abrogated by tempol and reduced by A1M. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that extracellular HbF, infused systemically, can acutely increase glomerular permeability through inducing oxidative stress.

Scavengers of reactive oxygen species, paracalcitol, RhoA, and Rac-1 inhibitors and tacrolimus inhibit angiotensin II-induced actions on glomerular permeability.

Systemic infusions of ANG II rapidly induce large, dynamic increases in the permeability of the glomerular filtration barrier (GFB) in rats. After binding to its receptor(s), ANG II generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) and produces Ca²âº influx into cells, leading to activation of a plethora of signaling cascades, including, e.g., calcineurin and small GTPases, such as Rac-1 and RhoA. In the present study we sought to interact with some of these cascades to test potential novel antiproteinuric agents. In anesthetized Wistar rats, the left urether was cannulated for urine collection, and blood access was achieved. Rats were infused with ANG II (16 ng·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹) alone, or together with the ROS scavengers tempol or dimethylthiourea (DMTU) or the D-vitamin analog paracalcitol, the RhoA-kinase inhibitor Y-27632, the Rac-1 inhibitor NSC-23766, or the calcineurin inhibitor tacrolimus. FITC-Ficoll-70/400 (mol.radius 10-80 Å) and 5¹Cr-EDTA were infused throughout the experiment. Plasma and urine samples were taken during baseline and at 5 and 15 min after the start of the infusions and analyzed by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography for determination of glomerular sieving coefficients (θ) for Ficoll10-80Å. ANG II infusion into rats caused marked increases in glomerular permeability to large Ficoll molecules (Ficoll50-80Å), which were abrogated by the ROS scavenger tempol and partly by DMTU. Paracalcitol, RhoA, and Rac-1 inhibition, and, to some extent tacrolimus, but not prostacyclin, could also inhibit the glomerular permeability actions of ANG II. Our data suggest that cellular ROS generation and active Ca²âº signaling are involved in ANG II-induced increases in glomerular permeability.

Rapid, dynamic changes in glomerular permeability to macromolecules during systemic angiotensin II (ANG II) infusion in rats.

The actions of systemic angiotensin II (ANG II) infusions on glomerular permeability were investigated in vivo. In anesthetized Wistar rats (250-280 g), the left ureter was cannulated for urine collection, while simultaneously blood access was achieved. Rats were continuously infused intravenously with either of four doses of ANG II ranging from 16 ng·kg(-1)·min(-1) (Lo-ANG II) to 1.82 µg·kg(-1)·min(-1) (Hi-ANG II), and in separate experiments with aldosterone (Aldo; 0.22 mg·kg(-1)·min(-1)), or with the calcium channel blocker nimodipine, or with the Aldo antagonist spironolactone together with a high ANG II dose (910 ng·kg(-1)·min(-1); Hi-Int-ANG II), respectively, and with polydisperse FITC-Ficoll-70/400 (molecular radius 10-80 Å) and (51)Cr-EDTA. Plasma and urine samples were taken at 5, 15, 30, 60, and 120 min and analyzed by high performance size-exclusion chromatography for determination of glomerular sieving coefficients (θ) to Ficoll. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were also assessed. For ANG II, there was a rapid, marked, partly reversible increase in glomerular permeability (θ) for Ficoll molecules >34 Å in radius, peaking at 5-15 min, which was completely abrogated by the ANG II blocker candesartan but not affected by spironolactone at 15 and 30 min. For Aldo, the response was similar to that found for the lowest dose of ANG II infused. For the two highest ANG II doses given (Hi-Int-ANG II and Hi-ANG II), GFR decreased transiently, concomitant with marked, sustained increases in MAP. Nimodipine completely blocked all hemodynamic ANG II actions, whereas the glomerular permeability response remained unchanged. Thus ANG II directly increased glomerular permeability independently of its hemodynamic actions and largely independently of the concomitant Aldo response. The ANG II-induced increases in glomerular permeability were, according to a two-pore and a log-normal distributed pore model, compatible with an increased number of "large pores" in the glomerular filter, and, to some extent, an increase in the dispersity of the small-pore radius.

Reduced diffusion of charge-modified, conformationally intact anionic Ficoll relative to neutral Ficoll across the rat glomerular filtration barrier in vivo.

The glomerular filtration barrier (GFB) is commonly conceived as a negatively charged sieve to proteins. Recent studies, however, indicate that glomerular charge effects are small for anionic, carboxymethylated (CM) dextran vs. neutral dextran. Furthermore, two studies assessing the glomerular sieving coefficients (θ) for negative CM-Ficoll vs. native Ficoll have demonstrated an increased glomerular permeability for CM-Ficoll (Asgeirsson D, Venturoli D, Rippe B, Rippe C. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 291: F1083-F1089, 2006; Guimarães M, Nikolovski J, Pratt L, Greive K, Comper W. Am Physiol Renal Physiol 285: F1118-F1124, 2003.). The CM-Ficoll used, however, showed a larger Stokes-Einstein radius (a(e)) than neutral Ficoll, and it was proposed that the introduction of negative charges in the Ficoll molecule had made it more flexible and permeable. Recently, a negative FITC-labeled CM-Ficoll (CMI-Ficoll) was produced with a conformation identical to that of neutral FITC-Ficoll. Using these probes, we determined their θ:s in anesthetized Wistar rats (259 ± 2.5 g). After blood access had been achieved, the left ureter was cannulated for urine sampling. Either polysaccharide was infused (iv) together with a filtration marker, and urine and plasma were collected. Assessment of θ FITC-Ficoll was achieved by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC). CMI-Ficoll and native Ficoll had identical elugrams on the HPSEC. Diffusion of anionic Ficoll was significantly reduced compared with that of neutral Ficoll across the GFB for molecules of a(e) ∼20-35 Å, while there were no charge effects for Ficoll of a(e) = 35-80 Å. The data are consistent with a charge effect present in "small pores," but not in "large pores," of the GFB and mimicked those obtained for anionic membranes in vitro for the same probes.

Transient and sustained increases in glomerular permeability following ANP infusion in rats.

The present study was performed to investigate the effects of systemic atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) infusion on the glomerular permeability to macromolecules in rats. In anesthetized Wistar rats (250-280 g), the left urether was cannulated for urine collection while simultaneously blood access was achieved. Rats were continuously infused intravenously with ANP [30 ng·kg(-1)·min(-1) (Lo-ANP; n=8) or 800 ng·kg(-1)·min(-1) (Hi-ANP; n=10)] or 0.9% NaCl (SHAM; n=16), respectively, and with polydisperse FITC-Ficoll-70/400 (molecular radius 13-90 Å) and 51Cr-EDTA for 2 h. Plasma and urine samples were taken at 5, 15, 30, 60, and 120 min of ANP infusion and analyzed by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPLC) for determination of glomerular sieving coefficients (θ) for Ficoll. GFR was also assessed (51Cr-EDTA). In Hi-ANP, there was a rapid (within 5 min), but bimodal, increase in glomerular permeability. θ to high-molecular-weight Ficoll thus reached a maximum at 15 min, after which θ returned to near control at 30 min, to again increase moderately at 60 and 120 min. In Lo-ANP, there was also a rapid, reversible increase in glomerular θ, returning to near control at 30 min, followed by just a tendency of a sustained increase in permeability, but with a significant increase in "large-pore" radius. In conclusion, in Hi-ANP there was a rapid increase in glomerular permeability, with an early, partly reversible permeability peak, followed by a (moderate) sustained increase in permeability. In Lo-ANP animals, only the initial permeability peak was evident. In both Lo-ANP and Hi-ANP, the glomerular sieving pattern observed was found to mainly reflect an increase in the number and radius of large pores in the glomerular filter.

Acute hyperglycemia induces rapid, reversible increases in glomerular permeability in nondiabetic rats.

This study was performed to investigate the impact of acute hyperglycemia (HG) on the permeability of the normal glomerular filtration barrier in vivo. In anesthetized Wistar rats (250-280 g), the left ureter was catheterized for urine collection, while simultaneously blood access was achieved. Rats received an intravenous (iv) infusion of either 1) hypertonic glucose to maintain blood glucose at 20-25 mM (G; n = 8); 2) hypertonic glucose as in 1) and a RhoA-kinase inhibitor (Y-27632; Rho-G; n = 8); 3) 20% mannitol (MANN; n = 7) or 4) hypertonic (12%) NaCl to maintain plasma crystalloid osmotic pressure (pi(cry)) at approximately 320-325 mosmol/l (NaCl; n = 8) or 5) physiological saline (SHAM; n = 8). FITC-Ficoll 70/400 was infused iv for at least 20 min before termination of the experiments, and plasma and urine were collected to determine the glomerular sieving coefficients (theta) for polydisperse Ficoll (molecular radius 15-80 A) by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography. In G there was a marked increase in for Ficoll(55-80A) at 20 min, which was completely reversible within 60 min and abrogated by a Rho-kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, while glomerular permeability remained unchanged in MANN and NaCl. In conclusion, acute HG caused rapid, reversible increases in for large Ficolls, not related to the concomitant hyperosmolarity, but sensitive to ROCK inhibition. The changes observed were consistent with the formation of an increased number of large pores in the glomerular filter. The sensitivity of the permeability changes to ROCK inhibition strongly indicates that the cytoskeleton of the cells in the glomerular barrier may be involved in these alterations.

Loss of size selectivity of the glomerular filtration barrier in rats following laparotomy and muscle trauma.

Posttraumatic microalbuminuria may be caused by either charge- or size-selective alterations in the glomerular filtration barrier, or both, and/or to a reduction in proximal tubular protein reabsorption. This study was performed to elucidate the pathophysiology of the increases in glomerular permeability occurring in rats exposed to a laparotomy or to a laparotomy and muscle trauma. In anesthetized Wistar rats (250-280 g), the left ureter was cannulated for urine collection, while simultaneously blood access was achieved. Rats were exposed to trauma by a laparotomy (L; n = 8), or by a combination of L and muscle trauma (MT; L+MT) induced by topical blunt injury of the abdominal muscles bilaterally. After L, muscles were crushed using hemostatic forceps at either 2 x 2 sites ("small" MT; n = 9), or at 2 x 5 sites ("large" MT; n = 9). Sham groups (n = 16), not exposed to a laparotomy, were used as controls. The glomerular sieving coefficients (theta) to polydisperse FITC-Ficoll-70/400 (molecular radius 13-80 A) were determined at 5 or 60 min after L and L+MT, respectively, from plasma and urine samples, and analyzed by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography. A tissue-uptake technique was used to assess theta for (125)I-labeled serum albumin. L, with or without MT, increased theta for Ficoll(55-80A) and albumin rapidly and markedly. Theta-Ficoll(70A) thus increased approximately threefold, and theta for albumin significantly, for all trauma groups. According to the "two-pore model" of glomerular permeability, these changes mainly reflect an increase in the number of large pores in the glomerular filter without any primary changes in the charge-selective properties of the filter.

Unaltered size selectivity of the glomerular filtration barrier in caveolin-1 knockout mice.

The transfer of albumin from blood to tissue has been found to be increased in caveolin-1 knockout (KO) mice. This has been considered to reflect increased microvascular permeability, conceivably caused by an increased endothelial production of nitric oxide (NO) in these mice. To investigate whether such an increase in NO production would also affect glomerular barrier characteristics, the glomerular sieving coefficients (theta) to neutral FITC-Ficoll 70/400 (molecular radius 13-90 A) were determined in caveolin-1 KO mice vs. their wild-type counterparts. The theta for Ficoll were assessed using high-performance size-exclusion chromatography on blood and urine samples. Furthermore, the transcapillary escape rate (TER) of (125)I-labeled albumin and plasma volume (PV) were determined in both types of mice. The kidney expressed low levels of caveolin-1 compared with the lung and bladder, but immunofluorescence associated with vascular structures was evident. Staining was lost in the caveolin-1 KO kidney, as was caveolin-1 expression in the lung and bladder. Despite an increase in the glomerular filtration rate in caveolin-1 KO mice (0.23 +/- 0.04 vs. 0.10 +/- 0.02 ml/min; both n = 7; P < 0.05), the glomerular Ficoll sieving curves were nearly identical. Furthermore, caveolin-1 KO mice showed an increased PV (6.59 +/- 0.42 vs. 5.18 +/- 0.13 ml/100 g; P < 0.01) but only a tendency toward an increased TER (14.69 +/- 1.59 vs. 11.62 +/- 1.62%/h; not significant). It is concluded that in caveolin-1 KO mice the glomerular permeability was not increased, despite the presence of glomerular hyperfiltration. The present data are in line with the concept that the increased transvascular albumin leakage previously found in mice lacking caveolin-1 may be due to an elevation in systemic microvascular pressure due to precapillary vasodilatation, rather than being a consequence of increased microvascular permeability per se.

Effects of early endotoxemia and dextran-induced anaphylaxis on the size selectivity of the glomerular filtration barrier in rats.

This study was performed to investigate the glomerular permeability alterations responsible for the microalbuminuria occurring in endotoxemia and during anaphylactic shock. In anesthetized Wistar rats, the left ureter was catheterized for urine collection while, simultaneously, blood access was achieved. Endotoxemia was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Escherichia coli, and glomerular permeability was assessed at 60 and 90 (n = 7) and 120 (n = 7) min. Anaphylaxis was induced by a bolus dose of Dextran-70, and glomerular permeability assessed at 5 min (n = 8) and 40 min (n = 9). Sham animals were followed for either 5 or 120 min. The glomerular sieving coefficients (theta) to fluorescein isothiocyanate-Ficoll (70/400) were determined from plasma and urine samples and assessed using size-exclusion chromatography (HPLC). After start of the LPS infusion (2 h), but not at 60 or 90 min, theta for Ficoll(70A) had increased markedly [from 2.91 x 10(-5) +/- 6.33 x 10(-6) to 7.78 x 10(-5) +/- 6.21 x 10(-6) (P < 0.001)]. In anaphylaxis, there was a large increase in theta for Ficolls >60 A in molecular radius already at 5 min, but the glomerular permeability was completely restored at 40 min. In conclusion, there was a transient, immediate increment of glomerular permeability in dextran-induced anaphylaxis, which was completely reversible within 40 min. By contrast, endotoxemia caused an increase in glomerular permeability that was manifest first after 2 h. In both cases, theta to large Ficoll molecules were markedly increased, reflecting an increase in the number of large pores in the glomerular filter.

Size and charge selectivity of the glomerular filter in early experimental diabetes in rats.

Microalbuminuria is an early sign of diabetic nephropathy. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the changes of the glomerular filtration barrier in early experimental diabetes are due to size- or charge-selective alterations. Wistar rats, made diabetic by streptozotocin (STZ) and having their blood glucose maintained at approximately 20 mM for 3 or 9 wk, were compared with age-matched controls. Glomerular clearances of native albumin (Cl-HSA) and neutralized albumin (Cl-nHSA) were assessed using a renal uptake technique. Glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow were assessed using (51)Cr-EDTA and [125I]iodohippurate, respectively. In a separate set of animals, diabetic for 9 wk, and in controls, glomerular sieving coefficients (theta) for neutral FITC-Ficoll (molecular radius: 15-90 A) were assessed using size exclusion chromatography. At 3 wk of diabetes, Cl-HSA and Cl-nHSA remained unchanged, indicating no alteration in either size or charge selectivity. By contrast, at 9 wk of diabetes, there was a twofold increase of Cl-HSA, whereas Cl-nHSA remained largely unchanged, at first suggesting a glomerular charge defect. However, according to a two-pore model, the number of large pores, assessed from both Ficoll and Cl-HSA, increased twofold. In addition, a small reduction in proximal tubular reabsorption was observed at 3 wk, which was further reduced at 9 wk. In conclusion, no functional changes were observed in the glomerular filtration barrier at 3 wk of STZ-induced diabetes, whereas at 9 wk there was a decrease in size selectivity due to an increased number of large glomerular pores.

Arterial remodeling and plasma volume expansion in caveolin-1-deficient mice.

Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) is essential for the morphology of membrane caveolae and exerts a negative influence on a number of signaling systems, including nitric oxide (NO) production and activity of the MAP kinase cascade. In the vascular system, ablation of caveolin-1 may thus be expected to cause arterial dilatation and increased vessel wall mass (remodeling). This was tested in Cav-1 knockout (KO) mice by a detailed morphometric and functional analysis of mesenteric resistance arteries, shown to lack caveolae. Quantitative morphometry revealed increased media thickness and media-to-lumen ratio in KO. Pressure-induced myogenic tone and flow-induced dilatation were decreased in KO arteries, but both were increased toward wild-type (WT) levels following NO synthase (NOS) inhibition. Isometric force recordings following NOS inhibition showed rightward shifts of passive and active length-force relationships in KO, and the force response to alpha(1)-adrenergic stimulation was increased. In contrast, media thickness and force response of the aorta were unaltered in KO vs. WT, whereas lumen diameter was increased. Mean arterial blood pressure during isoflurane anesthesia was not different in KO vs. WT, but greater fluctuation in blood pressure over time was noted. Following NOS inhibition, fluctuations disappeared and pressure increased twice as much in KO (38 +/- 6%) compared with WT (17 +/- 3%). Tracer-dilution experiments showed increased plasma volume in KO. We conclude that NO affects blood pressure more in Cav-1 KO than in WT mice and that restructuring of resistance vessels and an increased responsiveness to adrenergic stimulation compensate for a decreased tone in Cav-1 KO mice.

Disproportionally low clearance of macromolecules from the plasma to the peritoneal cavity in a mouse model of peritoneal dialysis.

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to establish a model for quantitative measurements of a number of basic peritoneal transport parameters, particularly transperitoneal clearances (Cl) of macromolecules, during mouse peritoneal dialysis. METHODS: Mice were anaesthetized using 3% isofluorane inhalation anaesthesia. The right jugular vein and the left femoral artery were cannulated for infusion and sampling purposes and for registration of (mean) arterial blood pressure. Access to the peritoneal cavity occurred via a thin abdominal catheter (Ø 0.7 mm). About 2.5 ml of either 4% (n = 9) or 1.5% (n = 5) glucose containing PD-fluid were instilled intraperitoneally (i.p.). Dialysate volume was followed vs time using i.p. RISA ((125)I human serum albumin) as a volume marker, after correcting for RISA mass disappearance from the peritoneum, assessed separately (n = 11). Microsampling (10 microl) of plasma and dialysate was performed for determinations of glucose, haematocrit, radioactivity (RISA and (51)Cr-EDTA) and Ficoll. RESULTS: The i.p. volume vs time curves [V(D)(t)] were, after scaling, similar to those observed in humans (and in rats). Clearance of RISA out of the peritoneal cavity (Cl(out)) was 9.33 +/- 0.83 microl/min and the clearance of RISA to plasma (Cl-->P) and the RISA clearance to the peritoneal cavity (Cl-->D) were 1.49 +/- 0.13 and 0.084 +/- 0.008 microl/min, respectively. The peritoneal transport coefficients for (51)Cr-EDTA and glucose, as well as Cl(out) and Cl-->P, were 13-17% of those previously assessed in 300 g rats, whereas Cl-->D was only approximately 2% of that in rat. CONCLUSIONS: All peritoneal transport parameters measured, except Cl-->D, scaled very well to the corresponding human data. The mechanisms of the disproportionally low clearance of macromolecules from the plasma to the peritoneal cavity in mice remain elusive and warrant further study.

Nature of glomerular capillary permeability changes following acute renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

This study was performed to evaluate the alterations of glomerular filtration barrier characteristics following acute renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). Ischemia was induced in anesthetized rats by unilateral renal artery occlusion for either 20 or 60 min, followed by reperfusion during 20 or 60 min, respectively, with the contralateral kidney serving as control. Sieving coefficients (theta) were obtained by analyzing Ficoll [mol.radius (a(e)) 13-85 A] in urine and plasma after 20 and 60 min I/R. Furthermore, theta for human serum albumin (HSA) was estimated using a tissue uptake technique after 20 and 60 min of I/R, while clearance of HSA compared with that for neutralized HSA (nHSA) was assessed after 20 min of I/R only. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was measured by [51Cr]EDTA and inulin. I/R reduced GFR and increased theta for Ficoll molecules of a(e) >55 A and theta for albumin. theta for Ficoll vs. a(e), analysed using a two-pore model, demonstrated that, despite increases in theta, the large-pore fractional ultrafiltration coefficient (alpha(L)) was unchanged after 20 min of I/R, owing to the decline in GFR, but increased after 60 min of I/R. However, the apparent alpha(L) for albumin increased already after 20 min of I/R (P < 0.005) and the nHSA/HSA clearance ratio was slightly reduced, possibly reflecting a diminished negative charge barrier. In conclusion, after 20 min of I/R, indications of a reduced charge selectivity were noted, while after 60 min of I/R, there was mainly a reduction in size selectivity, compatible with an increased formation of large pores.