RESUMEN
AIM: Cisplatin (CP) induced acute renal failure (ARF) has previously been associated with decreased urinary prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) excretion and reduced aquaporin 2 (AQP2) expression in kidney collecting duct. In this study we examined the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and -2 as well as AQP2 and the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter in kidneys from rats with CP induced ARF. METHODS: Rats were treated with either CP or saline and followed for 5 days. Kidneys were dissected into three zones and prepared for immunoblotting, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) and immunohistochemistry. Renal content and urinary PGE2 excretion was measured. RESULTS: Cisplatin treatment was associated with polyuria and a significant decreased creatinine clearance. Inner medullary PGE2 content and urinary PGE2 excretion was decreased in CP-treated rats. QPCR and semiquatitative immunoblotting demonstrated that CP treatment reduced COX-2, AQP2 and Na-K-2Cl cotransporter abundance in the different kidney zones, whereas no change in COX-1 was observed. Results were confirmed by immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSION: Cyclooxygenase-2 expression is decreased in inner medulla and cortex. Consistent with this urinary PGE2 levels were reduced. These data suggest that downregulation of COX-2 is responsible for impaired de novo generation of vasodilatory prostaglandins which may play an important role for the CP induced renal vasoconstriction and development of nephropathy.
