Angiotensin II inhibits ADH-stimulated cAMP: role on O2- and transport-related oxygen consumption in the loop of Henle.

Dehydration and acute reductions of blood pressure increases ADH and Ang II levels. These hormones increase transport along the distal nephron. In the thick ascending limb (TAL) ADH increases transport via cAMP, while Ang II acts via superoxide (O2-). However, the mechanism of interaction of these hormones in this segment remains unclear. The aim of this study was to explore ADH/Ang II interactions on TAL transport. For this, we measured the effects of ADH/Ang II, added sequentially to TAL suspensions from Wistar rats, on oxygen consumption (QO2) -as a transport index-, cAMP and O2-. Basal QO2 was 112+-5 nmol O2/min/mg protein. Addition of ADH (1nM) increased QO2 by 227 percent. In the presence of ADH, Ang II (1nM) elicited a QO2 transient response. During an initial 3.1+-0.7 minutes after adding Ang II, QO2 decreased 58 percent (p less than 0.03 initial vs. ADH) and then rose by 188 percent (p less than 0.03 late vs initial Ang II). We found that Losartan blocked the initial effects of Ang II and the latter blocked ADH and forskolin-stimulated cAMP. The NOS inhibitor L-NAME or the AT2 receptor antagonist PD123319 showed no effect on transported related oxygen consumption. Then, we assessed the late period after adding Ang II. The O2- scavenger tempol blocked the late Ang II effects on QO2, while Ang II increased O2- production during this period. We conclude that 1) Ang II has a transient effect on ADH-stimulated transport; 2) this effect is mediated by AT1 receptors; 3) the initial period is mediated by decreased cAMP and 4) the late period is mediated by O2-.

Statins reverse renal inflammation and endothelial dysfunction induced by chronic high salt intake.

High salt intake (HS) is a risk factor for cardiovascular and kidney disease. Indeed, HS may promote blood-pressure-independent tissue injury via inflammatory factors. The lipid-lowering 3-hydroxy 3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors exert beneficial lipid-independent effects, reducing the expression and synthesis of inflammatory factors. We hypothesized that HS impairs kidney structure and function in the absence of hypertension, and these changes are reversed by atorvastatin. Four groups of rats were treated for 6 wk in metabolic cages with their diets: normal salt (NS); HS, NS plus atorvastatin and HS plus atorvastatin. We measured basal and final body weight, urinary sodium and protein excretion (U(Prot)V), and systolic blood pressure (SBP). At the end of the experimental period, cholesterolemia, creatinine clearance, renal vascular reactivity, glomerular volume, cortical and glomerular endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 expression were measured. We found no differences in SBP, body weight, and cholesterolemia. HS rats had increased creatinine clearence, U(Prot)V, and glomerular volume at the end of the study. Acetylcholine-induced vasodilatation decreased by 40.4% in HS rats (P < 0.05). HS decreased cortical and glomerular eNOS and caused mild glomerular sclerosis, interstitial mononuclear cell infiltration, and increased cortical expression of TGF-ß1. All of these salt-induced changes were reversed by atorvastatin. We conclude that long-term HS induces inflammatory and hemodynamic changes in the kidney that are independent of SBP. Atorvastatin corrected all, suggesting that the nitric oxide-oxidative stress balance plays a significant role in the earlier stages of salt induced kidney damage.

The efficiency of potassium removal during bicarbonate hemodialysis.

Patients on chronic hemodialysis often portray high serum [K+]. Although dietary excesses are evident in many cases, in others, the cause of hyperkalemia cannot be identified. In such cases, hyperkalemia could result from decreased potassium removal during dialysis. This situation could occur if alkalinization of body fluids during dialysis would drive potassium into the cell, thus decreasing the potassium gradient across the dialysis membrane. In 35 chronic hemodialysis patients, we compared two dialysis sessions performed 7 days apart. Bicarbonate or acetate as dialysate buffers were randomly assigned for the first dialysis. The buffer was switched for the second dialysis. Serum [K+], [HCO3-], and pH were measured in samples drawn before dialysis; 60, 120, 180, and 240 min into dialysis; and 60 and 90 min after dialysis. The potassium removed was measured in the dialysate. During the first 2 hr, serum [K+] decreased equally with both types of dialysates but declined more during the last 2 hr with bicarbonate dialysis. After dialysis, the serum [K+] rebounded higher with bicarbonate bringing the serum [K+] up to par with acetate. The lower serum [K+] through the second half of bicarbonate dialysis did not impair potassium removal (295.9 +/- 9.6 mmol with bicarbonate and 299.0 +/- 14.4 mmol with acetate). The measured serum K+ concentrations correlated with serum [HCO3-] and blood pH during bicarbonate dialysis but not during acetate dialysis. Alkalinization induced by bicarbonate administration may cause redistribution of K during bicarbonate dialysis but this does not impair its removal. The more marked lowering of potassium during bicarbonate dialysis occurs late in dialysis, when exchange is negligible because of a low gradient.

Hyperkalemia, renal failure, and converting-enzyme inhibition: an overrated connection.

Hyperkalemia is widely viewed as a common complication of ACE inhibition in azotemic patients. These renal failure patients are the patients who benefit most from ACE inhibition. Because we could not confirm this notion after a retrospective evaluation of 236 azotemic patients, we studied 2 models of renal mass reduction. In the first, we did a 5/6 nephrectomy (Nx) on rats and studied them 2 weeks after surgery (before chronic renal changes had developed). A second group was studied 16 weeks after Nx, once chronic renal failure was established. Rats in both models were treated with quinapril in drinking water. After baseline evaluation, we challenged them either by a high-K(+) diet or by blocking aldosterone receptors. We found that although quinapril blocked the K(+)-induced increase in aldosterone, serum K(+) levels and K(+) balance were maintained before and during high K(+) intake or during simultaneous spironolactone administration. We conclude that in hemodynamically stable rats with reduced renal mass and renal dysfunction, the administration of an ACE inhibitor does not cause severe hyperkalemia.

Renal tubular acidosis and vasculitis associated with IgE deposits in the kidney and small vessels.

We report a woman with a history of allergies, polyuria, polydipsia, proteinuria, renal loss of electrolytes, renal tubular acidosis, nephrocalcinosis, and palpable purpura. A proximal defect was excluded by a normal bicarbonate reabsorption curve, and a distal tubular defect was shown because urine pH did not decrease to less than 6.4 despite ammonium chloride-induced systemic acidosis. Moreover, furosemide failed to improve urinary acidification. Urine-to-blood PCO(2) gradient was less than 14 mm Hg, although the urine bicarbonate level reached values as high as 89 mEq/L. Combining bicarbonate and neutral phosphate infusions increased the urine-to-blood PCO(2) gradient to only 20 mm Hg. These subnormal PCO(2) gradient values point to proton-pump dysfunction in the collecting tubule. Histological evidence of tubulointerstitial disease accompanied the tubular defects. The striking histological feature was the presence of immunoglobulin E (IgE) deposits in glomeruli, tubuli, and vessels. Concurrent with these findings, she had high serum IgE titers and CD23 levels. IgE antibodies from her serum were reactive against human renal tubuli, with binding to two regions that matched two different proteins present in cortex and medulla. One of these proteins corresponded to carbonic anhydrase II (31 kd); the second, to an unidentified protein that seems attached to cell membranes. We suggest that these IgE antibodies could have had a pathogenic role in this patient's glomerular, tubular, and small-vessel disease.

Chronic oral L-DOPA increases dopamine and decreases serotonin excretions.

Given the common pathways for uptake and synthesis for dopamine and serotonin, enhanced renal dopamine synthesis in response to increased substrate 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) is postulated to decrease renal serotonin synthesis. The present study compared the effects of chronic oral administration of L-DOPA on dopamine and serotonin excretion in vivo, with the effects of enhanced dopamine synthesis per nephron due to adaptation to reduced renal mass (RRM). Four groups of rats were studied: sham-operated rats and rats with RRM in the absence and presence of chronic oral L-DOPA. L-DOPA (2 mg. 100 g body wt(-1). day(-1)) for 6-14 days increased calculated dopamine synthesis per nephron in sham-operated rats from 2.0 +/- 0.3 (n = 7) to 13.6 +/- 1.8 pg. day(-1). nephron(-1) (n = 7, P < 0.05) and in rats with RRM from 6.1 +/- 1.3 (n = 7) to 39.3 +/- 5.2 pg. day(-1). nephron(-1) (n = 7, P < 0.05). Chronic oral L-DOPA concomitantly decreased serotonin synthesis per nephron in sham-operated rats (1.6 +/- 0.1 to 1.0 +/- 0.1 pg. day(-1). nephron(-1), n = 7, P < 0.05) and in rats with RRM (5.6 +/- 0.9 to 2.6 +/- 0.4 pg. day(-1). nephron(-1), n = 7, P < 0.05). Both serotonin and dopamine synthesis per nephron were increased in rats with RRM. In conclusion, chronic oral administration of L-DOPA enhances dopamine excretion and decreases serotonin excretion in normal rats and in rats with reduced renal mass. Both dopamine and serotonin excretions per nephron were elevated by renal mass reduction.

Nitric oxide-induced inhibition of transport by thick ascending limbs from Dahl salt-sensitive rats.

The factor responsible for salt sensitivity of blood pressure in Dahl rats is unclear but presumably resides in the kidney. We tested the hypotheses that (1) thick ascending limbs of Dahl salt-sensitive rats (DS) absorb more NaCl than those of Dahl salt-resistant rats (DR) and (2) NO inhibits transport to a lesser extent in thick ascending limbs from DS. We found that basal chloride absorption (J(Cl)) by thick ascending limbs from DR was 105.8+/-10.0 pmol. mm(-1). min(-1) (n=6). Ten and 100 micromol/L spermine NONOate, an NO donor, decreased J(Cl) in DR to 65.8+/-8.5 and 46.8+/-7.0 pmol. mm(-1). min(-1), respectively. Basal J(Cl) in DS was 131.6+/-13.4 pmol. mm(-1). min(-1) (n=7). In DS, 10 and 100 micromol/L spermine NONOate decreased J(Cl) to 111.5+/-12.8 and 46.8+/-6.2 pmol. mm(-1). min(-1), respectively. No difference was observed in basal or NO-inhibited Na absorption by cortical collecting ducts or in basal or NO-inhibited oxygen consumption by inner medullary collecting ducts. Because NO acts via generation of cGMP, we measured cGMP production by thick ascending limbs from DS and DR to see whether a difference in cGMP production could account for the difference in basal or NO-inhibited transport. Basal rates of cGMP production were similar between the 2 strains. Although NO increased cGMP production by thick ascending limbs from both strains, no difference existed between DS and DR. We concluded that the reduced ability of NO to block transport in thick ascending limbs in DS may account for at least part of the salt sensitivity of blood pressure in this strain.

Fluorescent determination of chloride in nanoliter samples.

BACKGROUND: Measurements of Cl- in nanoliter samples, such as those collected during isolated, perfused tubule experiments, have been difficult, somewhat insensitive, and/or require custom-made equipment. We developed a technique using a fluorescent Cl- indicator, 6-methoxy-N-(3-sulfopropyl) quinolinium (SPQ), to make these measurements simple and reliable. METHODS: This is a simple procedure that relies on the selectivity of the dye and the fact that Cl-quenches its fluorescence. To measure millimolar quantities of Cl- in nanoliter samples, we prepared a solution of 0.25 mm SPQ and loaded it into the reservoir of a continuous-flow ultramicrofluorometer, which can be constructed from commercially available components. Samples were injected with a calibrated pipette via an injection port, and the resultant peak fluorescent deflections were recorded. The deflections represent a decrease in fluorescence caused by the quenching effect of the Cl- injected. RESULTS: The method yielded a linear response with Cl- concentrations from 5 to 200 mm NaCl. The minimum detectable Cl- concentration was approximately 5 mm. The coefficient of variation between 5 and 200 mm was 1.7%. Resolution, defined as two times the standard error divided by the slope, between 10 and 50 mm and between 50 and 200 mm was 1 mm and 2.6 mm, respectively. Furosemide, diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid and other nonchloride anions (HEPES, HCO3, SO4, and PO4) did not interfere with the assay, whereas 150 mm NaBr resulted in a peak height greater than 150 NaCl. In addition, the ability to measure Cl- did not vary with pH within the physiological range. CONCLUSION: We developed an easy, accurate, and sensitive method to measure Cl- concentration in small aqueous solution samples.

Mechanism of the nitric oxide-induced blockade of collecting duct water permeability.

Nitric oxide has a diuretic effect in vivo. We have shown that nitric oxide inhibits antidiuretic hormone-stimulated osmotic water permeability in the collecting duct; however, the mechanism by which this occurs is unknown. We hypothesized that inhibition of antidiuretic hormone-stimulated water permeability by nitric oxide in the collecting duct is the result of activation of cGMP-dependent protein kinase, which in turn decreases intracellular cAMP. To test this hypothesis, we microperfused cortical collecting ducts. Antidiuretic hormone-stimulated water permeability was 317 +/- 47 microm/s (P < .001). Addition of spermine NONOate, a nitric oxide donor, to the bath decreased water permeability to 74 +/- 38 microm/s (P < .002). In the presence of LY 83583, an inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase, spermine NONOate did not change water permeability. Addition of spermine NONOate increased cGMP production (P < .01). In the presence of the cGMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor, spermine NONOate did not change water permeability. Since antidiuretic hormone increases water permeability by increasing cAMP, we hypothesized that nitric oxide inhibits water permeability by decreasing cAMP. In tubules pretreated with antidiuretic hormone, intracellular cAMP was 18.9 +/- 3.9 fmol/mm. In tubules treated with antidiuretic hormone and spermine NONOate, cAMP was 9.3 +/- 1.7 fmol/mm (P < .03). We also examined the effect of spermine NONOate on dibutyryl-cAMP-stimulated water permeability. In the presence of dibutyryl-cAMP, water permeability was 388 +/- 30 microm/s. Addition of spermine NONOate had no significant effect on water permeability. Time controls and inhibitors by themselves did not change antidiuretic hormone-stimulated water permeability. We concluded that nitric oxide decreases antidiuretic hormone-stimulated water permeability by increasing cGMP via soluble guanylate cyclase, activating cGMP-dependent protein kinase and decreasing cAMP.

Nitric oxide inhibits ADH-stimulated osmotic water permeability in cortical collecting ducts.

Nitric oxide (NO) reduces blood pressure in vivo by two mechanisms, vasodilation and increasing urinary volume: however, the exact mechanism by which it increases urinary volume is not clear. We hypothesized that NO inhibits antidiuretic hormone (ADH)-stimulated fluid reabsorption (J(r)) by the isolated rat cortical collecting duct (CCD) by decreasing water permeability (Pf) and sodium reabsorption (Jna). In the presence of 10(-11) MADH, Jv was 0.15 +/- 0.04 nl.min-1.mm-1; after 10(-6) M spermine nonoate (SPM) was added to the bath. Jv decreased to 0.06 +/- 0.03 nl.min-1.mm-1 (P < 0.03). To investigate whether the inhibition of Jv was the result of decreased Pf and/or Jna, we first tested the effect of SPM on ADH-stimulated Pf. Basal Pf was stimulated to 289.2 +/- 77.3 microns/s after 10(-11) M ADH was added to the bath (P < 0.01). SPM decreased Pf to 159.8 +/- 45.0 microns/s (P < 0.05). To ensure that this effect on Pf was due to NO release, we used another NO donor, nitroglycerin (NTG). Pf was initially -25.8 +/- 18.3 microns/s and increased to 133.9 +/- 30.5 microns/s after addition of 10(-11) M ADH (P < 0.002). NTG, 20 microM, lowered Pf to 92.4 +/- 18.4 microns/s (P < 0.02). In the presence of 10(-9) M ADH, NTG also decreased Pf(P < 0.04). Next we investigated the effect of SPM on ADH-stimulated JNa. In the presence of ADH, JNa was 37.8 +/- 7.3 pmol.min-1.mm-1. After SPM was added, it dropped to 24.3 +/- 5.1 pmol.min-1.mm-1 (P < 0.05). Time controls exhibited no change in ADH-stimulated Jv, Pf, or Jna. We concluded that 1) NO decreases ADH-stimulated water and sodium transport in the isolate CCD, and 2) water reabsorption is inhibited by a primary effect on Pf. A direct effect of NO on the CCD may explain its natriuretic and diuretic effects observed in vivo.

Nitric oxide inhibits sodium reabsorption in the isolated perfused cortical collecting duct.

Indirect evidence suggests that nitric oxide inhibits sodium reabsorption by the collecting duct; however, direct evidence is lacking. It was hypothesized that endothelium-derived nitric oxide inhibits sodium flux in the cortical collecting duct by blocking amiloride-sensitive sodium channels. Tubules were obtained from Sprague-Dawley rats pretreated with deoxycorticosterone acetate (5 mg/rat i.m.) 5 to 9 days before the experiment. Nitric oxide was added to the system by either the addition of endothelial cells and the induction of the release of nitric oxide via acetylcholine (10(-7) M) or by the addition of nitric oxide donors. Acetylcholine-induced nitric oxide release from endothelial cells decreased lumen-to-bath sodium flux by 24 +/- 7% (N = 3; P < 0.05). The addition of the nitric oxide donor, spermine NONOate (10(-5) M), decreased net sodium flux 68% from 10.1 +/- 2.0 to 3.6 +/- 2 pmol/mm.min (N = 5; P < 0.025). To assure that the inhibition of sodium flux was due to nitric oxide, another donor, nitroglycerin (2 x 10(-5) M), was used, which decreased sodium flux by 43%. Luminal amiloride (10 microM) decreased net sodium flux by 83% (from 14.8 +/- 1.2 to 2.4 +/- 0.7 pmol/mm.min; N = 5; P < 0.025). The addition of nitric oxide via spermine NONOate to tubules decreased intracellular sodium levels by 26% (N = 6; P < 0.005). The Na(+)-K+ATPase activity of spermine NONOate-treated tubules was 14.7 +/- 3.2 pmol/mm.min compared with the control value of 10.2 +/- 2.0 pmol/mm.min. Nitroglycerin did not significantly affect pump activity either.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

ANF and angiotensin II interact via kinases in the proximal straight tubule.

Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) inhibits fluid absorption (Jv) in the proximal straight tubule (PST) only after stimulation with angiotensin II (ANG II). To investigate ANF's dependency on ANG II for transport inhibition, we blocked and mimicked angiotensin's second messenger cascades and then examined ANF's ability to inhibit Jv. ANG II (10(-10) M)-stimulated Jv was 0.47 +/- 0.10 nl.mm-1. min-1. After ANF (10(-10) M) was added to the bath, Jv fell by approximately 40% (P < 0.05). ANG II stimulates Jv via activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and decreasing protein kinase A (PKA) activity. We inhibited PKA with H-89. In the presence of only H-89, Jv was 0.75 +/- 0.11 nl.mm-1.min-1. After ANF was added to the bath Jv fell by 30% (P < 0.05). Intracellular adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate content was not affected by ANF in the presence of ANG II. ANF could not inhibit Jv in the presence of ANG II and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. KT-5823, a guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent protein kinase inhibitor, blocked the action of ANF on Jv (P > 0.30). PKC inhibition did not prevent the decrease in Jv induced by ANF. We conclude that ANF inhibits ANG II-induced stimulation of transport by a mechanism that requires phosphorylation mediated by cGMP-dependent protein kinase subsequent to a decrease of PKA activity.

Angiotensin 1-7 has a biphasic effect on fluid absorption in the proximal straight tubule.

The effect of angiotensin 1-7 (Ang 1-7) on the proximal tubule has not been well studied. It was hypothesized that Ang 1-7 has a biphasic effect on fluid absorption in the isolated rat proximal straight tubule. Proximal straight tubules were perfused at a rate of 5.81 +/- 0.44 nL/mm per minute and absorbed fluid at 0.98 +/- 0.10 nL/mm per minute. Bicarbonate absorption was 80.1 +/- 11.6 pmol/mm per minute. When 10(-12) M Ang 1-7 was added to the bath, fluid absorption increased to 1.47 +/- 0.10 nL/mm per minute (P < 0.013) and bicarbonate increased to 115.0 +/- 12.8 pmol/mm per minute (P < 0.004). Ang 1-7 had no effect on either the maximum rate of bicarbonate absorption (P > 0.90) or bicarbonate permeability (P > 0.60). Next, 10(-8) M Ang 1-7 was used. During the control period, fluid absorption was 0.90 +/- 0.09 nL/mm per minute. When 10(-8) M Ang 1-7 was added, fluid absorption decreased to 0.62 +/- 0.04 nL/mm per minute (P < 0.05). DuP 753, an AT1 receptor antagonist, blocked both effects induced by Ang 1-7, whereas PD 123319, an AT2 receptor antagonist, did not block the stimulatory effect. From these data, it was concluded that Ang 1-7 binds AT1 receptors and has a biphasic effect on fluid absorption, and at physiologic levels, the heptapeptide induces the stimulation of bicarbonate absorption.

Endothelin's biphasic effect on fluid absorption in the proximal straight tubule and its inhibitory cascade.

The effect of endothelin-1 (ET-1) on the proximal tubule remains unclear. This may be due to a biphasic effect on transport in this segment. We hypothesized that ET-1 has a biphasic effect on fluid absorption (Jv) in the proximal straight tubule and that its inhibitory effect is superimposed on its stimulatory effect. ET-1 (10(-13) M) stimulated Jv from 0.68 +/- 0.07 to 1.11 +/- 0.20 nl/mm/min, a 60% increase (P < 0.04). 10(-12) and 10(-10) M ET-1 had no significant effect. 10(-9) M ET-1 reduced Jv from 0.81 +/- 0.19 to 0.44 +/- 0.15 nl/mm/min (P < 0.009). Staurosporine (STP, 10(-8) M) prevented both 10(-9) and 10(-13) M ET-1 from altering Jv significantly indicating that protein kinase C (PKC) is involved. Indomethacin (10(-5) M) blocked the inhibition produced by 10(-9) M ET-1. ETI (10(-6) M), a lipoxygenase inhibitor, also blocked ET-1 inhibition of Jv. Interestingly ET-1 (10(-9) M) stimulated Jv in the presence of both indomethacin and ETI. When 10(-9) M ET-1 was added in the presence of 10(-5) M quinacrine, a phospholipase (PL) inhibitor, Jv also increased from 1.02 +/- 0.20 to 1.23 +/- 0.22 nl/mm/min (P < 0.03). STP blocked this increase. We conclude that (a) 10(-13) M ET-1 stimulates fluid absorption by activating PKC; (b) 10(-9) M ET-1 decreases Jv by PKC-, PL-, cyclooxygenase-, and lipoxygenase-dependent mechanisms; and (c) the inhibitory effect of ET-1 on Jv is superimposed on the stimulatory effect.

Testosterone regulates the secretion of thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) and TRH precursor in the rat hypothalamic-pituitary axis.

Orchidectomy has been reported to decrease concentrations of thyrotrophin (TSH) in the circulation of male rats without affecting serum levels of thyroid hormones. To understand the mechanism underlying this observation, we have measured the effect of gonadal status on the in-vitro release of TSH-releasing hormone (TRH) by male rat hypothalamic fragments. Because hormone release rates can be affected by changes in the post-translational processing of the hormonal precursors, we have also studied the corresponding changes in the concentrations of TRH and TRH-Gly, a TRH precursor peptide in hypothalamus and pituitary, by radioimmunoassay. We observed a significant decline in the in-vitro release of TRH from incubated hypothalami 1 week after castration, which was quantitatively reversed by testosterone replacement. Concentrations of TRH and TRH-Gly in the posterior pituitary, on the other hand, which derive from neurones of hypothalamic origin, increased significantly with castration and were returned to the normal range by testosterone replacement. We conclude that the primary effect of testosterone is the stimulation of hypothalamic TRH release, resulting in the depletion of TRH and TRH precursors from TRH-containing neurones which project into the median eminence and posterior pituitary.