Ischemic acute renal failure and antioxidant therapy in the rat. The relation between glomerular and tubular dysfunction.

The effects of antioxidant therapy with probucol were evaluated in rats subjected to 1 h renal ischemia and to 24 h reperfusion. Probucol exerted significant antioxidant effects in renal cortical tubules in vitro when exposed to a catalase-resistant oxidant. At 24 h probucol treatment (IP) improved single nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR) (28.1 +/- 3.3 nl/min) in comparison to untreated ischemic (I) rats (15.2 +/- 3.0), primarily as a result of improving SNGFR in a population of low SNGFR, low flow and/or obstructed nephrons. However, absolute proximal reabsorption remained abnormally low in IP rats at 24 h (5.9 +/- 0.8 nl/min), and cell necrosis was greater than in I rats. Kidney GFR remained low in IP rats due to extensive tubular backleak of inulin measured by microinjection studies. Evaluations after 2 h of reperfusion revealed a higher SNGFR in IP (36 +/- 3.1 nl/min) than I rats (20.8 +/- 2.7 nl/min). Absolute proximal reabsorption was essentially normal (11.6 +/- 1.3 nl/min) in IP rats, which was higher than IP rats at 24 h and the concurrent I rats. Administration of the lipophilic antioxidant, probucol, increased SNGFR and proximal tubular reabsorption within 2 h after ischemic renal failure. Although SNGFR remained higher than I rats at 24 h, absolute reabsorption fell below normal levels and tubular necrosis was more extensive in IP rats. Early improvement in nephron filtration with antioxidants may increase load dependent metabolic demand upon tubules and increase the extent of damage and transport dysfunction.

Changes in glomerular hemodynamic response to angiotensin II after subacute renal denervation in rats.

We examined the changes in glomerular hemodynamics produced by angiotensin II (AII) in both normal Munich-Wistar rats and rats which were unilaterally renal denervated (measured kidney) 4-6 d prior to the measurement periods. Measurements of glomerular dynamics were performed in a control period after plasma volume expansion and during infusion of 11 ng X 100 g body wt-1 X min-1 of AII. The glomerular hydrostatic pressure gradient increased from 38 +/- 1 to 49 +/- 1 mmHg in denervated rats compared with a lesser response in controls (from 39 +/- 1 to 45 +/- 1 mmHg, P less than 0.05). Single nephron plasma flow decreased from 213 +/- 17 to 87 +/- 4 nl X min-1 X g kidney wt (KW)-1 in denervated kidneys versus a more modest decrease in control kidneys (from 161 +/- 9 to 102 +/- 5 nl X min X gKW-1). These changes were due to a greater increase in both afferent and efferent arteriolar resistance after AII infusion in denervated compared with control kidneys. Glomerular AII receptor maximum binding was 1,196 +/- 267 fmol/mg protein in denervated kidneys compared with 612 +/- 89 fmol/mg protein (P less than 0.01) in controls with no change in receptor affinity. We conclude the subacute unilateral renal denervation results in renal vasodilation, denervation magnifies the vasoconstrictive effect of AII infusion on glomerular hemodynamics, and the observed increased response to AII after denervation is associated with increases in glomerular AII receptors.

Head-down tilt and restraint on renal function and glomerular dynamics in the rat.

A model utilizing 25 degree head-down tilt (HDT) and incorporated with chronic catheterization and renal micropuncture techniques in rats was employed to study alterations in renal function induced by HDT. Renal function and extracellular volume measurements were performed after 24 h, 4 days, and 7 days of HDT in conscious rats and compared with their own control measurements and to nontilted but similarly restrained rats. After 24 h HDT, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) increased 19 +/- 8% and renal plasma flow (RPF) increased 18 +/- 8% with increases in urine flow rate, Na+, and K+ excretion in conscious rats. These increases after 24 h were associated with an increase in extracellular volume of 16 +/- 3% (P less than 0.01). In the nontilted controls, there was a decrease in extracellular volume after 24 h of suspension. After 7 days of HDT, GFR was decreased by 7 +/- 1% (P less than 0.01), but RPF and extracellular fluid volume were not different from control values. However, RPF and GFR increased in the nontilted rats after 7 days. After 7 days of HDT renal micropuncture studies demonstrated that single-nephron filtration rate was also decreased from 43 +/- 2 to 31 +/- 3 nl/min (P less than 0.05) due solely to reductions in the glomerular ultrafiltration coefficient (0.11 +/- 0.01 to 0.07 +/- 0.01 nl.s-1 X mmHg-1, P less than 0.05). There was a dissociation between GFR and water and Na+ excretion at days 4 and 7 of HDT not observed in the nontilt restraint controls.

Can causality be determined from proximal tubular reabsorption and peritubular physical factors?

Many studies in the literature have drawn conclusions regarding the mechanism of change in absolute proximal tubular reabsorption (APR) based on steady-state measurements of proximal reabsorptive rates and the peritubular capillary. The proximal reabsorptive rate, APR, is the product of the effective reabsorptive pressure (ERP) and the peritubular capillary reabsorptive coefficient (LpAR) (APR = ERP . LpAR). The ERP is defined by the net hydrostatic and oncotic pressure gradient acting across the capillary wall from interstitium to peritubular capillary flow. The relationship APR = ERP . LpAR is predefined, and steady-state measurements do not permit determination of causality because primary changes in any variable obligate a proportional change in a second variable. As an example of the difficulties in interpretation of this type of analysis, we have examined the APR and factors contributing to ERP and LpAR before and after the administration of benzolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, to saline-expanded Munich-Wistar rats. Alterations in peritubular capillary fluid uptake cannot always be interpreted as casual mechanisms for changes in absolute fluid reabsorption but may result from primary alterations in epithelial transport.

Adrenergic and angiotensin II influences on renal vascular tone in chronic sodium depletion.

To examine the role of adrenergic activity on the reduction in nephron filtration rate during chronic sodium depletion in rats, we have measured all the determinants of glomerular ultrafiltration before and after acute unilateral renal denervation. We also examined whether this adrenergic influence was angiotensin II mediated by performing the same protocol with the addition of systemic infusion of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, MK 421. The results indicate that both angiotensin II and adrenergic activity contribute to the maintenance of renal vascular resistance during chronic sodium depletion. Acute renal denervation restored nephron filtration rate in chronic sodium-depleted rats (27 +/- 1 to 32 +/- 2 nl/min, P less than 0.05) to control levels (33 +/- 1 nl/min) via reductions in afferent and efferent arteriolar resistances, which also increased nephron plasma flow (85 +/- 5 to 109 +/- 6 nl/min, P less than 0.05). Infusion of MK 421 also increased plasma flow in chronic sodium-depleted rats (116 +/- 11 nl/min, P less than 0.05) through decreases in both arteriolar resistances. Denervation in MK 421-treated rats further increased nephron plasma flow to 137 +/- 10 nl/min (P less than 0.05) only as a result of decreased afferent resistance. The findings indicate that the glomerular hemodynamic changes that characterize chronic sodium depletion are primarily due to the activity of angiotensin II. However, renal adrenergic activity contributes an independent effect on afferent resistance and an effect on efferent resistance via adrenergic effects on angiotensin II.

Effects of beta 1-adrenergic blockade on glomerular dynamics and angiotensin II response.

Adrenergic activity regulates renal function by several mechanisms. Renal nerves not only exert vasoconstrictor functions but also may influence glomerular hemodynamics by beta-adrenergic activity, especially via the effects on renin angiotensin activity. Little is known of the specific glomerular hemodynamic alterations resulting from beta 1-adrenergic blockade. Current studies examined the effects of 4-6 days of treatment with atenolol (50 mg/kg), a beta 1-selective adrenergic antagonist, on glomerular hemodynamics in plasma volume-expanded Munich-Wistar rats. Atenolol treatment reduced blood pressure both in the awake state and during micropuncture. This reduction in blood pressure contributed to a decrease in nephron filtration rate (48 +/- 1 in untreated rats vs. 40 +/- 1 nl.min-1.g kidney wt-1 in the atenolol-treated group, P less than 0.05) by reduction in nephron plasma flow (182 +/- 2 vs. 154 +/- 4 nl.min-1.g kidney wt-1 in the atenolol-treated rats). No other determinant of glomerular ultrafiltration was influenced by atenolol treatment. Since beta 1-adrenergic blockade may influence the generation of angiotensin II, the response to angiotensin II infusion was assessed and found not to differ from control untreated animals. These studies demonstrate that beta 1-receptor blockade reduced nephron filtration rate by decreasing mean arterial blood pressure and nephron plasma flow without significant modifications in vascular resistance and the glomerular hydrostatic pressure gradient.

Effect of mesangial cell lysis and proliferation on glomerular hemodynamics in the rat.

To elucidate an involvement of mesangial cells in the regulation of glomerular hemodynamics, renal micropuncture techniques and glomerular morphometry were employed in Munich-Wistar rats with mesangial cell lytic or proliferative lesions induced by administration of an antibody reactive with Thy-1.1-like antigens on the mesangial cell surface. The antibody-induced mesangial cell lysis at day 1 resulted in a significant decrease in glomerular ultrafiltration coefficient, leading to reduction in single nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR) in spite of a significant increase in both glomerular hydrostatic pressure and single nephron plasma flow (SNPF). During the antibody-induced proliferative lesion at day 6, glomerular ultrafiltration coefficient and SNGFR remained reduced; however, SNPF was now decreased. Morphometric analysis showed the enlargement of capillary luminal volume and the development of new open space in the mesangium accessible for blood flow in the mesangial cell-lytic glomeruli at day 1. An increase in mesangial cell volume was found in the proliferative glomeruli at day 6. The total area of peripheral glomerular basement membrane, presumed as the probable filtration area, was unchanged in these glomeruli. These results indicate that mesangial lesions decrease glomerular ultrafiltration coefficient, and suggest that mesangial cells participate in regulation of glomerular filtration rate.

An evaluation of the role of complement depletion in experimental membranous nephropathy in the rat.

Passive Heymann nephritis (PHN), a model of experimental membranous nephropathy produced by the administration of anti-Fx1A antibody, was studied by micropuncture measurement of glomerular hemodynamics and by assessment of immunologic and morphologic findings. The effect of complement depletion on these parameters was evaluated by administering cobra venom factor. Five days after administration of anti-Fx1A Ab to PHN controls, abnormal proteinuria developed and nephron filtration rate decreased due to modest reductions in nephron plasma flow and major reductions (75%) in the glomerular ultrafiltration coefficient. Glomerular capillary hydrostatic pressure gradient was significantly increased and decreased tubular reabsorption was also evident. Complement depletion prevented abnormal proteinuria and normalized tubular reabsorption and some of the glomerular hemodynamic parameters (nephron plasma flow and glomerular capillary hydrostatic pressure gradient). Values for the glomerular ultrafiltration coefficient, a possible index of membrane damage, were significantly improved (100%) after cobra venom factor treatment, although they remained below normal values. Only minimal differences in glomerular and epithelial cell morphology and appearance of electron-dense material were noted between PHN and PHN + cobra venom factor. These data suggest therefore that both complement-dependent and independent mechanisms contribute to explain the changes in nephron filtration and reabsorption that occur in this model of experimental membranous nephropathy.

An examination of chronic angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition in the rat.

We have examined the systemic and renal effects of 2 weeks' administration of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition (CEI) to both normal and chronic NaCl-depleted Munich-Wistar rats and focused particularly on the factors contributing to the significant hypotension observed during surgery and anesthesia and the response of renal glomerular hemodynamics under these conditions. At renal micropuncture, mean arterial pressure was decreased in rats receiving CEI on normal and NaCl-depleted diets (72 +/- 5 and 78 +/- 6 mm Hg, p less than 0.01) but nephron filtration rate (sngfr) was well maintained since plasma flow was not altered and glomerular capillary pressure only slightly decreased. Negative Na+ balance in NaCl-depleted CEI rats correlated with decreased awake blood pressures. Under surgery, plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine were not increased in CEI rats in spite of hypotension, and diminished adrenergic responses may contribute to systemic and renal effects observed. Nephron plasma flow and sngfr are remarkably well preserved during CEI in spite of hypotension due to marked afferent arteriolar dilation.