Glucose-induced protein kinase C activity regulates arachidonic acid release and eicosanoid production by cultured glomerular mesangial cells.

Changes in glomerular eicosanoid production have been implicated in the development of diabetes-induced glomerular hyperfiltration and glomerular mesangial cells (GMC) are major eicosanoid-producing cells within the glomerulus. However, the mechanism for the effect of diabetes mellitus on glomerular mesangial eicosanoid production is unknown. The present study therefore examined whether elevated glucose concentrations activate protein kinase C (PKC) in GMC and whether this PKC activation mediates an effect of elevated glucose concentrations to increase the release of arachidonic acid and eicosanoid production by GMC. The percentage of [3H]arachidonic acid release per 30 min by preloaded GMC monolayers was significantly increased after 3-h exposure to high glucose (20 mM) medium (177% vs control medium) and this increase was sustained after 24-h exposure to high glucose concentrations. 3-h and 24-h exposure to high glucose medium also increased PGE2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, and thromboxane (TXB2) production by GMC. High glucose medium (20 mM) increased PKC activity in GMC at 3 and 24 h (168% vs control). In contrast, osmotic control media containing either L-glucose or mannitol did not increase arachidonic acid release, eicosanoid production, or PKC activity in GMC. Inhibiting glucose-induced PKC activation with either H-7 (50 microM) or staurosporine (1 microM) prevented glucose-induced increases in arachidonic acid release and eicosanoid production by GMC. These data demonstrate that elevated extracellular glucose concentrations directly increase the release of endogenous arachidonic acid and eicosanoids by GMC via mechanisms dependent on glucose-induced PKC activation.

Glucose-induced downregulation of angiotensin II and arginine vasopressin receptors in cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells. Role of protein kinase C.

Early diabetes mellitus is characterized by impaired responses to pressor hormones and pressor receptor downregulation. The present study examined the effect of elevated extracellular glucose concentrations on angiotensin II (AII) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) receptor kinetics in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Scatchard analysis of [3H]AVP and 125I-AII binding to confluent VSMC showed that high glucose concentrations (20 mM) similarly depressed AVP and AII surface receptor Bmax but did not influence receptor Kd. This receptor downregulation was not reproduced by osmotic control media containing either L-glucose or mannitol. Receptor downregulation was maximal at a glucose concentration of 15-20 mM and required 24-48 h for a maximum effect. Normalization of the extracellular glucose concentration allowed complete recovery of AVP and AII binding within 48 h. Receptor downregulation was associated with depressed AVP and AII-stimulated intracellular signaling and cell contraction. High glucose concentrations induced a sustained activation of protein kinase C (PKC) in VSMC, which was prevented by coincubation with H-7. H-7 also markedly attenuated glucose-induced downregulation of AVP and AII receptors on VSMC. This study demonstrates a novel cellular mechanism whereby high extracellular glucose concentrations directly and independently downregulate pressor hormone receptors and their function on vascular tissue via glucose-stimulated PKC activation.

Evidence for a role of opioid peptides in the release of arginine vasopressin in the conscious rat.

Recent reports have suggested that opioid peptides may be involved in renal water excretion. The present in vivo experiments, therefore, were undertaken to determine the effect of opioid peptides on the osmotic and nonosmotic release of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in the conscious rat. Experimental animals were infused intravenously with naloxone (20 mug/kg per min) or oxilorphan (40 mug/kg per min), chemically dissimilar opioid antagonists. Control rats were infused with normal saline, the vehicle for the opioid antagonists. In all three groups the osmotic release of AVP was examined during an acute hypertonic saline (3%) infusion (2 ml/100 g body wt). The antidiuresis following the hypertonic saline infusion was significantly attenuated in naloxone- and oxilorphan-treated rats, as the peak urinary osmolality (Uosm) rose to 581.4+/-22.4 and 558.2+/-27.6 mosmol/kg H(2)O in naloxone- and oxilorphan-treated rats as compared with the value in control rats of 735.3+/-24.2 mosmol/kg H(2)O (both P < 0.001 vs. control). At the same time the plasma AVP levels of 5.4+/-1.3 and 5.2+/-1.1 pg/ml in naloxone- and oxilorphan-treated rats, respectively, were significantly lower than the plasma AVP in control rats of 16.9+/-2.5 pg/ml (P < 0.001). In another three groups of rats the nonosmotic release of AVP was examined during hypovolemia induced by intraperitoneal 6% dextran (1.8 ml/100 g body wt). Following intraperitoneal administration of dextran the peak Uosm of 703.0+/-87.8 and 734.8+/-99.1 mosmol/kg H(2)O in naloxone- and oxilorphan-treated rats, respectively, was significantly less than the value in control rats of 1,169.3+/-135.5 mosmol/kg H(2)O (both P < 0.02 vs. control). A comparable decrease in blood volume of 13% occurred in all three groups of animals. During the dextran administration plasma AVP levels in naloxone- and oxilorphan-treated rats increased to 4.3+/-1.0 and 6.0+/-2.0 pg/ml, respectively; both of these values were significantly lower than the plasma AVP of 12.9+/-1.4 pg/ml in control rats (P < 0.02). The effect of opioid antagonists to impair the osmotic and nonosmotic release of AVP occurred in the absence of differences in mean arterial pressure, glomerular filtration rate and the renal response to AVP. These results, therefore, indicate that opioid peptides are involved in renal water excretion primarily by modulating the central release of AVP.

Effects of hematocrit on renal hemodynamics and sodium excretion in hydropenic and volume-expanded dogs.

The effects of hematocrit on renal hemodynamics and sodium excretion were studied in anesthetized dogs during both hydropenia and volume expansion. The hematocrit was decreased by isovolemic exchange with the animal's own previously harvested plasma and increased by isovolemic exchange with fresh, washed red blood cells. Renal perfusion pressure was maintained constant throughout the experiments by the adjustment of a suprarenal aortic clamp. During hydropenia, a decrease in hematocrit was associated with an increase in sodium and potassium excretion and solutefree water reabsorption. These changes were accompained by an increase in renal plasma flow and renal blood flow and a decrease in renal vascular resistance. Glomerular filtration rate was unchanged and filtration fraction was significantly decreased as hematocrit was lowered. Increasing hematocrit during hydropenia had the opposite effects on electrolyte excretion, solute-free water reabsorption, and renal hemodynamics. In another group of animals, hematocrit was lowered during volume expansion with either saline or plasma, then returned to the control level by isovolemic exchange with washed red blood cells. This increase in hematocrit during volume expansion had a similar effect on electrolyte excretion, solute-free water reabsorption, and renal hemodynamics as during hydropenia. These results therefore suggest that acute changes in hematocrit may significantly affect sodium excretion and renal hemodynamics during both hydropenia and volume expansion. The changes in solute-free water reabsorption and potassium excretion suggest that the alterations in hematocrit may affect primarily the reabsorption of sodium in the proximal tubule. The concommitant effects of hematocrit on renal vascular resistance and filtration fraction may mediate this change in sodium reabsorption by altering hydrostatic and oncotic pressures in the peritubular circulation.

Importance of sodium intake and mineralocorticoid hormone in the impaired water excretion in adrenal insufficiency.

The response of trained, conscious dogs to an acute water load was studied before adrenalectomy and under five conditions of hormonal replacement and sodium intake after adrenalectomy. Before adrenalectomy, with the dogs drinking isotonic saline, the minimal urinary osmolality (Uosm) was 47+/-7 (SEM) mOsm and free-water clearance (C(H2O)) was 8.6+/-1 ml/min. These values were not different after adrenalectomy with or without deoxycorticosterone (DOCA) if the animals continued to drink saline and receive dexamethasone. Moreover, after adrenalectomy in the presence of saline drinking both dexamethasone and DOCA could be withdrawn for up to 4 days without impairment of diluting ability (Uosm, 54+/-7 mOsm and C(H2O), 7.3+/-1 ml/min). In contrast, when the dogs drank tap water (Na intake 30 mEq/day), water loading in the absence of dexamethasone and DOCA was associated with a significantly higher Uosm (127+/-28 mOsm) and lower C(H2O) (2.7+/-0.3 ml/min). Replacing DOCA alone in the presence of this limited Na intake returned diluting ability to normal (Uosm 31+/-7 mOsm, C(H2O) 7.7+/-0.5 ml/min). Glomerular filtration rate for each animal was the same under each condition except for a significant diminution which occurred when dexamethasone and DOCA were withdrawn while the animals were on a 30 mEq sodium intake. In contrast to previous conclusions, the present results indicate that in the absence of adrenal hormones normal renal diluting ability may occur, indicating both maximal suppression of vasopressin release and maximal distal tubular impermeability to water. In the present study the diluting defect observed after adrenalectomy related to negative sodium balance and could be overcome by either replacement with DOCA or a high intake of sodium alone.

Mechanism of effect of prostaglandin E 1 on renal water excretion.

The present study examined the effect of prostaglandin E(1) (PGE(1)) on renal water excretion in the anesthetized dog. Renal perfusion pressure was kept constant by adjustment of a suprarenal aortic clamp. In seven experiments the intravenous administration of PGE(1) (7 mug/min) significantly increased urinary osmolality from 76 to 381 mosmol (P < 0.001) and decreased free water clearance from 2.2 to - 0.02 ml/min (P < 0.001). These effects promptly were reversed with cessation of the infusion. This antidiuretic effect occurred both in innervated and denervated kidneys and was not associated with changes in glomerular filtration rate, renal vascular resistance, or solute excretion rate. In 10 experiments in hypophysectomized dogs no effect of intravenous PGE(1) on free water clearance and urinary osmolality was observed. The intrarenal administration of PGE(1) (1 mug/min) to six water-loaded and two hypophysectomized dogs caused no systemic vascular changes and increased rather than decreased free water clearance (2.83 to 4.08 ml/min, P < 0.001). No significant change in urinary osmolality occurred. Glomerular filtration rate was not altered by the intrarenal infusion, but reversible changes in solute excretion rate and renal vascular resistance occurred. These results thus indicate that the antidiuresis associated with intravenous PGE(1) is mediated primarily by the release of vasopressin rather than alterations in renal hemodynamics or solute excretion. The diuretic effect of intrarenal PGE(1) occurs in the absence of vasopressin and is most likely mediated primarily by increased distal delivery of tubular fluid to the diluting segment of the nephron rather than changes in water permeability of the renal tubular epithelium.

Mechanism of effect of alpha adrenergic stimulation with norepinephrine on renal water excretion.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the mechanism whereby alpha adrenergic stimulation with intravenous norepinephrine results in a water diuresis. Renal perfusion pressure was kept constant in all experiments by adjustment of a suprarenal aortic clamp. In hydropenic anesthetized dogs the intravenous infusion of norepinephrine (0.5 mug/kg per min) was associated with a mean decrease in urinary osmolality from 616 to 126 mosmol/kg (P < 0.001) which increased to 532 mosmol/kg (P < 0.001) after the infusion was discontinued. During the same period of time the mean free water clearance increased from -0.437 to 1.59 (P < 0.001) and then returned to -0.314 ml/min (P < 0.001) after cessation of the infusion. This diuretic effect occurred in both innervated and denervated kidneys and was not associated with an increase in glomerular filtration rate or solute excretion. Systemic arterial pressure increased from 121 to 142 mm Hg during the norepinephrine infusion. Studies were also performed in hypophysectomized animals receiving a constant infusion of either 80 mug/kg per min or 20-40 muU/kg per min of vasopressin. In these animals, intravenous norepinephrine was not associated with changes in either urinary osmolality or free water clearance. The intrarenal administration of norepinephrine, in doses comparable with those reaching the kidneys during the intravenous studies, also resulted in no significant change in either urinary osmolality or free water clearance in hypophysectomized animals receiving 20-30 muU/kg per min of vasopressin. These results thus indicate that the water diuresis associated with intravenous norepinephrine is mediated primarily by suppression of vasopressin release rather than by changes in renal hemodynamics, renal innervation, or an effect of norepinephrine on the water permeability of the tubular epithelium.

Mechanism of the antidiuretic effect associated with interruption of parasympathetic pathways.

The present experiments were undertaken to investigate the mechanism whereby the parasympathetic nervous system may be involved in the renal regulation of solute-free water excretion. The effects of interruption of parasympathetic pathways by bilateral cervical vagotomy were examined in eight normal and seven hypophysectomized anesthetized dogs undergoing a water diuresis. In the normal animals cervical vagotomy decreased free-water clearance (C(H2O)) from 2.59+/-0.4 se to -0.26+/-0.1 ml/min (P < 0.001), and urinary osmolality (U(osm)) increased from 86+/-7 to 396+/-60 mOsm/kg (P < 0.001). This antidiuretic effect was not associated with changes in cardiac output, renal perfusion pressure, glomerular filtration rate, renal vascular resistance, or filtration fraction and was not affected by renal denervation. A small but significant increase in urinary sodium and potassium excretion was observed after vagotomy in these normal animals. Pharmacological blockade of parasympathetic efferent pathways with atropine, curare, or both was not associated with an alteration in either renal hemodynamics or renal diluting capacity. In contrast to the results in normal animals, cervical vagotomy was not associated with an antidiuretic effect in hypophysectomized animals. C(H2O) was 2.29+/-0.26 ml/min before and 2.41+/-0.3 ml/min after vagotomy, and U(osm) was 88+/-9.5 mOsm/kg before vagotomy and 78+/-8.6 mOsm/kg after vagotomy in the hypophysectomized animals. Changes in systemic or renal hemodynamics or electrolyte excretion were also not observed after vagotomy in these hypophysectomized animals. On the basis of these results, we conclude that the antidiuretic effect associated with cervical vagotomy is initiated by interruption of parasympathetic afferent pathways and is mediated by increased endogenous release of vasopressin. This antidiuresis was also demonstrated to occur in the absence of renal nerves and alterations in systemic and renal hemodynamics.

Smooth muscle calcium and endothelium-derived relaxing factor in the abnormal vascular responses of acute renal failure.

Abnormal renovascular reactivity, characterized by paradoxical vasoconstriction to a reduction in renal perfusion pressure (RPP) in the autoregulatory range, increased sensitivity to renal nerve stimulation (RNS), and loss of vasodilatation to acetylcholine have all been demonstrated in ischemic acute renal failure (ARF). To determine if ischemic injury alters vascular contractility by increasing smooth muscle cell calcium or calcium influx, the renal blood flow (RBF) response to reductions in RPP within the autoregulatory range and to RNS were tested before and after a 90-min intrarenal infusion of verapamil or diltiazem in 7-d ischemic ARF rats. Both calcium entry blockers, verapamil and diltiazem, blocked the aberrant vasoconstrictor response to a reduction in RPP and RNS (both P less than 0.001). In a second series of experiments the potential role of an ischemia-induced endothelial injury and of the absence of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) production were examined to explain the lack of vasodilatation to acetylcholine. Acetylcholine, bradykinin (a second EDRF-dependent vasodilator), or prostacyclin, an EDRF-independent vasodilator, was infused intrarenally for 90 min, and RBF responses to a reduction in RPP and RNS were tested in 7-d ischemic ARF rats. Neither acetylcholine nor bradykinin caused vasodilatation or altered the slope of the relationship between RBF and RPP. By contrast, prostacyclin increased RBF (P less than 0.001), but did not change the vascular response to changes in RPP. It was concluded that the abnormal pressor sensitivity to a reduction in RPP and RNS was due to changes in renovascular smooth muscle cell calcium activity that could be blocked by calcium entry blockers. A lack of response to EDRF-dependent vasodilators, as a result of ischemic endothelial injury, may contribute to the increased pressor sensitivity of the renal vessels.

Mechanisms of renin secretion during hemorrhage in the dog.

The importance of renal perfusion pressure (RPP), the sympathetic beta adrenergic nervous system and renal prostaglandins (PG) on renin release during a uniform 15-17% reduction in blood pressure by hemorrhage (HH) was studied systematically in anesthetized dogs. All groups of animals had similar decrements in systemic and renal hemodynamics with HH. In control dogs (n = 7), both plasma renin activity (PRA, 4.1-9.0 ng angiotensin I/ml per h, P < 0.05) and renin secretory rate (RSR, 26-228 ng/ml per h.min, P < 0.005) increased significantly with HH. This increase in renin release during HH was not abolished by any single maneuver alone including beta adrenergic blockade with d,l-propranolol (n = 6), renal PG inhibition with indomethacin (n = 7), or control of RPP (n = 6). However, when beta adrenergic blockade was combined with control of RPP (n = 7) during HH, neither PRA (1.9-2.7 ng/ml per h, NS) nor RSR (16-53 ng/ml per h.min, NS) increased significantly. Similarly, a combination of beta adrenergic blockade and PG inhibition (n = 6) also abolished the increase in PRA (1.5-1.4 ng/ml per h, NS) and RSR (14-55 ng/ml per h.min, NS) during HH despite significant decreases in sodium excretion. Finally, a combination of PG inhibition and RPP control was associated with significant increases in PRA and RSR during HH. These results support a multifactorial mechanism in renin release during HH and implicate both the beta adrenergic receptors, renal baroreceptors, and possibly the macula densa as constituting the primary pathways of renin release during HH of this magnitude. Because either constant RPP or PG inhibition blunted renin release during HH in the setting of beta adrenergic blockade, the present results strongly suggest that the renal baroreceptor, and probably the macula densa mechanism are PG mediated.

An effect of extrarenal beta adrenergic stimulation on the release of renin.

The present study was undertaken to examine whether the beta adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol, increases plasma renin activity (PRA) by activation of intrarenal or extrarenal pathways. The effects of intravenous (i.v.) and renal arterial infusion of isoproterenol on PRA and renin secretion rate (RSR) were compared in anesthetized dogs. In 12 studies in 9 dogs i.v. infusion of isoproterenol (0.009-0.018 mug/kg per min) was associated with an increase in PRA from 14.7 to 35.7 ng/ml per 3 hr (P < 0.001). PRA decreased to 19.4 ng/ml per 3 hr (P < 0.001) after cessation of the infusion. In innervated kidneys RSR increased from 1640 to 5062 U/min (P < 0.02) and decreased to 2132 U/min after cessation of the infusion (P < 0.05). In denervated kidneys the control RSR was significantly lower (455 U/min) but still increased during i.v. infusion of isoproterenol to 2762 U/min (P < 0.001) and decreased to 935 U/min (P < 0.001) after the infusion was stopped. These changes in PRA and RSR were associated with an increase in cardiac output averaging 49% and a large decrease in total peripheral resistance. These effects of i.v. isoproterenol to increase RSR were not mediated by changes in renal perfusion pressure since this was held constant by adjusting a suprarenal aortic clamp. In addition, there were no changes in glomerular filtration rate, renal plasma flow, or electrolyte excretion in either denervated or innervated kidneys during i.v. infusion of isoproterenol, and the concentration of potassium in plasma was unchanged. Prior hypophysectomy abolished the antidiuretic effect of i.v. isoproterenol but did not prevent the effect on RSR. In contrast, renal arterial infusion of isoproterenol at the same dose had no apparent effect on PRA and RSR in seven studies in five dogs and also did not produce changes in cardiac output, peripheral resistance or renal hemodynamics. These results do not provide evidence for a role of intrarenal beta adrenergic receptors in the control of renin release and indicate that the effect of beta adrenergic stimulation with isoproterenol to increase the release of renin is mediated by an extrarenal mechanism. Since the effect of i.v. isoproterenol occurred in the absence of changes in plasma potassium concentration, renal perfusion pressure, glomerular filtration rate, renal plasma flow, and electrolyte excretion and was not abolished by renal denervation, the possibility must be considered that the effect on renin secretion is mediated by circulatory factors. The changes in systemic hemodynamics which occurred with i.v. but not renal arterial infusion of isoproterenol may be involved in the initiation of such a pathway.

Mechanism of antidiuretic effect of beta adrenergic stimulation.

The effect of beta adrenergic stimulation on renal-diluting capacity was examined in the dog. Beta adrenergic stimulation with intravenous isoproterenol significantly increased urinary osmolality (U(Osm)) and decreased free water clearance (C(H2O)), and these effects were rapidly reversible with cessation of the infusion. This antidiuretic effect of systemic beta adrenergic stimulation was comparable in innervated and denervated kidneys and was not associated with alterations in glomerular filtration rate or renal vascular resistance. Renal perfusion pressure was maintained constant in all of the experiments. The same dose of isoproterenol, which produced the antidiuretic effect and markedly stimulated cardiac beta adrenergic receptors when infused intravenously, was not found either to increase U(Osm) or to decrease C(H2O) when infused directly into the renal artery. Removal of the source of production and release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) was, however, found to abolish the effect of intravenous isoproterenol on U(Osm). A small effect on C(H2O) persisted and appeared to be related to an increase in arterial hematocrit. Thus, the results of the study exclude a major role of alterations in renal hemodynamics and renal innervation in the antidiuretic response to beta adrenergic stimulation with isoproterenol. They also provide no support for the hypothesis that beta adrenergic stimulation may directly alter the water permeability of the renal tubular epithelium. Rather the results suggest that the primary mechanism of the antidiuretic effect of beta adrenergic stimulation involves the integrity of the hypothalamoneurohypophyial system and the release of ADH.

Effect of inhibition of Na+/K(+)-adenosine triphosphatase on vascular action of vasopressin.

The present study was undertaken to examine the cellular interaction between a Na+/K(+)-ATPase inhibitor, ouabain, and arginine vasopressin (AVP) in rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) in culture. Preincubation with 10(-5) M ouabain for 60 min increased basal cytosolic free Ca2+ [( Ca2+]i) concentration and intracellular 45Ca2+ uptake. Ouabain, however, did not affect basal 45Ca2+ efflux or AVP-stimulated 45Ca2+ efflux. As assessed by cell shape change, preincubation with 10(-5) M ouabain for 60 min also enhanced the sustained cellular contractile effect of a submaximal (10(-8) M AVP, 21.5% vs. 30.5%, P less than 0.01) but not maximal dose of 10(-6) M AVP. Preincubation with 10(-5) M ouabain for 60 min did not change AVP-induced V1-specific surface receptor binding or AVP-induced inositol phosphate production but did however potentiate the mobilization of [Ca2+]i induced by a submaximal (10(-8) M AVP, 301 vs. 385 nM, P less than 0.01) but not a maximal dose of AVP. These effects of ouabain on the mobilization of [Ca2+]i were abolished by incubation in Ca2(+)-free buffer or 5 X 10(-5) M verapamil. Ouabain (10(-5) M) also enhanced the sustained cellular contractile effect of a direct protein kinase C activator, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. The present results therefore indicate that the inhibition of Na+/K(+)-ATPase may enhance the vascular action of AVP, and perhaps other vasoconstrictors, by increasing the AVP-induced mobilization of [Ca2+]i and by potentiating the activity of protein kinase C stimulated by AVP through enhancing basal and AVP-stimulated cellular Ca2+ uptake.

Interaction of atriopeptin III and vasopressin on calcium kinetics and contraction of aortic smooth muscle cells.

The cellular mechanism of the vasodilatory action of atriopeptin III (APIII) on vasopressin (AVP)-induced Ca2+ mobilization and cell shape change in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) was studied. APIII (10(-8) M) attenuated the increase of intracellular free Ca2+, [Ca2+]i, induced by 10(-8) M AVP (234.0 +/- 14.8 vs. 310.0 +/- 28.4 nM, P less than 0.01). Similar results were obtained in 45Ca2+ efflux experiments. APIII (10(-7) M), however, did not alter AVP-induced inositol trisphosphate (IP3) production, although the levels of inositol-1-phosphate were significantly reduced. The effect of APIII to block or attenuate AVP-induced Ca2+ mobilization was associated with an inhibition of AVP-stimulated cell shape change. The effect of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) on cell shape, however, occurred at lower ANF concentrations than the effect on the Ca2+ mobilization. APIII stimulated production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in VSMC. The effect of APIII on AVP-stimulated Ca2+ mobilization was partially mimicked by the stable nucleotide 8-bromo cGMP and was not affected by the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, methylene blue (10(-4) M). These results suggest that APIII exerts its vasodilatory effect, in part, by interference with vasopressor-stimulated Ca2+ mobilization in vascular smooth muscle cells, perhaps by stimulating particulate guanylate cyclase and cGMP. However, an effect of ANF on the contractile mechanism at a site independent of Ca2+ release is also suggested by the present results.

In vitro and in vivo protective effect of atriopeptin III on ischemic acute renal failure.

The effect of atriopeptin III (AP-III) on ameliorate ischemic acute renal failure was first examined in the isolated perfused kidney. Isolated rat kidneys were clamped for 1 h and reperfused for 30 min without therapy and then perfused with either 0 (control) or 100 micrograms/dl AP-III. In this system AP-III significantly improved renal plasma flow (39.6 +/- 2.4 vs. 32.2 +/- 2.1 ml/min per g; P less than 0.05) inulin clearance (182.6 +/- 49.2 vs. 24.6 +/- 6.2 microliters/min per g; P less than 0.05), urine flow (52.9 +/- 12.1 vs. 7.1 +/- 0.8 microliters/min per g, P less than 0.01), and net tubular sodium reabsorption (21.2 +/- 6.6 vs. 2.9 +/- 0.9 mumol/min per g, P less than 0.05) as compared with control. A second series of in vivo studies experiments were performed using 1 h of bilateral renal artery clamping followed by an intravenous infusion of either saline alone (control) or AP-III (0.20 microgram/kg per min) for 60 min. The results demonstrated that inulin clearance (244.4 +/- 25.1 vs. 15.8 +/- 8.2 microliters/min per 100 g; P less than 0.01), urine flow (23.1 +/- 5.9 vs. 1.1 +/- 0.5 microliters/min per 100 g; P less than 0.01), and net tubular sodium reabsorption (38.9 +/- 4.7 vs. 4.3 +/- 1.6 mumol/min per 100 g; P less than 0.01) were significantly higher in AP-III-treated rats than controls during the hour of AP-III infusion. In 1 h posttreatment study this significant protective effect of AP-III was documented to persist. In more chronic studies animals treated acutely with AP-III had lower serum creatinine concentration at 24 h (1.8 +/- 0.3 vs. 3.3 +/- 0.4 mg/dl; P less than 0.01) and 48 (1.0 +/- 0.2 vs. 2.4 +/- 4.0 mg/dl; P less than 0.01) after the 60 min of ischemia than controls. Renal adenosine triphosphate regeneration as assessed by P-31 nuclear magnetic resonance during reflow was also significantly improved in AP-III-treated animals at 1 h (3.03 +/- 0.30 vs. 1.45 +/- 0.40 mumol/g dry wt; P less than 0.05) and 2 h (3.98 +/- 0.46 vs. 1.80 +/- 0.05 mumol/g dry wt; P less than 0.01) or reflow as compared with control rats. Thus, AP-III significantly ameliorates ischemic acute renal failure both in vitro and in vivo in the rat.

Role of plasma vasopressin in impaired water excretion of glucocorticoid deficiency.

In the present study, the effect of selective glucocorticoid deficiency on renal water excretion was investigated in conscious, trained, adrenalectomized dogs. The animals were studied before and after a water load while on replacement therapy of desoxycorticosterone acetate, 5 mg/day, and dexamethasone, 0.8 mg/day (group I), and while off dexamethasone for 5-9 days (group II). Before the water load the weight, inulin space, cardiac output, blood pressure, glomerular filtration rate, renal blood flow, plasma osmolality, and plasma antidiuretic hormone measured by radioimmunoassay were similar in both groups I and II. However, after a 40 ml/kg water load a marked impairment in renal water excretion in the glucocorticoid deficient dogs became apparent. Maximal free water clearance was -0.046+/-0.16 vs. 6.51+/-0.72 ml/min (P < 0.001) and minimal urinary osmolality was 425+/-56 vs. 82+/-3.5 mosmol/kg H(2)O (P < 0.001) in group II as compared to group I. Plasma antidiuretic hormone was maximally suppressed during the water load in group I to 0.34+/-0.08 pg/ml but remained elevated at 9.18+/-1.79 pg/ml (P < 0.005) in group II. This nonsuppressibility of plasma antidiuretic hormone during water loading in group II was associated with a significant tachycardia of 145+/-6 vs. 87+/-6 beats/min (P < 0.001) in group I and a significantly lower stroke volume of 27+/-0 vs. 59+/-0.5 ml/beat (P < 0.001). In conclusion, our results implicate a persistent secretion of antidiuretic hormone as an important factor in the impaired water excretion of glucocorticoid deficiency. A deleterious effect of glucocorticoid deficiency on cardiac function was observed and this hemodynamic alteration could be involved in initiating a nonosmolar, baroreceptor-mediated release of vasopressin.

Mechanisms of portal hypertension-induced alterations in renal hemodynamics, renal water excretion, and renin secretion.

Clinical states with portal venous hypertension are frequently associated with impairment in renal hemodynamics and water excretion, as well as increased renin secretion. In the present investigation, portal venous pressure (PVP) was increased in anesthetized dogs undergoing a water diuresis. Renal arterial pressure was maintained constant in all studies. As PVP was increased from 6 to 20 mm Hg, decreases in cardiac output (2.5-2.0 liter/min, P less than 0.05) and mean arterial pressure (140-131 mm Hg, P less than 0.05) were observed. Increases in PVP were also associated with decreases in glomerular filtration rate (GFR, 40-31 ml/min, P less than 0.001), renal blood flow (RBF, 276-193 ml/min, P less than 0.001), and increases in renin secretion (232-939 U/min, P less than 0.025) in innervated kidneys. No significant change in either GFR or RBF and a decrease in renin secretion occurred with increases in PVP in denervated kidneys. To dissociate the changes in cardiac output and mean arterial pressure induced by increase PVP from the observed decreases in GFR and RBF, studies were performed on animals undergoing constriction of the thoracic inferior vena cava. In these studies, similar decreases in cardiac output and mean arterial pressure were not associated with significant changes in GFR or RBF. Increases in PVP also were associated with an antidiuresis as urine osmolality increased from 101 to 446 mosmol/kg H2O (P less than 0.001). This antidiuresis was significantly blunted but not abolished by acute hypophysectomy. In hypophysectomized animals, changes in free water clearance and urine flow were linearly correlated as PVP was increased. These studies indicate that increases in PVP result in decreases in GFR and RBF and increases in renin secretion mediated by increased renal adrenergic tone. Increased PVP is also associated with antidiuresis; this antidiuresis is mediated both by vasopressin release and by diminished tubular fluid delivery to the distal nephron.

Evidence for an in vivo antagonism between vasopressin and prostaglandin in the mammalian kidney.

These studies were undertaken to examine whether an antagonism between vasopressin and prostaglandin occurs in vivo in the mammalian kidney. All experiments were performed in steroid-replaced hypophysectonized dogs undergoing a water diuresis. In the first group of studied the effect of two consecutive intravenous doses (100 mU) of vasopressin was examined. The second dose of vasopressin was preceded by an injection of the carrier solution for solubilizing indomethacin or neclofenamate. No enhancement of the antidiuretic effect of the second dose of vasopressin was observed as urinary osmolality (Uosm) increased from 92 +/- 5 to 252 +/- 18 mosmol/kg H2O (P less than 0.0001) after the first dose and from 109 +/- 8 to 209 +/- 10 mosmol/kg H2O (P less than 0.001) after the second dose of vasopressin. In another group of studies the second dose of vasopressin was preceded by the administration of a potent inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, indomethacin (2 mg/kg). The Uosm increased from 93 +/- 9 to 244 +/- 33 mosmol/kg H2O (P less than 0.001) after the first dose of vasopressin, but after the second dose of vasopressin the Uosm increased to a significantly greater degree from 106 +/- 14 to 702 +/- 69 mosmol/kg H2O (P less than 0.001). In a third group of studies the antidiuretic effect of the same 100-mU dose of vasopressin was examined before and after the administration of meclofenamate (2 mg/kg), an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis which is chemically dissimilar from indomethacin. Uosm increased from 83+/-7 to 216+/-16 mosmol/kg H2O (P less than 0.001) after the first dose and from 101 +/- 8 to 734 +/- 86 mosomol/kg H2O (P less than 0.001) after the second dose of vasopressin. As in the indomethacin studies this enhancement in the antidiuretic effects of vasopressin after inhibition of prostaglanding synthesis was highly significant (P less than 0.001). These results therefore implicate a physiological role of prostaglandin in modulating the hydroosmotic effect of vasopressin in the mammalian kidney.

Mechanism of stimulation of vasopressin release during beta adrenergic stimulation with isoproterenol.

Recent studies have demonstrated that the antidiuresis associated with intravenous (i.v.) infusion of the beta adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol (ISO), is mediated by release of endogenous vasopressin. To examine whether beta-adrenergic stimulation causes vasopressin release by a direct cerebral action, ISO was infused into the carotid artery in a dose estimated to equal the amount of catecholamine reaching the cerebral circulation in the i.v. studies. This intracarotid infusion did not alter renal or systemic hemodynamics, urinary osmolality (Uosm) or free-water clearance (C(H2O)). Although renal perfusion pressure was maintained constant in all experiments i.v. ISO was consistently associated with a decrease in total peripheral resistance and systemic arterial pressure as cardiac output increased. To investigate whether the decrease in cerebral perfusion pressure with i.v. ISO might be responsible for vasopressin release, the carotid arteries were bilaterally constricted both above and below the carotid sinus to lower carotid perfusion pressure by a mean of 25 mmHg, a decrement comparable to that observed during i.v. ISO. Constriction of the carotid arteries above the carotid sinus did not affect Uosm or C(H2O), while constriction below the sinus was associated with an antidiuresis as Uosm increased from 155+/-25 to 385+/-58 mosmol/kg (P < 0.001) and C(H2O) decreased from 1.20 to -0.44 ml/min (P < 0.001). This antidiuresis was not significantly different from that observed during i.v. ISO. Since these results suggested that changes in autonomic neural tone from arterial baroreceptors are responsible for vasopressin release with i.v. ISO, studies were performed in animals with denervated baroreceptors. While sham-operated animals and animals with bilateral cervical vagotomy showed a reversible antidiuresis with i.v. ISO infusion, dogs with complete denervation of arterial baroreceptors did not show a significant alteration in renal water excretion (Uosm, 187 to 182 mosmol/kg and C(H2O), 0.59 to 0.74 ml/min). The results therefore indicate that ISO stimulates vasopressin release by altering baroreceptor tone rather than by a direct central or depressor effect of the catecholamine. These same baroreceptor pathways have been recently shown to be involved in the suppression of vasopressin release with norepinephrine and may well be the common pathway whereby nonosmotic stimuli control vasopressin release.

Mechanism of suppression of vasopressin during alpha-adrenergic stimulation with norepinephrine.

Recent studies have demonstrated that the water diuresis associated with intravenous infusion of norepinephrine is mediated primarly by suppression of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) release. To investigate whether the increase in cerebral perfusion pressure with intravenous norepinephrine (0.5 mug/kg/min) is directly responsible for suppression of ADH release, the carotid circulation of dogs was pump-perfused bilaterally to selectively increase cerebral perfusion pressure. In six experiments cerebral perfusion pressure was increased from a mean of 125 to 151 mm Hg and then returned to 120 mm Hg. This maneuver was not associated with a reversible increase in renal water excretion. The possibility was also examined that norepinephrine exerts a direct central effect to suppress ADH release. In 12 experiments norepinephrine was infused into the carotid artery in a subpressor dose (0.12 mug/kg/min) estimated to equal the amount of the catecholamine reaching the cerebral circulation with intravenous norepinephrine. The urinary osmolality (Uosm) was not significantly altered with intracarotid norepinephrine (932 to 959 mosmol/kg H(2)O. The possibility was also examined that changes in autonomic neural tone from arterial baroreceptors is responsible for suppression of ADH release with intravenous norepinephrine. In sham-operated animals intravenous norepinephrine diminished Uosm from 1,034 to 205 mosmol/kg H(2)O (P<0.001) whereas in animals with denervated arterial baroreceptors intravenous norepinephrine was not associated with a significant alteration in Uosm (1,233 to 1,232 mosmol/kg) H(2)O. These different effects on urinary osmolality occurred in the absence of differences in plasma osmolality and volume status. The results therefore indicate that norepinephrine primarily suppresses ADH release by altering autonomic baroreceptor tone rather than by a direct central or pressor effect of the catecholamine. This same mechanism may be the primary pathway for other nonosmotic influences on ADH release.