Antileishmanial and Antifungal Activities of Volatile Oils from Cinnamomum Cassia Bark and Schinus Molle Leaves.

This study reports on the chemical composition and antileishmanial and anticandidal activities of volatile oils (VOs) of Schinus molle dried leaves (SM), Cinnamomum cassia branch bark (CC) and their blends. Major constituents of SM were spathulenol (26.93 %), ß-caryophyllene (19.90 %), and caryophyllene oxide (12.69 %), whereas (E)-cinnamaldehyde (60.11 %), cinnamyl acetate (20.90 %) and cis-2-methoxycinnamic acid (10.37 %) were predominant in CC. SM (IC50=21.45 µg/mL) and CC (IC50=23.27 µg/mL) displayed good activity against L. amazonensis promastigotes, besides having good or moderate activity against nine Candida strains, with Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values ranging from 31.25 to 250 µg/mL. While the three SM and CC blends were not more active than the VOs tested individually, they exhibited remarkably high antileishmanial activity, with IC50 values ranging between 3.12 and 7.04 µg/mL, which is very similar to the IC50 of amphotericin B (positive control).

Chemical composition and antimycobacterial, anti-Malassezia furfur and cytotoxic activities of essential oils from Callistemon viminalis (Sol. ex Gaertn.) G. Don leaves and flowers.

Callistemon viminalis has been widely known due to its therapeutic properties. Tuberculosis is a deadly infectious disease caused predominantly by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Other respiratory diseases may also be caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria. Malassezia furfur causes dermal inflammation and tissue damage. This study aimed to evaluate in vitro inhibitory effects of essential oils (EOs) from C. viminalis leaves (EO-CL) and flowers (EO-CF) against M. tuberculosis, Mycobacterium kansasii, Mycobacterium avium and M. furfur strains. Their cytotoxic activity was evaluated by the brine shrimp assay. Resulting MIC values of all EOs under study were promising since they ranged from 50 to 100 µg/mL. Both EO-CL and EO-CF showed nontoxicity against Artemia salina by the brine shrimp assay (LC50 > 1000 µg/mL). GC-FID and GC-MS analyses showed that 1,8-cineole was the major component of both EOs. These results revealed the promising potential of EO-CL and EO-CF to develop new antibacterial and antifungal drugs.

Salt-sensitive hypertension: contribution of chloride.

The effect of the anion associated with sodium loading on the development of hypertension in the Dahl salt-sensitive rat was determined. For 5 weeks rats were fed a diet containing normal or high concentrations of sodium chloride or high concentrations of sodium provided as a mixture of sodium bicarbonate, phosphate, and amino acids. After 1 week on these diets and until the end of the study the rats receiving high concentrations of sodium chloride had higher systolic blood pressures than the rats in the other two groups. There were no statistically significant group differences in plasma volume, arterial pH, or plasma concentrations of Na+, K+, Cl-, Ca2+, or creatinine, or in renomedullary prostaglandin E2 production. Compared to the animals receiving normal concentrations of sodium chloride, those receiving high concentrations of sodium chloride or amino acids showed decreased plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone concentrations. Thus, the anion ingested with sodium alters the development and severity of hypertension in the Dahl salt-sensitive rat.

Cellular action of vasopressin in medullary tubules of mice with hereditary nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.

Our previous studies (1974. J. Clin. Invest.54: 753-762.) suggested that impaired metabolism of cyclic AMP (cAMP) may be involved in the renal unresponsiveness to vasopressin (VP) in mice with hereditary nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI). To localize such a defect to specific segments of the nephron, we studied the activities of VP-sensitive adenylate cyclase, cAMP phosphodiesterase (cAMP-PDIE), as well as accumulation of cAMP in medullary collecting tubules (MCT) and in medullary thick ascending limbs of Henle's loop (MAL) microdissected from control mice with normal concentrating ability and from mice with hereditary NDI. Adenylate cyclase activity stimulated by VP or by NaF was only slightly lower (-24%) in MCT from NDI mice, compared with controls. In MAL of NDI mice, basal, VP-sensitive, and NaF-sensitive adenylate cyclase was markedly (> -60%) lower compared with MAL of controls. The specific activity of cAMP-PDIE was markedly higher in MCT of NDI mice compared with controls, but was not different between MAL of control and NDI mice. Under present in vitro conditions, incubation of intact MCT from control mice with VP caused a striking increase in cAMP levels (>10), but VP failed to elicit a change in cAMP levels in MCT from NDI mice. When the cAMP-PDIE inhibitor 1-methyl-3-isobutyl xanthine (MIX) was added to the above incubation, VP caused a significant increase in cAMP levels in MCT from both NDI mice and control mice. Under all tested conditions, cAMP levels in MCT of NDI mice were lower than corresponding values in control MCT. Under the present experimental setting, VP and other stimulating factors (MIX, cholera toxin) did not change cAMP levels in MAL from either control mice or from NDI mice. The results of the present in vitro experiments suggest that the functional unresponsiveness of NDI mice to VP is perhaps mainly the result of the inability of collecting tubules to increase intracellular cAMP levels in response to VP. In turn, this inability to increase cAMP in response to VP is at least partly the result of abnormally high activity of cAMP-PDIE, a somewhat lower activity of VP-sensitive adenylate cyclase in MCT of NDI mice, and perhaps to a deficiency of some other as yet unidentified factors. The possible contribution of low VP-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity in MAL of NDI mice to the renal resistance to VP remains to be defined.

Concentrating defect in the adrenalectomized rat. Abnormal vasopressin-sensitive cyclic adenosine monophosphate metabolism in the papillary collecting duct.

Among other defects in water metabolism, adrenal insufficiency is associated with an inability to concentrate urine maximally in both man and experimental animals. Recent studies in the rabbit cortical collecting tubule have suggested indirectly that this defect may result from impaired cyclic AMP (cAMP) formation in response to antidiuretic hormone stimulation. In the present study, we examined key elements of arginine vasopressin (AVP)-dependent cAMP metabolism in the papillary collecting duct (PCD), microdissected from 8-d adrenalectomized (ADX) and sham-operated control rats. AVP-sensitive adenylate cyclase (ADC) activity in PCD did not differ between control and ADX rats. cAMP-phosphodiesterase activity (cAMP-PDIE), measured at 10(-6) M cAMP substrate concentration, was significantly higher (delta + 31.6%) in PCD of ADX rats compared with controls. Incubation of intact PCD from ADX rats with AVP resulted in an accumulation of cAMP (delta - 48.5%) significantly lower than observed in control PCD. Chronic administration of dexamethasone reduced cAMP-PDIE activity in PCD of ADX rats to levels close to or below those observed in control rat PCD, and also resulted in a restoration of AVP-stimulated cAMP accumulation to levels approaching control values. Results indicate that the impaired maximal urinary concentrating ability associated with adrenal insufficiency may be due, at least in part, to a reduced accumulation of cAMP in response to AVP in the PCD. This decreased cAMP accumulation results from increased cAMP-PDIE activity in the PCD of ADX rats and can be corrected by administration of glucocorticoid.

Binding of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide by the renal brush border membrane from rat kidney cortex.

The characteristics of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) binding on brush border membranes prepared from rat renal cortex were investigated with the use of radioactively labelled NAD, [adenine-2,8-3H]NAD+, as a ligand. (1) We found that NAD binds on brush border membrane and that the extent of NAD binding is linearly proportional to the brush border membrane protein, and progressively increases with concentration of NAD in the medium. (2) The rate of NAD binding was dependent on temperature. At 20 degrees C, the equilibrium binding was obtained at 15 min, while NAD binding at 0 degree C was slower, but the final level of binding reached at 120 min was similar to that plateau of binding observed at 20 degrees C. Brush border membrane inactivated by heating at 95 degrees C for 3 min did not bind NAD. Binding of NAD on brush border membranes was reversed by simple dilution or by the addition of unlabelled NAD. Both alpha-NAD and beta-NAD stereoisomers displaced bound [3H]NAD. Reduced NAD (NADH) caused less displacement of bound NAD than oxidized NAD+. Adenine, nicotinamide, pyrophosphate, of 5'-AMP did not displace bound NAD. (3) The NAD binding to brush border membranes was nearly saturable, approximating saturation at 10(-4) M NAD. Kinetic analysis by Scatchard plot indicates two sets of NAD binding sites in brush border membranes: a high-affinity binding site (Kd = 1.9 . 10(-5) M) and a low-affinity binding site (Kd = 2.2 . 10(-3) M). (4) Unlike concentrative uptake of D-[14C]glucose by brush border membrane vesicles, binding of NAD was not dependent on the presence of an outside-in sodium gradient [Na+0 greater than Na+i], nor was it abolished by repeated freezing and thawing of brush border membranes. Unlike D-[14C]glucose uptake, NAD binding by brush border membranes did not change upon decrease of intravesicular volume in hypertonic media. These observations indicate that NAD association with brush border membranes is true binding rather than intravesicular uptake of this compound. (5) The presence of specific binding sites in renal brush border membrane capable of binding of NAD with a high degree of affinity suggests that such sites may be involved in previously observed (Kempson, S.A., Colon-Otero, G., Ou, S.L., Turner, S.T. and Dousa, T.P. (1981) J. Clin. Invest. 67, 1347) modulatory effect of NAD on sodium-gradient-dependent uptake of phosphate across luminal brush border membrane of proximal tubules.

Lithium-induced polyuria: effect of lithium on adenylate cyclase and adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate phosphodiesterase in medullary ascending limb of Henle's loop and in medullary collecting tubules.

We investigated the effects of hyperosmolality, chronic treatment with lithium chloride (LiCl), and the addition of LiCl in vitro on vasopressin-sensitive (VP) adenylate cyclase (AdC) and cAMP phosphodiesterase (cAMP-PDIE) activities in the medullary thick ascending limb of Henle's loop (MAL) and medullary collecting tubule (MCT) microdissected from the outer medulla of the rat kidney. A hyperosmolar medium (800 mosmol) markedly enhanced AdC activity stimulated by 10(-6) M VP specifically in MCT, while having little effect or slightly decreasing VP-stimulated AdC in MAL, compared to activities under standard isotonic conditions. Hyperosmolality decreased cAMP-PDIE activity to about the same degree in MAL and MCT. Inclusion of LiCl in the incubation medium (15-20 mM) caused a significant dose-dependent inhibition of VP-stimulated AdC activity in both MAL and MCT, but had no effect on CAMP-PDIE in either segment. AdC and cAMP-PDIE activities in MAL and MCT from chronic LiCl-treated polyuric rats did not differ from controls when assayed under standard isotonic conditions. However, when assayed in a hyperosmolar (800 mosmol) medium, VP-sensitive AdC activity was significantly lower (P < 0.01) in MCT from LiCl-treated rats compared to control levels, while VP-sensitive AdC in MAL did not differ in LiCl-treated and control rats. The present results suggest that lowered VP-sensitive AdC activity in MCT of LiCl-treated polyuric rats may contribute to the observed lower concentrating ability and collecting tubule resistance to VP. Inhibition of VP-sensitive AdC in MAL as well as MCT by the acute addition of LiCl in vitro may explain the decreased urinary diluting ability observed with acute infusions of Li salts in vivo in the rat.

Modulation of vasopressin-sensitive cyclic AMP levels by calcium in papillary collecting tubules.

The present study was designed to examine the extent to which calcium modulates vasopressin (AVP)-stimulated cyclic AMP (cAMP) accumulation in microdissected rat papillary collecting ducts (PCD), and to identify the mechanism(s) involved. Using a submaximal concentration of vasopressin (1 nM), ionophore A23187-mediated increases in intracellular calcium inhibited AVP-dependent cAMP levels by 69% (P less than 0.001) in the absence of the cAMP-phosphodiesterase inhibitor 1-methyl-3-isobutyl xanthine (MIX). The degree of inhibition was significantly reduced (-47%; P less than 0.01) in the presence of MIX. Compared to controls (1.2 mM calcium), AVP-sensitive cAMP accumulation was significantly reduced (-34%; P less than 0.05) when PCD were incubated in a medium containing an increased (5.0 mM) calcium concentration. In the presence of MIX 5.0 mM calcium had no effect on cAMP levels. Conversely, compared to controls, a calcium-free medium increased AVP-dependent cAMP accumulation by 89% (P less than 0.01) in the absence of MIX, and similarly by 82% (P less than 0.05) in the presence of MIX. These data demonstrate that calcium can modulate AVP-dependent cAMP accumulation in PCD as a result of effects on both adenylate cyclase and cAMP phosphodiesterase activities.

Functional expression of olfactory-adrenergic receptor chimeras and intracellular retention of heterologously expressed olfactory receptors.

Replacing the G-protein-coupling domains of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor with homologous domains of putative olfactory receptors produced chimeric receptors which were able to stimulate pigment dispersion in Xenopus melanophores, a G-protein-mediated pathway. A multiple replacement chimera containing the second, third and C-terminal cytoplasmic domains of receptor OR5 elevated cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (cAMP) and suppressed production of inositol phosphates. Co-expression of G alpha olf did not alter the strength of response of this chimera. A novel rat olfactory receptor cDNA (U131) was isolated and sequenced. Expression of U131 and OR5 constructs containing an N-terminal epitope-tag or C-terminal fusion to green fluorescent protein occurred in an intracellular network but not in the plasma membrane of heterologous cells. Similarly treated beta 2-adrenergic receptors were functional and were observed in the plasma membrane and the intracellular network. These results demonstrate that the putative cytoplasmic domains of olfactory receptors are capable of functional interaction with heterologous G-proteins of the G alpha s subtype. Instead, the absence of these receptors from the plasma membrane of heterologous cells appears to explain our inability to determine if odorants can activate the olfactory receptor clones. We hypothesize that the olfactory receptors have requirements for maturation and targeting to the plasma membrane that are different from most other G-protein-coupled receptors.

Site-specific effects of dietary salt intake on guanylin and uroguanylin mRNA expression in rat intestine.

Guanylin and uroguanylin are newly discovered intestinal peptides that have been shown to affect NaCl transport in both the intestine and kidney. The present study tests the hypothesis that guanylin and uroguanylin mRNA expression in each major region of the intestine is regulated by NaCl intake. Semiquantitative multiplex RT-PCR analysis was used to determine the molecular expression of guanylin and uroguanylin in the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon in rats maintained on low (LS), normal (NS), or high (HS) NaCl intake for 4 days. LS intake reduced the expression of uroguanylin, and to a lesser degree, guanylin mRNA in all intestinal segments compared to NS intake. The duodenum was the site of the greatest decrease for both. In contrast, HS intake significantly increased the expression of guanylin mRNA only in the duodenum and jejunum and had minimal effect on uroguanylin mRNA. The minimum time required for altered gene expression was determined by delivering an oral NaCl challenge directly to the gastrointestinal tract by oro-gastric administration to LS or NS animals. In LS rats, NaCl oro-gastric administration significantly increased mRNA expression of both peptides in all intestinal segments. Furthermore, the increases in guanylin and uroguanylin mRNA were detected within 4 h and plateaued by 8 h. Conversely, acute oro-gastric administration of the same NaCl solution to NS rats caused elevations of guanylin mRNA only in the duodenum and jejunum, and of uroguanylin mRNA only in the ileum and colon. In conclusion, the data demonstrate that variations in NaCl intake lead to intestinal segment-specific changes in guanylin and uroguanylin mRNA expression.

Guanylyl cyclase-C receptor mRNA distribution along the rat nephron.

Guanylin (GN) and uroguanylin (UGN) are two recently identified peptides that have been shown to affect water and electrolyte transport in both the intestine and the kidney. Mechanistically, the effects of both peptides are thought to be mediated by intracellular cGMP which results from ligand binding to a plasma membrane guanylyl cyclase-C (GC-C) receptor. To date, the specific intrarenal site(s) of GN and UGN action have not been established. To begin to address this issue, the present studies utilized semi-quantitative RT-PCR to assess the distribution of GC-C mRNA in specific microdissected segments of the rat nephron. GC-C mRNA expression was highest in the cortical collecting tubule, followed by the proximal convoluted tubule, medullary thick ascending limb and collecting tubule, and thin limbs of Henle's loop. Expression levels were significantly lower in all other segments tested, including the glomerulus. The renal tubular expression pattern for cGMP-dependent protein kinase II (cGK-II) mRNA, which is activated in response to GN/UGN-dependent cGMP accumulation, was similar to that for GC-C. Notably, both GN and UGN mRNAs were also expressed along the nephron. The highest levels of expression for both peptides were detected in the medullary collecting tubule. Lower, but comparable levels of GN and UGN expression also occurred in the cortical collecting tubule, cortical and medullary thick ascending limb, and thin limbs of Henles loop. In the proximal convoluted tubule, GN mRNA expression was also quite high, while UGN mRNA was almost undetectable. The presence of renal GC-C and cGK-II in the kidney are consistent with a proposed endocrine function for GN and UGN. In addition however, the present data suggest that intrarenally synthesized GN and UGN may also contribute to the regulation of renal tubular transport.

Acute effects of gentamicin on thick ascending limb function in the rat.

It is well established that the aminoglycoside antibiotics can adversely affect proximal tubule function. Predominantly indirect evidence suggests that aminoglycosides may also affect function of more distal nephron segments. The present study utilized whole kidney clearance, in vivo micropuncture and in vitro microperfusion to directly determine whether acute gentamicin treatment affects sodium chloride transport in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle. Gentamicin (25 mg/kg) significantly increased urine flow, as well as sodium, potassium and chloride excretion within 15 min of intravenous injection. Glomerular filtration rate and proximal tubule fluid reabsorption were not altered by acute gentamicin treatment. In contrast, both fractional and absolute loop chloride transport was significantly decreased. In the in vitro microperfused medullary thick ascending limb, luminal but not basolateral administration of gentamicin (1 mM) significantly decreased chloride reabsorption when compared to time controls. These data suggest that the increased urine and electrolyte excretion associated with acute gentamicin treatment is, at least in part, a consequence of decreased transport in the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop.

Modulation of cyclic AMP metabolism by protein kinase C in PC18 cells.

The present study examined the effect of protein kinase C (PKC) on cyclic AMP metabolism in PC18 cells, a recently developed model of the adrenal medullary chromaffin cell. Activation of PKC with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) significantly potentiated cAMP accumulation in response to the adenosine analog N6-R-phenyl-isopropyl adenosine (PIA) and to forskolin. The degree of potentiation of both PIA and forskolin-stimulated cAMP levels was significantly reduced but not completely eliminated when cells were incubated in the presence of the cAMP-phosphodiesterase (cAMP-PDE) inhibitor Ro20-1724. PMA pretreatment had no detectable effect on either cytosolic or membrane-bound low Km cAMP-PDE activity, but did significantly potentiate PIA-dependent adenylate cyclase activity. We conclude that the potentiation of agonist-dependent cAMP accumulation by PKC in intact PC18 cells is due to both an enhancement of cAMP biosynthetic capacity, as well as a suppression of cAMP catabolic activity.

Effect of ultrasound therapy on the repair of Achilles tendon injuries in rats.

The purpose was to determine the effects of selected regimens of ultrasound therapy on the rates of repair of injured Achilles tendons of rats. Specific dependent variables examined were tendon breaking strength and rate of collagen formation. A puncture technique was used to induce injuries to both Achilles tendons of rats. Continuous ultrasound was administered to the left tendon for 4 min per treatment session at an intensity of 1.5 W.cm-2. Rats were sacrificed 2, 5, 9, 15, and 21 d following injury for measurement of tendon breaking strength and 3 and 5 d postinjury for analysis of collagen synthesis. Breaking strength was defined as the minimum force required to completely rupture the tendon. Collagen synthesis was indicated by the conversion of labeled proline to hydroxyproline. The breaking strengths of the treated tendons were significantly greater than strengths of the untreated tendons 5, 9, 15, and 21 d postinjury. Collagen synthesis was increased in the treated tendons compared with the untreated tendons 5 d postinjury. The results indicate that ultrasound treatment increases the rate of repair of injured Achilles tendons of rats. The results are also consistent with an association between increased collagen synthesis and greater breaking strength during tendon repair.

DNA repair: models for damage and mismatch recognition.

Maintaining the integrity of the genome is critical for the survival of any organism. To achieve this, many families of enzymatic repair systems which recognize and repair DNA damage have evolved. Perhaps most intriguing about the workings of these repair systems is the actual damage recognition process. What are the chemical characteristics which are common to sites of nucleic acid damage that DNA repair proteins may exploit in targeting sites? Importantly, thermodynamic and kinetic principles, as much as structural factors, make damage sites distinct from the native DNA bases, and indeed, in many cases, these are the features which are believed to be exploited by repair enzymes. Current proposals for damage recognition may not fulfill all of the demands required of enzymatic repair systems given the sheer size of many genomes, and the efficiency with which the genome is screened for damage. Here we discuss current models for how DNA damage recognition may occur and the chemical characteristics, shared by damaged DNA sites, of which repair proteins may take advantage. These include recognition based upon the thermodynamic and kinetic instabilities associated with aberrant sites. Additionally, we describe how small changes in base pair structure can alter also the unique electronic properties of the DNA base pair pi-stack. Further, we describe photophysical, electrochemical, and biochemical experiments in which mismatches and other local perturbations in structure are detected using DNA-mediated charge transport. Finally, we speculate as to how this DNA electron transfer chemistry might be exploited by repair enzymes in order to scan the genome for sites of damage.

Renal effects of uroguanylin and guanylin in vivo.

Uroguanylin and guanylin are newly discovered endogenous heat-stable peptides that bind to and activate a membrane bound guanylyl cyclase signaling receptor (termed guanylyl cyclase C; GC-C). These peptides are not only found in blood but are secreted into the lumen of the intestine and effect a net secretion of electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl-, HCO3-) and fluid into the intestine via a cyclic guanosine-3', 5'-monophosphate (cGMP) mechanism. GC-C is also the receptor for Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin (STa) and activation by STa results in a diarrheal illness. Employing mouse renal in vivo models, we have demonstrated that uroguanylin, guanylin, and STa elicit natriuretic, kaliuretic, and diuretic effects. These biological responses are time- and dose-dependent. Maximum natriuretic and kaliuretic effects are observed within 30-40 min following infusion with pharmacological doses of the peptides in a sealed-urethra mouse model. Our mouse renal clearance model confirms these results and shows significant natriuresis following a constant infusion of uroguanylin for 30 min, while the glomerular filtration rate, plasma creatinine, urine osmolality, heart rate, and blood pressure remain constant. These data suggest the peptides act through tubular transport mechanisms. Consistent with a tubular mechanism, messenger RNA-differential display PCR of kidney RNA extracted from vehicle- and uroguanylin-treated mice show the message for the Na+/K+ ATPase gamma-subunit is down-regulated. Interestingly, GC-C knockout mice (Gucy2c -/-) also exhibit significant uroguanylin-induced natriuresis and kaliuresis in vivo, suggesting the presence of an alternate receptor signaling mechanism in the kidney. Thus, uroguanylin and guanylin seem to serve as intestinal and renal natriuretic peptide-hormones influencing salt and water transport in the kidney through GC-C dependent and independent pathways. Furthermore, our recent clinical probe study has revealed a 70-fold increase in levels of urinary uroguanylin in patients with congestive heart failure. In conclusion, our studies support the concept that uroguanylin and guanylin are endogenous effector peptides involved in regulating body salt and water homeostasis.

Safety assessment of drug residues.

The safety assessment of drug residues is part of the process for defining the conditions for the safe use of drugs in food-producing animals. The information needed to assess the safety of drug residues is provided by chemical and toxicity tests. Toxicity tests are conducted to identify the type of effect produced and to determine the exposure concentrations that would be expected not to produce the effect. These tests include acute, subacute, and chronic toxicity tests, as well as reproduction studies and other special tests. The results are used to find an acceptable daily intake for drug residues that can be used to set a tolerance.

Effects of thoracic volume expansion on cardiorenal function in the conscious rat.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to microgravity results in the loss of fluid and electrolytes. HYPOTHESIS: This study was designed to determine whether loss of fluid and electrolyte by the kidney occur by increased filtration or decreased tubular reabsorption and to investigate the mechanisms involved. METHODS: Vascular and bladder catheters were implanted and the effects of preferential thoracic volume expansion were studied in conscious rats using a new hindlimb supported head-down tilt model designed to simulate the effects of microgravity. Control rats maintained at 0 degree tilt (NT) were compared to rats at 40 degrees head-down tilt (HDT). RESULTS: HDT immediately increased central venous pressure from 1.4 +/- 0.3 to 2.7 +/- 0.3 mm Hg (p < 0.01); which peaked after 8 h. Compared to NT, cumulative sodium excretion significantly increased within 6 h of HDT and remained increased at 24 h (198.8 +/- 40.3 vs. 72.8 +/- 18.4 microEq; p < 0.01). HDT also significantly increased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at both 6 (p < 0.05) and 24 h (p < 0.01). In contrast, fractional proximal reabsorption (assessed by lithium clearance) was unchanged over the period of HDT, indicating an appropriate proximal tubule response to increased filtered sodium. HDT had no significant effect on plasma catecholamine or atrial natriuretic peptide concentration nor on plasma renin, while plasma aldosterone concentration was increased after 24 h (72.8 +/- 24.0 vs. 32.4 +/- 8.7 ng/dl; p < 0.05); presumably in response to sodium loss during HDT. CONCLUSION: HDT-induced thoracic volume expansion significantly increases sodium excretion, primarily as a result of an increase in GFR.