Effect of acetylcholine and secretin on medullary collecting duct function in the rat

Microcatheterization was used to study the effect of renal arterial infusion of acetylcholine or secretin on medullary collecting duct function in anaesthetized rats. Acetylcholine infusion was associated with natriuresis and increased sodium delivery to, and decreased reabsorption in, the collecting duct. No changes from control function were found with secretin. Renal blood flow was increased with acetylcholine (+82%, p less than 0.001), but unchanged with secretin (+15%, nonsignificant). We conclude that acetylcholine natriuresis is due to inhibition of tubular reabsorption of sodium in the medullary collecting duct, as well as in upstream nephron segments. While the latter may be hemodynamically mediated, the former indicates a direct transport effect of the hormone in the terminal nephron segment.     

Collecting duct function in cis-platinum nephrotoxicity

Microcatheterization was used to study the effect of cis-platinum nephrotoxicity on inner medullary collecting duct function in anaesthetized rats. Osmolality of collecting duct fluid increased from the beginning to the end (papillary tip) of the collecting duct by only 69 +/- 11 mosmol/kg in cis-platinum treated rats (at 5-6 days) compared with 306 +/- 75 mosmol/kg in sham controls (p less than 0.01). Tubular fluid to plasma inulin concentration ratio was reduced at the beginning and end of the collecting duct. Tubular fluid sodium, chloride, and potassium concentrations were lower at the papillary tip in cis-platinum treated rats (p less than 0.01). The results indicate that collecting duct water reabsorption is reduced, but electrolyte reabsorption is normal (or even increased) in cis-platinum nephrotoxicity. Papillary tissue sodium chloride concentration was reduced in cis-platinum treated rats. We conclude that the characteristic decrease in urine concentrating ability in cis-platinum nephrotoxicity is not primarily the result of an intrinsic abnormality in collecting duct function but is secondary to decreased papillary hypertonicity resulting from impaired function in more proximal nephron segments, presumably the pars recta of the proximal tubule and the loop of Henle where previous studies have demonstrated abnormal function.     

刺激脑内渗透压感受器对大鼠肾小管重吸收钠,氯,钾的影响

实验在麻醉大鼠上进行。用肾小管微穿刺技术观察到,脑室内注射高张盐水(icv.HS)后:(1)近曲小管末段钠残留分数从53.0±2.1％升高至66.0±2.9％(P<0.01);氯残留分数从65.4±3.4％升高至78.2±3.9％(P<0.05);钾残留分数和小管液渗透克分子浓度无显著变化。(2)远曲小管起始段钠残留分数从8.2±0.9％升高至13.6±1.8％(P<0.05);氯残留分数从5.4±0.8％升高至9.5±1.4％(P<0.05);小管液渗透克分子浓度从139.8±6.9mOsm/kg H_2O升高至181.3±15.6mOsm/kgH_2O(P<0.05);钾残留分数无显著变化。静脉注射速尿能消除icv.HS引起的尿钾增多反应,但不能消除icv.HS引起的利尿和尿钠增多反应。上述结果表明,刺激脑内渗透压感受器能抑制近曲小管中钠和氯的重吸收,并促进远曲小管及其以后部位的钠钾交换,导致尿钠排出增多和尿钾排出增多。     

Effect of saline infusion on kidney and collecting duct function in atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) gene "knockout" mice.

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is thought to play a role in renal regulation of salt balance by reducing tubular reabsorption of sodium and chloride. Therefore, in the chronic absence of this hormone, a defect of salt excretion should be evident. We used an ANP gene deletion model to test this premise. F2 homozygous mutant mice (-/-) and their wild-type littermates (+/+) were fed an 8% NaCl diet prior to an acute infusion of isotonic saline. Arterial blood pressures, renal excretions of salt and water, as well as collecting duct transport of fluid and electrolytes were measured. Pressures were significantly higher in -/- compared with +/+ mice (139 +/- 4 vs. 101 +/- 2 mmHg; 1 mmHg = 133.3 Pa). There was no difference in glomerular filtration rate (-/- = 0.84 +/- 0.06; +/+ = 0.81 +/- 0.04 mL x min(-1) x g(-1) kidney weight). In the collecting duct, sodium and chloride reabsorptions were significantly higher in the -/- group than in the +/+ group. As a result, natriuresis and chloruresis were relatively reduced (U(Na)V: -/- = 8.6 +/- 1.1; +/+ = 14.0 +/- 1.1; U(Cl)V: -/- = 10.1 +/- 1.4; +/+ = 16.0 +/- 1.1 micromol x min(-1) x g(-1) kidney weight). We conclude that the absence of endogenous ANP activity in mice on a high-salt diet subjected to acute saline infusion causes inappropriately high reabsorption of sodium and chloride in the medullary collecting duct, resulting in a relative defect in renal excretory capacity for salt.     

Molecular mechanisms of ANP inhibition of renal sodium transport.

ANP, a hormone secreted by the atria of mammalian hearts in response to volume expansion, increases urinary sodium excretion in part by inhibiting sodium reabsorption across the inner medullary collecting duct. A number of nephron segments may contribute to the ANP-induced natriuresis; however, this review will focus on the cellular mechanisms of ANP inhibition of electrogenic sodium reabsorption by the inner medullary collecting duct. Patch-clamp studies conducted on rat inner medullary collecting duct cells in primary culture revealed that ANP, via its second messenger cGMP, inhibits electrogenic sodium reabsorption by reducing the open probability of a cation channel located in the apical membrane. Cyclic GMP inhibits the cation channel and thereby sodium reabsorption by two mechanisms. First, cGMP inhibits the channel by a phosphorylation-independent mechanism, by binding either to an allosteric modifier site on the channel or to a regulatory subunit. Second, cGMP inhibits the channel by activating cGMP-dependent protein kinase, which by a sequential pathway involving the GTP-binding protein, Gi, inhibits the channel. These cGMP-dependent mechanisms inhibiting sodium reabsorption across the inner medullary collecting duct account for a substantial component of the natriuresis following a rise in ANP levels.     

Interaction of amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide with atrial natriuretic factor in the medullary collecting duct

Medullary collecting duct function was studied using the in vivo microcatheterization technique in three groups of rats receiving amiloride, hydrochlorothiazide, or both diuretics. In each group of animals, atrial natriuretic factor (ANF99-126) was given in the second phase of the experiment. The combination of amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide resulted in a more marked natriuresis than either diuretic given as a single agent. Sodium reabsorption in the medullary collecting duct, as a fraction of the delivered load, was reduced from 64% (amiloride) and 69% (hydrochlorothiazide) to 29% (amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide). Atrial natriuretic factor reduced collecting duct sodium reabsorption when added to amiloride or hydrochlorothiazide to 23% and to 41%, respectively, but had no additional effect when given with amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide. Potassium excretion with amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide was intermediate between amiloride or hydrochlorothiazide given as single agents. With the diuretic combination, potassium transport showed no significant reabsorption or secretion along the medullary collecting duct, amiloride was associated with potassium reabsorption, and hydrochlorothiazide was associated with potassium secretion in the duct. The results confirm the importance of the medullary collecting duct as a site of diuretic action. The known additive effects of amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide on sodium excretion and the opposing effects of these agents on potassium excretion occur, to a major degree, in the medullary collecting duct. Furthermore, the additive effects of amiloride and ANF indicate that blocking of amiloride-sensitive sodium channels is not the only mechanism of action of ANF on duct salt transport in vivo.     

Natriuretic effect of atrial natriuretic peptide in diabetes insipidus rats

Washout of the solute concentration gradient in the renal medullary interstitium has been suggested to play a role in mediating the natriuretic response to atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of ANP 8-33 on sodium excretion in Brattleboro diabetes insipidus (DI) rats, in which medullary tonicity is known to be decreased as compared to Long-Evans (LE) control rats. Basal urine osmolality (Uosm) was significantly lower in DI rats as compared to LE rats (123 +/- 6 vs 673 +/- 38 mOsm/kg). Infusion of ANP 8-33 at a rate of 4 micrograms/kg/hr for 60 min resulted in a significantly greater increase in UnaV (delta 6.1 +/- 1.2 vs delta 2.9 +/- 0.7 microEq/min) and urine flow (delta 40 +/- 12 vs delta 8 +/- 7 microliter/min) in the LE rats than in the DI rats. The greater natriuresis occurred in the LE rats despite no significant change in Uosm. Fractional lithium reabsorption (an indicator of proximal sodium reabsorption) decreased similarly in both groups. Infusion of ANP had no effect on mean arterial pressure in LE and DI groups. In summary, infusion of ANP in the DI rat resulted in a significant natriuresis, albeit less than in LE rats. The natriuresis in the LE rats occurred despite no significant change in Uosm. These data suggest that mechanisms other than medullary washout are responsible for the natriuretic effects of ANP.     

The actions of cortisol on fetal renal function

Renal function was studied in 6 fetal sheep, aged 126-135 days, before and after 3 injection of 15 mg of cortisol given at intervals of 12 h. Cortisol caused a significant rise in both renal blood flow (P less than 0.05) and glomerular filtration rate (P less than 0.005), and in urine flow rate (P less than 0.02) but it did not consistently cause a natriuresis. The urinary pH was unchanged following cortisol treatment, but bicarbonate excretion increased. Urinary phosphate excretion was increased (P less than 0.005) because of a rise in filtered phosphate and a fall in phosphate reabsorption. The titratable acid excretion increased (P less than 0.005) but urinary ammonium excretion did not. The total amount of sodium reabsorbed increased after cortisol but the amount of sodium reabsorbed in the proximal tubule did not increase, so fractional reabsorption in the proximal tubule decreased from 61.7 +/- 4.1% to 47.3 +/- 4.2% (P = 0.01). The total amount of sodium reabsorbed in the distal tubule increased and distal fractional reabsorption increased from 33.3 +/- 2.4% to 47.3 +/- 4.2% (P less than 0.01). Cortisol may increase the capacity of the immature kidney to play a role in fluid and electrolyte homeostasis by increasing glomerular filtration rate and delivering more sodium and water to the distal nephron where the reabsorption of sodium and water can be modified independently and in accordance with need.     

Lack of anion effect on volume expansion natriuresis in the developing canine kidney

The renal response to volume expansion with sodium chloride or sodium bicarbonate was studied in 15 newborn and 13 adult dogs. Proximal and distal nephron function were estimated using the technique of distal nephron blockade. Fractional sodium reabsorption was 99.0 +/- 0.3% in newborn and 96.6 +/- 0.06% in adult during the NaCl expansion (P less than 0.01) and 98.1 +/- 0.7% in the newborn and 93.2 +/- 0.7% in the adult during NaHCO3 expansion (P less than 0.001). With either anion the higher fractional sodium reabsorption in the newborn was due to reabsorption of a greater fraction of the load presented to the distal nephron segment. The percent of the distal sodium load that was reabsorbed was 98.0 +/- 0.6% in the newborn and 92.2 +/- 1.0% in the adult during NaCl expansion, and 96.1 +/- 1.3% in the newborn and 81.5 +/- 2.4% in the adult during NaHCO3 expansion. Differences in distal nephron chloride, potassium and bicarbonate reabsorption among the groups support the hypothesis that the enhanced distal sodium reabsorption in the newborn occurred largely in the ascending loop of Henle with NaCl expansion, while it occurred in the late distal and cortical collecting tubules with NaHCO3 expansion. There was no difference between the natriuretic responses to NaCl or NaHCO3 in the newborn (P greater than 0.20); however, the natriuretic response to NaCl was less than that to NaHCO3 in the adult (P less than 0.001). This suggests that the bulk of the sodium that escaped reabsorption in Henle's loop during NaHCO3 expansion was reabsorbed in the late distal tubule in the newborn, but not in the adult.     

The effect of isoproterenol on fluid and electrolyte transport in the inner medullary collecting duct

In the late distal and cortical collecting tubule, which is the principal regulatory site for potassium (K) excretion, vasopressin stimulates, and epinephrine via beta-adrenergic action, inhibits K secretion. In the inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) we have shown that vasopressin also stimulates K secretion. The present experiments were designed to determine whether the beta-adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol, would induce K reabsorption in the IMCD, and (or) prevent a secretory response to acute KCl infusion. Two groups of rats, with or without isoproterenol administration (3 micrograms/h), were subjected to retrograde microcatheterization of the IMCD before and during infusion of 0.83 mol/h KCl. Isoproterenol reduced plasma K concentration and urinary K excretion, but the response to acute KCl infusion was qualitatively similar to control. Isoproterenol decreased delivery of potassium, chloride, and fluid to the IMCD, there was no net transport of K along the duct in either group, and KCl infusion did not result in K secretion in either group. The results indicate that isoproterenol may inhibit K secretion in the late distal or cortical collecting tubule. However, there was no statistically significant difference in K transport along the IMCD between isoproterenol and control groups. Reduced sodium excretion, which was found during isoproterenol administration both before and after KCl infusion, was associated with no change in sodium delivery but with increased sodium reabsorption in the IMCD. This increased sodium reabsorption may be a direct effect of isoproterenol, or may be due to reflex cardiovascular adjustments associated with systemic actions of the drug.     

Lithium clearance in water immersion-induced natriuresis in humans

Lithium clearance (CLi) has been advanced as a measure of sodium delivery from the proximal tubules. Because information on the intrarenal effects of water immersion is only limited, and available data are conflicting with respect to the effects on the proximal tubule, we examined the effects of 3 h of water immersion on renal functional parameters, including CLi, in eight healthy subjects. Studies were carried out during maximal water diuresis. Water immersion resulted in a significant increase in sodium excretion, from preimmersion values of 74.0 +/- 9.6 to 155.4 +/- 12.0 mumol/min at the third immersion hour (P less than 0.01). This natriuresis was accompanied by an increase in CLi from 26.3 +/- 1.9 (preimmersion) to 37.0 +/- 3.1 ml/min (P less than 0.01). Fractional lithium reabsorption (FRLi) decreased from 76.4 +/- 1.0 to 69.6 +/- 1.3% (P less than 0.01). None of these changes was found in eight healthy subjects undergoing a time-control study without water immersion. The large fall in FRLi found during immersion is compatible with a major resetting of the proximal glomerulotubular balance. In this regard the renal response to water immersion resembles saline expansion rather than mere intravascular expansion. The lithium data suggested a large rise in distal delivery accompanied by an almost as large rise in distal reabsorption. The free water clearance data were in agreement with this interpretation. However, no changes were found in fractional excretion of phosphate and uric acid. Therefore such a major resetting of proximal glomerulotubular balance can be doubted.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Renal sodium handling and stimulation of medullary Na-K-ATPase during blockade of prostaglandin synthesis

The effect of suppression of prostaglandin synthesis on renal sodium handling and microsomal Na-K ATPase was studied in control and indomethacin treated intact rats maintained on a normal sodium diet (series A) and chronically salt loaded (series B). Indomethacin administration resulted in a decreased GFR and a significantly depressed urinary excretion and an increased fractional reabsorption of sodium in animals fed the normal sodium diet or chronically salt loaded. In rats maintained on a normal Na diet, the activity of the renal medullary Na-K ATPase after indomethacin was 206.3 +/- 6.4 ug Pi/mg protein, i.e. significantly higher as compared with the enzyme activity in the medullary renal fraction from control animals in which it averaged 148 +/- 7.79 ug Pi/mg protein (p less than 0.001). While after chronic salt load a similar increment in the activity of renal medullary Na-K ATPase was observed, no additional stimulation was elicited by subsequent indomethacin administration. The addition of exogenous PGE2, 0.1 mM to microsomal fractions obtained from kidneys of normal rats, was associated with a moderate suppression of the medullary Na-K-ATPase activity, from a basal level of 170 +/- 16 to 151.3 +/- 13 umol Pi/mg protein/hr (p less than 0.005). In isolated segments of medullary thick ascending limb of Henle's loop (MTAL) addition of PGE2 to the incubation medium resulted in a significant inhibition of Na-K ATPase from 37.2 +/- 2 to 21.25 +/- 1.17 x 10(-11) mol/mm/min (p less than 0.0001). These findings suggest that the increased renal Na reabsorption after inhibition of PG synthesis might be related, at least partly, to stimulation of medullary Na-K ATPase. In parallel, the reported natriuretic effect of prostaglandins might imply a direct inhibitory effect of these mediators on renal Na-K ATPase.     

Intrarenal mechanisms mediating pressure natriuresis: role of angiotensin and prostaglandins

The ability of the kidney to increase sodium and water excretion in response to increases in perfusion pressure has been recognized for more than 50 years. Because glomerular filtration rate is tightly autoregulated, pressure natriuresis occurs as the result of decreased tubular sodium reabsorption rather than increased filtered load. Micropuncture and microperfusion data support the contention that acute changes in arterial pressure can alter proximal tubule reabsorption; however, studies have failed to show a consistent association between changes in sodium excretion and peritubular, interstitial, or tubular pressures. Thus, the specific intrarenal mechanism for the change in tubular reabsorption in response to an acute change in arterial pressure does not appear to be related to the peritubular physical factors at the level of outer cortical nephrons. The possible roles of angiotensin and prostaglandins as humoral mediators of pressure natriuresis are considered in this report. Although angiotensin II is a powerful modulator of the slope of the pressure natriuresis relationship, the responsiveness of sodium excretion to arterial pressure is actually enhanced by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. These data suggest that angiotensin does not mediate the basic phenomenon. Recent experiments indicate that intrarenal prostaglandins also modulate the magnitude of the pressure natriuresis relationship, but these hormones do not appear to be essential for its basic manifestation.     

Hypertonic sodium chloride and mannitol induces COX-2 via different signaling pathways in mouse cortical collecting duct M-1 cells

The kidney cortical collecting duct is an important site for the maintenance of sodium balance. Previous studies have shown that, in renal medullary cells, hypertonic stress induces expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) via NF-kappaB activation, but little is known about COX-2 expression in response to hypertonicity in the cortical collecting duct. Therefore, we examined the mechanism of hypertonic induction of COX-2 in M-1 cells derived from mouse cortical collecting duct. Induction of COX-2 protein was detected within 6 h of treatment with hypertonic sodium chloride. The treatment also increased COX-2 mRNA accumulation in a cycloheximide-independent manner, suggesting that ongoing protein synthesis is not required for COX-2 induction. Using reporter plasmids containing 0.2-, 0.3-, and 1.5-kb fragments of the COX-2 promoter, we found that hypertonic induction of COX-2 was due to an increase in promoter activity. The COX-2-inductive effect of hypertonicity was inhibited by SB203580, indicating that the effect is mediated by p38 MAPK. Since p38 MAPK can activate NF-kappaB, we made point mutations in the NF-kappaB binding site within the COX-2 promoter. The mutations did not block the induction of COX-2 promoter activity by hypertonic sodium chloride, and hypertonic sodium chloride failed to activate NF-kappaB binding site-driven reporter gene constructs. In contrast, hypertonic mannitol activated NF-kappaB, indicating that hypertonic mannitol and hypertonic sodium chloride activate COX-2 by different mechanisms. Thus, induction of COX-2 expression in M-1 cells by hypertonic sodium chloride does not involve activation of NF-kappaB. Furthermore, the signal transduction pathways that respond to hypertonic stress vary for different osmolytes in cortical collecting duct cells.     

脑室内注射高张盐水抑制近曲小管对水和钠的重吸收

实验在麻醉大鼠上进行。用锂清除率为指标观察脑室内注射高张盐水对近曲小管重吸收水和钠的影响。在切断单侧肾神经的动物中,脑室内注射高张盐水后的锂清除率与肾小球滤过率比值在去神经侧肾脏从0.37±0.04增加至0.51±0.05(P<0.01);神经完好侧肾脏则从0.26±0.03增加至0.31±0.04(P<0.05);双侧肾脏的肾小球滤过率、尿量、尿钠和尿钾量均增加,且去肾神经肾脏的增加幅度高于肾神经完好肾脏。在肾小管微穿刺实验中,脑室内注射高张盐水后,近曲小管末段小管液流量从24.42±1.84nl/min增加至31.86±3.09nl/min(P<0.01),小管液的渗透压无显著变化。以上实验结果表明,脑室内注射高张盐水引起的利尿、尿钠增多反应与肾小球滤过率增加和近曲小管对水、钠重吸收减少有关,体液因素在该反应中可能起主要作用。     

Regulation of cGMP production by intracellular alkalinization in cultured rat inner medullary collecting duct cells

We evaluated the relationship between cell pH and cGMP production in cultured rat renal inner medullary collecting duct cells. The cGMP level, 21 +/- 6, was not different in control vs. alkalinized cells, 49 +/- 17 fmol/mg protein (p greater than 0.5). 10(-11) M atrial natriuretic peptide (ANF) enhanced cGMP production in alkalinized cells, 426 +/- 34 vs. 141 +/- 9*. Conversely, alkalinization inhibited 10(-4)M nitroprusside (SNP) induced cGMP formation, 29 +/- 9 vs. 332 +/- 67*. Phosphodiesterase inhibition abolished the difference in cGMP production by ANF but did not reverse the inhibitory effect of alkalinization on SNP induced cGMP production. In rat renal inner medullary collecting duct cells, cellular alkalinization plays a significant role in the regulation of guanylate cyclase mediated cGMP production. * = p less than 0.05).     

Effect of chronic salt loading on renal Na-K-ATPase activity in the rat

The effect of chronic salt loading in rats fed regular chow diet on renal Na-K-ATPase was studied. The high salt intake was associated with increased filtered load of sodium (control: 126 +/- 3.9 mueq/min, salt loaded: 146 +/- 2.5, mueq/min, P less than 0.001), increased net reabsorption of sodium (control: 125.3 +/- 3.9 mueq/min, salt load: 134.8 +/- 2.4 mueq/min, P less than 0.05), increased urinary excretion of potassium (control: 2.4 +/- 0.09 mueq/min/min; salt loaded: 3.0 +/- 0.1 mueq/min, P less than 0.001) and increase in single kidney weight (control: 0.798 +/- 0.010 g, salt loaded: 0.937 +/- 0.015 g, P less than 0.001). The above mentioned changes were associated with significant increase in renal microsomal and whole homogenate medullary Na-K-ATPase activity in the salt loaded group (microsomes: control 74.1 +/- 4.9 mumole Pi/mg prot/hr, salt loaded 112.7 +/- 6.0 mumole Pi/mg prot/hr, P less than 0.001; whole homogenate: control 22.7 +/- 1.0 mumole Pi/mg prot/hr, salt load 29.4 +/- 1.6 mumole Pi/mg prot/hr, P less than 0.005), while cortical and papillary Na-K-ATPase activity remained unchanged. Taken together, these results show that increased filtered and reabsorbed load of sodium, which follows high salt intake, is associated with an increased renal Na-K-ATPase activity. The preferential rise in medullary enzymatic activity may be interpreted as suggesting that these changes may stem from increased delivery and reabsorption of sodium in the ascending limb of Henle's loop.     

Hormonal, renal, hemodynamic responses to acute neutral endopeptidase inhibition in heart transplant patients.

We investigated the hemodynamic, renal, and hormonal responses to neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibition during a 6-h, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study in seven chronic, stable heart transplant patients. Baseline characteristics were similar during both experiments, and no significant changes were observed after placebo. NEP inhibition increased circulating endothelin-1 (from 2.01 +/- 0.1 to 2.90 +/- 0.2 pmol/l; P < 0.01), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP; from 21.5 +/- 2.7 to 29.6 +/- 3.7 pmol/l; P < 0.01), and the ANP second messenger cGMP. Noteworthy, systemic blood pressure did not increase. Renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate remained unmodified after NEP inhibition. Filtration fraction (33 +/- 13%), diuresis (196 +/- 62%), and natriuresis (315 +/- 105%) increased significantly in relation to ANP and cGMP. A strong inverse relationship was observed between excreted cGMP and sodium reabsorption (r = -0.71, P < 0.0001). Thus, despite significantly increasing endothelin-1, NEP inhibition did not adversely influence systemic or renal hemodynamics in transplant patients. ANP, possibly through a tubular action, enhances the natriuresis observed after NEP inhibition.     

Rapid natriuretic action of aldosterone in the rat.

Rapid, nongenomic actions of aldosterone have been demonstrated in a number of cell types in vitro, including renal cell lines, but there remains little direct evidence that it is able to exert rapid effects on the kidney in the whole animal. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to determine whether aldosterone induces rapid changes in the renal handling of electrolytes or acid-base balance in the anesthetized rat. With the use of a servo-controlled fluid replacement system, spontaneous urine output by anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats was replaced with 2.5% dextrose. After a 3-h equilibration and a 1-h control period, rats were infused with aldosterone (42 pmol/min) or vehicle for 1 h. Aldosterone infusion induced a rapid (within 15 min) increase in sodium excretion that peaked at 0.24 +/- 0.08 compared with 0.04 +/- 0.01 micromol x min(-1) 100 x body weight(-1) (P = 0.041) in the vehicle-infused rats. This natriuresis was not associated with changes in glomerular filtration rate; urine flow rate; potassium, chloride, or bicarbonate excretion; or urine pH. The mechanisms involved are unclear, but because we have previously shown that aldosterone stimulates a rapid (4 min) increase in cAMP generation in the rat inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) (Sheader EA, Wargent ET, Ashton N, and Balment RJ. J Endocrinol 175: 343-347, 2002), they could involve cAMP-mediated activation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator chloride channel, which drives sodium secretion in the IMCD.     

Separate hemodynamic roles for chloride and sodium in deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt hypertension

It has been reported that both sodium and chloride ions must be ingested to induce the elevated blood pressure of deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt-sensitive hypertension. This study was designed to determine the separate roles of the sodium and chloride ions in the altered hemodynamics underlying the high blood pressure. DOCA pellets (75 mg) were implanted in uninephrectomized rats and the animals were then fed one of four diets: (i) high sodium chloride, (ii) high sodium-low chloride, (iii) high chloride-low sodium, or (iv) low sodium chloride. Blood pressures were measured weekly by tail-cuff plethysmography for 5 weeks and the animals were then subjected to a terminal experiment to measure cardiac output by thermodilution technique, renal blood flow by electromagnetic flow probe, and direct arterial pressure. Blood pressure in the DOCA-high NaCl group was significantly greater (P less than 0.05) compared with that of the DOCA-low NaCl group (160 +/- 3 mm Hg vs 124 +/- 2 mm Hg, respectively) at 5 weeks after treatment; all other groups were not significantly different from the DOCA-low NaCl group. Cardiac output was significantly greater in DOCA-treated rats consuming diets high in sodium (44 +/- 2 ml/min/100 g) or sodium chloride (40 +/- 2 ml/min/100 g) compared with animals consuming low sodium chloride (31 +/- 2 ml/min/100 g; P less than 0.01 for each comparison). Direct intraarterial blood pressure and renal blood flow were used to calculate renal vascular resistance. Renal vascular resistance was increased in those DOCA-treated rats consuming diets high in chloride (42 +/- 3 mm Hg/ml/min/100 g) and high sodium chloride (54 +/- 3 mm Hg/ml/min/100 g) compared with rats consuming low sodium chloride (30 +/- 3 mm Hg/ml/min/100 g; P less than 0.01 for each). It appears that elevations in cardiac output are associated with increased dietary sodium and act in synergy with the elevations in renal vascular resistance associated with increased dietary chloride. Increases in both cardiac output and renal vascular resistance are involved in the maintenance of elevated blood pressure in the DOCA-salt-sensitive model of hypertension.