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Afferent renal nerves exhibit a dual function controlling central sympathetic outflow via afferent electrical activity and influencing intrarenal immunological processes by releasing peptides such as calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). We tested the hypothesis that increased afferent and efferent renal nerve activity occur with augmented release of CGRP in anti-Thy1.1 nephritis, in which enhanced CGRP release exacerbates inflammation. Nephritis was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by intravenous injection of OX-7 antibody (1.75 mg/kg), and animals were investigated neurophysiologically, electrophysiologically, and pathomorphologically 6 days later. Nephritic rats exhibited proteinuria (169.3 ± 10.2 mg/24 h) with increased efferent renal nerve activity (14.7 ± 0.9 bursts/s vs. control 11.5 ± 0.9 bursts/s, n = 11, P < 0.05). However, afferent renal nerve activity (in spikes/s) decreased in nephritis (8.0 ± 1.8 Hz vs. control 27.4 ± 4.1 Hz, n = 11, P < 0.05). In patch-clamp recordings, neurons with renal afferents from nephritic rats showed a lower frequency of high activity following electrical stimulation (43.4% vs. 66.4% in controls, P < 0.05). In vitro assays showed that renal tissue from nephritic rats exhibited increased CGRP release via spontaneous (14 ± 3 pg/mL vs. 6.8 ± 2.8 pg/ml in controls, n = 7, P < 0.05) and stimulated mechanisms. In nephritic animals, marked infiltration of macrophages in the interstitium (26 ± 4 cells/mm2) and glomeruli (3.7 ± 0.6 cells/glomerular cross-section) occurred. Pretreatment with the CGRP receptor antagonist CGRP8-37 reduced proteinuria, infiltration, and proliferation. In nephritic rats, it can be speculated that afferent renal nerves lose their ability to properly control efferent sympathetic nerve activity while influencing renal inflammation through increased CGRP release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An association between low nephron number and subsequent development of hypertension in later life has been demonstrated. The underlying pathomechanisms are unknown, but glomerular and postglomerular changes have been discussed. We investigated whether such changes are already present in prehypertensive "glial cell line-derived neurotrophic growth factor" heterozygous mice (GDNF+/-) with lower nephron number. Twenty-six-week-old mice [22 GDNF+/-, 29 C57B6 wild-type control (wt)] were used for in vivo experiments with intra-arterial and tail cuff blood pressure measurements. After perfusion fixation, kidneys were investigated with morphological, morphometric, stereological, and immunohistochemical techniques and TaqMan PCR analysis. As expected at this age, blood pressure was comparable between GDNF+/- and wt. Nephron number per kidney was significantly lower in GDNF+/- than in wt (-32.8%, P < 0.005), and mean glomerular volume was significantly higher (+49.5%, P < 0.001). Renal damage scores, glomerular and tubular proliferation, analysis of intrarenal arteries and peritubular capillaries, expression of relevant tubular transporter proteins, as well as gene expression of profibrotic, proinflammatory, or prohypertensive markers were not significantly different between GDNF+/- and wt. Compensatory glomerular hypertrophy in GDNF+/- was accompanied by higher numbers of endothelial and mesangial cells as well as PCNA-positive glomerular cells, whereas podocyte density was significantly reduced. Further electron microscopic analysis showed marked thickening of glomerular basement membrane. In conclusion, lower nephron number is associated with marked early glomerular structural changes, in particular lower capillary supply, reduced podocyte density, and thickened glomerular basement membrane, that may predispose to glomerular sclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of diabetic nephropathy is accompanied by changes in integrin-mediated cell-matrix interactions. The α8-integrin chain is specifically expressed in mesangial cells of the glomerulus. During experimental hypertension, α8-integrin plays a protective role in the glomerulus. We hypothesized that α8-integrin is involved in maintaining the integrity of the glomerulus in diabetic nephropathy. Experimental streptozotocin (STZ) diabetes led to an increased expression and glomerular deposition of α8-integrin. To test the functional role of α8-integrin, STZ diabetes was induced in mice with a homozygous (α8-/-) or heterozygous (α8+/-) deletion of the α8-integrin gene and in wild-type litters (α8+/+). Blood glucose and mean arterial blood pressure were not different in α8-/- and α8+/+ mice after 6 wk of diabetes. However, diabetic α8-/- mice developed significantly higher albuminuria and more glomerulosclerosis than diabetic α8+/+ mice. Moreover, in diabetic α8-/- mice, the number of glomerular cells staining positive for the podocyte markers WT-1 and vimentin were reduced more prominently than in diabetic α8+/+. The filtration barrier protein nephrin was downregulated in diabetic glomeruli with the strongest reduction observed in α8-/- mice. Taken together, α8-/- mice developed more severe glomerular lesions and podocyte damage after onset of STZ diabetes than α8+/+ mice, indicating that α8-integrin is protective for the structure and function of the glomerulus and maintains podocyte integrity during the development of diabetic nephropathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During nephrogenesis, renin expression shifts from the vessel walls of interlobular arteries to the terminal portions of afferent arterioles in a wavelike pattern. Since the mechanisms responsible for the developmental deactivation of renin expression are as yet unknown, we hypothesized that the developing renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may downregulate itself via negative feedback to prevent overactivity of renin. To test for a possible role of angiotensin II in the developmental deactivation of renin expression, we studied the development of intrarenal renin expression in mice lacking ANG II AT1a, AT1b, or AT2 receptors and in animals with abolished circulating ANG II due to deletion of the gene for angiotensin 1-converting enzyme (ACE). The development of intrarenal renin expression was normal in mice lacking ANG II AT1b or AT2 receptors. In animals lacking both ANG II AT1a and AT1b receptors, ACE, or ANG II AT1a receptors, renin expression was normal early and renin disappeared from mature vessels until development of cortical interlobular and afferent arterioles began. The development of cortical vessels in these genotypes was accompanied by a markedly increased number of renin-expressing cells, many of which were ectopically located and attached in a grapelike fashion to the outer vessel perimeter. Although the number of renin-expressing cells declined during final maturation of the kidneys, the atypical distribution pattern of renin cells was maintained. These findings suggest that ANG II does not play a central role in the typical developmental shift in renin expression from the arcuate vessels to the afferent arterioles. During postnatal maturation of mouse kidneys, interruption of the RAS causes severe hyperplasia of renin cells via a mechanism that centrally involves AT1a receptors. However, the distribution pattern of renin cells in adult kidneys with an interrupted RAS does not mimic any normal developmental stage since renin expression is frequently found in cells outside the arteriolar vessel walls in RAS mutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Na+ loading without Cl- fails to increase blood pressure in the DOCA model. We compared the changes in the total body (TB) effective Na+, K+, Cl-, and water (TBW) content as well as in intracellular (ICV) or extracellular (ECV) volume in rats receiving DOCA-NaCl, DOCA-NaHCO3, or DOCA-KHCO3. We divided 42 male rats into 5 groups. Group 1 was untreated, group 2 received 1% NaCl, and groups 3, 4, and 5 were treated with DOCA and received 1% NaCl, 1.44% NaHCO3, or 1.7% KHCO3 to drink. We measured mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) directly after 3 wk. Tissue electrolyte and water content was measured by chemical analysis. Compared with control rats, DOCA-NaCl increased MAP while DOCA-NaHCO3 and DOCA-KHCO3 did not. DOCA-NaCl increased TBNa+ 26% but only moderately increased TBW. DOCA-NaHCO3 led to similar TBNa+ excess, while TBW and ICV, but not ECV, were increased more than in DOCA-NaCl rats. DOCA-KHCO3 did not affect TBNa+ or volume. At a given TB(Na++K+) and TBW, MAP in DOCA-NaCl rats was higher than in control, DOCA-NaHCO3, and DOCA-KHCO3 rats, indicating that hypertension in DOCA-NaCl rats was not dependent on TB(Na++K+) and water mass balance. Skin volume retention was hypertonic compared with serum and paralleled hypertension in DOCA-NaCl rats. These rats had higher TB(Na++K+)-to-TBW ratio in accumulated fluid than DOCA-NaHCO3 rats. DOCA-NaCl rats also had increased intracellular Cl- concentrations in skeletal muscle. We conclude that excessive cellular electrolyte redistribution and/or intracellular Na+ or Cl- accumulation may play an important role in the pathogenesis of salt-sensitive hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ln contrast to other sympathetic outflow tracts, renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) decreases in response to hypotensive hemorrhage. The functional significance of this ‘paradox’ is not known. We tested the hypothesis that RSNA modulates renal perfusion and thus erythropoietin (EPO) release after transient hypotensive hemorrhage in anesthetized rats. Plasma EPO was measured before and after 30 mm of transient hypotensive hemorrhage (i.e., -40 mmHg from mean baseline blood pressure, followed by reinfusion of shed blood) and 120 mm thereafter in sham-denervated rats, and after renal denervation (DNX) or bilateral cervical vagotomy (VX) to abolish/blunt the RSNA decrease mediated by a cardiopulmonary reflex. RSNA, renal Doppler flow, renal vascular resistance (RVR), resistance index, and oxygen delivery/uptake (Do2/Vo2) were measured. RSNA decreased in intact animals (-40 ± 5% from baseline, P < 0.05). This was blunted by VX. With intact nerves, EPO level did not increase. In DNX rats, EPO was increased at minute 120 (49 ± 3 vs. 74 ± 2 mU/mi; P < 0.05), in VX rats this (47 ± 2 vs. 62 ± 4 mU/ml; P < 0.05) was less pronounced. Do2 in DNX rats was lower compared with intact and VX rats (0.25 ± 0.04 vs. 0.51 ± 0.06 and 0.54 ± 0.05 ml 02/min; P< 0.05) due to lower Doppler flow and increased RVR. RVR and Do2 were similar in intact and VX rats, but resistance index differed between all groups (0.70 ± 0.02 vs. 0.78 ± 0.02 vs. 0.85 ± 0.02; P < 0.05, intact vs. VX vs. DNX), indicating differential reactivity of renal vasculature. VO2 was unaffected by VX and DNX. Renal sympathoinhibition during hypotensive hemorrhage might help to preserve sufficient oxygenation of renal tissue by modulation of hemodynamic mechanisms that act to adapt renal oxygen availability to demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The idea that an osmotically inactive Na+ storage pool exists that can be varied to accommodate states of Na+ retention and/or Na+ loss is controversial. We speculated that considerable amounts of osmotically inactive Na+ are lost with growth and that additional dietary salt excess or salt deficit alters the polyanionic character of extracellular glycosaminoglycans in osmotically inactive Na+ reservoirs. Six- week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were fed low-salt (0.1%; LS) or high-salt (8%; HS) diets for 1 or 4 wk. At their death, we separated the tissues and determined their Nat, K+, and water content. Three weeks of growth reduced the total body Na+ content relative to dry weight (rTBNa+) by 23%. This "growth-programmed" Na+ loss originated from the bone and the completely skinned and bone- removed carcasses. The Na+ loss was osmotically inactive (45-50%) or osmotically active (50-55%). In rats aged 10 wk, compared with HS, 4 wk of LS reduced rTBNa+ by 9%. This dietary-induced Na+ loss was osmotically inactive (≈50%) and originated largely from the skin, while ≈50% was osmotically active. LS for 1 wk did not reduce skin Na+ content. The mobilization of osmotically inactive skin Na+ with long-term salt deprivation was associated with decreased negatively charged skin glycosaminoglycan content and thereby a decreased water-free Na+ binding capacity in the extracellular matrix. Our data not only serve to explain discrepant results in salt balance studies but also show that glycosaminoglycans may provide an actively regulated interstitial cation exchange mechanism that participates in volume and blood pressure homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

lnduction of streptozotocin (STZ) diabetes in hypertensive rats transgenic for the mouse ren-2 gene (TOR) has been described as a model of progressive diabetic nephropathy. We investigated the long-term course of STZ diabetes in TGR and appropriate Sprague-Dawley control rats (SD) and tested the role of angiotensin-dependent hypertension by treating rats with the angiotensin if type 1 receptor blocker losartan (1 mg·kg-1·day-1) via osmotic minipumps. Five weeks after STZ injection, diabetes developed in TGR and SD. Urinary albumin excretion was increased by diabetes and, to a much higher degree, by hypertension. The effects of hypertension and diabetes were not additive, and only the effects of hypertension were ameliorated by losartan. A similar pattern was observed for cell proliferation and macrophage infiltration in the kidney. In contrast, the effects of hypertension and diabetes on glomerular collagen IV accumulation were additive 5 wk after STZ injection. In a long-term study for 20 wk after STZ, survival was better in STZ-treated TOR than in normoglycemic TGR, whereas all SD survived, Impaired creatinine clearance and increased macrophage infiltration as well as glomerular and interstitial matrix deposition were prominent in TGR compared with SD, regardless of the presence or absence of diabetes. In conclusion, STZ diabetes in TGR may be useful to study glomerular and interstitial matrix deposition early in the course of diabetes. However, the long-term course of this animal model resembles severe hypertensive nephrosclerosis, rather than progressive diabetic nephropathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microfibrillar protein fibrillin-1 is a component of the mesangial matrix. Defects in fibrillin-1 predisposes individuals to vascular damage in Marfan syndrome, but the role of fibrillin-1 in kidney disease is unknown. We hypothesized that fibrillin-1 is involved in hypertensive or diabetic glomerular disease. DOCA-salt hypertension or streptozotocin (STZ) diabetes led to a significant increase in glomerular fibrillin-1 deposition. To test the functional role of fibrillin-1, DOCA hypertension and STZ diabetes were induced in mice homozygous for a mutation leading to a fivefold lower expression of fibrillin-1 (mgR/mgR). Untreated male mgR/mgR mice usually die from aortic dissection during the first 4 mo of life. All DOCA-treated mgR/mgR mice died within 2 wk after onset of DOCA treatment. DOCA-treated heterozygous (mgR/+) and their wild-type littermates displayed similar blood pressure levels, but albuminuria was significantly lower in mgR/+ than in wild-type mice after DOCA treatment. Similarly, STZ diabetic mgR/mgR and mgR/+ developed lower albuminuria than wild-type mice despite higher blood glucose levels in mgR/mgR and mgR/+ compared with wild-type mice. Blood pressure, blood glucose, and albuminuria did not differ among untreated mgR/mgR, mgR/+, and wild-type mice, respectively. In diabetic mgR/+ and mgR/mgR, but not in wild-type mice, an induction of glomerular decorin expression was observed. Thus underexpression of fibrillin-1 predisposes individuals to lethal aortic dissection in the presence of hypertension. On the other hand, albuminuria as a parameter of microvascular damage in hypertension and diabetes was ameliorated in fibrillin-1-underexpressing mice, possibly clue to a compensatory upregulation of decorin. We conclude that fibrillin-1 may contribute to glomerular damage in hypertensive and diabetic kidney disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The idea that Na+ retention inevitably leads to water retention is compelling; however, were Na+ accumulation in part osmotically inactive, regulatory alternatives would be available. We speculated that in DOCA-salt rats Na+ accumulation is excessive relative to water. Forty female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four subgroups. Groups 1 and 2 (controls) received tap water or 1% saline (salt) for 5 wk. Groups 3 and 4 received subcutaneous DOCA pellets and tap water or salt. Na+, K+, and water were measured in skin, bone, muscle, and total body by desiccation and consecutive dry ashing. DOCA-salt led to total body Na+ excess (0.255 ± 0.022 vs. 0.170 ± 0.010 mmol/g dry wt; P « 0.001 ), whereas water retention was only moderate (0.685 + 0.119 vs. 0.648 ± 0.130 mug wet wt; P « 0.001). Muscle Na+ retention (0.220 ± 0.029 vs. 0.145 ± 0.021 mmol/g dry wt; P « 0.01) in DOCA-salt was compensated by muscle K+ loss, indicating osmotically neutral Na+/K+ exchange. Skin Na+ retention (0.267 ± 0.049 vs. 0.152 ± 0.014 mmol/g dry wt; P « 0.001) in DOCA-salt rats was not balanced by K+ loss, indicating osmotically inactive skin Na+ storage. We conclude that DOCA-salt leads to tissue Na+ excess relative to water. The relative Na+ excess is achieved by two distinct mechanisms, namely, osmotically inactive Na+ storage and osmotically neutral Na+ retention balanced by K+ loss. This ‘internal Na+ escape’ allows the maintenance of volume homeostasis despite increased total body Na+. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We tested the hypothesis that angiotensin II is likely to be mandatory for the neurogenic sodium and volume retention in cirrhotic rats with common bile duct ligature (BDL) following an acute volume load. To assess the neural control of volume homeostasis, 21 days after common BDL rats underwent volume expansion (0.9% NaCL; 10% body wt over 30 mm) to decrease renal sympathetic nerve activity. Untreated animals, rats with renal denervation or pretreated with a nonhypotensive dose of an angiotensin II type I receptor antagonist were studied. The renal renin-angiotensin system was assessed by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. Rats with BDL excreted only 71 ± 4% of the administered volume load. In cirrhotic rats pretreated with an angiotensin II AT1 inhibitor or after renal denervation, these values ranged significantly higher from 98 to 103% (P < 0.05 for all comparisons). Renal sympathetic nerve activity decreases by volume expansion were impaired in BDL rats (P < 0.05) but unaffected by angiotensin II receptor inhibition. In kidneys of BDL animals, renin mRNA was increased, and immunohistochemistry revealed increased staining for peritubular angiotensin II. Renal denervation in BDL animals reduced renin expression within 5 days to control levels. In conclusion, the impaired excretion of an acute volume load in rats with liver cirrhosis is due to effects of an increased renal sympathetic nerve activity that are likely to be dependent on intrarenal angiotensin II and renin. We speculate that similar changes may contribute to long-term volume retention in liver cirrhosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared with age-matched men, women are resistant to the hypertensive effects of dietary NaCl; however, after menopause, the incidence of salt-sensitive hypertension is similar in women and men. We recently suggested that osmotically inactive Na[sup +] storage contributes to the development of salt-sensitive hypertension. The connective tissues, including those immediately below the skin that may serve as a reservoir for osmotically inactive Na[sup +] storage, are affected by menopause. We tested the hypothesis that ovariectomy (OVX) might reduce osmotically inactive Na[sup +] storage capacity in the body, particularly in the skin. Male, femalefertile, and female OVX Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were fed a high (8%)- or low (0.1%)-NaCl diet. The groups received the diet for 4 or 8 wk. At the end of the experiment, subgroups received 0.9% saline infusion and urinary Na[sup +] and K[sup +] excretion was measured. Wet and dry weight (DW), water content in the body and skin, total body Na[sup +] (rTBNa[sup +]) and skin Na[sup +] (rSKNa[sup +]) content were measured relative to DW by desiccation and dry ashing. There were no gender differences in osmotically inactive Na[sup +] storage in SD rats. All SD rats accumulated Na[sup +] if fed 8% NaCl, but rTBNa[sup +] was lower in OVX rats than in fertile rats on a low (P < 0.001)- and a high (P < 0.05)-salt diet. OVX decreased rSKNa[sup +] (P < 0.01) in the rats. A high-salt diet led to Na[sup +] accumulation (ΔSKNa[sup +]) in the skin in all SD rats. Osmotically inactive skin Na[sup +] accumulation was ∼66% of ΔSKNa[sup +] in female and 82% in male-fertile rats, but there was no osmotically inactive Na[sup +] accumulation in OVX rats fed 8% NaCl. We conclude that skin is an osmotically inactive Na[sup +] reservoir that accumulates Na[sup +] when dietary NaCl is excessive. OVX leads to an acquired reduction of osmotically inactive Na[sup +] storage in SD rats that predisposes the rats to volume excess despite a reduced Na[sup +] content relative to body weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Upregulation of the inducible cyclooxygenase (COX-2) in the macula densa accompanies the activation of the juxtaglomerular apparatus in many high-renin conditions. The functional role of COX-2 in these disease states is poorly understood. We tested whether COX-2 is required to increase renin in renovascular hypertension. Rats with established two-kidney, one-clip (2KIC) hypertension were treated for 2 wk with two different inhibitors of COX-2. NS-398 and rofecoxib, respectively. Hypertension in 2K1C rats was not affected or slightly enhanced by COX-2 inhibition, as measured intra-arterially in conscious animals. The increase in plasma renin activity was also unchanged by both rofecoxib and NS-398. The number of glomeruli with a renin-positive juxtaglomerular apparatus was elevated in clipped kidneys and decreased in contralateral kidneys of 2K1C rats. This pattern was unaltered by COX-2 inhibition. To test the effects of COX-2 blockade on a primarily macula densa-mediated stimulus, we studied salt depletion for comparison. A low-salt diet induced a significant increase m plasma renin activity, which was partially inhibited by treatment with NS-398. We conclude that inhibition of COX-2 in established renovascular hypertension does not affect renin synthesis or release. Thus either COX-2 is not necessary for the macula densa mechanism or the macula densa is not important for maintaining high renin in renovascular hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the reduction of osmotically inactive sodium (NA) storage capacity and hypertension in the rat model. Relationship between salt intake and blood pressure; Identification of sodium and water distribution in high-dietary Na consumption; Impact of hypertension on the impairement of renal sodium excretion.

Presents information on a study that tested the hypothesis that glomerular de novo expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase contributes to renal hemodynamic abnormalities in liver cirrhosis developed three weeks after common bile duct ligature. Methodology of the study; Results and discussion on the study.

A response by Karl F. Hilgers and Andrea Hartner to a letter to the editor about their article "Renal injury in streptozotocin-diabetic Ren-2-transgenic rats is mainly dependent on hypertension, not on diabetes" is presented.