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Abstract: Although deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)–salt hypertension is a volume dependent model of hypertension, it shows polyuria and natriuresis. It is expected that dysregulation of aquaporin water channels (AQPs) and sodium transporters associated with natriuretic peptide (NP) system may play an escape role in sodium retaining state. One week after left unilateral nephrectomy, rats were subcutaneously implanted with silastic DOCA (200 mg/kg) strips. Physiologic saline was supplied as a drinking water to all animals. 4 weeks after operation, the protein expression of AQPs, sodium transporters, and endopeptidase (NEP) was determined in the kidneys by semiquantitative immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. The mRNA expression of NP system was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The amount of urinary ANP excretion was measured by radioimmunoassay. In DOCA–salt rats, urine osmolality was decreased while urinary excretion of sodium was increased. The expression of AQP1-3 as well as that of α-1 subunit of Na,K–ATPase, NHE3, NKCC2 and NCC was decreased in the kidney. The mRNA expression of ANP, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) was increased in the kidney. The expression of NEP was decreased, and urinary ANP excretion was increased. Downregulation of AQPs and sodium transporters may contribute to mineralocorticoid escape in DOCA–salt hypertension. Increased expression of natriuretic peptides associated with downregulation of NEP may play a role in natriuresis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic agent used for treating solid tumors. However, nephrotoxicity is the dose-limiting factor in its clinical use. The present study was aimed to determine whether altered regulation of the local nitric oxide (NO) and natriuretic peptide (NP) systems is involved in the pathogenesis of cisplatin-induced nephropathy. Cisplatin (6mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally into male Sprague–Dawley rats. The control group was not treated with cisplatin. Expression levels of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), nitrotyrosine, soluble guanylyl cyclase and neutral endopeptidase (NEP) in the kidneys were determined 4days after treatment by semiquantitative immunoblotting. mRNA expression of NPs and natriuretic peptide receptors (NPRs) was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The activities of soluble and particulate guanylyl cyclase were determined by measuring the amount of cyclic 3′,5′-guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) generated in responses to sodium nitroprusside and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), respectively. In the test rats, creatinine clearance was decreased, while sodium and water excretion were increased. The expression of inducible NOS (iNOS) and nitrotyrosine was increased in the cortex/outer stripe of outer medullar and inner medullar, while that of endothelial and neuronal NOS was decreased in the inner medullar. Excretion of NO metabolites was increased in these rats. The catalytic activity of soluble guanyly cyclase was blunted in the papilla after cisplatin was administered. The mRNA expression of ANP, brain natriuretic peptide, and C-type natriuretic peptide was increased, while that of NPR-A and NPR-C were decreased in the test rats. The catalytic activity of soluble and particulate guanylyl cyclase in the papilla was blunted after cisplatin was administered. In conclusion, increased production of NO by iNOS may contribute to cytotoxic injury, resulting in cisplatin-induced nephropathy, while the up-regulation of renal natriuretic peptide synthesis together with the down-regulation of NEP and NPR-C may contribute to the natriuresis and diuresis seen in cisplatin-induced nephropathy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]