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Highlights • Indomethacin (IndoM) administration causes renal, hepatic and intestinal toxicity. • The renal proximal tubule, intestinal mucosa particularly their BBM and liver seem to be the major IndoM targets. • IndoM produces multiple adverse effects in the liver, kidney, and intestine and alters metabolic functions. • IndoM shifts energy dependence from oxidative metabolism to anaerobic glycolysis by causing damage to mitochondria. • IndoM caused nephrotoxicity and other effects by increasing ROS generation and suppression of antioxidant mechanism., Indomethacin (IndoM) has prominent anti-inflammatory and analgesic-antipyretic properties. However, high incidence and severity of side-effects on the structure and functions of the kidney, liver and intestine limits its clinical use. The present study tested the hypothesis that IndoM causes multi-organ toxicity by inducing oxidative stress that alters the structure of various cellular membranes, metabolism and hence functions. The effect of IndoM was determined on the enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism, brush border membrane (BBM) and oxidative stress in the rat kideny, liver and intestine to understand the mechanism of IndoM induced toxicity. Adult male Wister rats were given IndoM (20 mg/kg) intra-peritoneally in sodium bicarbonate twice a day for 3 d. The body weights of the rats were recorded before and after experimental procedure. IndoM administration significantly increased blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, cholesterol and alkaline phosphatase but inorganic phosphate indicating IndoM induced renal, hepatic and intestinal toxicity. Activity of lactate dehydrogenase along with glucose-6- and fructose-1, 6-bis phosphatase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and NADP-malic enzyme increased but malate dehydrogenase decreased in all tissues. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) significantly increased whereas the antioxidant enzymes decreased in all rat tissues studied. The results indicate that IndoM administration caused severe damage to kidney, liver and intestine by icreasing LPO, suppressing antioxidant enzymes and inhibiting oxidative metablolism. The energy dependence was shifted to anaerobic glycolysis due to mitochondrial damage supported by increased gluconeogenesis to provide more glucose to meet energy requirements.

Sodium nitrite (SNT) widely used as a curative agent in meat processing industry possesses cell-transforming mutagenic and cytogenic properties. Dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA) has been shown to reduce the severity of certain types of cancers, cardiovascular and renal diseases. The present study examined whether feeding of fish oil (FO)/flaxseed oil (FXO) has protective effect against SNT-induced toxicity. SNT significantly altered the activities of serum creatinine (Crt), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), metabolic and brush border membrane (BBM) enzymes. SNT caused significant imbalances in the antioxidant system associated with increased lipid peroxidation (LPO). Feeding of FO and FXO with SNT ameliorated the changes in various parameters caused by SNT. Nephrotoxicity parameters lowered and enzyme activities of carbohydrate metabolism, BBM and radioactively labeled inorganic phosphate (32Pi) transport were improved to near control values. The results of the present study suggest that ω-3 PUFA-enriched FO and FXO from sea-foods and plant sources respectively are similarly effective in reducing SNT-induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative damage.

The effect of 1, 3 and 5-day fasting was studied on serum parameters; enzymes of brush border membrane and carbohydrate metabolism; transport of Pi and proline in different parts of the rat kidney. Fasting decreased the activities of lactate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase but increased the activities of glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase; glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme. These observations suggest that the degradation of glucose is decreased but its production by gluconeogenesis is enhanced upon fasting. Fasting led to significant decrease in the specific activities of Brush Border Membrane (BBM) enzymes, alkaline phosphatase and γ-glutamyl transferase in BBM vesicles prepared from superficial and juxta-medullary cortex. The transport of Pi was also decreased albeit differentially in these BBM preparations. Kinetic studies revealed that the activity of BBM enzymes and Pi transport decreased due to changes in Vmax and Km values. The results show that fasting caused significant decrease in metabolic enzymes involved in energy generation that led to decreased transport functions of the kidney.

Uranium, the heaviest of the naturally occurring elements is widely present as environmental contaminant from natural deposits, industrial emissions and most importantly from modern weapons. Histopathological examinations revealed that uranyl nitrate (UN) exposure caused severe damage to pars recta of renal proximal tubule. However, biochemical events involved in cellular response to renal injury are not completely elucidated. We hypothesized that UN exposure would severely damage kidney tissues and alter their metabolic functions. Rats were treated with a single nephrotoxic dose of UN (0.5 mg/kg body weight) i.p. After 5 d, effect of UN was studied on the activities of various enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism, brush border membrane (BBM) and oxidative stress in different kidney tissues. Activity of lactate dehydrogenase increased whereas activities of isocitrate, succinate and malate dehydrogenases, glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase significantly decreased by UN exposure. Activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase decreased whereas that of NADP-malic enzyme increased. The activities of BBM enzymes were significantly lowered and after dissociation from BBM excreted in urine. Lipid peroxidation and the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase increased whereas catalase activity decreased by UN. UN treatment caused specific alterations in the activities of metabolic and membrane enzymes and perturbed antioxidant defenses.

During Ramadan, Muslims the world over abstain from food and water from dawn to sunset for a month. We hypothesised that this unique model of prolonged intermittent fasting would result in specific intestinal and liver metabolic adaptations and hence alter metabolic activities. The effect of Ramadan-type fasting was studied on enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism and the brush border membrane of intestine and liver from rat used as a model. Rats were fasted (12 h) and then refed (12 h) daily for 30 d, as practised by Muslims during Ramadan. Ramadan-type fasting caused a significant decline in serum glucose, cholesterol and lactate dehydrogenase activity, whereas inorganic phosphate increased but blood urea N was not changed. Fasting resulted in increased activities of intestinal lactate (+34 %), isocitrate (+63 %), succinate (+83 %) and malate (+106 %) dehydrogenases, fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase (+17 %) and glucose-6-phosphatase (+22 %). Liver lactate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase activities were also enhanced. However, the activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme fell significantly in the intestine but increased in liver. Although the activities of alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase and sucrase decreased in mucosal homogenates and brush border membrane, those of liver alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase and leucine aminopeptidase significantly increased. These changes were due to a respective decrease and increase of the maximal velocities of the enzyme reactions. Ramadan-type fasting caused similar effects whether the rats fasted with a daytime or night-time feeding schedule. The present results show a tremendous adaptation capacity of both liver and intestinal metabolic activities with Ramadan-type fasting in rats used as a model for Ramadan fasting in people.

Chromium is widely used in industry but exposure to chromium compounds in the workplace can result in nephrotoxicity. Various nephrotoxicants affect the brush border membrane (BBM) lining the epithelial cells of the proximal tubule, but there have been no studies regarding the effect of potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7), a hexava-lent chromium compound, on renal BBM. In the present work, the effect of administering a single intraperitoneal dose (15 mg/kg body weight) of K2Cr2O7 on rat renal BBM enzymes and inorganic phosphate (Pi) transport was studied. The animals were administered normal saline (control) or K2Cr2O7 and sacrificed 1, 2, 4 and 8 days after treatment. K2Cr2O7 induced reversible damage to the rat kidney function as indicated by serum creatinine (Scr) and urea nitrogen levels. The activities of BBM marker enzymes were significantly decreased in isolated BBM vesicles (BBMV) and homogenates of cortex and medulla on 1, 2 and 4 days after administration of K2Cr2O7with complete recovery to control values after 8 days. The decrease in the activities of the enzymes was mainly due to changes in maximum velocity (Vmax) values, while the Michaelis constant (Km) remained unchanged. The sodium dependent Pi transport across BBMV was reduced by 50% after treatment with K2Cr2O7. Thus, the administration of a single dose of K2Cr2O7 leads to impairment in the functions of renal BBM. These results suggest that the nephrotoxicity of K2Cr2O7 may be mediated, at least in part, by its effect on renal BBM.

The effect of 1-, 3-, and 5-day fasting on enzymes of brush border membrane and carbohydrate metabolism in the rat small intestine has been studied. Fasting led to significant decrease in the specific activities of brush border marker enzymes alkaline phosphatase and sucrase, as compared to levels in unfasted controls, both in the homogenates and in brush border membrane preparations. Kinetic studies revealed that these changes were due to changes in the maximal velocity (Vmax) only of alkaline phosphatase, but both the Michaelis constant (K m ) and V max were altered for sucrase. Fasting decreased the activities of lactate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, and isocitrate dehydrogenase but increased the activities of glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase in mucosal homogenates. The activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme were also decreased by fasting. Thus fasting caused changes in the activities of various enzymes involved in the metabolism of glucose. The results of these enzyme studies suggest that the degradation of glucose is decreased but its production by gluconeogenesis is enhanced upon fasting.

Although dietary fish oil supplementation has been used to prevent the progression of kidney disease in patients with IgA nephropathy, relatively few studies provide a mechanistic rationale for its use. Using an antithymocyte (ATS) model of mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, we recently demonstrated that fish oil inhibits mesangial cell (MC) activation and proliferation, reduces proteinuria, and decreases histologic evidence of glomerular damage. We therefore sought to define potential mechanisms underlying the antiproliferative effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), the predominant aomega;-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids found in fish oil, in cultured MC. DHA and EPA were administered to MC as bovine serum albumin fatty-acid complexes. Low-dose (10-50 amu;mol/L) DHA, but not EPA, inhibited basal and epidermal growth factor (EGF)andash;stimulated [3H]-thymidine incorporation in MCs. At higher doses (100 amu;mol/L), EPA and DHA were equally effective in suppressing basal and EGF-stimulated MC mitogenesis. Low-dose DHA, but not EPA, decreased ERK activation by 30% (P alt; .01), as assessed with Western-blot analysis using phosphospecific antibodies. JNK activity was increased by low-dose DHA but not by EPA. p38 activity was not significantly altered by DHA or EPA. Cyclin E activity, as assessed with a histone H1 kinase assay, was inhibited by low-dose DHA but not by EPA. DHA increased expression of the cell cycle inhibitor p21 but not p27; EPA had no effect on p21 or p27. We propose that the differential effect of low-dose DHA vs EPA in suppressing MC mitogenesis is related to down-regulation of ERK and cyclin E activity and to induction of p21.

Recent studies in cultured cells have provided evidence that a variety of pathobiologic stimuli, including high glucose, angiotensin II, and thromboxane A2, trigger a signaling pathway leading to autocrine induction of TGF-β1. TGF-β1 production through this pathway may profoundly affect cell growth, matrix synthesis, and response to injury. This study examines the role of autocrine versus exogenously added TGF-β1 in cellular proliferation and collagen IV production, critical targets of TGF-β1 signaling, using renal cells derived from TGF-β1 knockout (KO) animals or wild-type (WT) controls. Growth of WT and KO cells was assessed by cell counting and [3H]thymidine uptake. Basal and TGF-β1-stimulated collagen production was assessed by Northern and Western blotting; transcriptional activity of the α1(IV) collagen gene was assessed by transient transfection analysis. KO cells grew at a faster rate than WT cells carefully matched for plating density and passage number. This increased growth rate was paralleled by increases in [3H]thymidine uptake. KO cells expressed lower levels of the cell cycle inhibitors p21 and p27 than WT cells. KO cells failed to express TGF-β1, as expected. Basal TGF-β3 mRNA levels were higher in KO cells than in WT cells. WT cells expressed higher basal levels of TGF-β2 mRNA than KO cells. Basal α1(IV) and α2(IV) collagen mRNA and protein expression were significantly lower in KO cells than WT cells. Administration of exogenous TGF-β1 induced collagen IV production in both KO and WT cells. Although basal transcriptional activity of an α1(IV) collagen-CAT construct was lower in KO cells than WT cells, administration of exogenous TGF-β1 was associated with significant increases in transcriptional activity of this construct in both KO and WT cells. These studies provide evidence that autocrine production of TGF-β1 may play a critical role in regulation of growth and basal collagen IV production by renal tubular epithelial cells.

Nicotinic acid–adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP), a molecule derived from β-NADP, has been shown to promote intracellular calcium release in sea urchin eggs. However, there is little information regarding the role of NAADP in the regulation of intracellular calcium fluxes in mammalian cells. We found recently that several mammalian tissues have a high capacity for NAADP synthesis, as assessed by sea urchin egg bioassay. To determine the functional significance of NAADP production by mammalian tissues, we sought to determine whether NAADP is capable of inducing calcium release from microsomes prepared from cultured cells. We found that NAADP, but not β-NADP, activates a specific microsomal calcium release system in mesangial cells isolated from rat kidney; NAADP was without effect in renal tubular epithelial cells. NAADP-induced calcium release is not affected by inhibitors of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate or ryanodine channels. However, NAADP-elicited calcium release was inhibited by L-type calcium channel blockers and by alkaline phosphatase treatment of NAADP. NAADP also promotes specific microsomal calcium release in rat vascular smooth muscle cells, cardiac myocytes, fibroblasts and a human leukaemia cell line, indicating that the capacity for NAADP-induced calcium release is widespread in mammalian cells. We propose that NAADP may be an important regulator of intracellular calcium in many mammalian tissues.

Nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP), a molecule derived from beta-NADP, has been shown to trigger Ca2+ release from intracellular stores of invertebrate eggs and mammalian cell microsomes. NAADP-induced Ca2+ release occurs through a mechanism distinct from that of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate- or cyclic ADP-ribose-elicited Ca2+ release. This study investigated whether NAADP can be synthesized in rat kidney. Extracts from glomeruli, mesangial cells, and papilla have high NAADP synthetic capacities. Conversely, synthesis of NAADP in kidney cortex was almost undetectable. Furthermore, 9-cis-retinoic acid significantly up-regulated NAADP synthesis in mesangial cells. Authenticity of NAADP biosynthesis in glomeruli was affirmed by HPLC analysis. NAADP stimulated Ca2+ release from mesangial cell microsomes through a pathway distinct from that of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate or cyclic ADP-ribose. NAADP-triggered Ca2+ release may play an important role in regulation of renal function.

Arsenic is an environmental pollutant and its contamination in drinking water poses serious world wide environmental health threats. It produces multiple adverse effects in various tissues, including the kidney. However, biochemical mechanism and renal response to its toxic insult are not completely elucidated. We hypothesized that sodium arsenate (ARS) induces oxidative stress and alters the structure and metabolic functions of kidney. Male Wistar rats were administered ARS (10 mg/kg body weight/day), intraperitoneally daily for 10 days. ARS administration increased blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, cholesterol, glucose, and phospholipids but decreased inorganic phosphate, indicating kidney toxicity. The activity of brush border membrane (BBM) enzymes significantly lowered in both cortex and medulla. Activity of hexokinase, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenases, and NADP-malic enzyme significantly increased whereas malate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphatase, and fructose 1,6 bis phosphatase decreased by ARS exposure. The activity of superoxide dismutase, GSH-peroxidase, and catalase were selectively altered in renal tissues along with an increase in lipid peroxidation. The present results indicated that ARS induced oxidative stress caused severe renal damage that resulted in altered levels of carbohydrate metabolism and BBM enzymes.

Long-term clinical use of gentamicin (GM) and cisplatin (CP) is limited by the development of nephrotoxicity and ottotoxicity. Green tea (GT) consumption is known to have extensive health benefits. It has been linked to reduced risk of cancer, cardiovascular, and neurological disorders, and has been found to improve kidney function. The present study investigated the protective effects of GT consumption on GM-/CP-induced nephrotoxicity and tissue injury. GM/CP administration resulted in severe renal damage, as evidenced by an increase in serum creatinine, cholesterol, and blood urea nitrogen. Also, GM/CP administration led to a decrease in enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism, brush border membrane (BBM), and oxidative stress. BBM Pi transport in the rat kidney was also reduced. However, GT consumption markedly reversed GM-/CP-induced adverse alterations by increasing energy metabolism, BBM integrity, and Pi transport. These GT-induced changes can be attributed to improved antioxidant defense. In conclusion, it can be hypothesised that GT consumption may provide a cushion for prolonged clinical use of GM and CP without causing nephrotoxic and other deleterious effects.

We describe the preparation and properties of BBM vesicles (BBMV) from the superficial and juxtamedullary rat renal cortex using Ca 2+ -precipitation method and/or by density gradient centrifugation. BBMV were characterized by the presence of BBM marker enzymes as distributed along microdissected proximal convoluted tubule and proximal straight tubules from superficial and juxtamedullary cortex. In tubules from both superficial and juxtamedullary cortex, the activities of γ-glutamyltransferase and leucine aminopeptidase were 5–10 times higher in proximal straight tubules than in proximal convoluted tubule. The alkaline phosphatase was higher in proximal convoluted tubules than in straight tubules from superficial cortex, but it was lower in proximal convoluted than straight tubules from the juxtamedullary cortex. The Na + P i cotransport had higher V max and lower K m in BBMV from superficial cortex than from BBMV from juxtamedullary tissue. BBMV from superficial cortex separated on Percoll gradient showed a high activity of alkaline phosphatase and low activities of γ-glutamyltransferase and leucine aminopeptidase. Conversely, BBM from juxtamedullary cortex separated into a major peak with very high activities of γ-glutamyltransferase and leucine aminopeptidase, and lesser activity of alkaline phosphatase. These distinct BBMV fractions showed diverse Na + P i cotransport properties and BBM marker enzyme distributions. Thus, using the outlined methodology it is feasible to prepare BBMV derived predominantly from proximal convoluted tubules or from proximal straight tubules located in either superficial or deep cortical nephrons.

Cisplatin (CP) an anticancer drug is known to induce nephrotoxicity, which limits its long-term clinical use. Green tea (GT), consumed since ancient times is known for its numerous health benefits. It has been shown to improve kidney functions in animal models of acute renal failure. The present study was undertaken to see whether GT can prevent CP-induced nephrotoxic and other deleterious effects. A nephrotoxic dose of CP was co-administered to control and GT-fed male Wistar rats every fifth day for 25 days. The effect of GT was determined on CP-induced alterations in various serum parameters and on enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism, brush border membrane, and antioxidant defense system in renal cortex and medulla. CP nephrotoxicity was recorded by increased serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen. CP increased the activities of lactate dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase whereas, the activities of malate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphatase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and 32 Pi transport significantly decreased. GT consumption increased the activities of the enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism, brush border membrane, oxidative stress, and 32 Pi transport. GT ameliorated CP-induced nephrotoxic and other deleterious effects due to its intrinsic biochemical/antioxidant properties.

Gentamicin (GM) is an effective aminoglycoside antibiotic against severe infections but nephrotoxicity and oxidative damage limits its long term clinical use. Various strategies were attempted to ameliorate GM nephropathy but were not found suitable for clinical practice. Green tea (GT) polyphenols have shown strong chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic effects against various pathologies. We hypothesized that GT prevents GM nephrotoxicity by virtue of its antioxidative properties. A nephrotoxic dose of GM was co-administered to control and GT-fed male Wistar rats. Serum parameters and enzymes of oxidative stress, brush border membrane (BBM), and carbohydrate metabolism were analyzed. GM increased serum creatinine, cholesterol, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and suppressed superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities in renal tissues. Activity of hexokinase, lactate dehydrogenase increased whereas malate dehydrogenase decreased. Gluconeogenic enzymes and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were differentially altered in the cortex and medulla. However, GT given to GM rats reduced nephrotoxicity parameters, enhanced antioxidant defense and energy metabolism. The activity of BBM enzymes and transport of Pi declined by GM whereas GT enhanced BBM enzymes and Pi transport. In conclusion, green tea ameliorates GM elicited nephrotoxicity and oxidative damage by improving antioxidant defense, tissue integrity and energy metabolism.

Trichloroethylene (TCE), an industrial solvent, is a major environmental contaminant. Histopathological examinations revealed that TCE caused liver and kidney toxicity and carcinogenicity. However, biochemical mechanism and tissue response to toxic insult are not completely elucidated. We hypothesized that TCE induces oxidative stress to various rat tissues and alters their metabolic functions. Male Wistar rats were given TCE (1000 mg/kg/day) in corn oil orally for 25 d. Blood and tissues were collected and analyzed for various biochemical and enzymatic parameters. TCE administration increased blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, cholesterol and alkaline phosphatase but decreased serum glucose, inorganic phosphate and phospholipids indicating kidney and liver toxicity. Activity of hexokinase, lactate dehydrogenase increased in the intestine and liver whereas decreased in renal tissues. Malate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1, 6-bisphosphatase decreased in all tissues whereas increased in medulla. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase increased but NADP-malic enzyme decreased in all tissues except in medulla. The activity of BBM enzymes decreased but renal Na/Pi transport increased. Superoxide dismutase and catalase activities variably declined whereas lipid peroxidation significantly enhanced in all tissues. The present results indicate that TCE caused severe damage to kidney, intestine, liver and brain; altered carbohydrate metabolism and suppressed antioxidant defense system.

Phosphate deprivation causes a resistance to the phosphaturic effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH). The present study determined whether acute phosphate deprivation alters basal or stimulated activities of key enzymes of the cyclic adenosine menophosphate (cAMP) metabolism in microdissected proximal convoluted and proximal straight tubules, since blunted cAMP levels in these proximal subsegments might account for refractoriness to the effect of PTH on phosphate reabsorption in the proximal convoluted and proximal straight tubule segments. In the proximal convoluted tubules of rats fed a normal-phosphate diet (NPD), PTH increased the adenylate cyclase activity by tenfold. In the proximal convoluted tubule of rats fed a low-phosphate diet (LPD), PTH also increased the adenylate cyclase activity by tenfold. In addition, forskolin increased the adenylate cyclase activity to levels similar to PTH in the proximal convoluted tubule of rats fed NPD or LPD. In the proximal straight tubule of rats fed NPD PTH resulted in an approximately fivefold increase in adenylate cyclase activity. In the proximal straight tubule of rats fed LPD PTH resulted in a fourfold increase in adenylate cyclase activity. The forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity was markedly decreased (46%) in the proximal straight tubule of phosphate-deprived rats. The cAMP-phosphodiesterase activity in the proximal convoluted tubule was significantly increased by 26% in phosphate-deprived rats. The cAMP-phosphodiesterase activities in the proximal straight tubules from rats fed NPD or LPD were similar. We conclude that distinct differences in key enzymes of cAMP metabolism exist in the proximal convoluted and proximal straight tubule subsegments. Further, phosphate deprivation affects the cAMP-phosphodiesterase and adenylate cyclase activities differently in these nephron subsegments. These changes in cAMP-phosphodiesterase activity in the proximal convoluted tubule and the blunted adenylate cyclase activity in the proximal straight tubule due to phosphate deprivation would favor lower cAMP levels in those segments.

Ramadan fasting is a unique model of fasting in which Muslims the world over abstain from food and water from dawn to sunset for 1 month. We hypothesized that this model of prolonged intermittent fasting would result in specific adaptive alterations in rat kidney to keep a positive balance of metabolites and inorganic phosphate (Pi). The effect of Ramadan-type fasting was studied on enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism and brush border membrane (BBM) and BBM uptake of32Pi in different renal tissue zones in the rat model. Rats were fasted (12 h) and then re-fed (12 h) daily for 30 d similar to human Ramadan fasting. Ramadan-type fasting resulted in increased serum Pi and phospholipids, whereas Pi clearance decreased. Serum creatinine and its clearance were not affected. Fasting caused a significant decrease in the activities of lactate and malate dehydrogenases, glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, both in the renal cortex and medulla. However, the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase profoundly increased but that of malic enzyme decreased. The activities of alkaline phosphatase and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase in BBM decreased, whereas transport of32Pi significantly increased. The decrease in enzyme activities and increase in32Pi transport were due to alterations of both maximal velocities and relative affinities. The results indicate that Ramadan-type fasting caused specific metabolic alterations with enhanced Pi conservation in different kidney tissues in a rat model used for Ramadan fasting in man.

Gentamicin (GM), an antibiotic against life threatening bacterial infection, induces remarkable toxicity in the kidney. Histological studies have indicated that mitochondria, microsomes, lysosomes and plasma membranes of renal proximal convoluted tubules in particular are major GM targets. Despite numerous investigations, the biochemical/cellular basis of GM nephrotoxicity is not well understood. Recently reactive oxygen species (ROS) are considered to be important mediators of GM-induced nephrotoxicity. We hypothesize that GM causes damage to intracellular organelles and affects their structural integrity and alters metabolic and other functional capabilities. To address above hypothesis a long-term, time-dependent effect of GM has been studied on blood/urine parameters, enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism, brush border membrane (BBM) and basolateral (BLM), lysosomes and oxidative stress in renal tissues. A nephrotoxic dose of GM (80 mg/kg body weight) was administered to rats daily for 15 days. The long-term treatment with GM induced a significant increase in serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen followed by massive proteinuria, glucosuria, enzymuria along with loss of electrolytes in the urine. The activities of the enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism, plasma membranes, lysosomes significantly declined. The activities of antioxidant enzymes e.g. superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase were severely depressed and lipid peroxidation was significantly increased in the renal cortex and medulla. We conclude that GM administration induced oxidative damage to renal tissues that resulted in impaired carbohydrate metabolism and decreased activities of BBM, BLM and lysosomes associated with increased lipid peroxides.

Objective Green tea, consumed worldwide since ancient times, is considered beneficial to human health. We hypothesized that green tea would enhance antioxidant defenses and specific metabolic activities of rat intestine, liver, and kidney to improve their functions. Methods The effect of green tea given to rats in the diet or drinking water for 25 d was determined on blood chemistry and on activities of enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism, brush border membrane, and antioxidant defense. Results Serum glucose, cholesterol, phosphate, and body weight decreased, whereas the activities of lactate and malate dehydrogenases and glucose-6- and fructose 1,6-bis-phosphatases increased in the intestine and kidney but slightly changed in the liver. Activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase profoundly increased in the renal cortex but decreased in other tissues. Lipid peroxidation increased in the intestine and renal medulla and decreased in the renal cortex and liver; catalase increased in all tissues but the medulla. Superoxide dismutase activity decreased in the intestine but increased in renal tissues. Activities of brush border membrane enzymes in general increased in the intestine and kidney. Conclusion Green tea consumption resulted in enhanced enzyme activities of carbohydrate metabolism and antioxidant defenses, which may lead to improved health.

Cisplatin (CDDP) is widely used in the treatment of various cancers but its clinical use is associated with dose limiting nephrotoxicity. The present work was carried out to study the effect of administration of CDDP on rat renal brush border membrane (BBM) marker enzymes and inorganic phosphate (Pi) transport across BBM vesicles (BBMV). Animals were administered a single intraperitoneal dose of CDDP (6 mg/kg body weight) or normal saline and then sacrificed 2, 4, 8 and 16 days after this treatment. The administration of CDDP resulted in increased serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels and decreased activity of BBM marker enzymes in the BBM as well as in the homogenates of cortex and medulla. Kinetic studies showed that the Vmaxof the enzymes was decreased in BBM from CDDP treated rats while the Kmremained unchanged. The Na+-gradient dependent transport of Pi across BBMV was also significantly reduced after CDDP treatment. These results strongly suggest that the administration of a single nephrotoxic dose of CDDP results in impairment of the functions of renal BBM.

The release of Ca(2+) from intracellular stores is a fundamental element of signaling pathways involved in regulation of vascular tone, proliferation, apoptosis, and gene expression. Studies of sea urchin eggs have led to the identification of three functionally distinct Ca(2+) signaling pathways triggered by IP3, cADPR, and NAADP. The coexistence and functional relevance of these distinct intracellular Ca(2+) release systems has only been described in a few mammalian cell types. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the IP3, cADPR, and NAADP Ca(2+) release systems coexist in smooth muscle cells (SMC) and to determine the specificity of these intracellular Ca(2+) release pathways. Microsomes were prepared from rat aortic SMC (VSMC) and were loaded with 45Ca(2+). cADPR, NAADP, and IP3 induced Ca(2+) release from VSMC microsomes in a dose-dependent fashion. Heparin blocked only IP3-mediated Ca(2+) release, whereas the ryanodine channel inhibitors 8-Br-cADPR and ruthenium red blocked only cADPR-induced Ca(2+) release. Nifedipine, an L-type Ca(2+) channel blocker, inhibited NAADP elicited Ca(2+) release, but had no effect on IP3- or cADPR-mediated Ca(2+) release. An increase in pH from 7.2 to 8.2 inhibited cADPR-mediated Ca(2+) release, but had no effect on IP3- or NAADP-induced Ca(2+) release. By RT-PCR, VSMC expressed ryanodine receptor types 1, 2, and 3. Ca(2+)-dependent binding of [3H]-ryanodine to VSMC microsomes was enhanced by the ryanodine receptor agonists 4-chloro-methyl-phenol (CMP) and caffeine, but was inhibited by ruthenium red and cADPR. We conclude that VSMC possess at least three functionally distinct pathways that promote intracellular Ca(2+) release. IP3-, cADPR-, and NAADP-induced intracellular Ca(2+) release may play a critical role in the maladaptive responses of VSMC to environmental stimuli that are characteristically associated with hypertension and/or atherogenesis.

Signaling via release of Ca2+from intracellular stores is mediated by several systems, including the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and cADP-ribose (cADPR) pathway. We recently discovered a high capacity for cADPR synthesis in rat glomeruli and cultured mesangial cells (MC). We sought to determine whether 1) cADPR synthesis in MC is regulated by cytokines and hormones, 2) ryanodine receptors (RyRs) are expressed in MC, and 3) Ca2+is released through RyRs in response to cADPR. We found that ADP-ribosyl cyclase, a CD38-like enzyme that catalyzes cADPR synthesis, is upregulated in MC by tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and all- trans retinoic acid (atRA). [3H]ryanodine binds to microsomal fractions from MC with high affinity in a Ca2+-dependent manner; binding is enhanced by specific RyR agonists and blocked by ruthenium red and cADPR. Western blot analysis confirmed the presence of RyR in MC. Release of45Ca2+from MC microsomes was stimulated by cADPR; release was blocked by ruthenium red and 8-bromo-cADPR. ADPR (non-cyclic) was without effect. In MC, TNF-α and atRA amplified the increment of cytoplasmic Ca2+elicited by vasopressin. We conclude that MC possess elements of a novel ADP-ribosyl cyclase→cADPR→RyR→Ca2+-release signaling pathway subject to regulation by proinflammatory cytokines and steroid superfamily hormones.

The activity of cAMP degradation enzyme, cAMP phosphodiesterase (cAMP PDE), in renal tubules is a critically important factor in determining cellular cAMP levels, particularly in response to hormones. In this study we examine the nephron distribution of cAMP PDE activity in the mouse, rat and rabbit kidney and important cellular regulators of cAMP PDE, namely calmodulin and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). We assayed total low Km cAMP PDE in microdissected tubule segments, using 10(-6) M (3H) cAMP as a substrate. Activities were expressed in fentomol cAMP hydrolyzed per minute per mm tubular length or per one glomerulus. The content of ATP was measured in outer medullary collecting duct and medullary thick ascending limb of Henle's loop with microbioluminescence assay using firefly luciferase. In mouse kidney, cAMP PDE was significantly higher in all tubular segments compared to glomerulus. Proximal convoluted tubule, proximal straight tubule, medullary thick ascending limb of Henle's loop (mTAL), and outer medullary collecting duct (OMCD) had intermediated activity. Greater cAMP PDE activity was detected in cortical ascending limb of Henle's loop (cTAL), cortical collecting duct and in distal convoluted tubule (DCT). The highest activity was found in connecting tubules. In rat, nephron distribution of cAMP PDE activities was similar to mouse, except that activity in glomeruli was higher than in mouse glomeruli. In rabbit, nephron distribution of cAMP PDE activities was different from those of mouse and rat. There was no single prominent segment with high cAMP PDE activity. DCT and cTAL showed low enzyme activity. Overall, the highest cAMP PDE activities were measured in the mouse and the lowest were measured in the rabbit nephrons, with those of rat nephron showing an intermediate activity. The maximum effective dose of the calmodulin antagonist, trifluoperazine (200 microM), inhibited cAMP PDE in all nephron segments from the rat kidney. However, there is no statistical significance of its inhibition among nephron segments. In OMCD and mTAL of the rat kidney, cAMP PDE activity was inhibited by ATP (5 mM to approximately 10 mM) which is far beyond the physiological concentartion of ATP in normal epithelial cell. Actual determinations of ATP in mTAL and OMCD were 0.1 mM and 0.17 mM, respectively. These observations show that distal segments of tubules have more active catabolism of cAMP than proximal segments. cAMP PDE in each nephron segment appear to be almost equally dependent on trifluoperazine-sensitive pathway that may reflect the Ca2+-calmodulin system. Cellular concentration of ATP might not be involved in the regulation of the total low Km cAMP PDE activity in rat mTAL and OMCD.

Effect of chronic lithium treatment upon the Na+-coupled cotransporters in renal brush border membranes. While the most frequent and prominent side effect of the chronic lithium (Li) administration is dysfunction of collecting ducts and polyuric syndrome, some reports also suggest defects in functions of proximal tubules. We determined the transport properties of brush border membranes (BBM) from kidneys of rats chronically fed for four weeks a chow containing Li (60 mmol/kg; Li-rats) and compared them with BBM from placebo-treated controls. BBM from Li-rats did not differ from controls in Na+-gradient-dependent transport of 32Pi, D-[3H]-glucose or L-[3H]-proline, but showed a considerable increase in the transport rates of [14C]-citrate (Δ + 53%; P < 0.001) and [14C]-succinate (Δ + 48%, P < 0.005), and also enhanced the rate of Na+-H+ antiport across BBM (Δ + 30%, P < 0.05). In contrast, direct addition of 1 mM Li to BBMV in vitro inhibited Na+-dependent transports of both citrate and succinate. The Li-rats had higher plasma level of citrate and decreased (Δ - 50%) renal clearance of citrate. Our results show that chronic exposure to oral Li in vivo results in increased Na+-gradient-dependent transport of poly-carboxylic acids and increased Na+-H+ antiport in BBM of proximal tubules; these changes are contrary to effects of Li added to isolated BBM in vitro.

Phosphonoformic acid was a potent competitive inhibitor of Na+/Pi cotransport by brush border membrane vesicles isolated from human renal cortex (Ki 31 microM). The Na+/Pi cotransport system in rat renal brush border membrane vesicles was much less sensitive to inhibition (Ki 210 microM). Na+/Pi cotransport by cultured cells derived from human renal cortex also was inhibited by phosphonoformic acid. Both in isolated membranes and cells the inhibition was dose-dependent, competitive, and specific for Pi. The effectiveness of phosphonoformic acid on Na+/Pi cotransport in human kidney suggests that its administration may be a useful maneuver to increase renal Pi excretion.

Using the chemical structural analogs of phosphonoacetic acid (PAA) and related phosphonate compounds, we investigated which structural features are required for competitive inhibition of Na+-Pi cotransport in rat renal cortical brush border membrane (BBM) vesicles (BBMV). The effects of compounds on [Nao+ greater than Nai+]-gradient-dependent 32Pi uptake by BBMV were examined using various inhibitor-to-32Pi concentration ratios in the transport assay medium. The replacement of a phosphono-group with an arsono-group in PAA, or the substitution of a carboxylic group in PAA by an amino or hydroxyl group, totally abolished the inhibitory action on Na+-Pi cotransport. Decreased electronegativity of carboxyl in PAA by coupling with hydrazine or hydroxylamine lowered the inhibitory potenty of PAA. Substitution of H at the alpha-carbon of PAA with ethyl or p-Cl-phenyl groups completely abolished the inhibitory activity, whereas alpha-halogenation with Br greatly increased the inhibitory potency of PAA, close to that of phosphonoformic acid (PFA). The inhibition by all the active tested monophosphates was strictly competitive. The tested compounds displaced [14C]PFA pre-bound onto BBMV in the presence of 100 mM NaCl. The ability of monophosphates to inhibit Na+-Pi cotransport across BBM and the binding of [14C]PFA were closely correlated (r = 0.925; P greater than 0.001). These results show that: (a) strong electronegativity at both ends of the PAA molecule is needed for inhibitory action, (b) an alpha-aliphatic or aromatic substituent at the alpha-carbon probably hinders the access of the inhibitor to the Pi-binding site of the Na+-Pi cotransporter in BBM, whereas (c) an alpha-electrophilic substituent--Br--enhances the inhibitory potency of PAA. The tested compounds inhibited Na+-Pi cotransport by binding, in the presence of Na+, on the same site on the luminal surface of BBM as did PFA and, by extension, Pi.

We investigated interactions of phosphonoformic acid (PFA), phosphonoacetic acid (PAA), and other phosphonyl derivatives with the Na+ gradient [Na+ extravesicular greater than Na+ intravesicular; Nao+ greater than Na+i]-dependent transport system for phosphate (Pi) in renal cortical brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV). PFA and PAA inhibited in a dose-dependent manner the Na+ gradient [Na+o greater than Na+i]-dependent uptake of Pi by rat kidney BBMV. PFA was a more potent inhibitor than PAA while phosphonopropionic acid, hydroxymethylphosphonic acid, and phenylphosphonic acid had no effect on Pi transport. The inhibitory effect of PFA was competitive (Ki approximately equal to 4.6 X 10(-4) M) and reversible upon dilution. The uptake of Pi by BBMV in the absence of Na+ gradient [Nao+ = Na+i] was also inhibited by PFA. The PFA had no effect on uptake of L-[3H]proline, D-[3H]glucose, or 22Na+ by BBMV nor did it alter intravesicular volume of BBMV. The relative (%) extent of inhibition by PFA was not altered by changes in the extravesicular pH or changes in the steepness of the Na+ gradient [Nao+ greater than Na+i]. The inhibition of PFA was analogous in renal BBMV from rats, mice, rabbits, or dogs. Unlike other known inhibitors of brush border membrane (BBM) transport of Pi, e.g. arsenate, NAD, and ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonate, PFA and PAA had no inhibitory effect on BBM-bound or solubilized alkaline phosphatase. Also, PFA did not interfere with the activity of renal cortical (Na-K)ATPase. Administration of PFA (0.5 g/kg/day, intraperitoneally) to thyroparathyroidectomized rats fed a low Pi diet elicited an increase in urinary excretion of Pi, but did not change the excretion of Na+, K, and Ca2+. The results show that the PFA, and to a lesser degree PAA, are specific competitive inhibitors of the Na+-Pi cotransport in renal cortical BBM and are suitable probes for studies of this transport system.

The mechanism whereby thyroid hormones modulate the transport properties of luminal brush border membrane (BBM) of renal proximal tubules was studied in thyroparathyroidectomized rats. Administration of both T4 and T3 increased BBM capacity for Na+ gradient-dependent uptake of phosphate (Pi) by BBM vesicles (BBMV). This effect of thyroid hormones was present in thyroparathyroidectomized and hypophysectomized rats, and it was not blocked by a saturating dose of propranolol. The stimulatory effect of T3 and T4 on BBM transport of Pi was dose dependent in the range of 5.2-520 nmol/100 g BW. Pretreatment of rats with inhibitors of 5'-monodeiodinase (5'-DI), iopanoic acid or ipodate, prevented the increase in serum T3 in rats injected with T4, but it did not diminish the increase in BBM transport of Pi. Administration of iopanoic acid and ipodate also prevented a 5-fold increase in 5'-DI activity in renal cortical tissue elicited by T4 administration. Treatment with T3 resulted in an increase of Pi transport across BBM from kidneys of rats subjected to dietary Pi deprivation due either to total fasting or to feeding of a low Pi diet. Further, T3 administration enhanced amiloride-sensitive Na+-H+ countertransport across BBM, but the uptake of 22Na+ by BBMV in the absence of pH gradient was not changed. The Na+ gradient-dependent uptake of L-[3H]proline by BBMV was slightly decreased, but the uptake of [14C]citrate was not changed in response to T3. Administration of T3 increased Pi transport in BBMV prepared from juxtamedullary cortex, but not in BBMV from superficial cortex. Conversely, the rate of Na+-H+ countertransport was enhanced, and the enzymatic activity of alkaline phosphatase was decreased in BBMV from superficial cortex; no changes in these parameters were found in BBMV from juxtamedullary cortex. Our results indicate that the stimulatory effect of administered T3 and/or T4 on renal BBM transport of Pi is distinct from the modulatory effect of dietary Pi intake and is not secondary to the beta-effect of catecholamines or to altered secretion of GH. Both T3 and T4 elicit the increase in BBM transport of Pi in a similar manner; T4 is effective even after profound inhibition of in vivo conversion of T4 to T3 by potent 5'-DI inhibitors. Administration of T3 stimulates Na+ gradient-dependent Pi uptake only in BBMV prepared from the juxtamedullary zone, and it stimulates the H+-Na+ countertransport only in BBMV from the outer cortical zone. These findings indicate that thyroid hormones modulate the two distinct transport functions of BBM derived from two different populations of renal proximal tubules.

The role of N-linked oligosaccharide side chains in the biogenesis and function of Na+-coupled transporters in renal luminal brush-border membrane (BBM) is not known. We examined the question of how in vivo inhibition by alkaloid swainsonine of alpha-mannosidase, a key enzyme in processing of glycoproteins in the Golgi apparatus, affects Na+/H+ antiport and Na+/Pi symport as well as activities of other transporters and enzymes in rat renal BBM. Administration of swainsonine to thyroparathyroidectomized rats, control or treated with 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine, markedly decreased the rate of Na+/H+ antiport, but had no effect on the rate of Na+/Pi symport across renal BBM vesicles (BBMV). Moreover, administration of swainsonine did not change activities of Na+ gradient, ([extravesicular Na+] greater than [intravesicular Na+])-dependent transport of D-glucose, L-proline, or the amiloride-insensitive 22Na+ uptake by BBMV; the activities of the BBM enzymes alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, or leucine aminopeptidase in BBMV were also not changed. The in vitro enzymatic deglycosylation of BBM by incubating freshly isolated BBMV with bacterial endoglycosidase F also resulted in a decreased rate of Na+/H+ antiport, but not Na+-coupled symports of Pi, L-proline, and D-glucose, or the activities of the BBM enzymes were not significantly affected. Similar incubation with endoglycosidase H was without effect on any of these parameters. Both the modification of BBMV glycoproteins by administration fo swainsonine in vivo as well as the in vitro incubation of BBMV with endoglycosidase F resulted in a decrease of the apparent Vmax of Na+/H+ antiport, but did not change the apparent Km of this antiporter for extravesicular Na+ and did not increase H+ conductance of BBM. Taken together, our findings suggest that intact N-linked oligosaccharide chains of the biantennary complex type in renal BBM glycoproteins are required, directly or indirectly, for the transport function of the Na+/H+ antiporter inserted into BBM of renal proximal tubules.

This study was undertaken to determine whether calcitonin inhibits Na+-(Pi) cotransport across luminal brush-border membrane (BBM) of proximal tubules. Further, we determined the relative inhibitions of inorganic phosphate (Pi) transport in BBM vesicles (BBMV) derived from superficial cortical tissue (BBMV-SC) and juxtamedullary tissue (BBMV-JM). The effects of maximally phosphaturic doses of calcitonin were compared with those of parathyroid hormone (PTH). Experiments were performed in acutely thyroparathyroidectomized (TPTX) rats fed either normal (NPD, 0.7%) or low (LPD, 0.07%) Pi diets. After measurement of the fractional excretion of phosphate (FEPi) by clearance, the BBMV-SC and BBMV-JM were prepared from kidneys of the same animals and uptakes of 32Pi were determined. Both calcitonin and PTH inhibited BBMV transport of Pi to a greater degree in BBMV-JM than in BBMV-SC, in rats fed NPD or LPD. Kinetic analysis shows that administration of calcitonin resulted in marked decrease of apparent Vmax for Pi without any changes in apparent Km for Pi. However, in spite of a decreased capacity for Na+ gradient-dependent 32Pi uptake in BBMV-JM and much lesser in BBMV-SC in response to administration of calcitonin and PTH in Pi-deprived rats, these phosphaturic peptides did not increase FEPi. We conclude that calcitonin administration decreases the capacity for Na+-Pi cotransport across BBM in proximal tubules of the acutely TPTX rat.

Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein phosphorylation is considered a key step in the cellular action of vasopressin (AVP) to regulate water permeability in collecting tubules. However, the proteins serving as a substrate(s) for phosphorylation in undisrupted cells have not yet been identified. In the present study, we developed a method for investigation of in situ phosphorylation of microdissected segments of medullary collecting tubules (MCT) from rat kidney. Incubation of microdissected MCT segments with low concentrations of saponin, “semipermeabilization,” increased permeability of the membrane for ATP but did not allow leakage of macromolecules such as lactate dehydrogenase. This treatment also did not cause major disruption of cell structure, or impairment of AVP-sensitive adenylate cyclase. Incubation of semipermeabilized MCT with gamma-[32P]ATP resulted in incorporation of 32Pi into two major protein bands [band “ A ” of apparent molecular mass (Mr) approximately equal to 66 kDa, and band “B” of Mr approximately equal to 45 kDa] detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and subsequent autoradiography. Similar incubation of tubules disrupted by hyposmotic solutions and a stronger detergent Triton X-100 resulted in 32Pi incorporation into multiple protein bands. Incubation of MCT with 1 microM AVP resulted in increased 32Pi radioactivity in band A and decreased 32Pi radioactivity in band B. These findings demonstrate a novel method for identification of endogenous protein substrate(s) for cAMP-dependent protein kinase and other protein kinases and phosphatases that are probably involved in post-cAMP steps in the cellular action of AVP in the intact cells of collecting tubules.

Since phosphonoformic acid (PFA) acts as a specific competitive inhibitor of Na+-Pi co-transport across renal brush-border membrane (BBM), we employed the [14C]PFA as a probe to determine the mechanism of its interaction with rat renal BBM. The binding of [14C]PFA to BBM vesicles (BBMV), with Na+ present in extravesicular medium (Na+o), was time- and temperature-dependent. The replacement of Na+o with other monovalent cations reduced the PFA binding by -80%. Cl- was the most effective accompanying monovalent anion as NaCl for maximum PFA binding. The Na+o increased the apparent affinity of BBMV for [14C]PFA binding, but it did not change the maximum binding capacity. The maximum [14C]PFA binding was achieved at Na+o approximately equal to 50 mM. The extent of Na+-dependent [14C]PFA binding correlated (r = 0.98; p less than 0.01) with percent inhibition by an equimolar dose of PFA of the (Na+o greater than Na+i)-dependent BBMV uptake of 32Pi. Intravesicular Na+ (Na+i) decreased [14C]PFA binding, on BBMV, and this inhibition by Na+i was dependent on the presence of Na+o. The increase in Na+i, at constant [Na+]o, decreased the Vmax, but not the Km, for [14C]PFA binding on BBMV. Bound [14C]PFA was displaced from BBMV by phosphonocarboxylic acids proportionally (r = 0.99; p less than 0.05) to their ability to inhibit (Na+o greater than Na+i)-gradient-dependent Pi transport, whereas other monophosphonates, diphosphonates, L-proline, or D-glucose did not influence the [14C]PFA binding. The Na+-dependent binding of [14C]PFA and of [3H]phlorizin by BBMV was 10 times higher than binding of these ligands to renal basolateral membranes and to mitochondria. [14C]PFA probably binds onto the same locus on the luminal surface of BBM, where Pi and Na+ form a ternary complex with the Na+-Pi co-transporter.

Previous studies showed that an increase in NAD+ content in renal cortex in vivo was accompanied by specific inhibition of Na+-dependent inorganic phosphate (Pi) transport across the renal brush border membrane (BBM). Further, in vitro addition of NAD+ to isolated renal BBM vesicles specifically inhibited Na+ gradient-dependent transport of Pi. The present study examined some aspects of the mechanism of this inhibition by NAD+ in vitro and in vivo. When NAD+ was increased in vivo by nicotinamide injection, the apparent Vmax was decreased, but the apparent Km was not different, indicating apparent noncompetitive inhibition. In the presence of 0.3 mM NAD+ added in vitro, the apparent Km for Na+-dependent Pi transport by BBM vesicles was increased, whereas the apparent Vmax was unchanged, indicating apparent competitive inhibition. These changes in apparent Km and apparent Vmax were identical when Pi uptake was measured either at 30-s or at 5-s (the initial rate) incubation times. Inhibition of Pi transport by BBM vesicles in vitro was due primarily to the action of intact added NAD+, although there may be some contribution by isotope dilution due to Pi released from NAD+ by enzymatic hydrolysis. Although in vitro inhibition of Pi transport by added NAD+ was reversed by washing the BBM, the inhibition due to increased NAD+ in vivo persisted after extensive washing of the isolated BBM. The specificity of the inhibitory effect of NAD+ in vivo was indicated by the finding that changes in renal cortical content of ATP or Pi, evoked by loading with glycerol or fructose, did not change BBM transport of Pi.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

We explored the biochemical mechanism by which thyroid hormone (T3) and low-phosphate diet (LPD) cause an adaptive increase in Na+-Pi cotransport across renal brush-border membrane (BBM). The rate of Na+-Pi cotransport was determined by 32Pi uptake by BBM vesicles (BBMV), and the number of Na+-Pi symporters was assessed by binding of [14C]phosphonoformic acid (PFA) on BBMV. In BBMV of both T3-treated rats and LPD-fed rats, the Na+ gradient-dependent 32Pi uptake increased (Vmax increased; Km Pi was not changed). The Na+-dependent [14C]PFA binding on BBMV increased (higher Vmax, no change in Km PFA) in response to T3, but it remained unchanged in rats fed LPD. Both the increase of Na+-Pi cotransport and of Na+-dependent [14C]PFA binding in response to T3 were blocked by actinomycin D or cycloheximide. Addition of benzyl alcohol to BBMV in vitro increased Na+-Pi cotransport, but [14C]PFA binding did not change; the [3H]phlorizin binding and cotransports of other solutes decreased or did not change. The exposure of BBMV to cholesterol decreased Na+-Pi cotransport without changing [14C]PFA binding. We suggest that the adaptive increase of Na+-Pi cotransport elicited by T3 is due to an increase in number of Na+-Pi cotransporters in BBM. In contrast, in response to LPD the number of Na+-Pi cotransporters is unchanged, and the increased Na+-Pi cotransport is due to faster translocation of Na+ with Pi due to enhanced fluidity of BBM.

In mice with hereditary nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI), the high activity of cAMP-phosphodiesterase (cAMP-PDIE) in medullary collecting tubules (MCT) prevents the increase in cAMP content in response to vasopressin [Arg8]vasopressin (AVP). Even when the cAMP response to AVP is partly corrected by cAMP-PDIE inhibitor 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine (MIX), under all tested conditions the cAMP levels in MCT of NDI mice remained much lower than in controls (B. A. Jackson, R. M. Edwards, H. Valtin, and T. P. Dousa, J. Clin. Invest. 66: 110-122, 1980). In the present study, we explored which factors may account for this defect. We determined contents of ATP, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), and the levels of cAMP in MCT and in medullary thick ascending limb of Henle's loop (MAL) microdissected from control and NDI mice. In the presence of 1 microM AVP and 0.05 mM MIX, the cAMP levels accumulated in MCT of NDI mice were four times lower compared with controls, but the levels of ATP and NAD were not different. ATP levels in MAL of NDI mice were slightly (delta -23%) lower than in MAL from controls, and in distal convoluted tubules (DCT) of NDI mice the ATP levels were also decreased (delta -49%). Although AVP alone had little effect on cAMP levels in mouse MAL in the presence of 0.1 mM forskolin, the AVP elicited a 20-fold increase of cAMP of both the control and NDI mice. Addition of 0.1 mM forskolin further increased the cAMP accumulation in MCT incubated with AVP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A polyuric syndrome with nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) is a frequent consequence of prolonged administration of lithium (Li) salts. Studies in the past, mainly the acute and in vitro experiments, indicated that Li ions can inhibit hydroosmotic effect of [8-arginine]vasopressin (AVP) at the step of cAMP generation in vitro. However, the pathogenesis of the NDI due to chronic oral administration of low therapeutic doses of Li salts is not yet clarified. We conducted a comprehensive study to clarify the mechanism by which Li administered orally for several weeks induces polyuria and NDI in rats. Albino rats consuming a diet which contained Li (60 mmol/kg) for 4 wk developed marked polyuria and polydipsia; at the end of 4 wk the plasma Li was 0.7 +/- 0.09 mM (mean +/- SEM; n = 36). Li-treated rats had a significantly decreased (-33%) tissue osmolality in papilla and greatly reduced cortico-papillary gradient of urea (cortex--43%; medulla--64%; papilla--74%). Plasma urea was significantly (P less than 0.001) lower in Li-treated rats (5.4 +/- 0.2 mM) compared with controls (6.8 +/- 0.3 mM). Medullary collecting tubules (MCT) and papillary collecting ducts (PCD) microdissected from Li-treated animals had higher content of protein than MCT and PCD from the control rats. The cAMP accumulation in response to AVP added in vitro was significantly (delta = -60%) reduced. Also, the cAMP accumulation in MCT and PCD after incubation with forskolin was markedly lower in Li-treated rats. Addition of 0.5 mM 1-methyl,3-isobutyl-xanthine did not restore the cAMP accumulation in response to AVP and forskolin in MCT from Li-treated animals. In collecting tubule segments from polyuric rats with hypothalamic diabetes insipidus (Brattleboro homozygotes) the AVP-dependent cAMP accumulation was not diminished. The activity of adenylate cyclase (AdC) in MCT of Li-treated rats, both the basal and the activity stimulated by AVP, forskolin, or fluoride, was significantly (delta approximately equal to -30%) reduced, while the activity of cAMP phosphodiesterase (cAMP-PDIE) in the same segment showed no significant difference from the controls. Also, the content of ATP in MCT microdissected from Li-treated rats and incubated in vitro did not differ from controls. The rate of [14C]succinate oxidation to 14CO2 in MAL was inhibited (-77%) by 1 mM furosemide, which indicates that this metabolic process is coupled with NaCl cotransport in MAL. The rate of (14)CO(2) production from [14C]succinate in MAL was not significantly different between control and Li-treated rats. In MCT of control rats, the rate of [14C]succinate oxidation was approximately 3 times lower than in MAL. The rate of (14)CO(2) production from [(14)C]succinate in MCT of Li-treated rats was significantly (delta +33%) higher than in MCT dissected from control rats. Based on these results, we conclude that at least two factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of NDI consequent to chronic oral administration of Li: (a) decreased ability of MCT and PCD to generate and accumulate cAMP in response to stimulation by AVP; this defect is primarily due to diminished activity of AdC in these tubular segments caused by prolonged exposure to Li; and (b) lower osmolality of renal papillary tissue, due to primarily to depletion of urea, which decreases osmotic driving force for water reabsorption in collecting tubules. On the other hand, NaCI reabsorption in MAL is apparently not affected by chronic Li treatment.

The effect of ischemia induced acute renal failure (ARF) on the transport of phosphate (Pi) after early (15–30 min) and prolonged (60 min) ischemia in the brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) from rat renal cortex was studied. Sodium-dependent transport of Pi declined significantly and progressively due to ischemia. Western blot analysis of BBM from ischemic rats showed decreased expression of NaPi-2. A compensatory increase was observed in Pi uptake in BBMV from contralateral kidneys. There was no significant difference in NaPi-2 expression between BBMV from sham and contralateral kidneys. Early blood reperfusion for 15 min after 30 min ischemia caused further decline in Pi uptake. Prolonged reperfusion for 120 min caused partial reversal of transport activities in 30-min ischemic rats. However, no improvement in the transport of Pi was observed in 60-min ischemic rats after 120 min of blood reperfusion. Kinetic studies showed that the effect of ischemia and blood reperfusion was dependent on the V max of the Na-Pi transporter. Western blot analysis showed increased expression of NaPi-2 in the BBMs from ischemia–reperfusion animals. Further, a shift in the association of Na ions to transport one molecule of Pi was observed under different extracellular Na concentrations [Na] o . Feeding rats with low Pi diet and/or treatment with thyroid hormone (T3) prior to ischemia resulted in increased basal Pi transport. Ischemia caused similar decline in Pi transport in BBM from LPD and/or T3 animals. However, recovery in these animals was faster than the normal Pi diet fed (NPD) animals. The study suggests a change in the intrinsic properties of the Na-Pi transporter in rat kidneys due to ischemia. The study also indicates that treatment with T3 and feeding LPD prior to ischemia caused faster recovery of phosphate uptake due to ischemia–reperfusion injury.

The modulatory effect of Ca on [Arg8]vasopressin-dependent (AVP) cAMP metabolism was studied in medullary collecting tubules (MCT) and medullary ascending limbs (MAL) microdissected from rat kidney. In MCT segments incubated in vitro with AVP, the accumulation of cAMP was enhanced (delta +59%) when Ca was omitted from the incubation medium compared with a medium with 2 mM of ionized calcium (Ca2+). Ionophore A23187 caused a decrease in AVP-stimulated cAMP accumulation in MCT in the presence of 2 mM Ca2+ but not in a Ca2+-free medium. Diltiazem and verapamil enhanced the AVP-stimulated cAMP accumulation in MCT; PTH had no detectable effect. A23187 caused a dose-dependent inhibition of cAMP accumulation stimulated by AVP with forskolin in both MCT and in MAL. However, in MAL the A23187 concentration needed for half-maximum inhibition (6.3 X 10(-6) M) was higher than for MCT (3.9 X 10(-7) M). The maximum inhibition in MAL (-65%) was less than in MCT (-97%). In the presence of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, AVP-stimulated cAMP accumulation was inhibited by A23187 in MCT (-45%) but not in MAL. Naproxen or ibuprofen did not relieve the inhibitory action of A23187 in MCT. Added Ca2+ inhibited the AVP-stimulated adenylate cyclase in MCT and MAL (half-maximum approximately equal to 5 X 10(-4) M Ca2+) and stimulated cAMP phosphodiesterase (cAMP-PDIE) in both MCT and in MAL (half-maximum approximately equal to 9 X 10(-5) M Ca2+). Incubation of MCT and MAL with A23187 decreased (-50%) the content of ATP. Results suggest that increased influx of extracellular Ca2+ inhibits the AVP-stimulated cAMP accumulation in MCT and to a much lesser degree in MAL. Deceased cAMP accumulation in MCT is probably due to both stimulation of cAMP-PDIE and the inhibition of adenylate cyclase, whereas in MAL it is due to stimulation of cAMP-PDIE. The results suggest that Ca2+ influx exhibits a negative modulatory effect on AVP-dependent cAMP metabolism mainly in MCT.

Previous studies indicate that in hyperthyroid states the renal tubular reabsorption of phosphate is enhanced. To determine the cellular basis of this phenomenon, we investigated the effect of L-thyroxine (T4) administration on Pi transport across brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) from rat renal cortex. Rats were thyroparathyroidectomized, fed a diet containing 1.2% phosphate, and treated intraperitoneally for 6 days with 200 micrograms T4 X 100 g body wt-1 X day-1. At the end of the treatment period, the rats had a significantly (+ delta 25%) elevated plasma Pi and a slightly decreased plasma Ca compared with controls. The renal clearance of Pi was not different between the two groups. Na+ gradient-dependent uptake of 32Pi by BBMV from renal cortex was significantly enhanced in T4-treated rats. BBMV uptake of 32Pi in the absence of Na+ -gradient as well as Na+ gradient-dependent uptake of D-[3H]glucose and L-[3H]proline did not differ between BBMV from T4-treated and control rats. Kinetic analysis showed that the Na+ gradient-dependent 32Pi transport system in BBMV from T4-treated rats had a significantly increased Vmax compared with controls (5.2 +/- 0.4 vs. 4.1 +/- 0.4 nmol Pi X 30 s-1 X mg protein-1) and also a slightly higher affinity for Pi (apparent Km in controls, 95 +/- 9; in T4-treated, 78 +/- 8 microM). Gluconeogenesis in cortical slices was not significantly different between T4-treated rats and controls. Specific activities of alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyltransferase were significantly lower in BBMV from the T4-treated group compared with controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The newly discovered peptides extracted from cardiac atria, atrial natriuretic factors (ANFs), when administered parenterally cause renal hemodynamic changes and natriuresis. The nephron sites and cellular mechanism accounting for profound increase in Na+ excretion in response to ANFs are not yet clarified. In the present study we investigated whether synthetic ANF peptide alters the reabsorption of Na+ and reabsorption of solutes cotransported with Na+ in the proximal tubules of rats. Synthetic ANF peptide consisting of 26 amino acids, 4 micrograms/kg body wt/h, or vehicle in controls, was infused to surgically thyroparathyroidectomized anesthetized rats. After determination of the fractional excretion (FE) of electrolytes (Na+, K+, Pi, Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3), the kidneys were removed and luminal brush border membrane vesicles (BBMVs) were prepared from renal cortex. Solute transport was measured in BBMVs by rapid filtration techniques. Infusion of ANF peptide increased FENa, FEPi, and FEHCO3; but FECa, FEK, and FEMg were not changed. The increase in FENa was significantly correlated, on the one hand, with increase of FEPi (r = 0.9, n = 7; P less than 0.01) and with increase of FEHCO3 (r = 0.89, n = 7; P less than 0.01). On the other hand, FENa did not correlate with FEK, FECa, or with FEMg. The Na+ gradient-dependent uptake of Pi by BBMVs prepared from renal cortex of rats receiving ANF infusion was significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased (-25%), whereas the Na+ gradient-dependent uptake of L-[3H]proline and of D-[3H]glucose or the diffusional uptake of 22Na+ were not changed. ANF-elicited change in FEPi showed a close inverse correlation with decrease of Na+-dependent Pi uptake by BBMVs isolated from infused rats (r = 0.99, n = 7; P less than 0.001). Direct addition of ANF to BBMVs in vitro did not change the Na+ gradient-dependent Pi uptake. In rats infused with ANF, the rate of amiloride-sensitive Na+-H+ exchange across the brush border membrane (BBM) was significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased (-40%), whereas the diffusional 22Na+ uptake (0.5 min) and the equilibrium (120 min) uptake of 22Na+ were not changed. The inhibition of Na+-H+ exchange after ANF was likely due to alteration of the BBM antiporter itself, in that the H+ conductance of BBMVs was not increased. We conclude that synthetic ANF (a) decreases tubular Na+ reabsorption linked to reabsorption of HCO3 in proximal tubules, and (b) inhibits proximal tubular reabsorption of Pi coupled to Na+ reabsorption, independent of secretion and/or action of parathyroid hormone or calcitonin. These ANF effects are associated with inhibition of Na+-Pi synport and of Na+-H+ antiport in luminal BBMs. Our findings document that inhibition of Na+-coupled transport processes in proximal tubules is an integral part of the renal response to ANF.

Previous studies have shown that administration of synthetic atrial natriuretic factor (ANF, 101-126) decreases sodium-dependent phosphate transport across renal brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) in rats fed a normal or low phosphate diet. In the present study, infusion of rat ANF (atriopeptin III (ANP-III), 103-126 rat ANF) to rats fed a normal phosphate diet caused natriuretic and phosphaturic effects similar to those of ANF (101-126), but unlike ANF (101-126) did not increase the glomerular filtration rate. The effect of ANP-III infusion on sodium-dependent transport of phosphate was also determined in BBM vesicles isolated from the superficial cortex (BBMV-SC) and juxtamedullary cortex (BBMV-JM). The results indicate that ANP-III decreases phosphate transport across BBMV-SC and BBMV-JM similarly (20-24%). However, it had no effect on sodium-dependent transport of proline in these vesicles. The infusion of ANP-III to rats fed a normal phosphate diet inhibits phosphate uptake both in BBMV-SC and BBMV-JM and causes phosphaturia without increments in glomerular filtration rate.

NAD content and the rate of NAD hydrolysis were determined in proximal convoluted tubules (PCT), proximal straight tubules (PST), and adjacent cortical nephron segments microdissected from kidneys of thyroparathyroidectomized (TPTX) rats. In the basal state, rats fed a normal phosphate diet had an NAD content higher in PCT, PST, and in cortical ascending limb (CAL) than in glomeruli. After intraperitoneal injection of nicotinamide, the NAD content increased significantly in all nephron segments except CAL; the greatest (delta + 277%) increase was found in PCT, with less (delta + 82%) in PST. In experiments conducted on TPTX rats stabilized on a low-phosphorus diet, NAD content increased in response to a nicotinamide injection in PCT (delta + 197%), but did not change significantly in PST. The catabolism of NAD was determined by generation of [3H]adenosine, a major metabolite of [adenine-2,8-3H]NAD. The rate of [3H]adenosine generation from [3H]NAD was significantly (P less than 0.001) higher in PST than in PCT. We conclude that, in response to nicotinamide administration in vivo, the NAD content increases more in PCT than in PST and that this difference may be, at least partly, due to a lower rate of NAD breakdown in PCT. In a state of dietary phosphate deprivation, NAD also increases significantly in response to intraperitoneal nicotinamide in PCT, but it does not increase significantly in PST. The nicotinamide-elicited increase of NAD content in proximal tubules, mainly in PCT, may be related to inhibition of Na+-gradient-dependent inorganic phosphate (Pi) reabsorption across the brush-border membrane of proximal tubules and to the phosphaturic effect of nicotinamide in rats fed normal-Pi diet.

Since the discovery of cyclic 3′ ,5′-AMP (cAMP) as an intra-cellular mediator in hormone-responsive tissues by E. W. Sutherland (1), it was well recognized that ATP serves as a substrate for the key enzyme of cAMP metabolism—adenylate cyclase (AdC). Later it was also found that ATP may modulate cAMP catabolism by inhibiting cAMP-phosphodiesterase (cAMP-PDIE) (2). However, in recent years little attention was paid to cellular levels of ATP as a potential determinant of hormone-sensitive cAMP metabolism.