Abstract
Alterations in the renal vasculature during fetal programming can cause disturbances in renal structure and function that persist into adulthood. Calcitriol can affect cellular differentiation and proliferation, and promote endothelial cell maintenance, each of which is a key event in nephrogenesis. Calcitriol is a negative endocrine regulator of the renin gene. Rats exposed to renin-angiotensin system (RAS) antagonists during lactation have been shown to develop renal disorders, which demonstrated that the RAS may play an important role in mammalian kidney development. We evaluated the effects of calcitriol administration on losartan [angiotensin II receptor antagonist (ANGII), AT1]-induced changes in renal differentiation in rats during lactation. Rats treated with losartan showed alterations in renal function and structure that persisted into adulthood. These disruptions included hydronephrosis, papillary atrophy, endothelial dysfunction, and aberrant endothelial structure. These changes were mitigated by treatment with calcitriol. The results of our study showed that animals exposed to AT1 blockade during lactation exhibited altered renal microvasculature differentiation in adulthood that was attenuated by treatment with calcitriol.
Highlights
During renal development, a series of events occur that result in the formation of blood vessels [1]
Calcitriol treatment improved kidney dysfunction caused by AT1 receptor blockade during renal development
Rats treated with losartan had higher Systolic blood pressure (SBP) than those in the SUC and SUC + Calcitriol groups
Summary
A series of events occur that result in the formation of blood vessels [1]. These processes include formation of the renal arterial tree and glomerular capillaries, and alignment of the vasa recta and peritubular capillaries [2]. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays an important role in expansion, migration, and formation of renal structure during nephrogenesis [4]. A study performed by Madsen et al showed that treatment with an AT1 receptor antagonist for 14 days during lactation reduced the volume, length, and surface area of capillaries in the kidney medulla, and resulted in disorganization of vasa recta bundles [3]. Nephrogenesis continues after birth for about 2–3 weeks in mice and rats [1, 8]. Neonatal rats are commonly used to study the mechanisms of renal development [5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
