Gentamicin Decreases Guanylyl Cyclase Activity in Rat Glomerulus

Abstract

Background: Effects of gentamicin (GM) on the local natriuretic peptide (NP) and nitric oxide (NO) systems in the kidney were investigated. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (180–200 g) were intramuscularly injected with GM (100 mg/kg/day) for 5 days. The expression of NO synthase (NOS) isoforms was determined by Western blot analysis, and that of NPs by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The activity of guanylyl cyclase was also determined by the amount of guanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) generated in responses to atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) or sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Results: GM treatment resulted in renal failure in association with increases in urinary flow and the fractional excretion of sodium. Accordingly, the expression of inducible NOS was increased in the cortex, while that of endothelial NOS remained unchanged. The urinary excretion of NO metabolites was increased. The expression of ANP, brain natriuretic peptide and C-type natriuretic peptide mRNA was increased in the kidney. The cGMP production provoked by either ANP or SNP was decreased in the glomerulus, but not in the papilla. Conclusion: GM-induced nephropathy may be causally related with decreased guanylyl cyclase activities in the glomerulus.