Inhibition of locally produced nitric oxide resets tubuloglomerular feedback mechanism.

Abstract

This study was designed to compare the effects of systemic and intratubular infusions of the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor N omega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) on the tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) mechanism in anesthetized rats. We recently showed that intravenous infusion of L-NNA led to increases in mean arterial blood pressure (Pa), proximal tubular stop-flow pressure (Psf), and enhanced TGF sensitivity and reactivity. To avoid major systemic effects, in this study TGF was studied after intratubular NO inhibition. Intratubular infusion of L-NNA (10(-3) M) yielded similar results as shown with intravenous infusion, without systemic effects. TGF sensitivity and reactivity were increased, indicated by decreased turning point (TP) from 19.8 +/- 1.0 to 15.2 +/- 0.7 nl/min and increased delta Psf from 10.0 +/- 0.8 to 23.9 +/- 1.9 mmHg (24.3 vs. 59.1%). L-NNA at a concentration of 10(-4) M showed significant changes in both TP (from 20.9 +/- 1.1 to 17.8 +/- 1.0 nl/min) and delta Psf (from 7.6 +/- 0.6 to 13.9 +/- 0.7 mmHg), whereas 10(-5) M only increased delta Psf (9.7 +/- 1.0 vs. 12.1 +/- 1.1 mmHg). However, at low tubular perfusion rates Psf was not influenced by L-NNA. The early proximal flow rate (EPFR) showed no change at low tubular perfusion rates with L-NNA. At maximal TGF activation (40 nl/min), delta EPFR was increased from 34% in control to 62%. Our results suggest that NO not only regulates glomerular capillary pressure but also decreases the sensitivity of the TGF mechanism.