Nitric oxide regulates HCO3- and Na+ transport by a cGMP-mediated mechanism in the kidney proximal tubule.

Abstract

The effects of nitric oxide (NO) on blood pressure and renal hemodynamics are well established, but those of NO on renal tubule HCO3- and Na+ transport are not fully understood. In this study, we combined renal clearance and in situ microperfusion techniques to investigate the effects of NO on the renal excretion of Na (FE(Na%)) and the rates of renal tubule absorption of fluid (J(V)) and bicarbonate (J(HCO3)) in the rat kidney. Administration of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 6 mg/kg iv bolus) did not change mean blood pressure and glomerular filtration rate significantly. However, L-NAME significantly increased urine flow rate and FE(Na%), and these effects were maintained over a 60-min period. Addition of L-NAME markedly decreased both J(V) and J(HCO3) in the proximal tubule. In contrast, addition of 1 microM sodium nitroprusside (SNP) or S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) significantly increased both J(V) and J(HCO3). Similar stimulation was also observed when 8-bromoguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-BrcGMP, 1 microM) was added to the luminal perfusate. The stimulatory effects of SNP and 8-BrcGMP on J(V) and J(HCO3) were not additive. The increments in J(V) and J(HCO3) due to SNP were abolished by the Na+/H+ exchange blocker ethylisopropylamiloride and the guanylate cyclase inhibitor methylene blue. These results indicate that NO stimulates proximal tubule Na+ and HCO3- transport through a cGMP-linked pathway in the kidney proximal tubule.