The hepato-renal syndrome: Renal amino acid transport in bile duct ligated rats (DL) — influence of treatment with triiodothyronine or dexamethasone on renal amino acid handling in amino acid loaded rats

Abstract

The influence of triiodothyronine or dexamethasone on renal amino acid handling was investigated in anaesthetized, bile duct-ligated (DL) adult female rats. 3 days after DL, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was unchanged whereas urine flow was decreased. Plasma concentrations of 5 out of 16 amino acids were significantly enhanced after DL. On the other hand, the fractional excretion (FE) of 11 out of 16 amino acids was significantly reduced as a sign of improved reabsorption capacity. Bolus injections of leucine (20 mg/100 g b.wt.), glutamine (45 mg/100 g b.wt.), or taurine (45 mg/100 g b.wt.) were followed by a temporary increase in the FE of the administered amino acids as well of the endogenous amino acids which were not administered. This phenomenon was more pronounced in DL than in control rats. Under load conditions, dexamethasone (60 microg/100 g b.wt.) or triiodothyronine (20 microg/100 g b.wt.) treatment for 3 days, i.p. once daily, was followed by a stimulation of renal amino acid reabsorption in DL rats. The increase in fractional amino acid excretion after amino acid load was significantly lower than in untreated rats. This effect was also more pronounced in DL rats.