Increase In Single Nephron Glomerular Filtration Rate Research Articles

Insights into the Regulation of GFR by the Keap1-Nrf2 Pathway.

Literature data suggest that the activation of the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)-nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) pathway increases glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. However, the mechanisms whereby the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway regulates GFR are unknown. Methods: Various renal physiological parameters were assessed in C57BL/6 mice (WT), Nrf2-deficient mice, and Nrf2-activated Keap1-knockdown mice. Also, these parameters were assessed following the administration of RTA dh404 (CDDO-dhTFEA), a Nrf2 activator. Pharmacological and genetic Keap1-Nrf2 activation increased renal blood flow (p <0.05), glomerular volume (p <0.05) and GFR (p <0.05), but did not alter the afferent-to-efferent arteriolar diameter ratio or glomerular permeability. Calcium influx into the podocytes through TRPC channels in response to H2O2 was suppressed by Keap1-Nrf2 activation and TRPCs inhibition. Treatment with a TRPC6 and TRPC5 inhibitors increased single-nephron GFR in WT mice. In conclusion, the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway regulates GFR through changes in ultrafiltration by modulating redox-sensitive intracellular calcium signaling and cellular contractility, mediated through TRPC activity, in glomerular cells, in particular the podocytes.

MO467SINGLE NEPHRON GFR AND GLOMERULAR HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE IN JAPANESE HEALTHY SUBJECTS

Abstract Background and Aims Hemodynamic abnormalities such as intraglomerular hypertension and glomerular hyperfiltration associated with the nephron loss are deeply involved in renal damage progression. Recent studies in humans have described a new method to calculate single nephron GFR (SNGFR), which is defined as GFR divided by the estimated total number of non-sclerosed glomeruli. We have previously shown that a higher SNGFR, which indicates glomerular hyperfiltration, is associated with CKD risk factors. However, it is still unknown that the hemodynamic changes in humans within the glomerulus in response to SNGFR. In the present study, we analysed the renal microcirculatory dynamics with SNGFR in healthy individuals without CKD. Method We retrospectively identified 51 living kidney donors who underwent enhanced computed tomography and kidney biopsy at the time of donation from January 2007 till December 2020. Nglom was calculated as the cortical volume of both kidneys assessed on computed tomography times the 1-hour posttransplant renal biopsy-determined glomerular density. SNGFR was calculated by dividing GFR (calculated from the corrected creatinine clearance) by the non-sclerosed Nglom. Glomerular hydrostatic pressure (Pglom) and afferent / efferent arteriolar pressure were calculated from the Gomez / Ohm's formula. Results Age was 57.0 ± 10.4 years, mean blood pressure was 88.7 ± 13.2 mmHg, GFR was 73.3 ± 16.7 mL/min, and Nglom was 807,774 ± 401,0352 / kidney. SNGFR was significantly associated with renal blood flow and Pglom (p for trend = 0.02, and 0.02, respectively), but not with age, mean blood pressure, renal plasma flow, filtration fraction, afferent / efferent arteriolar pressure (Table1). Conclusion Our results showed that the increase in SNGFR is associated with elevated Pglom, indicating that glomerular hyperfiltration may lead to intraglomerular hypertension.

A Systematic Review of Renal Functional Reserve in Adult Living Kidney Donors

IntroductionThe kidney’s capacity to increase its glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in response to a higher functional demand is known as the renal functional reserve (RFR). Good short-term outcomes after living kidney donation have led to more acceptance of borderline donors (with hypertension, obesity, older age) due the ongoing shortage of donor organs. Given recent concerns about increased long-term risk in some donor subgroups, better donor stratification is needed. Measurement of RFR could inform assessment of donor risk.MethodsA systematic literature review of studies that assessed RFR in donors pre- and/or post-donation was performed. Given study heterogeneity, descriptive analysis and narrative synthesis was conducted.ResultsSixteen of 3250 identified studies published between 1956 and 2019 met inclusion criteria. Most studies were cross-sectional and conducted before (n = 8) and/or after (n = 16) kidney donation. Methods for measurement of GFR, effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) and RFR were not standardized. Changes in filtration fraction (FF) and ERPF relative to GFR observed after donation varied depending on stimulus used to induce RFR. Overall, RFR fell after donation; however, over the shorter term, RFR was largely preserved in young healthy donors. RFR was more significantly reduced in donors with hypertension, obesity, or older age.ConclusionExisting data suggest possible blunting of RFR post-donation in older, obese, and hypertensive donors, which may represent increased single-nephron GFR at baseline. The long-term implications of these changes deserve further study to determine utility in informing selection of borderline kidney donors.

How Do Kidneys Adapt to a Deficit or Loss in Nephron Number?

A deficit or loss in the number of nephrons, the functional unit of the kidney, can induce compensatory growth and hyperfunction of remaining nephrons. An increase in single nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR) aims to compensate but may be deleterious in the long term. The increase in SNGFR is determined by the dynamics of nephron loss, total remaining GFR, the body's excretory demand, and the functional capacity to sustain single nephron hyperfunction.

Nitric oxide mediates anomalous tubuloglomerular feedback in rats fed high-NaCl diet after subtotal nephrectomy.

Tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) responses become anomalous in rats fed high-NaCl diet after subtotal nephrectomy (STN), such that stimulating TGF causes single nephron GFR (SNGFR) to increase rather than decrease. Micropuncture experiments were performed to determine whether this anomaly results from heightened nitric oxide response to distal delivery, which is a known mechanism for resetting TGF, or from connecting tubule TGF (cTGF), which is a novel amiloride-inhibitable system for offsetting TGF responses. Micropuncture was done in Wistar Froemter rats fed high-NaCl diet (HS) for 8-10 days after STN or sham nephrectomy. TGF was manipulated by orthograde microperfusion of Henle's loop with artificial tubular fluid with or without NOS inhibitor, LNMMA, or the cell-impermeant amiloride analog, benzamil. SNGFR was measured by inulin clearance in tubular fluid collections from the late proximal tubule. TGF responses were quantified as the increase in SNGFR that occurred when the perfusion rate was reduced from 50 to 8 nl/min in STN or 40 to 8 nl/min in sham animals. The baseline TGF response was anomalous in STN HS (-4 ± 3 vs 14 ± 3 nl/min, P < 0.001). TGF response was normalized by perfusing STN nephron with LNMMA (14 ± 3 nl/min, P < 0.005 for ANOVA cross term) but not with benzamil (-3 ± 4 nl/min, P = 0.4 for ANOVA cross term). Anomalous TGF occurs in STN HS due to heightened effect of tubular flow on nitric oxide signaling, which increases to the point of overriding the normal TGF response. There is no role for cTGF in this phenomenon.

Structural and Functional Changes in Human Kidneys with Healthy Aging.

Aging is associated with significant changes in structure and function of the kidney, even in the absence of age-related comorbidities. On the macrostructural level, kidney cortical volume decreases, surface roughness increases, and the number and size of simple renal cysts increase with age. On the microstructural level, the histologic signs of nephrosclerosis (arteriosclerosis/arteriolosclerosis, global glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis, and tubular atrophy) all increase with age. The decline of nephron number is accompanied by a comparable reduction in measured whole-kidney GFR. However, single-nephron GFR remains relatively constant with healthy aging as does glomerular volume. Only when glomerulosclerosis and arteriosclerosis exceed that expected for age is there an increase in single-nephron GFR. In the absence of albuminuria, age-related reduction in GFR with the corresponding increase in CKD (defined by an eGFR<60 ml/min per 1.73 m2) has been shown to associate with a very modest to no increase in age-standardized mortality risk or ESRD. These findings raise the question of whether disease labeling of an age-related decline in GFR is appropriate. These findings also emphasize the need for a different management approach for many elderly individuals considered to have CKD by current criteria.

Fluid flow shear stress over podocytes is increased in the solitary kidney

Glomerular hyperfiltration is emerging as the key risk factor for progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Podocytes are exposed to fluid flow shear stress (FFSS) caused by the flow of ultrafiltrate within Bowman's space. The mechanism of hyperfiltration-induced podocyte injury is not clear. We postulated that glomerular hyperfiltration in solitary kidney increases FFSS over podocytes. Infant Sprague-Dawley rats at 5 days of age and C57BL/6J 14-week-old adult mice underwent unilateral nephrectomy. Micropuncture and morphological studies were then performed on 20- and 60-day-old rats. FFSS over podocytes in uninephrectomized rats and mice was calculated using the recently published equation by Friedrich et al. which includes the variables-single nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR), filtration fraction (f), glomerular tuft diameter (2RT) and width of Bowman's space (s). Glomerular hypertrophy was observed in uninephrectomized rats and mice. Uninephrectomized rats on Day 20 showed a 2.0-fold increase in SNGFR, 1.0-fold increase in 2RT and 2.1-fold increase in FFSS, and on Day 60 showed a 1.9-fold increase in SNGFR, 1.3-fold increase in 2RT and 1.5-fold increase in FFSS, at all values of modeled 's'. Similarly, uninephrectomized mice showed a 2- to 3-fold increase in FFSS at all values of modeled SNGFR. FFSS over podocytes is increased in solitary kidneys in both infant rats and adult mice. This increase is a consequence of increased SNGFR. We speculate that increased FFSS caused by reduced nephron number contributes to podocyte injury and promotes the progression of CKD.

Quantitative imaging of basic functions in renal (patho)physiology

Multiphoton fluorescence microscopy offers the advantages of deep optical sectioning of living tissue with minimal phototoxicity and high optical resolution. More importantly, dynamic processes and multiple functions of an intact organ can be visualized in real time using noninvasive methods, and quantified. These studies aimed to extend existing methods of multiphoton fluorescence imaging to directly observe and quantify basic physiological parameters of the kidney including glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and permeability, blood flow, urinary concentration/dilution, renin content and release, as well as more integrated and complex functions like the tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF)-mediated oscillations in glomerular filtration and tubular flow. Streptozotocin-induced diabetes significantly increased single-nephron GFR (SNGFR) from 32.4 +/- 0.4 to 59.5 +/- 2.5 nl/min and glomerular permeability to a 70-kDa fluorophore approximately eightfold. The loop diuretic furosemide 2-fold diluted and increased approximately 10-fold the volume of distal tubular fluid, while also causing the release of 20% of juxtaglomerular renin content. Significantly higher speeds of individual red blood cells were measured in intraglomerular capillaries (16.7 +/- 0.4 mm/s) compared with peritubular vessels (4.7 +/- 0.2 mm/s). Regular periods of glomerular contraction-relaxation were observed, resulting in oscillations of filtration and tubular flow rate. Oscillations in proximal and distal tubular flow showed similar cycle times ( approximately 45 s) to glomerular filtration, with a delay of approximately 5-10 and 25-30 s, respectively. These innovative technologies provide the most complex, immediate, and dynamic portrayal of renal function, clearly depicting the components and mechanisms involved in normal physiology and pathophysiology.

Obesity and Prevalent and Incident CKD: The Hypertension Detection and Follow-Up Program

Obesity is associated with increased single-nephron glomerular filtration rate, which may increase the risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially when combined with hypertension. However, epidemiological data supporting an association between overweight and obesity and risk for CKD currently are limited. We used data from the Hypertension Detection and Follow-Up Program (HDFP) to test the hypothesis that overweight and obesity are associated with incident CKD in 5,897 hypertensive adults. Serum and spot urine samples were collected at baseline and year 5. CKD is defined as the presence of 1+ or greater proteinuria on routine urinalysis and/or an estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (<1.0 mL/s). In HDFP participants without CKD at baseline, the incidence of CKD at year 5 was 28% in the ideal-body-mass-index group, 31% in the overweight group, and 34% in the obese group. After adjustment for all covariates, including diabetes mellitus, mean baseline diastolic blood pressure, and slope of diastolic blood pressure, both baseline overweight (odds ratio [OR], 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05 to 1.41) and obesity (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.20 to 1.63) were associated with increased odds of incident CKD at year 5. Similar results were noted after exclusion of participants with baseline diabetes mellitus, with both overweight (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.43) and obesity (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.17 to 1.63) remaining significantly associated with incident CKD. These results suggest that obese adults with hypertension have an increased risk for CKD.

Pentosan polysulfate prevents glomerular hypertension and structural injury despite persisting hypertension in 5/6 nephrectomy rats.

Five/six nephrectomy induces systemic and glomerular hypertension, glomerulosclerosis, proteinuria, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Polysulfate pentosan (PPS) decreases mesangial proliferation and extracellular matrix accumulation. The aim of this study was to determine whether PPS prevents glomerular hemodynamic changes and renal damage. Micropuncture studies were performed in three groups of eight male Wistar rats. Two groups included rats with 5/6 nephrectomy-one of which was treated with PPS in drinking water (100 mg/kg body wt) and the second of which received normal drinking water-and the third group consisted of normal rats that served as controls. Five/six nephrectomy produced systemic hypertension, a 50% reduction in GFR, and a 67% increase in single-nephron GFR due to elevated glomerular pressure and single-nephron plasma flow as well as proteinuria. Hypertension persisted in PPS-treated animals. Despite a similar reduction in GFR, PPS prevented the rise in single-nephron GFR, glomerular capillary hydrostatic pressure, and proteinuria. By morphometry, glomerular volume was increased by 46% and mesangial area by 94%. Fractional glomerular capillary area decreased by 24%. PPS prevented these changes. Tubular dilatation, epithelial cell atrophy, and increased interstitial area were largely prevented by PPS, as was the interstitial inflammatory infiltrate. These results suggest that the renal protection conferred by PPS was mediated both by prevention of glomerular hypertension as well as suppression of the inflammatory response. It was postulated that this was partly due to the preservation of a greater fraction of functional nephrons.

Glomerular hyperfiltration in experimental diabetes mellitus: potential role of tubular reabsorption.

An increase in Na+/glucose cotransport upstream to the macula densa might contribute to the increase in single nephron GFR (SNGFR) in early diabetes mellitus by lowering the signal of the tubuloglomerular feedback, i.e., the luminal Na+, Cl-, and K+ concentration sensed by the macula densa. To examine this issue, micropuncture experiments were performed in nephrons with superficial glomeruli of streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus in rats. First, in nondiabetic control rats, ambient early distal tubular concentrations of Na+, Cl-, and K+ were about 21, 20, and 1.2 mM, respectively, suggesting collection sites relatively close to the macula densa. Second, glomerular hyperfiltration in diabetic rats was associated with a reduction in ambient early distal tubular concentrations of Na+, Cl-, and K+ by 20 to 28%, reflecting an increase in fractional reabsorption of these ions up to the early distal tubule. Third, in diabetic rats, early proximal tubular application of phlorizin, an inhibitor of Na+/glucose cotransport, elicited (1) a greater reduction in absolute and fractional reabsorption of Na+, Cl-, and K+ up to the early distal tubule, and (2) a greater increase in early distal tubular concentration of these ions, which was associated with a more pronounced reduction in SNGFR. These findings support the concept that stimulation of tubular Na+/glucose cotransport by reducing the tubuloglomerular feedback signal at the macula densa may contribute to glomerular hyperfiltration in diabetic rats. Glomerular hyperfiltration in diabetic rats serves to compensate for the rise in fractional tubular reabsorption to partly restore the electrolyte load to the distal nephron.

Altered expression of Na transporters NHE-3, NaPi-II, Na-K-ATPase, BSC-1, and TSC in CRF rat kidneys.

In chronic renal failure (CRF), reduction in renal mass leads to an increase in the filtration rates of the remaining nephrons and increased excretion of sodium per nephron. To address the mechanisms involved in the increased sodium excretion, we determined the total kidney levels and the densities per nephron of the major renal NaCl transporters in rats with experimental CRF. Two weeks after 5/6 nephrectomy (reducing the total number of nephrons to approximately 24 +/- 8%), the rats were azotemic and displayed increased Na excretion. Semiquantitative immunoblotting revealed significant reduction in the total kidney levels of the proximal tubule Na transporters NHE-3 (48% of control), NaPi-II (13%), and Na-K-ATPase (30%). However, the densities per nephron of NHE-3, NaPi-II, and Na-K-ATPase were not significantly altered in remnant kidneys, despite the extensive hypertrophy of remaining nephrons. Immunocytochemistry confirmed the reduction in NHE-3 and Na-K-ATPase labeling densities in the proximal tubule. In contrast, there was no significant reduction in the total kidney levels of the thick ascending limb and distal convoluted tubule NaCl transporters BSC-1 and TSC, respectively. This corresponded to a 3.6 and 2.5-fold increase in densities per nephron, respectively (confirmed by immunocytochemistry). In conclusion, in this rat CRF model: 1) increased fractional sodium excretion is associated with altered expression of proximal tubule Na transporter expression (NHE-3, NaPi-II, and Na-K-ATPase), consistent with glomerulotubular imbalance in the face of increased single-nephron glomerular filtration rate; and 2) compensatory increases in BSC-1 and TSC expression per nephron occur in distal segments.

Agmatine affects glomerular filtration via a nitric oxide synthase-dependent mechanism.

Arginine decarboxylase is present in the kidney and metabolizes the amino acid, arginine, to agmatine. Agmatine increases filtration rate in single nephrons (J. J. Lortie, W. F. Novotny, O. W. Peterson, V. Vallon, K. Malvey, M. Mendonca, J. Satriano, P. Insel, S. C. Thomson, and R. C. Blantz. J. Clin. Invest. 97:413-420, 1996). Experiments were conducted to determine whether exogenously administered agmatine exerts these effects via interaction with nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and whether this interaction depends upon alpha 2-adrenergic receptors. Agmatine microperfused (1 microM) into the urinary space of surface glomeruli of the rat increased nephron filtration rate from 33 +/- 4 to 40 +/- 5 nl/min with complete recovery within 10 min. When NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), a nonselective NOS inhibitor, was systemically infused, agmatine no longer increased single-nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR). BHT-933, an alpha 2-adrenergic agonist, did not increase SNGFR and was unaffected by concurrent L-NMMA. In vitro incubation of freshly harvested glomeruli with agmatine resulted in significant increases in the generation of cGMP, effects similar to carbachol, and blocked by nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) but not yohimbine, an alpha 2-adrenergic antagonist. Agmatine exerts effects on glomerular ultrafiltration via a constitutive NOS-dependent mechanism, and this does not require the participation of alpha 2-adrenoreceptors.

Effects of long-term training on the progression of chronic renal failure in rats.

To evaluate the effects of long-term exercise on the progression of chronic renal failure (CRF), adult Munich-Wistar rats with 5/6 renal mass ablation were submitted to treadmill exercise for 30 min 5 times/wk for 60 d. Whole kidney function and glomerular hemodynamics, proteinuria, and glomerular sclerosis were evaluated in 4 groups: Control, Sham trained (Sham + Ex), rats submitted to 5/6 nephrectomy (CRF) and maintained sedentary, and rats with 5/6 nephrectomy and trained (CRF + Ex). The groups with chronic renal failure (sedentary and trained) presented a reduction in total glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and in renal plasma flow (RPF), accompanied by an increase in single nephron GFR (SNGFR) and glomerular plasma flow (QA). However, the CRF + EX group did not show the glomerular hypertension observed in the CRF group. Despite the normalization of glomerular hypertension, proteinuria and sclerosis index were not different from the CRF sedentary group. Physical training provoked a vasodilatation of efferent arterioles, which induced the normalization of glomerular hypertension. These results suggest that the reduction alone of glomerular hypertension induced by exercise does not prevent the progression of renal disease, indicating the participation of other associated factors in this experimental model.

Single-nephron adaptations to partial renal ablation in cats.

To evaluate remnant nephron hyperfiltration, cats underwent sham surgery (group 1, n = 6) or three-fourths nephrectomy (group 2, n = 6). Four to six weeks later, micropuncture studies demonstrated increases (P < 0.01) of single-nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR) in group 2 (28.1 +/- 2.8 vs. 56.0 +/- 5.9 nl/min). In group 2 the mean estimated glomerular capillary pressure of 74.0 +/- 1.7 mmHg exceeded (P < 0.01) the value for group 1 (62.6 +/- 1.4 mmHg). The mean effective filtration pressure (EFPm) for group 2 (28.7 +/- 3.1 mmHg) was greater (P < 0.05) than that in group 1 (20.8 +/- 1.9 mmHg). Similarly, the mean ultrafiltration coefficient (Kf) in group 2 of 2.03 +/- 0.24 nl.min-1.mmHg-1 exceeded (P < 0.05) the corresponding value for group 1 of 1.35 +/- 0.06 nl.min-1.mmHg-1. Morphological studies demonstrated glomerular enlargement and mesangial matrix expansion in group 2 (P < 0.05). Proteinuria, as assessed by the urine protein-to-creatinine ratio, was increased (P < 0.05) after partial renal ablation. These results demonstrate that increases in SNGFR in feline remnant nephrons occur in association with glomerular hypertension, glomerular hypertrophy, expansion of mesangial matrix, and proteinuria, and furthermore, that the observed increases in SNGFR are attributable to an augmentation of EFPm and Kf.

Role of nitric oxide in renal hemodynamic abnormalities of cyclosporin nephrotoxicity

To evaluate the participation of nitric oxide (NO) in chronic cyclosporin A (CsA) nephrotoxicity, the glomerular hemodynamic response to NO inhibition with N-nitro-L-arginine-methyl-ester (NAME) and stimulation of NO production with L-arginine was studied in uninephrectomized rats. Chronic CsA administration produced renal vasoconstriction, characterized by increased afferent (AR) and efferent (ER) resistances, decrease of glomerular plasma flow (QA) and ultrafiltration coefficient (Kf) that resulted in a 53% fall of single-nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR). NAME infusion in vehicle group (V) elevated mean arterial pressure (MAP), AR and ER, reduced qA and Kf, and increased glomerular capillary pressure (PGC), resulting in a 28.9% fall of SNGFR. In the CsA group, NAME also increased MAP, but renal vasoconstriction was more intense; a greater rise of AR lowered PGC (P < 0.05 vs. V) further decreasing SNGFR by 38.9%. In control rats, L-arginine infusion induced a vasodilatory response of AR and ER, and elevation of QA and Kf, which resulted in a 72.6% increase in SNGFR. In the CsA group, greater vasodilation was observed and SNGFR rose by 114.9%. NO2-/NO3- urinary excretion was similar in CsA and V groups, and it was not modified by NAME in either group, but it increased five- to sixfold during L-arginine infusion in both groups. In conclusion, in CsA nephrotoxicity NO production seems to be normal and the ability of the renal endothelium to produce NO is maintained. Therefore renal vasoconstriction associated with CsA is not mediated by NO deficiency, although NO appears to attenuate it.

Bradykinin causes selective efferent arteriolar dilation during angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibition

We studied the effects of interruption of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in rats that were volume depleted by water deprivation for 48 hours (AWD) with/without furosemide (AWD + F), a condition known to activate RAS. Following baseline micropuncture, AWD rats (N = 6) were treated with a specific angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist (AIIRA; 4 mg/kg body wt bolus i.v. and then continuous infusion) and glomerular hemodynamics compared to those obtained during angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitor treatment (ACEI; 24 mg/kg bolus i.v. and then continuous infusion). Systemic blood pressure decreased equally following AIIRA and ACEI. Single nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR) increased from baseline following AIIRA (24 nl/min vs. 30, P < 0.025). While a decrease in efferent arteriolar resistance (RE) reduced glomerular capillary pressure (PGC; 67 mm Hg vs. 60, P < 0.05), this change in RE together with decrease in afferent arteriolar resistance (RA), enhanced glomerular plasma flow rate (QA; 80 nl/min vs. 111). Antagonizing angiotensin II receptor increased QA which, together with the tendency to increase glomerular capillary ultrafiltration coefficient, Kf, served to improve glomerular filtration. By contrast, although inhibition of the angiotensin I converting enzyme caused greater vasodilatation, no increase in SNGFR occurred. The lack of response in filtration after ACEI was due to a further fall in PGC to 52 mm Hg (P < 0.01 vs. AIIRA), reflecting profound reduction in RE. Since ACEI but not AIIRA potentiates bradykinin activity we examined effects of a specific bradykinin antagonist (Hoe).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Role of mesangial cell in glomerular response to volume and angiotensin II

We have examined the physiological role of the mesangial cell in the regulation of glomerular hemodynamics utilizing mesangial cell lysis by the administration of antithymocyte antibody serum (ATS) 24 h before micropuncture evaluation. Plasma volume expansion (PVE) in normal NaCl-depleted rats increased single-nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR) by 30% because of increases in single-nephron plasma flow (SNPF), whereas glomerular capillary hydrostatic pressure (PG) remained constant. SNGFR did not increase with PVE in NaCl-depleted ATS rats despite increases in SNPF, and PG increased significantly (51 +/- 2 to 67 +/- 3 mmHg) because of afferent arteriolar dilation, whereas efferent resistance remained elevated. Angiotensin II (ANG II) infusion in normal rats decreased SNGFR because of reductions in SNPF and the glomerular ultrafiltration coefficient (LpA), whereas the hydrostatic pressure gradient (delta P) increased. In ATS rats ANG II infusion did not change SNGFR, LpA, or delta P. These in vivo studies suggest that the mesangial cell plays an important role in the regulation of LpA, efferent arteriolar resistance, and the regulation of PG, whereas this cell exerts little effect on the afferent arteriole.

Renal functional reserve in the early stage of experimental diabetes.

The role of renal functional reserve (RFR; increase in plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate in response to protein loading) as an indicator of increased glomerular hydrostatic pressure and flow was evaluated in recent-onset poorly controlled diabetic rats. Streptozocin-induced diabetic (STZ-D) rats were studied with micropuncture (MP) technique after 10-15 days of diabetes (daily blood glucose level 15.3-18 mmol). We also studied STZ-D rats treated with the converting-enzyme inhibitor (CEI) enalapril or the angiotensin II (ANG II) receptor antagonist DuP 753 (DuP) for 3 days before MP. Nondiabetic rats (NOR) served as controls. Glomerular hemodynamics and proximal tubular reabsorption were measured in the control period and during intravenous glycine infusion. In NOR rats, glycine increased single-nephron plasma flow (SNPF) and single-nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR). Although STZ-D rats did not exhibit hyperfiltration, SNGFR and SNPF were not modified by glycine, defining loss of RFR. CEI rats responded to glycine with an increase in SNGFR due to a rise in SNPF and a rise in the ultrafiltration coefficient. Interestingly, loss of RFR in STZ-D rats was associated with a decrease in absolute proximal reabsorption. The decrease in absolute proximal reabsorption was corrected by both CEI and DuP, although glomerular vasodilation was restored only in the CEI group. In conclusion, at the early stage of diabetes mellitus, loss of RFR does not detect hyperfiltration, but rather the presence of a tubular alteration probably dependent on ANG II.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Renal functional reserve in treated and untreated hypertensive rats

Renal functional reserve (renal response to protein loading, RFR) has been suggested as a method to verify the presence of hyperfiltration. This study was designed to evaluate the role of RFR as an indicator of increased glomerular capillary hydrostatic pressure in short-term treated and untreated rats with two-kidney, one-clip Goldblatt hypertension. One month after placing a silver clip, micropuncture studies were performed on the unclipped kidney. Normal rats and three groups of clipped rats [untreated group (HYP), a group treated with captopril (CEI) and a group treated with verapamil (VER) 5 days before the micropuncture studies] were studied. Glomerular hemodynamics and proximal tubular reabsorption were measured in control period and during intravenous administration of glycine (G). In normal rats, G produced afferent and efferent dilation, increases in single nephron plasma flow (SNPF) and single nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR) of 24%. Systemic hypertension in HYP rats was associated with increases in transcapillary pressure gradient (delta P) and SNGFR. In this hyperfiltration state, infusion of G did not modify SNGFR of SNPF defining loss of RFR. The antihypertensive treatment was equally effective in normalizing MAP and delta P in CEI and VER, but only CEI rats responded to G with a 20% increase in SNGFR due to an increase in delta P. The most striking findings were that loss of RFR in both HYP and VER rats was associated with a significant decrease in absolute and proximal fractional reabsorption.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)