[Polyuria and polydipsia due to renal diabetes insipidus during the use of lithium]

Polyuria, thirst and polydipsia due to renal diabetes insipidus (RDI) are common side effects of long-term lithium treatment. In a man aged 56 years, the polyuria could be reduced considerably by diuretics. However, as shown in the case of a 49-year-old man, such treatment carries the risk of acute lithium intoxication due to volume depletion and reduced renal lithium clearance. A reduction in the dose of lithium prior to diuretic treatment is therefore mandatory. Although polyuria and polydipsia are generally mainly a nuisance, the condition may become life-threatening when free access to fluids is impossible. This is demonstrated by the case of a 46-year-old man who was on chronic lithium treatment with probable RDI and who developed fatal severe dehydration and hypernatraemia after traumatic brain injury. Awareness of the possibility of RDI in patients on chronic lithium treatment is therefore important.

Lithium treatment induces a marked proliferation of primarily principal cells in rat kidney inner medullary collecting duct

Lithium (Li) treatment for 4 wk has previously been shown to increase the fraction of intercalated cells in parallel with a decrease in the fraction of principal cells in the kidney collecting duct (Christensen BM, Marples D, Kim YH, Wang W, Frøkiær J, and Nielsen S. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 286: C952–C964, 2004; Kim YH, Kwon TH, Christensen BM, Nielsen J, Wall SM, Madsen KM, Frøkiær J, and Nielsen S. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 285: F1244–F1257, 2003). To study how early this fractional change starts, the origin of the cells and the possible mechanism behind the changes, we did time course studies in rats subjected to different durations of Li treatment (i.e., for 4, 10, and 15 days). Increased urine output was already observed at day 4 of Li treatment with decreased AQP2 levels although not statistically significant. At days 10 and 15, both a significant polyuria and downregulation in AQP2 expression were observed. At day 10, the density of H+-ATPase-positive cells was increased in the IMCD of Li-treated rats and this was further pronounced at day 15. Some of the H+-ATPase-positive cells did not costain with Cl−/HCO3−exchanger AE1, indicating that they were not fully differentiated to type A IC. By double labeling for either H+-ATPase and proliferating-cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) or for AQP4 and PCNA, we found that proliferation mainly occurred in proximal IMCD cells at day 4 and it increased toward the middle part of the IMCD in response to prolonged Li treatment. Most cells expressing PCNA were stained with AQP4 but not with H+-ATPase. Triple-labeling for H+-ATPase, AQP4, and PCNA showed a subset of cells negative for all three proteins or only positive for PCNA. In contrast, a 4-wk recovery period after 4 wk of Li treatment reversed the enhanced proliferative rate to the control levels. In conclusion, the Li-induced increase in the density of intercalated cells is associated with a high proliferative rate of principal cells in the IM-1 and IM-2 rather than a selective proliferation of intercalated cells as expected. This is likely to contribute to the remodeling of the collecting duct after Li treatment.

An unusual case of polyuria in a lithium-treated patient

A 60-year-old woman, who had been taking lithium for 36 years for bipolar affective disorder, was referred to an endocrinologist by her psychiatrist for investigation of polydipsia and polyuria. Water deprivation did not concentrate her urine, nor did desmopressin, indicating the diagnosis of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI).

She was started on chlorthalidone, a treatment for NDI, and her symptoms improved dramatically. Her polyuria was well controlled on chlorthalidone for 4 years, until she started feel tired and weak and her polyuria worsened. Initially these symptoms were attributed to her depression and lithium therapy. However, routine blood testing revealed a random blood glucose of 18.5 mmol/litre, thereby confirming the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, and a corrected calcium of 3.02 mmol/litre (normal range 2.1–2.6 mmol/litre). She was started on a diabetic diet, resulting in good diabetes control (confirmed by haemoglobin A1c) and her symptoms improved.

The patient's chlorthalidone was stopped as thiazide diuretics can cause hypercalcaemia and her calcium was repeated. The repeat value was higher at 3.07 mmol/litre and her parathormone was alsoelevated at 11.24 pmol/litre, confirming hyperparathyroidism. A parathyroid adenoma was sought but a nuclear medicine scan (Tc99m ssesta-MIBI; technetium 99m-sesta 2-methoxy isobutyl isonitrille) and ultrasound examination of the neck failed to localize an adenoma. It was felt that she had developed parathyroid hyperplasia secondary to chronic lithium therapy (Mallette and Eichhorn, 1986), so her lithium was withdrawn and replaced with sodium valproate. Her NDI and hyperparathyroidism resolved on withdrawal of lithium.

Polyuria associated with high-dose methotrexate in two patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Although methotrexate has an established safety profile in clinical practice, severe morbidity can still occur on rare occasions. We report two patients with leukemia treated with high dose methotrexate. Both patients developed profound polyuria that required aggressive fluid resuscitations during the treatments. Renal toxicity is a known complication of methotrexate, but polyuria associated with its use has not been reported before. Polyuria started shortly after the initiation of the medicine in both patients. The polyuria resolved as the drug level in blood became undetectable. The episodes of polyuria were transient and recurred every time when the patients received methotrexate. The clinical pictures were not compatible with classical drug induced nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. It is possible that the drug interferes with adenosine metabolism, which in turn alters the tubular ability of solute and fluid reabsorption.

[Intravenous ketoprofen for severe lithium-induced polyuria]

INTRODUCTION

Although lithium has a narrow therapeutic range, it is widely used in psychiatry because of its antipsychotic and antidepressant properties. During long-term treatment, the onset of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus is common, but few cases of severe hypotonic polyuria, which would be an aggravating factor, have been reported. Appropriate treatment in such cases is an open question.

CASE

We report a case of acute lithium poisoning in a 42-year-old man, due to chronic lithium treatment (plasma lithium=2.6 mmol/L). This patient, admitted to our intensive care unit, presented neurological disorders complicated by the early emergence of severe nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. After perfusion of hypotonic solution and intravenous treatment with ketoprofen (100 mg x 3/24 h), the polyuria improved rapidly.

COMMENTS

The beneficial action of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs lies in their capacity to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis. Lithium causes excess production of prostaglandins, which decrease the ability of kidneys to reabsorb free water. Some publications report indomethacin to be effective in this case. Because it is available only in oral or rectal forms, however, its effect may be delayed. Our case suggests that intravenous ketoprofen, with its rapid onset of action, is effective in the treatment of severe lithium-induced nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Rehydration must be strictly monitored because of the risk of renal failure connected with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.

Altered expression of COX-1, COX-2, and mPGES in rats with nephrogenic and central diabetes insipidus

Prostaglandins have an important role in renal salt and water reabsorption. PGE2is the main kidney prostaglandin and is thought to be mainly produced in the kidney inner medulla (IM). There are indications that PGE2synthesis in nephrogenic (NDI) and central (CDI) diabetes insipidus is altered. We hypothesize that the expression of the major PGE2synthesis enzymes cyclooxygenases 1 and 2 (COX-1, COX-2) and membrane-associated PGE2synthase (mPGES) is altered in the kidneys of rats with NDI and CDI. Wistar rats treated with lithium for 4 wk were used as the NDI model. One-half of the NDI model rats were additionally dehydrated for 48 h. Brattleboro (BB) rats that lack endogenous antidiuretic hormone were used as the CDI model. Expression and localization of COX-1, COX-2, and mPGES in IM, inner stripe of outer medulla (ISOM), and cortex were determined by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. In lithium-induced NDI, expression of COX-1, COX-2, and mPGES was markedly decreased in IM. In ISOM and cortex, COX-1 expression was marginally reduced and mPGES expression was unaltered. COX-2 expression was undetected in ISOM and marginally increased in cortex. Consistent with this, the density of COX-2-expressing cells in macula densa was significantly increased, indicating differential regulation of COX-2 in IM and cortex. Dehydration of NDI rats resulted in a marked increase in COX-2 immunolabeling in IM interstitial cells, and there was no significant change in COX-1 and mPGES expression in any kidney zone. Treatment of DDAVP in BB rats for 6 days resulted in a markedly increased expression of COX-1, COX-2, and mPGES in IM. In the cortex, there were no changes in the expression of COX-1 and mPGES, whereas COX-2 expression was decreased. These results identify markedly reduced expression of COX-1, COX-2, and mPGES in IM in lithium-induced NDI. Furthermore, there were major changes in the expression of COX-1, COX-2, and mPGES in rats with CDI.

Lithium treatment inhibits renal GSK-3 activity and promotes cyclooxygenase 2-dependent polyuria

The use of LiCl in clinical psychiatry is routinely complicated by overt nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI), the mechanism of which is incompletely understood. In vitro studies indicate that lithium can induce renal medullary interstitial cell cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) protein expression via inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β). Both COX1 and COX2 are expressed in the kidney. Renal prostaglandins have been suggested to play an important role in lithium-induced polyuria. The present studies examined whether induction of the COX2 isoform contributes to LiCl-induced polyuria. Four days after initiation of lithium treatment in C57 BL/6J mice, urine volume increased in LiCl-treated mice by fourfold compared with controls ( P < 0.0001) and was accompanied by decreased urine osmolality. This was temporally associated with increased renal COX2 protein expression and increased urinary PGE2 excretion, whereas COX1 levels remained unchanged. COX2 inhibition significantly blunted lithium-induced polyuria ( P < 0.0001) and reduced urinary PGE2 levels. Lithium-associated polyuria was also seen in COX1−/− mice and was associated with increased urinary PGE2. COX2 inhibition completely prevented polyuria and PGE2 excretion in COX1−/− mice, suggesting that COX2, but not COX1, plays a critical role in lithium-induced polyuria. Lithium also induced renal medullary COX2 protein expression in congenitally polyuric antidiuretic hormone (AHD)-deficient rats, demonstrating that lithium-induced COX2 protein expression is not secondary to altered ADH levels or polyuria. Lithium also decreased renal medullary GSK-3β activity, and this was temporally related to increased COX2 expression in the kidney from lithium-treated mice, consistent with a tonic in vivo suppression of COX2 expression by GSK-3 activity. In conclusion, these findings temporally link decreased GSK-3 activity to enhanced renal COX2 expression and COX2-derived urine PGE2 excretion. Suppression of COX2-derived PGE2 blunts lithium-associated polyuria.

Lithium-induced nephrogenic diabetes insipidus

We report a case of a 43 year-old female who presented with lithium-induced nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. This patient had history of bipolar disorder for which she had been taking lithium carbonate for last 16 years. Appropriate work up was done and she was diagnosed with nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, secondary to lithium toxicity, and was managed accordingly.

Posttranslational regulation of NO synthase activity in the renal medulla of diabetic rats

Shear stress increases nitric oxide (NO) production by endothelial cells, inner medullary collecting duct cells, and thick ascending limb. We postulated that the osmotic diuresis accompanying type 1 diabetes is associated with increased NO synthase (NOS) activity and/or expression in the renal medulla. Diabetes was induced by injection of streptozotocin, with insulin provided to maintain moderate hyperglycemia (Hyp) or euglycemia (Eug) for 3 wk. Sham rats received vehicle treatments. A separate group of rats (Phz) received phlorizin to produce a glucose-dependent osmotic diuresis. Renal medullary NOS1 and NOS2 activities did not differ between groups, whereas NOS3 activity was significantly increased in Hyp. Neither NOS1 nor NOS3 protein levels differed significantly between groups. Reduced phosphorylation of NOS3 at Thr(495) and Ser(633) was evident in medullary homogenates from Hyp rats, with no difference apparent at Ser(1177). Immunohistochemical analysis indicated prominent expression of pThr(495)NOS3 in the thick ascending limb and collecting duct of Sham and Phz rats. Hyp rats displayed staining in the collecting duct but minimal thick ascending limb staining. Immunostaining with anti-pSer(1177)NOS3 was evident only in the thick ascending limb, with no apparent differences between groups. In summary, glucose-dependent osmotic diuresis alone did not alter NOS activity or expression in the renal medulla. Diabetic hyperglycemia increased medullary NOS3 activity without a concomitant increase in NOS3 protein levels; however, NOS3 phosphorylation was reduced at Thr(495) and Ser(633). Thus changes in the phosphorylation of NOS at known regulatory sites might represent the primary mechanism underlying increased renal medullary NOS activity in diabetic hyperglycemia.

Phospholipid mediators and MgATPase modulation causes changes in the cardiovascular effects of vasopressin in lithium carbonate-induced polyuric rats

The effect of phospholipid and MgATPase modulation was evaluated on the cardiovascular actions of vasopressin in normal and lithium carbonate- (Li2CO3) induced polyuric rats. We examined the effects of the phospholipase inhibitor neomycin, the diacylglycerol kinase II inhibitor R59949 and the MgATPase activator sphingosine on heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) responses to vasopressin analogues lysine vasopressin (LVP) and arginine vasopressin (AVP). R59949 (20 microg/kg) produced an increase while sphingosine (30 microg/kg) caused a decrease in HR responses in both control and polyuric rats. Pretreatment with sphingosine caused significant enhancement of LVP- (10 microg/kg) induced bradycardia in polyuria rats compared with control animals (p < 0.01). R59949 induced a potentiation of vasopressin-induced bradycardia in control animals compared with polyuria rats. Pretreatment with sphingosine and R59949 produced a significant increase in BP per se and potentiated the actions of LVP in control animals, while the response in the lithium-treated animals was attenuated. Neomycin caused a reduction in HR and BP in control and lithium-treated animals. To evaluate the central role of the MgATPase enzyme we used sphingosine, which significantly increased the locomotor activity of lithium-treated animals, suggesting a possible central interaction of lithium and MgATPase (p < 0.05). These results strongly suggest that phospholipid mediators and MgATPase modulation contribute to the alteration of the cardiovascular effects of vasopressin in lithium carbonate-induced polyuric rats.

Reduced expression of renal Na+transporters in rats with PTH-induced hypercalcemia

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the natriuresis and polyuria seen in parathyroid hormone (PTH)-induced hypercalcemia are associated with dysregulation of renal Na transporters. Rats were infused with three different doses of human PTH [PTH ( 1 - 34 ); 7.5, 10, and 15 μg·kg-1·day-1sc] or vehicle for 48 h using osmotic minipumps. The rats treated with PTH developed significant hypercalcemia (plasma total calcium levels: 2.71 ± 0.03, 2.77 ± 0.02, and 3.42 ± 0.06 mmol/l, respectively, P < 0.05 compared with corresponding controls). The rats with severe hypercalcemia induced by high-dose PTH developed a decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR), increased urine output, reduced urinary osmolality, increased urinary Na excretion, and fractional excretion of Na. This was associated with downregulation (calculated as a fraction of control levels) of whole kidney expression of type 2 Na-Picotransporter (NaPi-2; 16 ± 6%), type 3 Na/H exchanger (NHE3; 42 ± 7%), Na-K-ATPase (55 ± 2%), and bumetanide-sensitive Na-K-2Cl cotransporter (BSC-1; 25 ± 4%). In contrast, an upregulation of the Ca2+-sensing receptor (CaR) was observed. Rats treated with moderate-dose PTH exhibited unchanged GFR but decreased urinary concentration. The whole kidney expression of NHE3 (52 ± 8%) and NaPi-2 (26 ± 5%) was persistently decreased, whereas BSC-1 and Na-K-ATPase protein levels were not altered. CaR expression was also increased. Moreover, rats treated with low-dose PTH showed very mild hypercalcemia but unchanged GFR, normal urinary concentration, and unchanged expression of Na transporters and CaR. In conclusion, the reduced expression of major renal Na transporters is likely to play a role in the increased urinary Na excretion and decreased urinary concentration in rats with PTH-induced hypercalcemia. Moreover, the increase in the CaR in the thick ascending limb (TAL) may indicate a potential role of the CaR in inhibiting Na transport in the TAL.

Evidence for bradykinin as a stimulator of thirst

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition (ACEI) with captopril has been shown to increase water intake and urine output in rats, but the mechanism is unknown. ACEI impairs the conversion of ANG I to ANG II, a dipsogenic hormone, and impairs the degradation of bradykinin. The goal of this study was to examine the role of bradykinin in the polydipsia and polyuria associated with ACEI. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received captopril (CPT; 20 mg.kg(-1).day(-1)) in ground chow for 48 h. Water intake, food intake, and urine output were monitored and compared with control rats (CTL), rats receiving captopril treatment with limited water intake (CPT-LIM), and rats receiving captopril treatment with ad libitum water intake plus 24-h treatment with the bradykinin antagonist B-9430 (CPT-BK1). CPT rats consumed significantly more water and produced more urine vs. CTL. Urine osmolality was significantly decreased in CPT rats vs. CTL. Inner medullary aquaporin-2 (AQP2) protein abundance was also markedly decreased in CPT rats vs. CTL. These findings were reversed in CPT-LIM rats, suggesting captopril-induced primary polydipsia. CPT-BKI rats demonstrated parameters no different from CTL despite ad libitum water intake. Mean arterial pressure and 24-h creatinine clearance did not differ among groups. We conclude that ACEI with captopril induces primary polydipsia despite impaired production of the dipsogen ANG II and that this primary increase in water intake is likely the cause of the decreased protein abundance of inner medullary AQP2. Furthermore, this dipsogenic effect was reversed by antagonism of bradykinin, thus implicating this hormone in thirst regulation in the rat.

Down-regulation of Na+ transporters and AQP2 is responsible for acyclovir-induced polyuria and hypophosphatemia

BACKGROUND

Acyclovir (ACY) is a useful therapeutic agent for the systemic treatment of herpes virus infection. An increase in urinary phosphate excretion and polyuria has been described. The objective of this study was to analyze the exact mechanism of the urinary-concentrating dysfunction and the increase in phosphaturia associated with ACY.

METHODS

We first analyzed 7 (adult and pediatric) non-AIDS cases of encephalitis receiving 15 mg/kg bw/d of intravenous ACY. Fractional phosphate and sodium excretion, urinary potassium volume, and plasma phosphate concentrations were analyzed. Additional studies in rats treated with intraperitoneal ACY (100 mg/kg bw) were also conducted. Animals were maintained in metabolic cages and 24-hour urine samples were collected to measure volume, osmolality, and sodium/potassium/phosphate excretion. Treated rats were also evaluated after 24 hours and 48 hours of water deprivation. Northern hybridization and semiquantitative immunoblotting were performed to evaluate (in both control and treated animals) expression of the cotransporters Na-Pi type IIa (Na-Pi-IIa) and Na-K-2Cl (NKCC2). Semiquantitative immunoblotting was carried out in the kidneys of ACY rats and control rats in order to analyze aquaporin 2 (AQP2) protein expression.

RESULTS

Patients started on ACY developed polyuria and hyperphosphatemia after 48 hours. In rats, ACY-induced hyperphosphaturia and hypophosphatemia were accompanied by increased excretion of sodium, potassium, and magnesium, increased urine output, lower urinary osmolality, and a partial urinary concentrating defect. Concurrent downregulation of Na-Pi-IIa and NKCC2 expression was observed. There was also a decrease in medullar expression of the AQP2 collecting duct water channel.

CONCLUSION

Downregulation of Na-Pi-IIa appears to play a crucial role in the downregulation of ACY-induced hyperphosphaturia. The accompanying polyuria and urinary-concentrating defect can in part be explained by the downregulation of NKCC2 and AQP2.

Pseudo-Bartter syndrome in a neonate on prostaglandin infusion

We describe a case of iatrogenic pseudo-Bartter syndrome caused by administration of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1 alprostadil). Although the use of i.v. PGE1 is a well-established pharmacological therapy in neonates with a ductus-dependent congenital cardiopathy to ensure ductus-dependent flow, we could only find one other report on pseudo-Bartter syndrome related to PGE1 infusion.

CONCLUSION

Primary Bartter syndrome is associated with endogenous increased levels of prostaglandins. Therefore, we postulate that the dose of prostaglandin E1 administered, immaturity and the genetic background are all relevant factors involved in the phenotypic presentation of iatrogenic pseudo-Bartter syndrome in this preterm infant.

Risk factors for the development of lithium-induced polyuria

BACKGROUND

Polyuria is common in patients with bipolar disorder treated with lithium. However, the risk factors for polyuria in these patients have not been established.

AIMS

To estimate the prevalence of polyuria associated with the use of lithium and to identify additional risk factors.

METHOD

A 4-month prospective follow-up study in an out-patient lithium clinic. The 75 participants were asked to provide 24-h urine samples; polyuria was defined as a urine volume greater than 3 litres per 24 h. Risk factors examined included demographic variables, medications and medical comorbidities.

RESULTS

The prevalence of polyuria among lithium users was 37%. Concomitant use of serotonergic antidepressants was strongly associated with polyuria (odds ratio 4.25, 95% CI 1.15-15.68) compared with patients not using these agents.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data confirm the high prevalence of lithium-induced polyuria. Physicians should be aware that concurrent use of serotonergic antidepressants and lithium significantly enhances the risk of its occurrence. Although limited polyuria is not harmful, it may be troublesome for the patient. In many cases cessation of lithium therapy is not an option because of difficulty in controlling the manic or depressive symptoms.

Toxicological study of a new maintenance fluid, Veen 3G, in rats

A study of the different volume and infusion rates of a new maintenance fluid, Veen 3G, on the general conditions of rats was investigated during the 14 days after infusion. In Experiment I, 100 ml/kg and 200 ml/kg of Veen 3G were infused at a rate of 300 ml/kg/h in male and female rats. Results were compared with those for Gurunon Ringer solution (GRS) in male and female rats. We observed only transient polyuria in animals administered by each dose of Veen 3G and GRS for 0-15 min after infusion. Necropsy was not observed in any of the animals tested 14 days after infusion. In Experiment II, 200 ml/kg of Veen 3G was infused at rates of 200, 400, 800 and 1600 ml/kg/h in male rats. At 800 and 1600 ml/kg/h, irregular respiration and decrease in movement were observed concomitantly with polyuria. Three out of 4 rats died immediately after the infusion of Veen 3G at a rate of 1600 ml/kg/h, and one rat was still alive 14 days after the infusion. In this experiment, 200 ml/kg Veen 3G was safe when we infused at a rate of less than 400 ml/kg/h in male rats. Since this rate is about 27-80 times higher than that used clinically in maintenance treatment, Veen 3G is suggested to be safe, with the exception of polyuria, in clinical situations at the standard infusion rate (5-15 ml/kg/h).

Constipation, polyuria, polydipsia, and edema associated with orlistat

OBJECTIVE

To report the occurrence of a novel group of adverse effects associated with initiation and rechallenge of orlistat.

CASE SUMMARY

A 42-year-old white woman developed symptoms of constipation, polyuria, polydipsia, and increased lower-leg edema after 2 weeks of treatment with orlistat 120 mg 3 times daily. The drug was discontinued for 4 days and the symptoms resolved. On reinstitution of the orlistat treatment, the symptoms reappeared within 2 days. Thereafter, the medication was permanently discontinued.

DISCUSSION

Common gastrointestinal adverse reactions associated with orlistat use include fecal urgency and abdominal pain and discomfort. Pedal edema has also been reported to occur, although less frequently. No reports were discovered documenting the occurrence of constipation, polydipsia, and polyuria associated with the use of orlistat. Despite careful consideration of other possible causes of these symptoms, the temporal association between initiation, discontinuation, and rechallenge of orlistat and the patient's symptoms suggest a medication-related adverse event. Based on the Naranjo probability scale, the likelihood that orlistat was the cause of this cluster of adverse effects is possible.

CONCLUSIONS

It is important for the healthcare provider to be aware of these adverse effects to promptly evaluate and differentiate between possible causes of similar reactions.

Reduced expression of Na-K-2Cl cotransporter in medullary TAL in vitamin D-induced hypercalcemia in rats

Chronic hypercalcemia (HC) is accompanied by urinary concentration defects, and functional studies indicate defects in the thick ascending limb (TAL). We hypothesize that dysregulation of renal sodium transporters may play an important role in this. Vitamin D-induced HC in rats resulted in polyuria, natriuresis, and phosphaturia. Immunoblotting revealed a marked reduction in the abundance of rat type 1 bumetanide-sensitive Na-K-2Cl cotransporter (BSC-1) in inner stripe of the outer medullary (ISOM; 36 +/- 5%) and whole kidney (51 +/- 11%) in HC. Consistent with this finding, immunocytochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated reduced BSC-1 labeling of the apical plasma membrane. Immunoblotting and immunohistochemical labeling of the K channel Kir 1.1 (ROMK) was also reduced in HC. In contrast, there were no reductions in the expression of Na/H exchanger (NHE)3 and Na,K-ATPase in ISOM. The abundance of the proximal tubule type II Na-P(i) cotransporter (NaPi-2) (but not Na,K-ATPase and NHE3) was significantly reduced (25 +/- 4%), consistent with a dramatic increase in urinary phosphate excretion. In conclusion, 1) the reduced abundance of BSC-1 and ROMK in TAL is likely to play a major role in the urinary concentration defects associated with HC and 2) the reduced abundance of NaPi-2 is likely to play a role in the increased urinary phosphate excretion.

Expression of salt and urea transporters in rat kidney during cisplatin-induced polyuria

BACKGROUND

Cisplatin (CP) induced polyuria in rats is associated with a reduction in medullary hypertonicity, normally generated by the thick ascending limb (TAL) salt transporters, and the collecting duct urea transporters (UT). To investigate the molecular basis of this abnormality, we determined the protein abundance of major salt and UT isoforms in rat kidney during CP-induced polyuria.

METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats received either a single injection of CP (5 mg/kg, N = 6) or saline (N = 6) intraperitoneally five days before sacrifice. Urine, blood, and kidneys were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

CP-treated rats developed polyuric acute renal failure as assessed by increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN), urine volume and decreased urine osmolality. Western analysis of kidney homogenates revealed a marked reduction in band density of the bumetanide-sensitive Na-K-2Cl cotransporter in cortex (60% of control values, P < 0.05), but not in outer medulla (OM) (106% of control values). There were no differences in band densities for the renal outer medullary potassium channel (ROMK), the type III Na-H exchanger (NHE3), the alpha-subunit of Na,K-ATPase in the OM; or for UT-A1, UT-A2 or UT-A4 in outer or inner medulla. However, the band pattern of UT-A2 and UT-A4 proteins in the OM of CP-treated rats was different from the control rats, suggesting a qualitative modification of these proteins.

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in the abundance of outer or inner medullary salt or urea transporters are unlikely to play a role in the CP-induced reduction in medullary hypertonicity. However, qualitative changes in UT proteins may affect their functionality and thus may have a role.