The effects of anesthesia on the excretion of an isotonic saline load in the rat

Responses of renal hemodynamics and tubular functions to acute sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor administration in non-diabetic anesthetized rats

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of acute administration of luseogliflozin, the sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, on renal hemodynamics and tubular functions in anesthetized non-diabetic Sprague Dawley (SD) rats and 5/6 nephrectomized (Nx) SD rats. Renal blood flow (RBF), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and heart rate (HR) were continuously measured and urine was collected directly from the left ureter. Intraperitoneal injection of luseogliflozin (0.9 mg kg⁻¹) did not change MAP, HR, RBF, or creatinine clearance (CrCl) in SD rats (n = 7). Luseogliflozin significantly increased urine volume, which was associated with significantly increased urinary glucose excretion rates (P < 0.001). Similarly, luseogliflozin significantly increased urinary sodium excretion (from 0.07 ± 0.01 µmol min⁻¹ at baseline to 0.76 ± 0.08 µmol min⁻¹ at 120 min; P < 0.001). Furthermore, luseogliflozin resulted in significantly increased urinary pH (P < 0.001) and decreased urinary osmolality and urea concentration (P < 0.001) in SD rats. Similarly, in Nx SD rats (n = 5–6), luseogliflozin significantly increased urine volume and urinary glucose excretion (P < 0.001) without altering MAP, HR, RBF, or CrCl. Luseogliflozin did not elicit any significant effects on the other urinary parameters in Nx SD rats. These data indicate that SGLT2 inhibitor elicits direct tubular effects in non-diabetic rats with normal renal functions.

Kidney function in mice: thiobutabarbital versus alpha-chloralose anesthesia

Mice that lack or over-express a gene of interest are important tools for unraveling gene function. The determination of single nephron function by micropuncture or precise determination of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by inulin clearance method require experiments under anesthesia. A good anesthetic protocol should allow for reasonable and stable glomerular and tubular function. The aim of this study was to compare the commonly used thiobutabarbital (TBB) versus alpha-chloralose (CHL) anesthesia with regard to absolute levels and the stability of blood pressure, heart rate, and kidney function. Male CD1 mice were anesthetized with TBB (100 mg/kg body weight i.p.) or CHL (120 mg/kg body weight i.p.), plus ketamine (100 mg/kg body weight i.m.) given to every mouse for analgesia. After preparation for clearance experiments, two 30-min urine collections were performed at periods 1 and 2 (P1 and P2). It was observed that heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure did not differ between TBB ( n=9) vs. CHL ( n=9) and were stable through P1 and P2. In CHL, GFR as well as fractional excretion of fluid, Na(+) and K(+) were stable from P1 to P2 (P1: 190+/-15 microl/min, 1.6+/-0.2%, 0.7+/-0.1%, 35+/-5%; percent change in P2: 1+/-6, 26+/-10, 29+/-15, 6+/-10 respectively). In TBB, GFR was significantly greater vs. CHL in P1 and did not significantly change in P2 (246+/-8 microl/min, p<0.05; percent change: -6.5+/-4). Fractional excretion of fluid, Na(+) and K(+) were not significantly different vs. CHL in P1, but significantly increased in P2 (P1: 1.5+/-0.2%, 1.1+/-0.2%, 31+/-3%; percent change in P2: 122+/-23, 128+/-21 and 29+/-6 respectively; each p<0.05 vs. P1). In conclusion, mice under both anesthetic regimens present reasonable and stable blood pressure and reasonable kidney function, but kidney reabsorption is more stable under CHL than under TBB anesthesia, which may facilitate study of the response in kidney function to acute interventions.

Chloralose/ketamine anaesthesia preserves a form of postprandial sodium chloride balance in Wistar rats

Studies on the mechanisms underlying Na balance in anaesthetized rats are complicated by the fact that the most frequently used barbiturate anaesthetics attenuate or abolish this phenomenon. In the present study we show that a combination of nonbarbiturate anaesthetics: chloralose (140 mg/kg i.v.) and ketamine (30 mg/kg i.m. ), preserve the ability of rats to excrete intragastrically applied NaCl loads dose dependently. Thus rats anaesthetized with this regime excreted 86-102% of in- tragastrically applied NaCl whereas rats anaesthetized with thiobutabarbitone sodium (Inactin) excreted only 20-28%. We conclude that chloralose/ketamine anaesthesia is suitable for studies on Na balance mechanisms.

Renal function in normal and potassium-depleted rats before and after preparation for micropuncture experimentation

Renal function was examined in unrestrained conscious rats maintained on either a control diet or a low-potassium diet, then re-examined in the same animals after thiobutabarbital (Inactin) anaesthesia and preparation for micropuncture studies. In conscious rats, insulin clearance (CIn) was not significantly different in the two groups (control 1012 +/- 43, low-K 904 +/- 58 microliters/min per 100g body wt; mean +/- SE), but lithium clearance (CLi; used as an estimate of end-proximal fluid delivery) and fractional lithium excretion (FELi) were substantially reduced in the low-K group (CLi: 246 +/- 11 vs 126 +/- 8 microliters/min per 100g body wt, P less than 0.001; FELi: 0.245 +/- 0.009 vs 0.143 +/- 0.008, P less than 0.001). Following anaesthesia and preparation for micropuncture, there were significant reductions in urine flow rate and sodium excretion in the control group, but not in the low-K rats. Potassium excretion increased in both groups, but values in the potassium-depleted animals remained extremely low. In neither group of rats was preparation for micropuncture associated with significant changes in CIn, CLi or FELi. Thus, differences in tubular function between control and potassium-depleted rats were still apparent. The results suggest that preparation for micropuncture disturbs the function of the distal nephron, but that rates of glomerular filtration and proximal tubular reabsorption remain similar to values in conscious animals.

[Changes in renal function induced by anesthesia]

The rate of urine formation and its composition are influenced by the different drugs used during surgery. Anaesthetics act on renal function, not only directly, but also by producing changes in cardiovascular function and in neuroendocrine activity. Many factors may be incriminated: lowered blood pressure and cardiac output, increased sympathetic outflow (renal nerve stimulation and increased plasma catecholamines), increased release of renin, angiotensin and vasopressin. The effects of anaesthetics on the kidney go beyond a simple change in basal haemodynamics and include, for some drugs, an alteration in the ability for the kidney to autoregulate its blood flow and glomerular filtration rate. Studies on toad bladders showed a decrease in transport of water, sodium and organic anions. But, in fact, renal effects of anaesthetics in man and animals depend on the species, the anaesthetic and the method used to study the effect. Most barbiturates and inhalational anaesthetics tend to decrease renal blood flow (RBF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). These trends are gradually reversed during recovery. The effects of ketamine and diazepam are not clearly defined. Morphine and fentanyl decrease urine flow and GFR, whilst RBF increases or decreases, depending on whether a direct or indirect measurement technique was used. Muscle relaxants have little effect on renal function. Spinal and epidural anaesthesia only slightly decrease GFR and RBF in proportion to the decrease in mean arterial pressure. Obviously, the preexisting intravascular volume and the quantity of intravenous fluids given strongly influence the renal response to spinal and epidural anaesthesia. Some studies have shown that urine flow rate, creatinine clearance, urinary sodium excretion and RBF are reduced during mechanical ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure. Surgery itself influences renal function by inducing alterations in prerenal haemodynamics. Operative stress leads to an increase in circulating catecholamines and angiotensin. Significant fluid shifts, excessive blood loss and redistribution of a third space may lead to a prerenal oliguric state, increasing secretion of vasopressin. Acute renal failure (ARF) is a frequently lethal complication of critical surgical illness, due to a variety of factors which interfere with glomerular filtration and tubular reabsorption, such as renal hypoperfusion or nephrotoxic insults. In fact, the initiating aggression ultimately culminates in the development of one or more of the maintenance factors (decreased tubular function, tubular obstruction, decreased GFR and RBF) that reduce urine flow and osmolar excretion. Good management during the perioperative period tends to minimize the risk of developing ARF.

Function of vasopressinergic neurons in rats under conscious and anesthetized conditions

The responses of vasopressinergic neurons to acute salt loading and to graded hemorrhage were studied in rats under conscious and anesthetized conditions. Chronically cannulated rats were used in this study so that pre- and postanesthetic conditions could be studied in the same animals. Anesthesia induced by a combination of ketamine hydrochloride and pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal) did not cause a release of vasopressin-associated neurophysin (VP-RNP). In response to infusion of 18% saline, animals in the anesthetized state had significantly greater increases in plasma osmolality (Posmol) and plasma sodium concentration than animals in the conscious state. However, the rate of increase in plasma VP-RNP concentration ([VP-RNP]) as well as the relationship between [VP-RNP] and Posmol were not significantly different for the two states. Graded hemorrhage caused similar rates of increase in [VP-RNP] for animals under conscious and anesthetized conditions. These data suggest that anesthesia induced by ketamine plus pentobarbital sodium does not change the responsiveness of vasopressinergic neurons to acute salt loading and to graded hemorrhage.

Renin release by pentobarbital anesthesia in the rat: a role for vascular mechanisms

Studies were undertaken in intact rats to characterize the renin response to pentobarbital anesthesia and the mechanisms involved in this response. Aortic and peritoneal cavity cannulas were previously implanted to allow drug infusion, blood sampling and anesthesia to be performed without stress. A sustained 2-3-fold increase in plasma renin concentration (PRC) and a 10-15 mm Hg depression of mean arterial pressure were found in pentobarbital anesthesia. Circulating levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine were unchanged. Sympathetic stimulation by tyramine did not decrease and chronic renal denervation did not abolish the PRC rise by pentobarbital. Phenoxybenzamine given to conscious or anesthesized animals elevated PRC to similar levels. Propranolol was effective in suppressing PRC in anesthetized animals, regardless of the presence or absence of phenoxybenzamine. We concluded that the renin response to pentobarbital anesthesia is unrelated to changes in sympatho-adrenal activity. The response appears to be mediated by beta-adrenergic receptors. It is postulated that pentobarbital-induced relaxation of afferent arterioles or JG cells exposes previously concealed beta-receptor sites which increase the signal for the release of renin.

Effects of sodium orthovanadate on whole kidney and single nephron function

The renal effects of sodium vanadate (Na3VO4), an inhibitor of sodium-potassium-ATPase recently shown to be a potent diuretic, were studied by using clearance and micropuncture techniques in nondiuretic anesthetized rats. Administration of 1.0 mumole of sodium vanadate (high dose) increased urine flow rate (V) from 9.8 +/- 1.4 to 17.5 +/- 4.0 microliter/min (mean +/- SEM, P < 0.025), UNaF from 1.73 +/- 0.36 to 3.05 +/- 0.65 microEq/min (P < 0.025), and FENa from 0.67 +/- 0.15 to 1.24 +/- 0.28% (P < 0.025)., No significant changes in GFR or RPF were observed. Late proximal tubular-fluid-to-plasma (F/P) inulin decreased from 2.28 +/- 0.19 to a minimum value of 1.38 +/- 0.06 (P < 0.025). Absolute water reabsorption decreased from 15.8 +/- 3.5 to 6.5 +/- 1.7 nl/min (P < 0.025) and fractional water reabsorption from 52.0 +/- 4.4 to 26.5 +/- 4.1% (P < 0.025). The injection of 0.5 mumole of sodium vanadate (low dose) resulted in no significant changes in V. Late proximal F/P inulin decreased, however, from 2.37 +/- 0.14 to a minimum value of 1.59 +/- 0.12 (P < 0.025). SNGFR remained unchanged, as did GFR and RPF. UNaV increased from 1.41 +/- 0.35 to 2.25 +/- 0.35 microEq/min (P < 0.025), and FENa rose from 0.64 +/- 0.16 to 0.91 +/- 0.15% (P < 0.025). The decrease in F/P inulin was observed in all but one animal, even in the absence of a diuretic response. The amount of fluid remaining in the lumen of the late proximal tubule was virtually the same in both low- and high-dose animals (18.9 +/- 3.0 and 19.5 +/- 3.4 nl/min, respectively). We conclude that sodium vanadate causes a decrease in superficial proximal tubule fluid and salt reabsorption. Inasmuch as the low dose does not result necessarily in a diuretic response, an increase in fluid reabsorption distal to the late proximal tubule must take place.

Prostaglandin-independent protection by furosemide from oliguric ischemic renal failure in conscious rats

In 38 conscious rats divided into seven groups, acute unilateral ischemic renal failure was induced by 1 hour of complete occlusion of the left renal artery while the contralateral kidney remained intact. Renal excretory function of the left kidney was monitored up to 144 hours after ischemia and revealed a typical course of oliguric renal failure with oligoanuria persisting for more than 48 hours. Urinary osmolality and sodium concentration became plasma isotonic after release of renal artery occlusion and approximated control values on day 6 after ischemia. In nine rats, the i.v. infusion of furosemide before (6 microgram/min/100 g body wt) and after (12 microgram/min/100 g body wt) renal artery occlusion protected the ischemic kidney from oligoanuria with endogenous creatinine clearance of 0.42 +/- 0.11 ml/min/g kidney wt 5 hours after ischemia. Tubular absorption of sodium and water was at least partially preserved 36 hours after ischemia when infusion of furosemide was stopped. The loop diuretic significantly (P less than 0.01) increased total urinary prostaglandin (PG) E2 excretion before and after renal artery occlusion; and 5 hours after ischemia, PGE2 excretion from the ischemic kidney significantly exceeded that from the intact kidney (P less than 0.05). Indomethacin (1 mg/100 g body wt) administered in six animals markedly suppressed control PGE2 excretion (P less than 0.05) as well as the furosemide-induced rise in urinary PG excretion before and after ischemia but did not modify the protective effect of the diuretic in this experimental model. Inhibition of PG synthesis, however, reduced urinary flow rate and sodium and potassium excretion of the contralateral intact kidney and almost completely prevented its compensatory rise in creatinine clearance. The results indicate that mechanisms other than the intrarenal prostaglandin system must be considered to mediate the protective effects of furosemide in acute ischemic renal failure.