Cytoplasmic involvement in ADH-mediated osmosis across toad urinary bladder

Effect of verapamil on cytoplasmic distribution of granules and microfilaments in amphibian urinary bladder

The amphibian urinary bladder has been used as a ‘model’ system for studies of the mechanism of action of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) in stimulating transepithelial water flow. The increase in water permeability is accompanied by morphological changes that include the stimulation of apical microvilli, mobilization of microtubules and microfilaments and vesicular membrane fusion events . It has been shown that alterations in the cytosolic calcium concentrations can inhibit ADH transmembrane water flow and induce alterations in the epithelial cell cytomorphology, including the cytoskeletal system . Recently, the subapical granules of the granular cell in the amphibian urinary bladder have been shown to contain high concentrations of calcium, and it was suggested that these cytoplasmic constituents may act as calcium storage sites for intracellular calcium homeostasis. The present study utilizes the calcium antagonist, verapamil, to examine the effect of calcium deprivation on the cytomorphological features of epithelial cells from amphibian urinary bladder, with particular emphasis on subapical granule and microfilament distribution.

Resistant hypertension in diabetes mellitus

Resistant hypertension in diabetes is associated with poor cardiovascular and renal outcomes. This brief review will examine the definitions and epidemiology of resistant hypertension and consider the differences between apparent resistant hypertension and truly resistant or refractory hypertension. It will review the role of the sympathetic nervous system in resistant hypertension. It will consider the relationship between obesity and leptin resistance and sympathetic signaling; the role of obstructive sleep apnea in resistant hypertension; and the role of aldosterone in resistant hypertension. It will conclude by mentioning briefly renal nerve ablation.

Fluid-shear-stress-induced translocation of aquaporin-2 and reorganization of actin cytoskeleton in renal tubular epithelial cells

In vivo, renal tubular epithelial cells are exposed to luminal fluid shear stress (FSS) and a transepithelial osmotic gradient. In this study, we used a simple collecting-duct-on-a-chip to investigate the role of an altered luminal microenvironment in the translocation of aquaporin-2 (AQP2) and the reorganization of actin cytoskeleton (F-actin) in primary cultured inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) cells of rat kidney. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated that 3 h of exposure to luminal FSS at 1 dyn cm(-2) was sufficient to induce depolymerization of F-actin in those cells. We observed full actin depolymerization after 5 h exposure and substantial re-polymerization within 2 h of removing the luminal FSS, suggesting that the process is reversible and the fluidic environment regulates the reorganization of intracellular F-actin. We demonstrate that several factors (i.e., luminal FSS, hormonal stimulation, transepithelial osmotic gradient) collectively exert a profound effect on the AQP2 trafficking in the collecting ducts, which is associated with actin cytoskeletal reorganization.

Asymmetry in the Osmotic Response of a Rat Cortical Collecting Duct Cell Line: Role of Aquaporin-2

Transition from antidiuresis to diuresis exposes cortical collecting duct cells (CCD) to asymmetrical changes in environment osmolality, inducing an osmotic stress, which activates numerous membrane-associated events. The aim of the present work was to investigate, either in the presence or not of AQP2, the transepithelial osmotic water permeability (P(osm)) following cell exposure to asymmetrical hyper- or hypotonic gradients. For this purpose, transepithelial net volume fluxes were recorded every minute in two CCD cell lines: one not expressing AQPs (WT-RCCD(1)) and another stably transfected with AQP2 (AQP2-RCCD(1)). Our results demonstrated that the rate of osmosis produced by a given hypotonic shock depends on the gradient direction (osmotic rectification) only in the presence of apical AQP2. In contrast, hypertonic shocks elicit P(osm) rectification independently of AQP2 expression, and this phenomenon may be linked to modulation of basolateral membrane permeability. No asymmetry in transepithelial resistance was observed under hypo- or hypertonicity, indicating that rectification cannot be attributed to a shunt through the tight junction path. We conclude that osmotic rectification may be explained in terms of dynamical changes in membrane permeability probably due to activation/incorporation of AQPs or transporters to the plasma membrane via some mechanism triggered by osmolality.

Distinct roles for the kidney and systemic tissues in blood pressure regulation by the renin-angiotensin system

Angiotensin II, acting through type 1 angiotensin (AT(1)) receptors, has potent effects that alter renal excretory mechanisms. Control of sodium excretion by the kidney has been suggested to be the critical mechanism for blood pressure regulation by the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). However, since AT(1) receptors are ubiquitously expressed, precisely dissecting their physiological actions in individual tissue compartments including the kidney with conventional pharmacological or gene targeting experiments has been difficult. Here, we used a cross-transplantation strategy and AT(1A) receptor-deficient mice to demonstrate distinct and virtually equivalent contributions of AT(1) receptor actions in the kidney and in extrarenal tissues to determining the level of blood pressure. We demonstrate that regulation of blood pressure by extrarenal AT(1A) receptors cannot be explained by altered aldosterone generation, which suggests that AT(1) receptor actions in systemic tissues such as the vascular and/or the central nervous systems make nonredundant contributions to blood pressure regulation. We also show that interruption of the AT(1) receptor-mediated short-loop feedback in the kidney is not sufficient to explain the marked stimulation of renin production induced by global AT(1) receptor deficiency or by receptor blockade. Instead, the renin response seems to be primarily determined by renal baroreceptor mechanisms triggered by reduced blood pressure. Thus, the regulation of blood pressure by the RAS is mediated by AT(1) receptors both within and outside the kidney.

Aquaporins in the kidney: from molecules to medicine

The discovery of aquaporin-1 (AQP1) answered the long-standing biophysical question of how water specifically crosses biological membranes. In the kidney, at least seven aquaporins are expressed at distinct sites. AQP1 is extremely abundant in the proximal tubule and descending thin limb and is essential for urinary concentration. AQP2 is exclusively expressed in the principal cells of the connecting tubule and collecting duct and is the predominant vasopressin-regulated water channel. AQP3 and AQP4 are both present in the basolateral plasma membrane of collecting duct principal cells and represent exit pathways for water reabsorbed apically via AQP2. Studies in patients and transgenic mice have demonstrated that both AQP2 and AQP3 are essential for urinary concentration. Three additional aquaporins are present in the kidney. AQP6 is present in intracellular vesicles in collecting duct intercalated cells, and AQP8 is present intracellularly at low abundance in proximal tubules and collecting duct principal cells, but the physiological function of these two channels remains undefined. AQP7 is abundant in the brush border of proximal tubule cells and is likely to be involved in proximal tubule water reabsorption. Body water balance is tightly regulated by vasopressin, and multiple studies now have underscored the essential roles of AQP2 in this. Vasopressin regulates acutely the water permeability of the kidney collecting duct by trafficking of AQP2 from intracellular vesicles to the apical plasma membrane. The long-term adaptational changes in body water balance are controlled in part by regulated changes in AQP2 and AQP3 expression levels. Lack of functional AQP2 is seen in primary forms of diabetes insipidus, and reduced expression and targeting are seen in several diseases associated with urinary concentrating defects such as acquired nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, postobstructive polyuria, as well as acute and chronic renal failure. In contrast, in conditions with water retention such as severe congestive heart failure, pregnancy, and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, both AQP2 expression levels and apical plasma membrane targetting are increased, suggesting a role for AQP2 in the development of water retention. Continued analysis of the aquaporins is providing detailed molecular insight into the fundamental physiology and pathophysiology of water balance and water balance disorders.

Physiology and pathophysiology of renal aquaporins

The discovery of aquaporin membrane water channels by Agre and coworkers answered a long-standing biophysical question of how water specifically crosses biologic membranes, and provided insight, at the molecular level, into the fundamental physiology of water balance and the pathophysiology of water balance disorders. Of nine aquaporin isoforms, at least six are known to be present in the kidney at distinct sites along the nephron and collecting duct. Aquaporin-1 (AQP1) is extremely abundant in the proximal tubule and descending thin limb, where it appears to provide the chief route for proximal nephron water reabsorption. AQP2 is abundant in the collecting duct principal cells and is the chief target for vasopressin to regulate collecting duct water reabsorption. Acute regulation involves vasopressin-regulated trafficking of AQP2 between an intracellular reservoir and the apical plasma membrane. In addition, AQP2 is involved in chronic/adaptational regulation of body water balance achieved through regulation of AQP2 expression. Importantly, multiple studies have now identified a critical role of AQP2 in several inherited and acquired water balance disorders. This concerns inherited forms of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus and several, much more common acquired types of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus where AQP2 expression and/or targeting are affected. Conversely, AQP2 expression and targeting appear to be increased in some conditions with water retention such as pregnancy and congestive heart failure. AQP3 and AQP4 are basolateral water channels located in the kidney collecting duct, and AQP6 and AQP7 appear to be expressed at lower abundance at several sites including the proximal tubule. This review focuses mainly on the role of AQP2 in water balance regulation and in the pathophysiology of water balance disorders.

Antihypertensive action of non-natriuretic doses of furosemide in Dahl salt-sensitive rats

BACKGROUND

That non-natriuretic doses of loop diuretics exert an antihypertensive action has been suggested, but not confirmed, by simultaneous measurements of the arterial pressure and sodium balance during therapy.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationship between changes in arterial pressure and changes in sodium balance during furosemide treatment.

DESIGN

Twenty hypertensive Dahl salt-sensitive rats fed a 4% NaCl diet were allocated to four groups and administered the following treatments: placebo once a day intraperitoneally, continuous infusion of 4 mg/day furosemide intraperitoneally, 4 mg furosemide once a day intraperitoneally and 12 mg furosemide once every third day intraperitoneally.

METHODS

The mean arterial pressure (MAP) was measured continuously with radiotelemetry and the sodium balance was measured with the rats in metabolic cages.

RESULTS

Administration of furosemide as a bolus injection once a day (P < 0.01) or once every third day (P < 0.05) lowered the MAP significantly compared with placebo, whereas continuous infusion of furosemide had no significant effect on the MAP (P < 0.07). Fast Fourier transformation analysis detected an acute antihypertensive action related to the temporary diuretic and natriuretic responses during the period 0-6 h after intraperitoneal bolus injections of 4 and 12 mg furosemide. None of the treatment regimens produced 24 h sodium or potassium losses. At the end of the study, the total body water, extracellular fluid volume, total body sodium and potassium were similar for rats in all groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Furosemide has an acute antihypertensive action in Dahl salt-sensitive rats fed a 4% NaCl diet that is related to renal sodium and volume losses whereas the long-term antihypertensive effect is independent of changes in extracellular fluid volume, total body water, sodium and potassium.

Acute effect of an alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist on urinary sodium excretion, plasma atrial natriuretic peptide, arginine vasopressin, and the renin-aldosterone system in healthy subjects

To elucidate the mechanism underlying the sodium retention caused by alpha 1-adrenoceptor blockade in man, a placebo-controlled, randomised, double-blind study has been made of the acute effects of bunazosin an alpha 1-antagonist, on urinary sodium excretion, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), arginine vasopressin (AVP), and the renin-aldosterone system in 7 healthy men. A single oral dose of bunazosin 2.0 mg caused a significant reduction (P less than 0.05) in urinary sodium excretion after 0-2 h, 2-4 h, and 4-6 h. The mean values for plasma ANP, AVP, aldosterone, and cortisol concentrations at those times were similar after placebo and bunazosin, and plasma renin activity was significantly increased 2 and 4 h after bunazosin. Pretreatment with oral enalapril 10 mg, an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, did not prevent the bunazosin-induced reduction in urinary sodium excretion. There was a significant positive correlation between the drug-induced changes in blood pressure and urinary sodium excretion. The results suggest that ANP, AVP, and renin-aldosterone may play little role in the sodium retention caused by acute alpha 1-adrenoceptor blockade in man.

Changes in intracellular sodium during the hydroosmotic response to vasopressin

During vasopressin (VP)-induced water movement, toad urinary bladder epithelial cells undergo unique morphological changes. The osmolality within these responding cells remains relatively stable despite the large transcellular transport of water. We hypothesized that the hydroosmotic response to VP may be associated with a net increase in sodium either as an aid in maintaining the intracellular osmolality or as part of a Na-Ca exchange process. Changes in intracellular sodium (Nai) were monitored over time in individual hemibladders using 23Na NMR. Hemibladders were mounted as bags on glass pipets and filled with deionized water. During NMR studies, the serosal bath consisted of aerated 2.4 mM HCO3 amphibian Ringer's (pH 8.1) made up with 15% D2O containing the shift reagent, dysprosium tripolyphosphate (1 mM). This reagent allowed for visualization of Nai by shifting the extracellular Na signal; it did not affect basal or VP stimulated water flow, short-circuit current, or high energy phosphate metabolism as seen by 31P NMR. Changes in Nai were determined by integrating the area under the unshifted Na peak at each measurement and expressing differences as a ratio relative to baseline. The initial Nai signal from unstimulated hemibladders remained stable in these tissues over at least 180 minutes. Within 30 minutes of VP (20 mU/ml) exposure, however, the Nai peak increased 2.47 times above pretreatment baseline (N = 16, P less than 0.001). The Nai signal returned toward baseline values with removal of VP from the serosal bath but only after approximately 90 minutes. When change in cell shape and water movement were prevented by having isotonic sorbitol in the mucosal bath, VP produced no change in the Nai signal (N = 10).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Transcellular water flow modulates water channel exocytosis and endocytosis in kidney collecting tubule

The regulation of osmotic water permeability (Pf) by vasopressin (VP) in kidney collecting tubule involves the exocytic-endocytic trafficking of vesicles containing water channels between an intracellular compartment and apical plasma membrane. To examine effects of transcellular water flow on vesicle movement, Pf was measured with 1-s time resolution in the isolated perfused rabbit cortical collecting tubule in response to addition and removal of VP (250 microU/ml) in the presence of bath greater than lumen (B greater than L), lumen greater than bath (L greater than B), and lumen = bath (L = B) osmolalities. With VP addition, Pf increased from 12 to 240-270 x 10(-4) cm/s (37 degrees C) in 10 min. At 1 min, Pf was approximately 70 x 10(-4) cm/s for B greater than L, L greater than B, and L = B conditions. At later times, Pf increased fastest for L greater than B and slowest for B greater than L osmolalities; at 5 min, Pf was 250 x 10(-4) cm/s (L greater than B) and 158 x 10(-4) cm/s (B greater than L). With VP removal, Pf returned to pre-VP levels at the fastest rate for B greater than L and the slowest rate for L greater than B osmolalities; at 30 min, Pf was 65 x 10(-4) cm/s (B greater than L) and 183 x 10(-4) cm/s (L greater than B). For a series of osmotic gradients of different magnitudes and directions, the rates of Pf increase and decrease were dependent upon the magnitude of transcellular volume flow; control studies showed that paracellular water flux, asymmetric transcellular water pathways, or changes in cell volume could not account for the data. VP-dependent endocytosis was measured by apical uptake of rhodamine-dextran; in paired studies where the same tubule was used for + and - gradients, B greater than L and L greater than B osmolalities gave 168% and 82% of uptake measured with no gradient. In contrast, endocytosis in proximal tubule was not dependent on gradient direction. These data provide evidence that transcellular volume flow modulates the vasopressin-dependent cycling of vesicles containing water channels, suggesting a novel driving mechanism to aid or oppose the targeted, hormonally directed movement of subcellular membranes.

Composite replicas: methodologies for direct evaluation of the relationship between intramembrane and extramembrane structures

Electron microscopic studies of membrane structure have been facilitated by the recent development of the composite replica technique in which the membrane is freeze-fractured, then inverted and the surface deep-etched and replicated. Examination in stereo of this composite preparation of two replicas with interposed half-membrane and associated surface elements reveals the physical relationship between structures on the surface and within the membrane. Composite replicas of the toad urinary bladder surface demonstrated connections of filamentous glycocalyx elements to intramembrane particles (IMPs). Using a bidirectional shadowing technique, many membrane surface particles also are shown to be associated with underlying IMPs, suggesting that these membrane surface particles are projections of the IMPs above the surface of the membrane. There is evidence that elements whose attachment sites relate to the half-membrane fractured away can be displaced from the membrane surface and lost. Labelling studies using colloidal gold-labelled antibodies were carried out to assess loss of surface mesh from fractured membrane. Gold distributions and amounts were similar in labelled surface replicas, label-fracture specimens, and labelled composite replicas, yet the amount of mesh detected in the composite replicas was less than in the surface replicas. This suggests that while some unlabelled or lightly labelled surface elements can be lost from fractured membranes, ligands stabilize elements and reduce their loss apparently by cross-linking them.

Surface hydrophobicity and water transport of the toad urinary bladder: effects of vasopressin

The present study investigated whether the hydrophobic properties (wettability) of the luminal surface of the toad urinary bladder might play a role in modulating water transport across this epithelium. In the absence of vasopressin (ADH), water transport across the tissue was low, while luminal surface hydrophobicity (water contact angle) was relatively high. Following stimulation by ADH, water transport increased and surface hydrophobicity decreased. The addition of indomethacin to inhibit ADH-induced prostaglandin synthesis did not reduce these actions of ADH. In an attempt to alter water transport in this tissue, a liposomal suspension of surface-active phospholipids was administered to the luminal surface. This addition had no detectable influence on the low basal rates of water transport, but blocked the ADH-induced stimulation of water transport. We suggest that surface-active phospholipids on the toad bladder luminal membrane may contribute to the hydrophobic characteristics of this tissue. ADH may act to decrease surface hydrophobicity, facilitating the movement of water molecules across an otherwise impermeable epithelium. This surface alteration may be associated with the appearance of water channels in the apical membrane.

Regulation of membrane permeability by vasopressin; activation of the water permeability pathway in toad urinary bladder by N-ethyl-maleimide

1. Vasopressin induces a rapid increase in water permeability and stimulates net sodium transport in responsive epithelia through the mediation of cAMP. 2. In amphibian urinary bladder, the increase in water permeability is dependent on an intact cytoskeleton and is associated with the exocytotic insertion of tubular vesicles containing particle aggregates (the putative water channels) into the apical membrane of the granular epithelial cells. 3. In the toad bladder, mucosal addition of NEM, 0.1 mM, elicits a slow and irreversible increase in transepithelial water flow, whilst decreasing net sodium transport. 4. The hydrosmotic response to mucosal NEM is inhibited by cellular acidification, by pretreatment with cytoskeleton-disruptive drugs, and by agents that increase cytosolic calcium. 5. Mucosal NEM potentiates the hydrosmotic response to a submaximal, but not a maximal, dose of vasopressin. 6. Mucosal NEM, like vasopressin, induces both vesicle fusion and the appearance of particle aggregates at the granular cell apical surface. 7. NEM, unlike vasopressin, does not increase cellular cAMP content. 8. Mucosal NEM appears to increase transcellular water flow by activating cellular processes normally triggered by vasopressin, at a step beyond cAMP.

Morphometric analysis of epithelial cells of frog urinary bladder, II. Effect of ADH, calcium ionophore (A23187) and verapamil on isolated dissociated cells

Isolated frog urinary bladder epithelial cells, upon dissociation lose their polarity and develop microridges and occasional microvilli in a global fashion. These cells, when exposed only to isotonic Ringer's solution manifest a membrane conformation with smooth discontinuous microridges, a cytoplasm with numerous free ribosomes, rough ER, thin Golgi cisternae, mitochondria, small vacuoles, electron-dense granules, few microtubules, and numerous microfilaments and intermediate filaments with an apparent random distribution, the dissociated cells, when treated with ADH or calcium ionophore (A23187), have the appearance of numerous elongated microvilli over the entire cell surface. The cytoplasm, under these conditions, is occupied by large vacuoles with a distribution of long profiles of aggrephores and associated vesicles. The peripheral cytoplasm as well as the cavities of the elongated microvilli of these cells contain large concentrations of microfilaments often showing a strong axial orientation to the long axis of the microvilli. Many of these filamentous elements appear in contact with the apical membrane of these microvilli with an alignment with the external glycocalyx. There is an indication that these morphocytological changes as revealed by SEM and TEM studies, correlated with a redistribution and realignment of microfilaments and possibly microtubules as detected by fluorescent microscopy using immunofluorescent antibody labeling for actin and tubulin. Cells treated with verapamil, a calcium antagonist, presented dwarf and stout microvilli with little detectable alterations in the cytoplasmic compositions from that of non-hormonal treated cells. Verapamil prevented ADH induction of microvilli, with the membrane, under these conditions, appearing as compact microridges. The results indicate that calcium ionophore, like ADH, produces intense formation of microvilli in dissociated cells, mobilization and realignment of microfilaments, microtubules, increase in the density of vesicles, aggrephores and possibly secretory granules, whereas the calcium antagonist, verapamil, opposes these actions. The results suggests a prominent role of calcium in the morphological changes induced by ADH.

Absence of significant cellular dilution during ADH-stimulated water reabsorption

Water reabsorption across many "tight" urinary epithelia is driven by large transepithelial osmotic gradients and is controlled by antidiuretic hormone (ADH). Numerous investigators have concluded that ADH-induced water reabsorption causes large apparent increases in cell volume with concomitant cytoplasmic dilution. A central question in renal physiology has been how cellular homeostasis is maintained in tight urinary epithelia during antidiuresis. Previous direct measurements of cell membrane permeability to water and the present direct measurements of cell volume in collecting tubules of rabbit kidney cortex by quantitative light microscopy show that cell volume does not change significantly during transcellular water flow. Fluid transported across the epithelium accumulated in lateral and basal intercellular spaces; the effect was an increase in cell height and tubule wall thickness accompanied by maintenance of nearly constant cell volume. The stability of cell volume is a consequence of the relatively high water permeability of the blood-facing cell membrane.

Neural regulation of renal tubular sodium reabsorption and renin secretion: integrative aspects

Efferent renal sympathetic nerve activity plays an important role in the regulation of renal function. Via its direct influence on renal tubular sodium reabsorption throughout the entire mammalian nephron, alterations in efferent renal sympathetic nerve activity represent an important physiological contribution to the overall role of the kidney in the regulation of external sodium balance and the defense against sodium deficit and surfeit. Abnormalities of this mechanism can lead to inappropriate renal sodium retention and augmentation of renin secretion, two factors which are capable of contributing to the development and maintenance of hypertension.

Renal sodium handling in intact and renal denervated dogs

The ability to retain sodium was investigated in six conscious dogs before and after surgical renal denervation. Dietary sodium and water intake were kept constant (2.5 mmol Na X kg-1 bw X day-1 and 91 ml water X kg-1 bw X day-1). Balance experiments were performed from 6 days before to 8 days after having produced a sodium deficit of 6.4 +/- 0.4 (intact dogs) and 5.8 +/- 0.2 (renal denervated dogs) mmol Na X kg-1 bw by means of a peritoneal dialysis (PD). Having the same sodium excretion before PD, intact and renal denervated dogs demonstrated a similar striking decrease of sodium excretion and a similar increase of plasma renin activity after PD until the amount of sodium lost had been replenished (4th day after PD). In intact and renal denervated dogs plasma sodium concentration (PNa) decreased and renal water excretion increased on the first day after PD, indicating a homeostatic response to the fall of PNa. After dietary sodium restriction (from 2.5 to 0.5 mmol Na X kg-1 bw X day-1) a similar striking decrease of renal sodium excretion occurred in intact and renal denervated dogs. It therefore is concluded that in conscious dogs the presence of the renal nerves is not essential in order to maintain body sodium homeostasis after an acute sodium loss or after dietary sodium restriction.

Transepithelial water flow regulates apical membrane retrieval in antidiuretic hormone-stimulated toad urinary bladder

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) increases the osmotic water permeability (Posm) of toad urinary bladder. This increase is believed to be produced by fusion of intracellular vesicles called aggrephores with the granular cell apical plasma membrane. Aggrephores contain intramembrane particle aggregates postulated to be water channels. ADH-stimulated Posm is decreased by osmotic gradient exposure, which is termed flux inhibition. We studied flux inhibition by exposing ADH-stimulated bladders to various osmotic gradients. Osmotic water flow was initially proportional to the applied osmotic gradient, but Posm decreased with time. Ultrastructural and quantitative studies of endocytosis demonstrate that apical membrane retrieval was a direct function of the transepithelial osmotic gradient. Posm remained unchanged when apical membrane retrieval was blocked by incubation of bladders at 2 degrees C, or under low water-flow conditions. These effects were reversed by increases in temperature or the applied osmotic gradient. We conclude that apical membrane retrieval causes the phenomenon of flux inhibition.

Parathyroid hormone-induced changes of the brush border topography and cytoskeleton in cultured renal proximal tubular cells

In order to examine the possibility of parathyroid hormone-mediated ultrastructural rearrangements in target epithelium, isolated canine renal proximal tubular cells were grown on a collagen-coated semipermeable membrane in a defined medium. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy of these monolayers revealed abundant microvilli. Exposure of the proximal tubular cells to parathyroid hormone resulted in a biphasic changes involving: dramatic shortening and rarefaction of microvilli within 1 min; and recovery of microvillar topography after 5 min. A similar shortening of microvilli was observed following exposure to ionomycin, whereas incubation with cyclic AMP resulted in an elongation of microvilli. Parathyroid hormone stimulated cyclic AMP production and increased cytoplasmic free calcium concentration in cultured proximal tubular cells. Pretreatment of cells with a calmodulin inhibitor abolished the effect of parathyroid hormone on brush border topography. Shortening of microvilli was associated with a disappearance of microvillar core filaments. Staining of F-actin with fluoresceinphalloidin showed that parathyroid hormone resulted in fragmentation of stress fibers. It is concluded that parathyroid hormone-induced cell activation involves cytoplasmic-free calcium, calmodulin, and the cytoskeleton.

The pathogenesis of renal sodium retention and ascites formation in Laennec's cirrhosis

This chapter critically reviews our current understanding of the pathogenesis, clinical syndrome, and therapy of the disturbances of renal sodium handling, renal perfusion, and glomerular filtration rate that occur in patients with Laennec's cirrhosis. Avid renal sodium reabsorption, a characteristic feature of cirrhosis, occurs independent of moderate changes in renal function and precedes the onset of ascites. The initiation of sodium retention may be a direct consequence of the hepatic disease process and may also result from defective intravascular filling. In the presence of ascites the most important sodium retaining signal is a defective intravascular volume. The principal effectors of renal sodium retention and vasoconstriction are stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis and augmentation of renal sympathetic nerve activity. Deficient production of natriuretic hormone(s) and endogenous renal vasodilators, such as prostaglandins and kinins, also contributes to the sodium retention and renal hypoperfusion seen in cirrhosis. The hepatorenal syndrome is an extreme imbalance in these renal vasoconstrictor and vasodilator forces. In the therapy of ascites in Laennec's cirrhosis, abstention from alcohol, sodium restriction, and cautious diuresis are the principal therapeutic measures. A grave prognosis accompanies the diagnosis of the hepatorenal syndrome although recoveries have been reported.

The role of microtubules and microfilaments in the hydrosmotic response to antidiuretic hormone

To test the effects of colchicine and cytochalasin B on the ADH-induced response, unidirectional and net water fluxes were measured at one or two minutes intervals in frog urinary bladder. The action of these agents on the appearance of intramembrane particles aggregates in the luminal membrane of target cells under oxytocin stimulation and the changes in the tissue ultrastructure induced by cytochalasin B were also studied. It was observed that: the time-course of the response to oxytocin was strongly slowed by colchicine while the washout was not affected; the time-course of the 'on and off' of the response to oxytocin was not modified by cytochalasin B; cytochalasin B pretreatment proportionally reduced unidirectional and net water fluxes measured after glutaraldehyde fixation; the combined action of colchicine and cytochalasin B proportionally reduced the net water flux and the number of intramembrane particles aggregates, observed in freeze-fracture studies; after cytochalasin B action the dilation of intercellular spaces classically observed under oxytocin stimulation is strongly reduced. It is concluded that: microtubules probably play an important role in the water channels plug-in, but not in their removal; microfilaments integrity is necessary for the mechanisms inducing intercellular space dilation and the observed results confirm that water permeability is controlled by the number of permeation units present in the luminal border of granular cells and probably represented by the intramembrane particle aggregates.

Temporal relationship between hyperaldosteronism, sodium retention and ascites formation in rats with experimental cirrhosis

To investigate the role of aldosterone in sodium retention and ascites in cirrhosis, the urinary sodium excretion, sodium balance and urinary excretion of aldosterone-18-glucuronide (UAldV) were serially measured in 11 rats undergoing cirrhosis induction with carbon tetrachloride (CT) and phenobarbital (CT rats) and in 10 control rats which received phenobarbital. All CT rats developed ascites, seven within the ninth week after starting the program and four within the 10th week. One week before the onset of ascites, CT rats and control rats were different with respect to sodium excretion (1.41 +/- 0.15 vs. 1.82 +/- 0.1 mEq per day), sodium balance (0.57 +/- 0.12 vs. 0.20 +/- 0.09 mEq per day) and UAldV (67.8 +/- 9.5 vs. 25.7 +/- 1.7 ng per day). These differences were more pronounced within the week in which ascites was detected in CT rats. Before these 2 weeks, both groups did not differ with respect to these parameters. In the 132 urine samples obtained in CT rats, there was a correlation between sodium excretion and UAldV (r = -0.53; p less than 0.001). Twenty-one additional CT rats were divided into two groups. Eleven animals were given spironolactone (20 mg per day s.c. in olive oil) from the 6th week, and 10 only received olive oil. Thirteen weeks after starting the program, all rats not treated with spironolactone had sodium retention and ascites (in five rats, ascites appeared within the ninth week and in five within the tenth week); this occurred in only one animal treated with spironolactone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Proximal tubular transport and urinary excretion of sodium after renal denervation in sodium depleted rats

The effect of unilateral renal denervation on renal handling of water, sodium and potassium was studied with clearance and micropuncture techniques in sodium depleted anaesthetized rats in the nondiuretic state. In clearance experiments renal denervation resulted in a +140 and +320% increase in urine flow and potassium excretion, but sodium excretion of innervated (I) and denervated (D) kidneys was similar (I: 12.0 +/- 2.0, D: 14.0 +/- 3.6 nM . min-1 . g-1; NS). However, upon the loop diuretic furosemide (1 mg . kg-1), a marked denervation natriuresis was observed (I: 2.8 +/- 0.9, D: 5.9 +/- 1.0 microM . min-1; P less than 0.05) and denervation diuresis and kaliuresis persisted, too (+95 and +60%, respectively). Micropuncture results revealed that fractional reabsorption of filtrate to late proximal puncture site was depressed by renal denervation from 62 to 49% while no change in time control rats was seen (64 +/- 2 vs. 64 +/- 1%; NS). In micropuncture experiments besides augmented urine flow (+82%) from D kidneys also a small denervation natriuresis was present (I: 21.6 +/- 6.4, D: 29.2 +/- 7.0 nM . min-1; P less than 0.05). It is concluded that the lack or marked attenuation of denervation natriuresis in sodium depleted rats were the result of an almost complete compensatory distal reabsorption of the excess sodium (but not of water and potassium) leaving the proximal tubule after denervation. The distal adaptive response can be overcome by furosemide.

Hydraulic water permeability and transepithelial voltage in the isolated perfused rabbit cortical collecting tubule following acute unilateral ureteral obstruction

Ureteral obstruction affects the kidney's ability to conserve water and sodium. Using the isolated perfused tubule technique, we studied cortical collecting tubules (CCT) taken from rabbits subjected to a sham operation or to 4 h of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Tubules were perfused in the presence of an osmotic gradient directed to promote water movement from lumen to bath, and volume flux (Jv), hydraulic water permeability (Lp), and transepithelial voltage (V1) were determined. In tubules from sham-operated and UUO animals, basal (before exposure to vasopressin) J, and Lp were not different from zero. After addition of 200 microU . ml-1 of arginine vasopressin (aVP) to the bath, Jv and Lp increased to 1.64 +/- 0.23 nl . mm-1 . min-1 and 127.9 +/- 19.8 cm . s-1 . atm-1 x 10(7), respectively, in tubules from sham-operated animals, but not only 0.27 +/- 0.09 nl . mm-1 . min-1 an 18.8 +/- 6.2 cm . s-1 . atm-1 . 10(7) in tubules from UUO animals. Pretreatment with desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) or indomethacin in vivo did not prevent the blunted vasopressin response seen in tubules taken from UUO animals. The Jv and Lp responses to the cyclic AMP (cAMP) analogue, 8-Br-cAMP, were also diminished in tubules taken from UUO animals compared with shams. V1, measured during the basal period, was diminished in tubules from UUO kidneys (-5.0 +/- 2.1 mV) compared with shams (-21.9 +/- 4.1 mV), and pretreatment with DOCA did no prevent the effects of UUO on V1. In contrast, tubules taken from animals that received indomethacin prior to UUO developed voltages not different from voltages in tubules taken from sham-operated animals (-17.3 +/- 1.7 mV). We conclude that, although CCT from UUO animals can maintain osmotic gradients, their ability to respond to vasopressin by increasing Lp is impaired by an intrinsic defect located at a step beyond the generation of cAMP, and that prostaglandin inhibition or DOCA pretreatment do not reverse the decreased responsiveness of Lp to aVP. UUO also diminished V1, and this abnormality was prevented by previous treatment with indomethacin, suggesting that prostaglandins may mediate the effect of UUO on V1.