Moderately intense physical exercise alleviates electrocardiographic changes induced by cisplatin in rats

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE

Cisplatin induces many collateral effects such as gastrointestinal disorders, nephrotoxicity, and dysautonomia. Recently our group showed that cisplatin treatment induces gastric emptying delay and that physical exercise and treatment with pyridostigmine prevent this change. In the current study, we investigated the role of moderate exercise on cardiac activity and autonomic balance in rats treated with cisplatin.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats were divided into saline, cisplatin, exercise, and exercise+cisplatin groups. Cardiac and autonomic disorders were induced by (cisplatin - 3 mg/kg, i.p. once a week/per 5 weeks). Exercise consists of swimming (1 hour per day/5× day per week/per 5 weeks without overload). Forty-eight hours after the last session of the training or treatment, we assessed the cardiac activity and HRV via electrocardiogram analysis in DII derivation.

RESULTS

Cisplatin increase (p<0.05) R-R' interval and decrease (p<0.05) heart rate vs. saline. Exercise+cisplatin prevented (p<0.05) changes in R-R' interval. Exercise per se induced bradycardia vs. saline group. We observed an increase in LF (nu) and a decrease in HF (nu) in the cisplatin group vs. saline. These changes were not significant. Moreover, cisplatin treatment increased (p<0.05) QT, QTc, and JT intervals compared with the saline group. In the exercise+cisplatin groups these increases were prevented significantly (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

In the current study, chronic use of cisplatin induced electrocardiographic changes without altering autonomic balance. Moderate physical exercise prevented this phenomenon indicating that exercise can be beneficial in patients in chemotherapy.

Preconditioning by Moderate-Intensity Exercise Prevents Gentamicin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury

A strict correlation among proximal tubule epithelial cell dysfunction, proteinuria, and modulation of the Renin-Angiotensin System and Kalikrein-Kinin System are crucial factors in the pathogenesis of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI). In this study, we investigated the potential protective effect of preconditioning by moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on gentamicin-induced AKI. Male Wistar rats were submitted to a moderate-intensity treadmill exercise protocol for 8 weeks, and then injected with 80 mg/kg/day s.c. gentamicin for 5 consecutive days. Four groups were generated: 1) NT+SAL (control); 2) NT+AKI (non-trained with AKI); 3) T+SAL (trained); and 4) T+AKI (trained with AKI). The NT+AKI group presented: 1) impairment in glomerular function parameters; 2) increased fractional excretion of Na + , K + , and water; 4) proteinuria and increased urinary γ-glutamyl transferase activity (a marker of tubular injury) accompanied by acute tubular necrosis; 5) an increased renal angiotensin-converting enzyme and bradykinin B1 receptor mRNA expression. Interestingly, the preconditioning by moderate-intensity aerobic exercise attenuated all alterations observed in gentamicin-induced AKI (T+AKI group). Taken together, our results show that the preconditioning by moderate-intensity aerobic exercise ameliorates the development of gentamicin-induced AKI. Our findings help to expand the current knowledge regarding the effect of physical exercise on kidneys during physiological and pathological conditions.

An integrated view of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and cardiotoxicity: characteristics, common molecular mechanisms, and current clinical management

Cisplatin (CP) is a chemotherapy drug widely prescribed to treat various neoplasms. Although fundamental for the therapeutic action of the drug, its cytotoxic mechanisms trigger adverse effects in several tissues, such as the kidney, liver, and heart, which limit its clinical use. In this sense, studies point to an essential role of damage to nuclear and mitochondrial DNA associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the pathophysiology of tissue injuries. Due to the limitation of effective preventive and therapeutic measures against CP-induced toxicity, new strategies with potential cytoprotective effects have been studied. Therefore, this article is timely in reviewing the characteristics and main molecular mechanisms common to renal, hepatic, and cardiac toxicity previously described, in addition to addressing the main validated strategies for the current management of these adverse events in clinical practice. We also handle the main promising antioxidant substances recently presented in the literature to encourage the development of new research that consolidates their potential preventive and therapeutic effects against CP-induced cytotoxicity.

Renoprotective mechanisms of exercise training against acute and chronic renal diseases - A perspective based on experimental studies

Regular exercise training can lead to several health benefits, reduce mortality risk, and increase life expectancy. On the other hand, a sedentary lifestyle is a known risk factor for chronic diseases and increased mortality. Acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) represent a significant global health problem, affecting millions of people worldwide. The progression from AKI to CKD is well-recognized in the literature, and exercise training has emerged as a potential renoprotective strategy. Thus, this article aims to review the main molecular mechanisms underlying the renoprotective actions of exercise training in the context of AKI and CKD, focusing on its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-fibrotic, and autophagy regulatory effects. For that, bibliographical research was carried out in Medline/PubMed and Scielo databases. Although the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in renal diseases are not fully understood, experimental studies demonstrate that oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and dysregulation of fibrotic and autophagic processes play central roles in the development of tissue damage. Increasing evidence has suggested that exercise can beneficially modulate these mechanisms, potentially becoming a safe and effective non-pharmacological strategy for kidney health protection and promotion. Thus, the evidence base discussed in this review suggests that an adequate training program emerges as a valuable tool for preserving renal function in experimental animals, mainly through the production of antioxidant enzymes, nitric oxide (NO), irisin, IL-10, and IL-11. Future research can continue to explore these mechanisms to develop specific guidelines for the prescription of exercise training in different populations of patients with kidney diseases.

Physical exercise as a friend not a foe in acute kidney diseases through immune system modulation

Regular and moderate exercise is being used for therapeutic purposes in treating several diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, and even chronic kidney diseases (CKDs). Conversely, extenuating physical exercise has long been pointed out as one of the sources of acute kidney injury (AKI) due to its severe impact on the body's physiology. AKI development is associated with increased tubular necrosis, which initiates a cascade of inflammatory responses. The latter involves cytokine production, immune cell (macrophages, lymphocytes, and neutrophils, among others) activation, and increased oxidative stress. AKI can induce prolonged fibrosis stimulation, leading to CKD development. The need for therapeutic alternative treatments for AKI is still a relevant issue. In this context arises the question as to whether moderate, not extenuating, exercise could, on some level, prevent AKI. Several studies have shown that moderate exercise can help reduce tissue damage and increase the functional recovery of the kidneys after an acute injury. In particular, the immune system can be modulated by exercise, leading to a better recovery from different pathologies. In this review, we aimed to explore the role of exercise not as a trigger of AKI, but as a modulator of the inflammatory/immune system in the prevention or recovery from AKI in different scenarios. In AKI induced by ischemia and reperfusion, sepsis, diabetes, antibiotics, or chemotherapy, regular and/or moderate exercise could modulate the immune system toward a more regulatory immune response, presenting, in general, an anti-inflammatory profile. Exercise was shown to diminish oxidative stress, inflammatory markers (caspase-3, lactate dehydrogenase, and nitric oxide), inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)), modulate lymphocytes to an immune suppressive phenotype, and decrease tumor necrosis factor-β (TGF-β), a cytokine associated with fibrosis development. Thus, it creates an AKI recovery environment with less tissue damage, hypoxia, apoptosis, or fibrosis. In conclusion, the practice of regular moderate physical exercise has an impact on the immune system, favoring a regulatory and anti-inflammatory profile that prevents the occurrence of AKI and/or assists in the recovery from AKI. Moderate exercise should be considered for patients with AKI as a complementary therapy.

Benefits of high-intensity interval training compared to continuous training to reduce apoptotic markers in female rats with cisplatin nephrotoxicity - possible modulatory role of IL-11

Apoptotic signaling pathways are involved in acute kidney injury (AKI) induced by the antineoplastic drug cisplatin (Cis). Mechanical stress is known to increase interleukin (IL) -11, a pleiotropic cytokine with antiapoptotic and antinecrotic effects. We compared the impact of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with low-intensity continuous training (LICT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on renal levels of IL-11 and the expression of apoptotic markers in female rats with nephrotoxicity induced by Cis. For that, the animals were divided into five groups (n = 7): control and sedentary (C + S); Cis and sedentary (Cis + S); Cis and LICT (Cis + LICT); Cis and MICT (Cis + MICT) and Cis and HIIT (Cis + HIIT). At the end of 8 weeks of treadmill running, the rats received a single injection of Cis (5 mg/kg), and 7 days later they were euthanized. Serum and kidney samples were collected to assess the blood urea nitrogen (BUN), gene expression of TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) and 2 (TNFR2), caspase-3, (p38) MAPK (MAPK14), p53, Bax, Bak, Bcl-2, and Bcl-xL, renal levels of IL-11, IL-8, and p53, and immunolocalization of cleaved caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2, and (p38) MAPK in renal tissue. Our data indicate that all trained groups showed a significant intensity-dependent increase in renal levels of IL-11 associated with reduced local expression of proapoptotic and increased antiapoptotic markers, but these effects were more pronounced with HIIT. So, HIIT appears to provide superior renoprotection than traditional continuous training by modulating apoptotic signaling pathways, and this effect can be related to the increase in renal levels of IL-11.

Calcitriol Reduces the Inflammation, Endothelial Damage and Oxidative Stress in AKI Caused by Cisplatin

Cisplatin treatment is one of the most commonly used treatments for patients with cancer. However, thirty percent of patients treated with cisplatin develop acute kidney injury (AKI). Several studies have demonstrated the effect of bioactive vitamin D or calcitriol on the inflammatory process and endothelial injury, essential events that contribute to changes in renal function and structure caused by cisplatin (CP). This study explored the effects of calcitriol administration on proximal tubular injury, oxidative stress, inflammation and vascular injury observed in CP-induced AKI. Male Wistar Hannover rats were pretreated with calcitriol (6 ng/day) or vehicle (0.9% NaCl). The treatment started two weeks before i.p. administration of CP or saline and was maintained for another five days after the injections. On the fifth day after the injections, urine, plasma and renal tissue samples were collected to evaluate renal function and structure. The animals of the CP group had increased plasma levels of creatinine and of fractional sodium excretion and decreased glomerular filtration rates. These changes were associated with intense tubular injury, endothelial damage, reductions in antioxidant enzymes and an inflammatory process observed in the renal outer medulla of the animals from this group. These changes were attenuated by treatment with calcitriol, which reduced the inflammation and increased the expression of vascular regeneration markers and antioxidant enzymes.

Nephroprotective effect of exercise training in cisplatin-induced renal damage in mice: influence of training protocol

Cisplatin is an effective antineoplastic agent, but its use is limited by its nephrotoxicity caused by the oxidative stress in tubular epithelium of nephrons. On the other hand, regular exercise provides beneficial adaptations in different tissues and organs. As with many drugs, dosing is extremely important to get the beneficial effects of exercise. Thus, we aimed to investigate the influence of exercise intensity and frequency on cisplatin-induced (20 mg/kg) renal damage in mice. Forty male Swiss mice were divided into five experimental groups (n=8 per group): 1) sedentary; 2) low-intensity forced swimming, three times per week; 3) high-intensity forced swimming, three times per week; 4) low-intensity forced swimming, five times per week; and 5) high-intensity forced swimming, five times per week. Body composition, renal structure, functional indicators (plasma urea), lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme activity, expression of genes related to antioxidant defense, and inflammatory and apoptotic pathways were evaluated. Comparisons considered exercise intensity and frequency. High lipid peroxidation was observed in the sedentary group compared with trained mice, regardless of exercise intensity and frequency. Groups that trained three times per week showed more benefits, as reduced tubular necrosis, plasma urea, expression of CASP3 and Rela (NFkB subunit-p65) genes, and increased total glutathione peroxidase activity. No significant difference in Nfe2l2 (Nrf2) gene expression was observed between groups. Eight weeks of regular exercise training promoted nephroprotection against cisplatin-mediated oxidative injury. Exercise frequency was critical for nephroprotection.

The effects of exercise on kidney injury: the role of SIRT1

In patients with kidney injury, muscle mass and strength decrease with altered muscle protein synthesis and degradation along with complications such as inflammation and low physical activity. A treatment strategy to maintain muscle metabolism in kidney injury is important. One of the proposed strategies in this regard is exercise, which in addition to inducing muscle hypertrophy, reducing plasma creatinine and urea and decreasing the severity of tubal injuries, can boost immune function and has anti-inflammatory effects. One of the molecules that have been considered as a target in the treatment of many diseases is silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1). Exercise increases the expression of SIRT1 and improves its activity. Therefore, studies that examined the effect of exercise on kidney injury considering the role of SIRT1 in this effect were reviewed to determine the direction of kidney injury research in future regarding to its prevalence, especially following diabetes, and lack of definitive treatment. In this review, we found that SIRT1 can be one of renoprotective target pathways of exercise. However, further studies are needed to determine the role of SIRT1 in different kidney injuries following exercise according to the type and severity of exercise, and the type of kidney injury.

Associations between physical activity levels and renal recovery following acute kidney injury stage 3: a feasibility study

BACKGROUND

Acute kidney injury (AKI) can lead to chronic kidney disease, which results in poor long-term outcomes. There is plausibility that increased levels of physical activity may promote renal recovery post-AKI. This study aimed to investigate associations between physical activity levels and renal recovery following stage 3 AKI, and to assess the feasibility of measuring physical activity levels in this population.

METHODS

Forty One hospitalised patients with AKI stage 3 were enrolled. Serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were collected at 12 months prior to the development of AKI, during the hospital admission when the episode of AKI stage 3 occurred, and at 1-, 3- and 6-months post discharge. All participants completed the General Practice Activity Questionnaire (GPPAQ) to assess physical activity levels. A pedometer was also worn for 7 days immediately following discharge and at 6-months post discharge to ascertain an average daily step count. Feasibility outcomes including eligibility, recruitment and retention rates, and losses to follow up were also assessed.

RESULTS

The average (± SD) baseline eGFR and median (IQR) serum creatinine was 71 ± 20 mL/min/1.73m² and 85 (49) μmol/L respectively. A threefold increase in creatinine occurred during hospitalisation 436 (265) μmol/L. Greatest renal recovery occurred prior to discharge, with recovery continuing for a further three months. Inactive individuals (low GPPAQ scores) had consistently higher serum creatinine values compared to those who were active: 1 months 122 (111) μmol/L vs 70 (0) μmol/L, 6 months 112 (57) μmol/L vs 68 (0) μmol/L. Individuals with higher step counts also displayed better renal recovery 6-months post discharge (r = -0.600, p = 0.208).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher levels of physical activity are associated with improved renal recovery after 6- months following an episode of stage 3 AKI. A future randomised controlled trial is feasible and would be required to confirm these initial findings.

Exercise and pyridostigmine prevents gastric emptying delay and increase blood pressure and cisplatin-induced baroreflex sensitivity in rats

Cisplatin treatment induces an autonomic dysfunction and gastrointestinal and cardiovascular disorders. Physical exercise as well as pyridostigmine treatment induces improves in the autonomic nervous system. In the current study, we investigated the effect of physical exercise and pyridostigmine treatment on gastrointestinal and cardiovascular changes in cisplatin-treated rats. Rats were divided into groups: Saline (S), Cisplatin (Cis), Exercise (Ex), Cisplatin+Exercise (Cis+Ex), Pyridostigmine (Pyr), and Cisplatin+Pyridostigmine (Cis+Pyr). We induced gastrointestinal dysmotility by administering 3 mg kg-1 of cisplatin once week for 5 weeks. The Ex was swimming (1 h per day/5 days per week for 5 weeks with 5% b.w.). GE was evaluated through the colorimetric method of fractional red phenol recovery 10 min after feeding. Pyr groups received 1.5 mg kg-1, p.o. or concomitant Cis treatment. Moreover, gastric contraction in vitro and hemodynamic parameters such as MAP, HR, and evoked baroreflex sensitivity were assessed, as well as sympathetic and parasympathetic tone and intrinsic heart rate (IHR). Cis decrease GE vs. saline (p<0.05). Cis+Ex or Cis+Pyr prevented (p<0.05) decrease in GE vs. Cis rats. Cis decreased (p<0.05) gastric responsiveness in vitro vs. saline. Cis+Ex or Cis+Pyr prevented this phenomenon. Cis treatment increase MAP and decrease in HR (p<0.05) vs saline. Cis+Ex or Cis+Pyr attenuated (p<0.05) both alterations. Cis increased sympathetic tone and decreased vagal tone and IHR (p<0.05) vs. the saline. Cis+Ex or Cis+Pyr prevented those effects vs. the Cis group. In conclusion, physical exercise and pyridostigmine treatment improves autonomic dysfunction and prevented GE delay and changes in hemodynamic parameters, baroreflex sensitivity, and cardiac autonomic control in cisplatin-treated rats.

High-intensity interval training is more effective than continuous training to reduce inflammation markers in female rats with cisplatin nephrotoxicity

AIMS

Cisplatin (CP) is an antineoplastic widely used in the treatment of various solid tumors, however, its clinical application is limited by nephrotoxicity. Here, we compared the impact of preconditioning with high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with continuous training of low (LIT) and moderate (MIT) intensity on innate immunity markers in female rats with CP-induced acute kidney injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The rats were divided into five groups (n = 7): saline control and sedentary (C + S); CP and sedentary (CP + S); CP and LIT (CP + LIT); CP and MIT (CP + MIT) and CP and HIIT (CP + HIIT). The training intensity was determined by a maximum running test. At the end of training, the rats received a single dose of CP (5 mg/kg), and 7 days later they were euthanized. We evaluated renal function parameters (serum creatinine, glomerular filtration rate and proteinuria), renal structure, macrophage tissue infiltration, immunolocalization of nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-κB), renal levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and interleukin 6 (IL-6), and gene expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and NF-κB in renal tissue.

KEY FINDINGS

Although both MIT and HIIT attenuated the degree of renal injury, only the HIIT prevented changes in renal function. The three training protocols mitigated the increase in expression of all inflammatory markers, however, this effect was more pronounced in HIIT.

SIGNIFICANCE

All training protocols promoted renoprotective actions, but HIIT was more effective in mitigating CP-induced acute kidney injury, in part by modulation of important markers of the innate immune response.

Changes in Hemostasis System in Outbred Female Mice with Cisplatin-Induced Procoagulant Status

Procoagulant status was modeled in outbred female mice by single injection of cisplatin in a maximum tolerated dose and hemostasis parameters monitored over 30 days by methods of coagulogram and low-frequency piezothromboelastography (global test). Monitoring revealed waveform changes in the hemostatic potential: the structural and chronometric hypercoagulation recorded starting from the first day and attaining its maximum on days 5-7 was followed by hypocoagulation and returned to normocoagulation on day 30. This pattern reflects prolonged effect of cisplatin: formation of severe dysfunction of the endothelium providing the main anticoagulant pool of hemostasis (day 1) aggravated by disturbances of the plastic functions of the liver (days 15-20), and recovery (days 20-30).

Exercise as a therapeutic option for acute kidney injury: mechanisms and considerations for the design of future clinical studies

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a known risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end stage kidney disease (ESKD). The progression from AKI to CKD, despite being well recognised, is not completely understood, although sustained inflammation and fibrosis are implicated. A therapeutic intervention targeting the post AKI stage could reduce the progression to CKD, which has high levels of associated morbidity and mortality. Exercise has known anti-inflammatory effects with animal AKI models demonstrating its use as a therapeutic agent in abrogating renal injury. This suggests the use of an exercise rehabilitation programme in AKI patients following discharge could attenuate renal damage and improve long term patient outcomes. In this review article we outline considerations for future clinical studies of exercise in the AKI population.

Influence of exercise training on diabetic kidney disease: A brief physiological approach

IMPACT STATEMENT

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is associated with increased mortality in diabetic patients and has a negative impact on public health. The identification of potential therapies that help the management of DKD can contribute to the improvement of health and quality of life of patients. Thus, this paper is timely and relevant because, in addition to presenting a concise review of the pathogenesis and major pathophysiological mechanisms of DKD, it addresses the most recent findings on the impact of exercise training on this disease. Thus, since non-pharmacological interventions have gained increasing attention in the fight against chronic diseases, this paper appears as an important tool to increase knowledge and stimulate innovative research on the impact of exercise on kidney disease.

Vinpocetine reduces cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury through inhibition of NF-κB pathway and activation of Nrf2/ARE pathway in rats

Acute kidney injury is a complex clinical disease that is associated with a high incidence of morbidity and mortality. Drug-induced acute kidney injury occurs in approximately 19-33% of hospitalized patients. Cisplatin, one of the most commonly used and effective chemotherapeutic drugs not only exerts anti-tumor effects but also causes renal toxicity damage, affecting its clinical application. Vinpocetine is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant drug that predominately acts in the nervous system. In this study, we investigated the effects and mechanisms of vinpocetine in an animal model of cisplatin-induced acute renal injury. Rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups. During a 10-day trial, rats in the control group were administered a physiological saline solution; rats in the model group received a 5 mg/kg intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin; and rats in the cisplatin + vinpocetine group received a 5 mg/kg intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin as well as a 5 mg/kg dose of vinpocetine via gavage. We observed that following cisplatin administration, the rats exhibited an increase in blood urea and creatinine levels as well as an increase in their inflammation and oxidative stress levels. In renal tissue, cisplatin caused the morphological changes typical of acute tubular injury. Vinpocetine reduced the cisplatin-induced acute renal function damage and tubular injury. In both in vivo and in vitro experiments, we found that vinpocetine can confer protection of rat renal cells by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway and activating the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway. Therefore, vinpocetine is a promising therapeutic drug for the treatment of cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury.

Effect of Calcitriol on the Renal Microvasculature Differentiation Disturbances Induced by AT1 Blockade During Nephrogenesis in Rats

Alterations in the renal vasculature during fetal programming can cause disturbances in renal structure and function that persist into adulthood. Calcitriol can affect cellular differentiation and proliferation, and promote endothelial cell maintenance, each of which is a key event in nephrogenesis. Calcitriol is a negative endocrine regulator of the renin gene. Rats exposed to renin-angiotensin system (RAS) antagonists during lactation have been shown to develop renal disorders, which demonstrated that the RAS may play an important role in mammalian kidney development. We evaluated the effects of calcitriol administration on losartan [angiotensin II receptor antagonist (ANGII), AT₁]-induced changes in renal differentiation in rats during lactation. Rats treated with losartan showed alterations in renal function and structure that persisted into adulthood. These disruptions included hydronephrosis, papillary atrophy, endothelial dysfunction, and aberrant endothelial structure. These changes were mitigated by treatment with calcitriol. The results of our study showed that animals exposed to AT₁ blockade during lactation exhibited altered renal microvasculature differentiation in adulthood that was attenuated by treatment with calcitriol.

Preventive effect of exercise training on diabetic kidney disease in ovariectomized rats with type 1 diabetes

IMPACT STATEMENT

To date, no studies have been found evaluating the effects of physical exercise on renal function and structure changes in ovariectomized rats with type 1 diabetes. Therefore, this work emerges with an important tool for strengthening and expanding innovative research on exercise with potential for the prevention of renal diseases in ovariectomized diabetic rats, and future development of studies that seek to increase scientific knowledge about the beneficial effects of physical exercise on renal diseases in humans.

Renal developmental disturbances and their long-term consequences in female pups from vitamin D-deficient mothers: involved mechanisms

The mechanisms involved in kidney disturbances during development, induced by vitamin D3 deficiency in female rats, that persist into adulthood were evaluated in this study. Female offspring from mothers fed normal (control group, n=8) or vitamin D-deficient (Vit.D-, n=10) diets were used. Three-month-old rats had their systolic blood pressure (SBP) measured and their blood and urine sampled to quantify vitamin D3 (Vit.D3), creatinine, Na+, Ca+2 and angiotensin II (ANGII) levels. The kidneys were then removed for nitric oxide (NO) quantification and immunohistochemical studies. Vit.D- pups showed higher SBP and plasma ANGII levels in adulthood (P<0.05) as well as decreased urine osmolality associated with increases in urinary volume (P<0.05). Decreased expression of JG12 (renal cortex and glomeruli) and synaptopodin (glomeruli) as well as reduced renal NO was also observed (P<0.05). These findings showed that renal disturbances in development in pups from Vit.D- mothers observed in adulthood may be related to the development of angiogenesis, NO and ANGII alterations.