Direct action of rat urinary kallikrein on rat kidney to release renin

Physiology of Kidney Renin

The protease renin is the key enzyme of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone cascade, which is relevant under both physiological and pathophysiological settings. The kidney is the only organ capable of releasing enzymatically active renin. Although the characteristic juxtaglomerular position is the best known site of renin generation, renin-producing cells in the kidney can vary in number and localization. (Pro)renin gene transcription in these cells is controlled by a number of transcription factors, among which CREB is the best characterized. Pro-renin is stored in vesicles, activated to renin, and then released upon demand. The release of renin is under the control of the cAMP (stimulatory) and Ca2+(inhibitory) signaling pathways. Meanwhile, a great number of intrarenally generated or systemically acting factors have been identified that control the renin secretion directly at the level of renin-producing cells, by activating either of the signaling pathways mentioned above. The broad spectrum of biological actions of (pro)renin is mediated by receptors for (pro)renin, angiotensin II and angiotensin-( 1 – 7 ).

Tissue kallikrein deficiency and renovascular hypertension in the mouse

The kallikrein kinin system (KKS) is involved in arterial and renal functions. It may have an antihypertensive effect in both essential and secondary forms of hypertension. The role of the KKS in the development of two-kidneys, one-clip (2K1C) hypertension, a high-renin model, was investigated in mice rendered deficient in tissue kallikrein (TK) and kinins by TK gene inactivation (TK−/−) and in their wild-type littermates (TK+/+). Four weeks after clipping the renal artery, blood flow was reduced in the clipped kidney (2K1C-TK+/+: −90%, 2K1C-TK−/−: −93% vs. sham-operated mice), and the kidney mass had also decreased (2K1C-TK+/+: −65%, 2K1C-TK−/−: −66%), whereas in the unclipped kidney, blood flow (2K1C-TK+/+: +19%, 2K1C-TK−/−: +17%) and kidney mass (2K1C-TK+/+: +32%, 2K1C-TK−/−: +30%) had both increased. The plasma renin concentration (2K1C-TK+/+: +78%, 2K1C-TK−/−: +65%) and renal renin content of the clipped kidney (2K1C-TK+/+: +58%, 2K1C-TK−/−: +65%) had increased significantly. There was no difference for these parameters between 2K1C-TK+/+ and 2K1C-TK−/− mice. Blood pressure monitored by telemetry and by plethysmography, rose immediately after clipping in both genotypes, and reached similar levels (2K1C-TK+/+: +24%, 2K1C-TK−/−: +21%). 2K1C-TK+/+ and 2K1C-TK−/− mice developed similar concentric left ventricular hypertrophy (+24% and +17%, respectively) with normal cardiac function. These findings suggest that in the context of chronic unilateral reduction in renal blood flow, TK and kinins do not influence the trophicity of kidneys, the synthesis and secretion of renin, blood pressure increase, and cardiac remodeling due to renin angiotensin system activation.

Serial analysis of gene expression in mouse kidney following angiotensin II administration

As a new line of inquiry into the molecular mechanisms underlying pathophysiological processes associated with angiotensin (ANG II)-dependent hypertension, we applied the method of serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) to examine genome-wide transcription changes in the kidneys of mice that developed hypertension in response to chronic ANG II administration. Mice were infused subcutaneously via osmotic minipumps with ANG II for 7 days, and systolic blood pressure was measured by tail-cuff plethysmography. Subsequently, mice were euthanized, and the total RNA isolated from the kidneys was used to construct SAGE libraries. Comparison of 11,447 SAGE tags from the hypertensive kidneys, representing 5,740 unique transcripts, and 11,273 tags from the control kidneys, corresponding to 5,619 different transcripts, identified genes that are significantly ( P < 0.05) down- or upregulated in the hypertensive kidney. Our assessment of the genome-wide influence of ANG II resulted in the detection of several novel genes and in a recognition of potential new roles for the previously characterized genes, thus providing new probes with which to further explore the ANG II effects in normal and disease states.

Increased activity of the renal kallikrein-kinin system in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease in rats, but not in humans

The kallikrein-kinin system (KKS) was investigated in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD)-affected rats (PKD) and compared to unaffected controls (SD) and 5/6 nephrectomized rats (5/6 Nx). In addition, patients with ADPKD compared to patients with nonpolycystic kidney disease and healthy controls have been investigated. Plasma and urine samples for determination of creatinine, protein, kallikrein (KAL) and bradykinin (BK) were taken in male 3- and 9-month-old PKD, SD and 9-month-old 5/6 Nx. The same parameters were determined in young (age: 20-40 years) and old (41-65 years) male patients with ADPKD and compared to age-matched patients with nonpolycystic kidney disease and age-matched healthy controls. Plasma and urine KAL were measured by chromogenic peptide substrate, and kininswere determined by radioimmunoassay. Urine KAL and BK levels were increased i n PKD compared to age-matched SD. No differences with respect to serum KAL were found between PKD and SD. In 5/6 Nx, urinary BK levels showed a trend towards higher compared to old SD (p = 0.06). KAL and BK were not increased in serum and urine of patients with ADPKD, in contrast to rats. Urinary KAL excretion was reduced in patients with ADPKD and advanced renal failure. Our results demonstrate an age-dependent activation of the renal KKS in rats with ADPKD, whereas the KKS is not activated in patients with ADPKD and advanced renal failure. These data indicate that there are fundamental differences in the factors influencing the course of the disease in human and rat ADPKD.

Renal responses to magnesium lithospermate B

Renal responses to magnesium lithospermate B isolated from Salviae miltiorrhizae radix were examined in normal rats. Urinary sodium, potassium, prostaglandin E2 and kallikrein excretion was significantly increased after magnesium lithospermate B administration, whereas excretion of urinary 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha and thromboxane B2 was unchanged. Rats administered with the drug also revealed a slight elevation of plasma renin activity and the levels of angiotensins I and II. Plasma aldosterone was decreased slightly. No significant changes were observed in angiotensin-converting enzyme or blood pressure.

Evidence for a stimulatory effect of high potassium diet on renal kallikrein

Considerable evidence indicates that the connecting tubule cells, a type of cell of the distal nephron which seems to participate on potassium secretion, may be the place where renal kallikrein is synthetized. As potassium secretion and kallikrein synthesis may occur in the same cells, we studied the effect of high potassium diet on renal kallikrein production. The kallikrein containing cells from rats fed a normal and high potassium diet were evaluated using a combination of morphometric analysis, conventional electron microscopy, and ultrastructural immunocytochemistry. High potassium diet produced hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the kallikrein containing cells. Hyperplasia was sustained by an increased number of immunoreactive cells/mm2 (151 +/- 14 vs. 86.4 +/- 12, P less than 0.01), an increased number of binucleated immunoreactive cells/mm2 (11.90 +/- 2.1 vs. 3.77 +/- 0.17, P less than 0.005), and by the presence of mitosis. Cell hypertrophy was sustained by an increased cross-sectional area of immunoreactive cells (mu 2) (320.4 +/- 21 vs. 104.5 +/- 6.1, P less than 0.001), by an increased area of basal plasma membrane infoldings, by an hypertrophy of the components of the Golgi complex, hypertrophy of the components of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, and by a larger number of secretory-like vesicles containing kallikrein. The rats fed with high potassium diet had higher values on urinary kallikrein excretion-amidase activity (3.70 +/- 0.51 vs. 2.01 +/-0.37 units/day, P less than 0.02), higher values on potassium excretion (18.8 +/- 1.7 vs. 1.31 +/- 0.1 mmol/day, P less than 0.001), and higher urinary volume (51.5 +/- 5.3 vs. 12.2 +/- 1.6 ml/day, P less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The significance of autonomic neuropathy in the elevation of inactive renin in diabetes mellitus

Plasma renin activity (PRA) and inactive renin(IR, activated by trypsin) were measured in the plasma of 15 type II diabetics with autonomic neuropathy (group 3), 15 type II diabetics without (group 2), and 14 nondiabetic control subjects (group 1) in the recumbent position. There were no significant differences between the 3 groups with respect to age, ideal body weight, supine resting mean blood pressure, serum creatinine, daily urinary excretion of sodium, or renin substrate at the time of study. Autonomic neuropathy (AN) was assessed by measurement of the ratio of the longest to the shortest R-R interval during deep breathing (E/I-ratio) and by postural hypotension. PRA was significantly lower in group 3 than in group 1 (p less than 0.05). The IR level was significantly higher in group 3 than in groups 2 and 1 (p less than 0.005 for both comparisons). The ratio of active renin to total renin (TR) (PRA/(IR + PRA)) was significantly lower in group 3 than in groups 2 and 1 (p less than 0.001 for both comparisons). The IR level and PRA/(IR + PRA) were significantly correlated with E/I-ratio (r = -0.498, p less than 0.01 and r = 0.588, p less than 0.001, respectively) and with the severity of postural hypotension (r = 0.383, p less than 0.05 and r = 0.401, p less than 0.05, respectively), but not with the daily urinary excretion of protein or 24 h-creatinine clearance (24 h-Ccr) in the whole diabetics. From these results, we conclude that autonomic neuropathy might be a more important factor than nephropathy in the lower PRA and higher IR level in type II diabetics with AN.

Mechanisms by which nephrectomy stimulates adrenal renin

Renin has been identified in the adrenal gland by several investigators. Nephrectomy is the most potent stimulator of adrenal renin, and in the present study we investigated the mechanism by which nephrectomy stimulates adrenal renin. The pituitary plays a permissive role since hypophysectomy abolished the response of adrenal renin to nephrectomy (from 117.3 +/- 14.55 to 10.37 +/- 1.63 ng angiotensin I/mg protein/hr) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) treatment restored the response to nephrectomy in hypophysectomized rats to 120 +/- 20.62 ng angiotensin I/mg protein/hr. However, large doses of ACTH given to intact rats did not increase adrenal renin to the high level observed after nephrectomy. Potassium also plays an important role, since prevention of hyperkalemia after nephrectomy by treatment with a cation exchange resin, sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate), significantly reduced the adrenal renin response to nephrectomy. A third factor involved is the lack of negative feedback by plasma angiotensin II. Infusion of angiotensin II intraperitoneally prevented the rise in adrenal renin after nephrectomy (from 65.25 +/- 7.60 to 9.27 +/- 0.99 ng angiotensin I/mg protein/hr) despite an increase in plasma potassium and corticosterone. In conclusion, three factors influence the response of adrenal renin to nephrectomy: 1) the pituitary through the release of ACTH, 2) a direct stimulation by high plasma potassium levels, 3) the lack of angiotensin II feedback inhibition. Whether the high adrenal renin contributes to the high aldosterone observed in rats after nephrectomy remains to be established.

Glandular kallikrein, renin and tonin in tissues of diabetic and hypertensive rats

The submaxillary gland and kidney of diabetic and hypertensive rats were compared for their content of glandular kallikrein and the activities of tonin and renin. The submaxillary glands and the kidneys of both diabetic Wistar strain and hypertensive rats contained significantly less glandular kallikrein than non-diabetic Wistar strain and hypertensive rats (reduction fron 40 to 76%). The renin activity of the kidney showed only a slight change in spite of diabetes, whereas the activity of the submaxillary gland decreased in parallel with the reduction of the kallikrein content when diabetes was induced. On the other hand, the tonin of the submaxillary gland, which has a potent hypertensive activity like renin, was not affected by induction of diabetes. However, the tonin activity in hypertensive rats was significantly higher (p less than 0.001) than that in the normotensive rats (His-Leu, 168.7 +/- 10.1 vs. 131.5 +/- 17.3 nmol/min X mg protein).

Renal kallikrein-kinin system

In the last decade, our knowledge of the renal kallikrein-kinin system has been advanced significantly. More specific and sensitive methods for assessing its activity have been developed. Further, it has been found that in the kidney this system is localized in the distal nephron, where it appears to be linked to processes that control water and electrolyte excretion. Data indicate that the kallikrein-kinin system interacts with other renal hormonal systems such as the prostaglandin and renin-angiotension-kinin system may participate in the control of renal function and the pathophysiology of renal diseases. An increase in kallikrein excretion has been observed after administration of antihypertensive drugs. The kallikrein-kinin system may therefore participate in their mechanism(s) of action. Our current knowledge suggests that the renal kallikrein-kinin system is an integral part of the intrarenal hormonal system that controls water and electrolyte excretion and participates in the regulation of blood pressure.

Kallikrein and kinins independently stimulate renin release from isolated rat glomeruli

We studied the interaction between kallikrein, kinins, and renin release in isolated rat renal glomeruli and their attendant arterioles. Purified hog kallikrein (170 mEU/ml) significantly stimulated renin release 86% (p less than 0.025) above control. Inactivation of kallikrein by PMSF or inhibition with aprotinin blocked kallikrein stimulation of renin release. Partially purified rat submandibular gland kallikrein (160 mEU/ml) also increased renin by 87% (p less than 0.025). Superfusion of glomeruli with bradykinin (10(-5) M) significantly increased renin release by 108% (p less than 0.025), and lys-bradykinin (10(-5) M) similarly increased renin by 155% (p less than 0.025). Neither of the kinin analogues, des-arg9 bradykinin or tyr8 bradykinin (at 10(-5) M), were able to alter renin released from isolated glomeruli. The vasodilator acetylcholine (10(-5) M) had no effect upon renin release from glomeruli. No kininogen could be detected in glomeruli. Kallikrein superfusion did not result in any measurable kinin generation. We could not detect inactive renin in superfusate or glomeruli after renin activation with either kallikrein or trypsin. These results suggest that kallikrein stimulates renin release independent of kininogenase activity and that this stimulation does not appear to be due to activation of inactive renin. Further, we find that kinins can directly stimulate renin release.

Effect of indomethacin on the adrenal renin response to nephrectomy in the rat

The role of prostaglandins in the control of adrenal renin in vivo was evaluated in nephrectomized rats. Nephrectomy increased adrenal renin from 13.2 +/- 1.37 ng angiotensin I/mg protein/hr to 166.5 +/- 17.3 ng angiotensin I/mg protein/hr. Indomethacin treatment significantly suppressed the adrenal renin response to nephrectomy. (47.8 +/- 5.22 ng angiotensin I/mg protein/hr). Adrenal aldosterone was also suppressed by indomethacin. Adrenal prostaglandin E2 increased after nephrectomy and decreased after indomethacin. Plasma corticosterone and serum potassium did not change after indomethacin. These data indicate that inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis by indomethacin partially blocks the adrenal renin response to nephrectomy, suggesting that prostaglandins may play a role in the adrenal response to nephrectomy.

Enzymatic characterization of arginine esterase from dog seminal plasma

Previously purified arginine esterase from dog seminal plasma was characterized enzymatically. The enzyme was found to have a rather narrow specificity for arginine esters, much less for lysine esters and was practically devoid of activity towards tyrosine esters, casein, albumin and azocoll. It had a broad optimum pH between 8 and 9. It presented no kallikrein-like activities either in the blood pressure test in dog or in the rat uterus contraction test. It was inhibited by bovine pancreas trypsin inhibitor, aprotinin, phenylalanylprolyl arginine chloromethyl ketone, diisopropylfluorophosphate, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, sodium dodecyl sulfate and leupeptin, but not by soybean trypsin inhibitor, tosyllysine chloromethyl ketone, tosylamide-2-phenylethyl chloromethyl ketone, iodoacetamide, Triton X-100 and EDTA. Experiments involving incubation of prostatic cytosol with purified arginine esterase showed that actin was the only important prostatic protein that was extensively hydrolyzed by this enzyme. It is not known presently whether the hydrolysis of actin is related to a true physiological function of the enzyme and whether actin and arginine esterase ever come into contact with each other in vivo. These properties indicate that arginine esterase from dog seminal plasma is different from other known proteinases including classical kallikreins, although it presents many similarities with this class of enzyme.

Active and inactive kallikrein in rabbit connecting tubules and urine during low and normal sodium intake

Active and total (trypsin-activated) kallikrein were measured in urine and the discrete segments of the nephron of rabbits fed low and normal sodium diets. Kallikrein was measured by its kininogenase activity, and kinins generated were measured by radioimmunoassay. The amount of inactive kallikrein was calculated as the difference between total and active kallikrein. The nephrons were microdissected and divided into eight segments: (1) glomerulus; (2) proximal convoluted tubule; (3) cortical thick ascending limb; (4) bright portion of distal convoluted tubule; (5) granular portion of distal convoluted tubule; (6) granular portion of cortical collecting tubule; (7) light portion of cortical collecting tubule; and (8) medullary collecting tubule. As we have previously described, active and inactive kallikrein were localized mainly in the granular portion of the distal convoluted and cortical collecting tubules (connecting tubule). Both active and inactive kallikrein in the granular portion of the distal convoluted and cortical collecting tubule increased markedly during low sodium intake without altering the distribution profile. Urinary excretion of active and inactive kallikrein also increased significantly in the low sodium diet. More than 50% of total kallikrein was found in the inactive form in the nephron and urine. The ratio of active to total kallikrein in the nephron and urine was not changed by sodium restriction. These results suggest that sodium restriction stimulates the biosynthesis and excretion of both active and inactive kallikrein.

Effect of captopril on renal vascular resistance, renin, prostaglandins and kinin in the isolated perfused kidney

Vasodilatory and natriuretic effects of captopril were studied in the isolated hog kidney perfused with modified Krebs-Ringer solution. Renal arterial infusion of captopril caused increases in releases of renin, prostaglandins (PGE2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and PGF2 alpha) and kinin, and was accompanied by a decrease in the renal vascular resistance and an increase in urinary sodium excretion. Indomethacin administered with captopril diminished the saluretic effect of captopril and evoked an increase in kinin, but was associated with a marked decrease in prostaglandin and renin releases, while renal vascular resistance remained decreased. Indomethacin alone did not alter vascular resistance and kinin; however, renin and prostaglandin releases were decreased. Aprotinin administered with captopril showed a decrease in releases of prostaglandins, renin and kinin without any change in vascular resistance. These results suggest that increased release of kinin induced by captopril contributes to a reduction in renal vascular resistance. Increased prostaglandin release after captopril administration may be caused by an increase in kinin without direct involvement of captopril in prostaglandin synthesis. Renal prostaglandins may enhance sodium excretion and mediate renin secretion in captopril perfusion.

The effect of aprotinin (a serine protease inhibitor) on renal function and renin release

We studied the effect of aprotinin, a reversible inhibitor of kallikrein and other serine proteases, upon urinary kallikrein and kinin excretion, renal function and hemodynamics, blood pressure, and plasma renin activity (PRA). When aprotinin was administered to anesthetized rats at 10,000 KIU/kg as a bolus, and at 1000 KIU/kg/min infusion for 60 minutes, urinary kininogenase activity and immunoreactive kallikrein, kinins, sodium, potassium, and water excretion, and PRA decreased significantly. Aprotinin also caused a 36% decrease (p less than 0.001) in renal blood flow (RBF), and a 37% decrease (p less than 0.001) in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), although neither blood pressure nor cardiac output changed. The effect of aprotinin on PRA was further studied in conscious rats before and after stimulation of renin release by isoproterenol or furosemide. Aprotinin (5,000 KIU/kg bolus and 1000 KIU/kg/min infusion for 60 minutes) did not alter basal or isoproterenol-stimulated PRA, but it blunted the increase in PRA as stimulated by furosemide. Aprotinin at a higher dose (20,000 KIU/kg bolus and 5000 KIU/kg/min infusion for 60 minutes) significantly lowered blood pressure and increased hematocrit and PRA. These effects may be due to inhibition of serine protease(s) or to other as yet unrecognized properties of this peptide resulting from its highly cationic nature. In conclusion, aprotinin at a low dose decreased kallikrein, kinin, sodium, and water excretion. These decreases may be due to the inhibition of kallikrein and/or other serine proteases or may be secondary to the renal hemodynamic changes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Role of renal kallikrein in control of renin release in conscious rats

Renal kallikrein was reported to activate human inactive renin and to release active renin from rat renal cortical slices. To evaluate the role of renal kallikrein in the control of renin release in vivo, Trasylol and soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI) were used to determine whether they can inhibit renin release stimulated by the administration of furosemide and a 2-wk low-sodium diet. Plasma renin activity (PRA) was increased by furosemide and also by the low-sodium diet. Urinary kallikrein excretion was increased by the sodium depletions. Trasylol did not affect basal PRA; however, it inhibited PRA and urinary kallikrein excretion, when stimulated by furosemide and by a low-sodium diet. These results suggest that furosemide and low-sodium diet act on the kidney to release renin via protease production. Because SBTI affected neither PRA nor urinary kallikrein excretion stimulated by these sodium depletions, it is suggested that renal kallikrein may play an important role in the control of renin release stimulated by furosemide and by low-sodium diet.

Adrenal renin: a possible regulator of aldosterone production

We have confirmed the presence of adrenal renin and have shown that the concentration is much higher in the glomerulosa cells. The renin concentration of these cells is influenced by changes in sodium balance and after nephrectomy, while the renin of the fasciculata-medullary tissue is not. There is a positive correlation between adrenal renin and aldosterone concentration. The data suggest that adrenal renin may be a local hormone that plays a role in the regulation of aldosterone production.

Effect of prostacyclin infusion on active and inactive renin release in the isolated perfused kidney

The effect of prostacyclin infusion into the renal artery of the isolated perfused hog kidney on the release of active and inactive renin was investigated. Infusion of prostacyclin at a rate of 0.1 microgram/min resulted in a significant increase (p less than 0.01) in active renin and a significant fall (p less than 0.01) in inactive renin. Prostacyclin also increased urinary kallikrein excretion (p less than 0.05). The results indicate that the kidney secretes not only active renin but also inactive renin, and suggest that prostacyclin stimulates the conversion of inactive renin to the active form through the activation of the renal kallikrein system.

Localization of active and inactive kallikrein (kininogenase activity) in the microdissected rabbit nephron

Active and total (trypsin-activated) kallikrein were measured in discrete segments of the nephron by their kininogenase activity. The kinins generated were measured by radioimmunoassay and the amount of inactive kallikrein was calculated as the difference between total and active kallikrein. Single nephrons from collagenase-treated rabbit kidneys (N = 12) were microdissected and divided into eight segments: (1) glomerulus; (2) proximal convoluted tubule; (3) cortical thick ascending limb; (4) bright portion of distal convoluted tubule; (5) granular portion of distal convoluted tubule; (6) granular portion of cortical collecting tubule; (7) light portion of cortical collecting tubule; and (8) medullary collecting tubules. After pooled segments (approximately 50 nephron segments in each assay) were homogenized and treated with deoxycholic acid, active and total kallikrein were measured and inactive kallikrein was calculated. Active and inactive kallikrein were localized in granular portions of the distal and cortical collecting tubule, which contains more than 85% of the active and inactive kallikrein found in the total microdissected nephron. Little or no kallikrein was detected in other segments, including the bright portion of the distal segment which has the macula densa. The discrete localization of active and inactive kallikrein suggests a specific role for renal kallikrein in these nephron segments.

Interactions of diuretics with the renal kallikrein-kinin and prostaglandin systems

The renal kallikrein-kinin system may participate in the diuretic, natriuretic and antihypertensive effect of diuretics. This possibility was investigated by studying the influence of hydrochlorothiazide on blood pressure and urinary kallikrein excretion in patients with essential hypertension. Furthermore, the effect of kallikrein-blockade and prostaglandin-synthesis inhibition on the acute furosemide-induced changes of diuresis, natriuresis, GFR and renal plasma flow were studied in normotensive subjects. Thiazide treatment normalized the reduced kallikrein excretion of the hypertensive patients. The fall in mean arterial blood pressure was significantly correlated with the increase in urinary kallikrein excretion. In the normotensive subjects aprotinin-induced kallikrein inhibition failed to alter the acute response to furosemide, whereas indomethacin attenuated the diuretic and natriuretic effect of furosemide. The combination of indomethacin and aprotinin had a greater suppressive effect on plasma renin activity than indomethacin alone, suggesting a participation of kallikrein in renin release. An increase in the activity of the renal kallikrein-kinin system may contribute to the long-term antihypertensive effect of thiazide diuretics but it does not seem to be involved in the acute renal responses to furosemide.

Clonidine decreases rat urine kallikrein excretion by alpha-adrenergic receptor stimulation

In normal conscious female Sprague-Dawley rats, clonidine dose-dependently (10-300 micrograms/kg) decreased urine kallikrein excretion to approximately 40% of the control value. The effect of clonidine on urine enzyme excretion was inversely related to diuresis-natriuresis. Phenoxybenzamine (1 mg/kg) or phentolamine (10 mg/kg) antagonized the effect of clonidine on urine enzyme excretion. Consequently, rat urine kallikrein excretion might be reduced when alpha-adrenergic receptors are stimulated by clonidine.

Urinary kallikrein and plasma renin activity in normal human pregnancy

Urinary kallikrein excretion (UK), plasma renin activity (PRA), and 24-hour urine volume, sodium, and potassium excretion rates were determined sequentially in 16 normal pregnant women. Throughout gestation, UK was significantly elevated as compared to values obtained in 13 control women (1466 +/- 152 vs 375 +/- 90 U/g creatinine). The highest level was observed in Period 2 of gestation, corresponding to Weeks 17 to 24. PRA was also significantly elevated during pregnancy (11.97 +/- 1,35 vs 1.06 +/- 0.90 ng/ml/hr), with the highest level in Period 2. Mean 24-hour urine volume, sodium, and potassium excretion rates were significantly higher during pregnancy. Nor correlation was found between UK and: PRA, urine volume, and sodium and potassium excretions. These findings indicate a consistent activation of the renal-kallikrein-kinin system during pregnancy. We postulate that this vasodilator system might play a role in the maintenance of normotension in pregnancy, counteracting tha effect of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.

Kallikrein-induced uterine contraction independent of kinin formation

Responses of smooth muscle to kallikreins (EC 3.4.21.8) are generally considered to result from kinin formation. This premise was reexamined with the isolated rat uterus. Rat urinary kallikrein or bradykinin produced dose-dependent contractions of rat uterus but kallikrein was 5-fold more potent than bradykinin. Kallikrein caused an immediate series of rhythmic contractions which could be increased gradually with subsequent addition of kininogen substrate. Kallikrein-induced contractions were unaffected by carboxypeptidase B or a bradykinin antiserum whereas bradykinin-induced contractions were attenuated or abolished. Other serine proteinases, including trypsin, either did not induce contraction in the absence of added kininogen or did so minimally. Although small amounts of kininogen-like substrate were found in uterine tissue, detectable kinin levels (greater than 4 pg) could not be found in bathing media during maximal kallikrein-induced contractions or after uterine tissue was incubated with high concentrations of the enzyme in the presence of SQ 20881, a kininase II inhibitor. The data suggest that uterine contraction produced by a homologous kallikrein does not involve kinin formation but results from an action of this serine proteinase upon other accessible systems coupled to the contractile response.

Direct action of kallikrein and other proteases on the renin-angiotensin system

Kallikrein is present in the renal tubule near the macula densa, and it has recently been shown to activate inactive renin in human plasma. We recently showed that kallikrein was a potent stimulus of renin release and increased renin secretion in a dose-dependent fashion. To study its effect on renal renin release, we superfused rat renal cortical slices with purified rat urinary kallikrein. Kallikrein-stimulated renin release was completely abolished by trasylol and by amiloride, but was not affected by soybean trypsin inhibitor. Indomethacin did not block kallikrein action, indicating that kallikrein's effect is not mediated via kinin generation and prostaglandins. Kallikrein-stimulated renin release was not blocked by propranolol, trasylol did not block isoproterenol, and dibutyryl cyclic AMP stimulated renin release, indicating that kallikrein may not play a role in the beta-adrenergic mechanism of renin release. There was no demonstrable acid-activatable or kallikrein activatable renin in the superfusate, suggesting that all of the renin release was in the active form. Cathepsin D and plasmin also stimulated renin release from kidney slices in pH 6.0 buffer, whereas trypsin and pepsin did not. Our results support the hypothesis that kallikrein may play a role in the secretion of renin by the kidney. Other proteases can also release renin from the kidney.