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We investigated the roles of the renin-angiotensin system and the significance of interactions between angiotensin II and nitric oxide, in responses of regional kidney perfusion to electrical renal nerve stimulation (RNS) in pentobarbital sodium-anesthetized rabbits. Under control conditions, RNS (0.5–8 Hz) reduced total renal blood flow (RBF; −89 ± 3% at 8 Hz) and cortical perfusion (CBF; −90 ± 2% at 8 Hz) more than medullary perfusion (MBF; −55 ± 5% at 8 Hz). Angiotensin II type 1 (AT1)-receptor antagonism (candesartan) blunted RNS-induced reductions in RBF ( P = 0.03), CBF ( P = 0.007), and MBF ( P = 0.04), particularly at 4 and 8 Hz. Nitric oxide synthase inhibition with NG-nitro-l-arginine (l-NNA) enhanced RBF ( P = 0.003), CBF ( P = 0.001), and MBF ( P = 0.03) responses to RNS, particularly at frequencies of 2 Hz and less. After candesartan pretreatment, l-NNA significantly enhanced RNS-induced reductions in RBF ( P = 0.04) and CBF ( P = 0.007) but not MBF ( P = 0.66). Renal arterial infusion of angiotensin II (5 ng·kg−1·min−1) selectively enhanced responses of MBF to RNS in l-NNA-pretreated but not in vehicle-pretreated rabbits. In contrast, greater doses of angiotensin II (5–15 ng·kg−1·min−1) blunted responses of MBF to RNS in rabbits with intact nitric oxide synthase. These results suggest that endogenous angiotensin II enhances, whereas nitric oxide blunts, neurally mediated vasoconstriction in the renal cortical and medullary circulations. In the renal medulla, but not the cortex, angiotensin II also appears to be able to blunt neurally mediated vasoconstriction.

1. The aim of the present study was to examine the roles of cyclo-oxygenase (COX)- and lipoxygenase (LOX)-dependent arachidonate signalling cascades in the control of regional kidney blood flow. 2. In pentobarbitone-anaesthetized rabbits treated with NG-nitro-l-arginine and glyceryl trinitrate to 'clamp' nitric oxide, we determined the effects of ibuprofen (a COX inhibitor) and esculetin (a LOX inhibitor) on resting systemic and renal haemodynamics and responses to renal arterial infusions of vasoconstrictors. 3. Ibuprofen increased mean arterial pressure (14 +/- 5%) and reduced medullary laser Doppler flux (MLDF; 26 +/- 6%) when administered with esculetin. A similar pattern of responses was observed when ibuprofen was given alone, although the reduction in MLDF was not statistically significant. Esculetin tended to increase renal blood flow (RBF; 16 +/- 7%) and MLDF (28 +/- 13%) when given alone, but not when combined with ibuprofen. 4. After vehicle, renal arterial infusions of noradrenaline, angiotensin II and endothelin-1 reduced RBF and cortical laser Doppler flux (CLDF), but not MLDF. In contrast, renal arterial [Phe2,Ile3,Orn8]-vasopressin reduced MLDF but not RBF or CLDF. Ibuprofen alone did not significantly affect these responses. Esculetin, when given alone, but not when combined with ibuprofen, enhanced noradrenaline-induced renal vasoconstriction. In contrast, esculetin did not significantly affect responses to [Phe2,Ile3,Orn8]-vasopressin, angiotensin II or endothelin-1. 5. We conclude that COX products contribute to the maintenance of arterial pressure and renal medullary perfusion under 'nitric oxide clamp' conditions, but not to renal haemodynamic responses to the vasoconstrictors we tested. Lipoxygenase products may blunt noradrenaline-induced vasoconstriction, but our observations may, instead, reflect LOX-independent effects of esculetin.

Summary 1. To determine whether differential release of products of arachidonic acid metabolism, via the cyclo-oxygenase pathway, underlies the diversity of responses of regional kidney perfusion to vasoactive agents, we tested the effects of intravenous indomethacin on responses to renal arterial bolus doses of vasoactive agents in pentobarbitone-anaesthetized rabbits. 2. Total renal blood flow (RBF) and regional kidney perfusion were determined by transit time ultrasound flowmetry and laser-Doppler flowmetry, respectively. 3. Responses of regional kidney blood flow to vasoactive agents were diverse: noradrenaline reduced cortical but not medullary perfusion, [Phe2,Ile3,Orn8]-vasopressin reduced medullary perfusion more than cortical perfusion, endothelin-1 and angiotensin II increased medullary perfusion in the face of reduced cortical perfusion, while acetylcholine, bradykinin and the nitric oxide donor methylamine hexamethylene methylamine (MAHMA) NONOate all increased both cortical and medullary perfusion. 4. Indomethacin administration was followed by reductions in total RBF (17 ± 6%), cortical perfusion (13 ± 5%) and medullary perfusion (40 ± 8%). Angiotensin II- and endothelin-1-induced increases in medullary perfusion were abolished by indomethacin, but indomethacin had no significant effects on responses of regional kidney perfusion to acetylcholine, bradykinin, MAHMA NONOate, noradrenaline and [Phe2,Ile3,Orn8]-vasopressin. 5. Our results suggest that vasodilator cyclo-oxygenase products contribute to the maintenance of resting renal vascular tone, particularly in vascular elements controlling medullary perfusion. Cyclo-oxygenase products also appear to mediate endothelin-1- and angiotensin II-induced increases in medullary perfusion. However, regionally specific engagement of cyclo-oxygenase-dependent arachidonic acid metabolism does not appear to contribute to the differential effects of noradrenaline and [Phe2,Ile3,Orn8]-vasopressin on cortical and medullary perfusion.

O ST E R A B ST R A C T S vs. -17.23 2.23%, p1⁄4