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Endothelin (ET) is a potent vasoconstrictor that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of acute renal failure (ARF). In order to investigate the potential role of ET in ARF in the dog, the effect of a mixed ETA and ETB receptor antagonist, (+/-)-SB 209670, [(1RS-2SR,3RS)-3-(2-carboxymethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-5- (prop-1-yloxy) indane-2-carboxylic acid], and a selective ETA antagonist, BQ123, were evaluated in anesthetized uninephrectomized dogs undergoing 60 min of renal occlusion. (+/-)-SB 209670 (1 microgram/kg/min) and BQ123 (10 micrograms/kg/min) were infused directly into the renal artery (intrarenal) for 30 min before renal occlusion, during occlusion and for 60 min after reperfusion at doses that inhibited the renal vasoconstrictor effects of intrarenal renal artery infusions of ET-1. Renal occlusion resulted in a significant reduction in inulin clearance (from 26.2 +/- 1.8 to 3.2 +/- 1.1 ml/min). This response was significantly (P < .05) attenuated by (+/-)-SB 209670 (from 23.5 +/- 2.2 to 7.6 +/- 2.0 ml/min) but not by BQ123 (from 23.5 +/- 1.7 to 4.9 +/- 1.2 ml/min). Endogenous creatinine clearance showed the same pattern. After renal artery occlusion, fractional sodium and fractional potassium excretions were increased significantly. (+/-)-SB 209670, but not BQ123, resulted in a significant reduction in fractional sodium; however, neither compound altered fractional potassium excretion. The data suggest that ET receptor antagonists, possibly by altering tubular sodium reabsorption, may be beneficial in ischemia-induced ARF.

The effects of selective alpha adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists on vasopressin (VP)-sensitive cyclic AMP (cAMP) formation in microdissected rat papillary collecting ducts were examined. In the presence of 10(-10) M VP, norepinephrine and the selective alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist, B-HT 933, produced almost total inhibition of VP-stimulated cAMP accumulation. Half-maximal inhibition occurred at 1 x 10(-8) M and 6 x 10(-7) M for norepinephrine and B-HT 933, respectively. Cirazoline, a selective alpha-1 adrenoceptor agonist, had no significant effect on VP-stimulated cAMP accumulation. The inhibitory effects of norepinephrine and B-HT 933 were antagonized by rauwolscine but not by prazosin. The antagonism of B-HT 933-induced inhibition of VP-stimulated cAMP accumulation was competitive with an antagonist dissociation constant (KB) of 10.9 x 10(-9) M. Preincubation of papillary collecting ducts with pertussis toxin (1 microgram/ml for 1 hr at 37 degrees C) attenuated, by 65%, the inhibitory effect of B-HT 933 on VP-stimulated cAMP levels. These results demonstrate that alpha-2 adrenoceptors capable of inhibiting VP action are present on the papillary collecting duct. Furthermore, the alpha-2 adrenoceptor-induced inhibition of VP-stimulated cAMP accumulation is pertussis-toxin sensitive. This suggests that alpha-2 adrenoceptors are coupled negatively to adenylate cyclase, via the guanine nucleotide binding protein, in the collecting tubule.

The angiotensin II (AII) receptor antagonist, DuP 753 (10 mg/kg intraduodenal), produced a sustained and long-lasting antihypertensive effect in conscious renin-dependent hypertensive rats. Blood pressures were still reduced markedly 24 to 72 hr after administration of a single dose of DuP 753. However, pressor responses elicited by either angiotensin I or AII were not blocked at these times despite the continued antihypertensive effect of DuP 753. In a model of orthostatic hypotension, DuP 753 and the selective alpha-1 adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin produced a marked orthostatic hypotension response in renin-dependent hypertensive rats as demonstrated by potentiation of the decrease in blood pressure induced by a 90 degrees tilt. The nonpeptide AII receptor antagonist SK&F 108566 (10 mg/kg intraduodenal) did not produce orthostatic hypotension and the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril produced only a slight orthostatic response to tilting. In conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), allowed 3 to 4 days to recover from surgery, administration of either enalapril (1 mg/kg i.v.) or SK&F 108566 (10 mg/kg i.v.) did not significantly effect blood pressure. In SHR tested within 24 hr of surgery, enalapril was effective in lowering blood pressure. In contrast, in surgically recovered SHR, DuP 753 (10 mg/kg i.v.) produced an antihypertensive effect that was slow in onset, sustained and extremely long in duration. Blood pressures did not return to predrug levels until 48 hr after administration of DuP 753. Stimulation of the thoracolumbar sympathetic outflow in pithed rats produced frequency-dependent pressor responses that were significantly potentiated by continuous infusion of a subpressor dose of AII.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Linear vasopressin analogs lacking a cyclic hexapeptide ring have recently been reported to possess vasopressin antagonist activity. In conscious, chronically catheterized, euhydrated Sprague-Dawley rats, we have compared the effects of two noncyclic vasopressin analogs, peptide 1 ([1-admantaneacetic acid,2-(O-ethyl)-D-tyr,4-val,6-(2-aminobutyric acid),9-arg]arginine vasopressin) and peptide 2 ([1-propionic acid, 2-(O-ethyl)-D-tyr,4-val,6-(2-aminobutyric acid),9- arg]arginine vasopressin), with a cyclic arginine vasopressin antagonist (SK&F 105494; [1-des cysteine, cyclo(2-O-ethyl-D-tyrosine,6-L-(2-amino-6,6-cyclopentamethylene suberic acid], 4-valine,7-arginine,8-D-arginine, 9-des glycine]-vasopressin). All three analogs caused a dose-dependent increase in urine flow by increasing free-water clearance without significantly changing osmotic clearance or sodium excretion, indicating true functional vasopressin antagonism. Peptides 1 and 2 were as efficacious in inducing a diuresis as SK&F 105494. The order of diuretic potency among the three analogs in vivo was the same as the order of potency determined by in vitro binding to rat renal membrane homogenates, suggesting that the analogs exerted their diuretic effect by acting at renal vasopressin receptors. Thus, noncyclic vasopressin analogs, which are easier to synthesize then cyclic structures, could provide new strategies in the design of drugs for the treatment of water balance disorders.

We examined the effects of oxytocin on renal tubular epithelial LLC-PK1 cells. In cells loaded with Fura 2, we found that 1 microM oxytocin induced a rapid increase in cytosolic free [Ca2+]i from 120 nM to 250 nM within 12 sec. [Ca2+]i then decreased and leveled at 148 nM. Calcium was mobilized from intra- and extra-cellular sources. Oxytocin-induced calcium mobilization was dose dependent (EC50 between 5 and 30 nM). Oxytocin also stimulated calcium efflux which was blocked by the selective oxytocin antagonist KB-5-21. Calcium mobilization was a likely consequence of enhanced phosphatidylinositol turnover, because oxytocin rapidly increased the formation of inositol phosphates including Ins1,4,5P3. Calcium transients were induced by oxytocin and the oxytocin selective analog AM-2-40 and blocked by the oxytocin-selective antagonist KB-5-21. Lysine vasopressin, the selective V2 agonist dDAVP, and the V1-selective agonist SK&F 105349 were at least 10- to 100-fold less potent than oxytocin and exhibited only partial agonist activity. Using peptide analogs, a poor correlation was found between antagonism of oxytocin-induced calcium transients of LLC-PK1 cells and pig kidney V2 and rat liver V1 receptor affinity. These data indicate that oxytocin-induced calcium transients in LLC-PK1 cells were not mediated by V1 or V2 vasopressin receptors, but by oxytocin receptors. However, the poor correlation between antagonism at the LLC-PK1 receptors and the rat uterus oxytocin receptors suggests marked differences in antagonist recognition. We have also identified specific, saturable, high affinity oxytocin-binding sites of low density on intact LLC-PK1 cells (KD = 1.9 nM; Bmax = 3.2 fmol/10(6) cells). The relative analog affinities for these binding sites correlated well with their effects on oxytocin-induced calcium transients. We conclude that in LLC-PK1 cells, oxytocin stimulates a transient rise in cytosolic free [Ca2+]i and the formation of inositol phosphates, including Ins1,4,5P3. The effects on [Ca2+]i probably are not mediated by V1 and V2 vasopressin receptors, but by putative oxytocin receptors.

The ability of the mixed endothelin (ETA/ETB) receptor antagonist (+/-)-SB 209670 to prevent and reverse ischemia-induced acute renal failure (ARF) was studied in rats with moderate and severe ARF. Uninephrectomized, chronically instrumented Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Moderate and severe ARF was induced by occlusion of the renal artery for 30 and 45 min, respectively. During the 24 hr after 30-min ischemia (moderate ARF), glomerular filtration rate (GFR) decreased by 95%, and fractional excretion of sodium increased from 0.6% to 10%. Infusion of (+/-)-SB 209670 at 10, 30 and 100 micrograms/kg.min for 30 min before, during and 60 min after renal ischemia had a moderate effect on renal function. Thus, with the highest dose, the ischemia-induced reduction in GFR was 70%. This dose, however, had no effect in rats when given before, during and after 45 min of renal ischemia (severe ARF). In contrast, when infused at 30 micrograms/kg.min for 3 hr on the day after ischemia, (+/-)-SB 209670 markedly increased survival rate (75%) in rats with severe ARF by significantly increasing tubular reabsorption of Na+, followed by a slow and gradual increase in GFR and reversal of the increase in plasma K+ concentration. Data from acute renal clearance studies in rats with moderate ARF showed that when infused 24 hr after ischemia, (+/-)-SB 209670 acutely reversed the impairment in sodium reabsorption without increasing GFR or renal blood flow.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The effects of the selective alpha-1 adrenoceptor agonist, cirazoline, and the selective alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist, B-HT 933, were assessed on renal hemodynamics and on water and solute excretion in conscious, chronically instrumented rats. Infusion (i.v.) of equipressor doses of cirazoline and B-HT 933, 0.04 and 4 mg/kg/hr, respectively, decreased renal plasma flow without changing glomerular filtration rate. Cirazoline infusion did not affect urinary excretion of water, electrolytes or total solutes. In marked contrast, B-HT 933 increased urine flow and sodium excretion significantly (P less than .01) but did not significantly alter potassium and urea excretion. Urine osmolality decreased to hyposmotic levels (from 613 +/- 86 to 172 +/- 8 mOsmol/kg of H2O) during the infusion of B-HT 933, suggesting a possible interaction between the alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist and the vasopressin system. This diuretic action of the selective alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist was also observed after the i.v. infusion of a subpressor dose (0.4 mg/kg/hr) of B-HT 933. In rats treated with the ganglionic blocker, hexamethonium (10 mg/kg i.v.), the B-HT 933-induced diuresis was not affected, confirming an action in the periphery, possibly at the level of the kidney. These results suggest that stimulation of renal alpha-2 adrenoceptors in conscious, euvolumic rats modulates the reabsorption of water and sodium at the site of the renal nephron.

The influence of interrupting the renin-angiotensin system on the renal hemodynamic response to barbiturate anesthesia was assessed in conscious, trained, chronically catheterized rats. Anesthesia induced by pentobarbital caused a marked reduction in mean arterial pressure, heart rate, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF). Pretreatment of rats with captopril, an inhibitor of angiotensin I converting enzyme, prevented the impairment of renal hemodynamics by pentobarbital without restoring blood pressure. GFR remained at 100 to 110% of control values in captopril-pretreated rats receiving pentobarbital, but was reduced by pentobarbital (90-120 min after induction) to 75 +/- 5% in rats which did not receive captopril. ERPF showed similar changes. An antagonist of angiotensin II receptors, 1-sarcosine-8-isoleucine-angiotensin II, did not prevent the anesthesia-induced decrements in GFR and ERPF (GFR was reduced to 78 +/- 6% and ERPF to 68 +/- 4% at 90-120 min after pentobarbital). This failure of the antagonist of angiotensin II receptors to protect renal hemodynamics may have been due to its intrinsic agonist activity on the renal vasculature. This is suggested by the fact that, in captopril-pretreated rats, which maintained renal hemodynamics in response to pentobarbital, addition of 1-sarcosine-8-isoleucine-angiotensin II caused a reduction in GFR and ERPF and an elevated blood pressure. At 100 min after administration of pentobarbital, plasma renin activity was elevated compared to a conscious control group (3.57 +/- 0.42 vs. 1.94 +/- 0.34 ng angiotensin l/ml X hr, P less than .05). It is concluded that the renin-angiotensin system mediates an impairment of renal hemodynamics during pentobarbital anesthesia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Data suggest that kappa opioid agonist-induced water diuresis involves inhibition of vasopressin (AVP) secretion; however, it is not clear whether this action involves kappa receptors in the neurohypophysis or receptors behind the blood-brain barrier (BBB). We have investigated the site of action using three selective kappa agonists, BRL 52656 (S(-)-2-(1-pyrrolidinylmethyl)-1-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl) acetyl piperidine hydrochloride), BRL 53114 ((-)-1-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl) acetyl-2-(1-pyrrolidinymethyl)3,3- dimethyl piperidine hydrochloride) and BRL 52974 (4-(1-pyrrolidinylmethyl)5-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)acetyl-4,5,6,7-t etrahydroimidazo [4,5-c] pyridine), with varying abilities to cross the BBB. Chemical and functional assays indicate that BRL 52974 has limited ability to cross the BBB, whereas BRL 53114 and BRL 52656 can freely penetrate. BRL 52974 was significantly less potent than BRL 52656 and BRL 53114 in causing a water diuresis in conscious rats. The ED10S (i.v. doses to cause a positive free water clearance of 10 microliters/min.100 g) for BRL 52974, BRL 52656 and BRL 53114 were 181, 9 and 3.4 mg/kg, respectively. Furthermore, in dogs BRL 52656 and BRL 53114 but not BRL 52974 (30 micrograms/kg i.v.) were able to cause a significant water diuresis. The data demonstrate that opiate receptors behind the BBB are primarily involved in kappa agonist-induced water diuresis and possibly inhibition of AVP secretion.

The current study was designed to assess the possible changes in kidney endothelin (ET) receptors in a model of ischemia-induced acute renal failure. In unilaterally nephrectomized (right kidney) Sprague-Dawley rats, the left renal artery was occluded for 30 min under pentobarbital anesthesia (40 mg/kg i.p.). Body temperature was maintained at 37 degrees C. Sham-operated rats were used as control. Plasma creatinine levels were measured and ET receptors were quantitated by binding of [125I]ET-1 to membranes prepared from the renal cortex at 0, 2, 5 and 24 hr after reperfusion. There was a time-dependent increase in plasma creatinine levels as well as in [125I]ET-1 binding to cortical membranes at 2, 5 and 24 hr postreperfusion. Saturation binding experiments using [125I]ET-1 and [125I]ET-3 indicated that this increase in binding was due to an increase in affinity without significant change in maximum binding. The affinities were 219, 134, 100, 69 and 80 pM for [125I]ET-1 and 320, 273, 130, 168 and 80 pM for [125I]ET-3 and, for sham, 0, 2, 5 and 24 hr postreperfusion, respectively. These data support the hypothesis of ET involvement in the pathophysiology of acute renal failure in rats.

The effect of the novel alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist, AGN 190851, was evaluated for its diuretic action in the rat, dog and cynomolgus monkey and its ability to inhibit vasopressin-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation in rat and dog cortical collecting tubules in vitro. The data indicate that in the rat, AGN 190851 resulted in a dose-dependent water diuresis, which was accompanied by an increase in blood pressure and osmolar clearance. In addition, AGN 190851 resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of vasopressin-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation in rat cortical collecting tubules in vitro. In contrast, AGN 190851 was unable to cause either a water diuresis in conscious dogs or inhibit vasopressin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in canine tissue in vitro. In the lightly anesthetized cynomolgus monkey, AGN 190851 also failed to alter renal function significantly. Administration of the vasopressin receptor antagonist, SK&F 105494, to either dogs or cynomolgus monkeys demonstrated that antagonism of the vasopressin V2 receptor could result in a brisk water diuresis in both species. The data demonstrate that alpha-2 adrenoceptors can functionally antagonize vasopressin antidiuretic activity in the rat, but not in the dog or cynomolgus monkey.