An improved approach for determination of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity in single proximal renal tubule of rat reported by Doucet and his colleagues has been suggested. The single proximal renal tubules were isolated by hand under stereomicroscope from collagenase II-treated renal cortical tissue in rats. The length of every single renal tubule segment obtained was measured. The single proximal renal tubules were treated with a hypoosmotic solution and with freeze-thaw successively, before incubation with [gamma-(32)P]-ATP. (32)Pi hydrolyzed from [gamma-(32)P]ATP by Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in the single proximal renal tubules was assayed by liquid scintillation counting. The activity of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in the single proximal renal tubules was calculated by applying a modified formula. There was no significant difference in the measurement result of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity between the method of Doucet et al. and the improved one, but the latter has advantage of less time, less reagents and being easy to operate.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; metabolism ; Animals ; Kidney Tubules, Proximal ; enzymology ; Male ; Microscopy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase ; metabolism ; Time Factors

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of administration of adrenomedullin (ADM) into subfornical organ (SFO) on renal tubular Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity in rats. Rats under anesthesia were injected with ADM 0.1 mL (20 ng/mL) via an implanted cannula into SFO (n=6). Plasma ADM and serum endogenous digitalis-like factor (EDLF) levels were assayed with radioimmunoassay, and urine samples were collected via a canoula intubated in bladder. Urinary sodium concentration was assayed with flame spectrophotometry. Single proximal renal tubule segments were obtained by hand under stereomicroscope and its Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity was measured by liquid scintillation counting. In addition, single proximal renal tubule segments from normal rats (n=6) were incubated with serum from animals administered with ADM into SFO, and then the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity was determined. The results showed that both urinary volume and sodium excretion amounted to the peak value at 30 min after ADM administration, and sustained a significant high level at 60 min (P<0.01). At 30 min after ADM administration, there was a significant increase in serum EDLF and a decrease in Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity of proximal tubule (P<0.01, respectively), but not in plasma ADM level. Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity was decreased significantly in single proximal renal tubule segments from normal rats incubated with serum from rats administered with ADM into SFO (P<0.01). These results suggest that the diuretic and natriuretic responses following administration of ADM into SFO are associated with the inhibition of renal tubule Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity. The inhibition of renal tubule Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity is related to the increase in the serum level of EDLF.
Adrenomedullin ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Kidney Tubules, Proximal ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Rats ; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase ; metabolism ; Subfornical Organ

AIMTo investigate the effect of micro-injection Ang II into the subfornical organ (SFO) on the proximal tubules (PT) Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity in rats and its mechanism.

METHODSSFO in SD rats was administrated respectively with Ang II (20 ng), or losartan (5 microg) and AngII (20 ng) successively. The levels of serum EDLS and plasm AngII were assessed with radioimmunoassay (RIA). The PT segments were microdissected freehand and their Na+, K(+)-ATPase activities were assessed by liquid scintillation counter (LSC).

RESULTSThe serum EDLS levels increased significantly compared with a CSF group after SFO administration with Ang II; The Na+, K(+)-ATPase activities in PT segments decreased significantly at 30 min and 60 min after SFO administration with Ang II. There was a negative linear correlation between serum EDLS level and the Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity of PT segments in rats administrated with Ang II (r = -0.938).

CONCLUSIONInhibition of the Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity in PT as a result of administration of Ang II in SFO is mediated by AT1 receptors. The increase in EDLS release may play an important role in this inhibition.

Angiotensin II ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Kidney Tubules, Proximal ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase ; metabolism ; Subfornical Organ

Calcitonin (CT), a polypeptide hormone, plays important roles in a variety of physiological processes. CT has been used clinically to treat osteoporosis and humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy. In order to clarify the pharmacological effects of CT in the kidney, we identified potential downstream genes induced by CT in the renal cells. Using a cDNA subtraction hybridization method, we identified connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) as a CT-induced gene in the porcine renal cell line, LLC-PK1. Furthermore, we found that CT-mediated induction of the gene was not inhibited by cycloheximide, which suggests that CTGF gene was not induced by an increased synthesis of regulating proteins. Therefore, CTGF is an immediate early gene. We further demonstrated that the regulation of CTGF gene expression by CT involved the ERK1/2 pathway, because PD98059, a MEK1 inhibitor, partially inhibited the mRNA expression of CTGF induced by CT. CT-induced CTGF protein expression was also observed in vivo. Our present findings suggest that CT induces the transcription of CTGF through ERK1/2 phosphorylation. We also identified twelve other genes induced by CT that, like CTGF, were related to wound healing. These results suggest that CT may have an effect on renal differentiation and wound healing in the kidney.
Animals ; Calcitonin/*pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor/*genetics/metabolism ; Female ; Kidney Tubules, Proximal/*enzymology/metabolism ; *MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1/*metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3/*metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Swine

Calcitonin (CT), a polypeptide hormone, plays important roles in a variety of physiological processes. CT has been used clinically to treat osteoporosis and humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy. In order to clarify the pharmacological effects of CT in the kidney, we identified potential downstream genes induced by CT in the renal cells. Using a cDNA subtraction hybridization method, we identified connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) as a CT-induced gene in the porcine renal cell line, LLC-PK1. Furthermore, we found that CT-mediated induction of the gene was not inhibited by cycloheximide, which suggests that CTGF gene was not induced by an increased synthesis of regulating proteins. Therefore, CTGF is an immediate early gene. We further demonstrated that the regulation of CTGF gene expression by CT involved the ERK1/2 pathway, because PD98059, a MEK1 inhibitor, partially inhibited the mRNA expression of CTGF induced by CT. CT-induced CTGF protein expression was also observed in vivo. Our present findings suggest that CT induces the transcription of CTGF through ERK1/2 phosphorylation. We also identified twelve other genes induced by CT that, like CTGF, were related to wound healing. These results suggest that CT may have an effect on renal differentiation and wound healing in the kidney.
Animals ; Calcitonin/*pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor/*genetics/metabolism ; Female ; Kidney Tubules, Proximal/*enzymology/metabolism ; *MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1/*metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3/*metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Swine