Sensitivity of the renal medullary circulation to plasma vasopressin

1996 ◽  
Vol 271 (3) ◽  
pp. R647-R653 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. G. Franchini ◽  
A. W. Cowley
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Renal Blood Flow ◽  
Intravenous Infusion ◽  
Control Level ◽  
Flow Distribution ◽  
Renal Medulla ◽  
Urine Osmolality ◽  
Water Restriction ◽  
Doppler Flowmetry ◽  
Total Renal Blood Flow

Studies were carried out to determine the effects of physiological changes of plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) on blood flow distribution in the renal cortex and medulla. Acute decerebration was performed so that studies could be carried out within the low physiological range of circulating AVP. Changes of renal cortical and medullary microcirculatory blood flow were measured with implanted optical fibers and laser-Doppler flowmetry, and total renal blood flow was measured with transit-time ultrasonography. During intravenous infusion of increasing doses of AVP, when plasma AVP was increased in steps from 2.9 to 11.2 pg/ml by intravenous infusion, mean arterial pressure (98 +/- 3 mmHg), total renal blood flow (8.2 +/- 0.6 ml. min-1.g kidney-1), and blood flow in the microcirculation of the cortex (2.11 +/- 0.28 V) remained unchanged, whereas that in the renal medulla decreased progressively. Medullary flow was significantly reduced when circulating levels of AVP increased from a control level of 2.8 to 5.0 pg/ml. The reductions of medullary flow were accompanied by parallel increases of urine osmolality. These data indicate that the vessels supplying the renal medullary circulation are sensitive within the range of plasma AVP concentrations observed with moderate water restriction. The medullary circulation exhibits a sensitivity AVP that parallels that found in the medullary collecting ducts.

Measurement of Intrarenal Blood-Flow Distribution in the Rabbit Using Radioactive Microspheres

1975 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Warren ◽  
J. G. G. Ledingham
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Renal Blood Flow ◽  
Renal Cortex ◽  
Flow Distribution ◽  
Rabbit Kidney ◽  
Radioactive Microspheres ◽  
Injection Dose ◽  
Intrarenal Blood Flow ◽  
Total Renal Blood Flow

1. Total renal blood flow and its distribution within the renal cortex of the conscious rabbit were studied with radioactive microspheres of 15 and 25 μm diameter. 2. The reliability of the microsphere technique was influenced by microsphere diameter and number (dose). The optimum microsphere diameter for determination of flow distribution in the rabbit kidney was 15 μm and dose 100–150 000 spheres. 3. Spheres of 15 μm nominal diameter were randomly distributed within the renal cortex of adult rabbits. The larger spheres in batches nominally 15 μm in diameter in young rabbits and 25 μm diameter in adult rabbits were preferentially distributed to the superficial cortex. 4. In adult rabbits 15 μm diameter spheres lodged in glomerular capillaries. Larger spheres occasionally lodged in interlobular arteries causing intrarenal haemorrhage. 5. Microspheres of 15 μm caused a decrease in renal clearance of creatinine and of p-aminohippurate when the total injection dose was about 200 000 spheres. These effects were greater when the injection dose was increased to 500 000 spheres. 6. The reduction in total renal blood flow observed with large doses of spheres largely reflected decreased outer cortical flow, as measured by a second injection of spheres, and confirmed by a decrease in p-aminohippurate extraction. 7. The reproducibility of multiple injection studies was limited by these intrarenal effects of microspheres. 8. Total renal blood flow measured in six rabbits in acute experiments by the microsphere technique was 107 ± 12 (mean±sd) ml/min and by p-aminohippurate clearance was 100 ± 10 ml/min. 9. Total renal blood flow in twelve conscious, chronically instrumented rabbits was 125 ± 11 ml/min, of which 92 ± 6 ml/min was distributed to the superficial cortex and 33 ± 4 ml/min to the deep cortex.

Role of the renal medulla in volume and arterial pressure regulation

1997 ◽  
Vol 273 (1) ◽  
pp. R1-R15 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. W. Cowley
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Arterial Pressure ◽  
Renal Blood Flow ◽  
Fluid Pressure ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
Renal Medulla ◽  
Water Excretion ◽  
Vasa Recta ◽  
Pressure Natriuresis ◽  
Total Renal Blood Flow

The original fascination with the medullary circulation of the kidney was driven by the unique structure of vasa recta capillary circulation, which Berliner and colleagues (Berliner, R. W., N. G. Levinsky, D. G. Davidson, and M. Eden. Am. J. Med. 24: 730-744, 1958) demonstrated could provide the economy of countercurrent exchange to concentrate large volumes of blood filtrate and produce small volumes of concentrated urine. We now believe we have found another equally important function of the renal medullary circulation. The data show that it is indeed the forces defined by Starling 100 years ago that are responsible for the pressure-natriuresis mechanisms through the transmission of changes of renal perfusion pressure to the vasa recta circulation. Despite receiving only 5-10% of the total renal blood flow, increases of blood flow to this region of the kidney cause a washout of the medullary urea gradient and a rise of the renal interstitial fluid pressure. These forces reduce tubular reabsorption of sodium and water, leading to a natriuresis and diuresis. Many of Starling's intrinsic chemicals, which he named "hormones," importantly modulate this pressure-natriuresis response by altering both the sensitivity and range of arterial pressure around which these responses occur. The vasculature of the renal medulla is uniquely sensitive to many of these vasoactive agents. Finally, we have found that the renal medullary circulation can play an important role in determining the level of arterial pressure required to achieve long-term fluid and electrolyte homeostasis by establishing the slope and set point of the pressure-natriuresis relationship. Measurable decreases of blood flow to the renal medulla with imperceptible changes of total renal blood flow can lead to the development of hypertension. Many questions remain, and it is now evident that this is a very complex regulatory system. It appears, however, that the medullary blood flow is a potent determinant of both sodium and water excretion and signals changes in blood volume and arterial pressure to the tubules via the physical forces that Professor Starling so clearly defined 100 years ago.

Renal cortical and medullary blood flow responses during water restriction: role of vasopressin

1996 ◽  
Vol 270 (6) ◽  
pp. R1257-R1264 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. G. Franchini ◽  
A. W. Cowley
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Urine Osmolality ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Water Restriction ◽  
Vascular Effect ◽  
Doppler Flowmetry ◽  
Medullary Blood Flow ◽  
Urinary Concentrating Ability ◽  
Interstitial Infusion

Experiments were performed in unanesthetized rats to determine responses to 48 h water restriction of the renal regional microcirculation (cortex, outer medulla, and inner medulla) using implanted optical fibers and laser-Doppler flowmetry. The role of vasopressin (AVP) as a mediator of renal regional blood low changes and its contribution to urinary concentrating ability were assessed by continuous intramedullary interstitial infusion of specific V1 receptor antagonist d(CH2)5 [Tyr-(Me)2, Ala-NH2]AVP (2ng . kg-1 . min-1). Inner medullary blood flow decreased 34% at the end of 48 h of water restriction, whereas cortical and outer medullary flow did not change. This fall in inner medullary blood flow was substantially attenuated (18%) by the continuous interstitial infusion of the antagonist. Plasma AVP levels increased from control levels of 3.4 +/- 1.1 to 20.5 +/- 5.4 pg/ml (P < 0.05) by the end of the 48-h period of water restriction. Arterial pressure increased slightly but significantly during water restriction in the control rats. Infusion of antagonist impaired the maximal urinary concentrating ability, as demonstrated by the lower urine osmolality in this group than in the control group (1,893 +/- 49 vs. 2,419 +/- 225 mosmol/kg H2O; P < 0.05) measured during the second day of water restriction. Sodium and urea concentration decreased 20 and 22%, respectively, indicating that both contributed to the lower urine osmolality observed in the group of rats receiving the antagonist. We conclude that water restriction induces a selective decrease in inner medullary blood flow, which is mediated almost completely by endogenously released AVP. This vascular effect of AVP contributes to the maximum concentrating ability of the kidney.

Effect of inhibition of peptidase activity on distribution of intrarenal blood flow

1975 ◽  
Vol 228 (3) ◽  
pp. 850-853 ◽  
Author(s):  
MD Bailie ◽  
JA Barbour
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Glomerular Filtration Rate ◽  
Glomerular Filtration ◽  
Renal Blood Flow ◽  
Filtration Rate ◽  
Flow Distribution ◽  
Blood Flow Distribution ◽  
Angiotensin I ◽  
Intrarenal Blood Flow ◽  
Total Renal Blood Flow

Experiments were performed in dogs to determine the effects of the intravenous administration of the dipeptide hydrolase inhibitor SQ 20,881 on renal hemodynamics, intrarenal blood flow distribution, and renal function. Dipeptide hydrolase converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II and inactivates bradykinin. SQ 20,881 causes an inhibition of the vasoconstrictor response after angiotensin I and potentiation of the vasodilatory activity of bradykinin. Total renal blood flow, cortical distribution of blood flow, and glomerular filtration rate were determined. In seven animals administration of SQ 20,881 (1 mg/kg) resulted in a decrease in mean systemic blood pressure of 11 mmHg, an increase in total renal blood flow of 0.71 ml/min per g, and a significant fall in glomerular filtration rate. Fractional blood flow to the superficial cortex decreased and to the juxtamedullary cortex increased. Absolute flow was unchanged in the superficial cortex and increased significantly in the deep cortex. The findings are compatible with reported effects of bradykinin on intrarenal blood flow distribution, although the experiments do not distinguish between potentiation of bradykinin or inhibition of angiotensin I conversion.

Vasopressin modulation of medullary blood flow and pressure-natriuresis-diuresis in the decerebrated rat

1997 ◽  
Vol 272 (5) ◽  
pp. R1472-R1479 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. G. Franchini ◽  
D. L. Mattson ◽  
A. W. Cowley
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Arterial Pressure ◽  
Fluid Pressure ◽  
Renal Medulla ◽  
Urinary Sodium Excretion ◽  
Water Restriction ◽  
Vascular Effects ◽  
Doppler Flowmetry ◽  
Physiological Importance ◽  
Medullary Blood Flow

Studies in our laboratory and others have demonstrated that arginine vasopressin (AVP) exerts potent vasoconstrictor actions on the vessels supplying the renal medulla. The physiological importance of these vascular effects of AVP has been difficult to assess because of high endogenous levels of AVP in anesthetized, surgically prepared animals. We have developed a decerebrated, hypophysectomized, renal-denervated rat model that enables us to study the effects of low levels of AVP on the pressure-diuresis, relationship under acute conditions. These rats maintain normal mean arterial pressure (MAP) and plasma AVP (2.5 pg/ml). Cortical and medullary blood flow (CBF and MBF, respectively) were measured by laser-Doppler flowmetry and total renal blood flow (RBF) by transit time flowmetry. Renal interstitial fluid pressure (RIFP) and urinary sodium excretion (UNaV) responses were determined during controlled increases of MAP produced by aortic occlusion below the renal arteries. From a baseline of 97 +/- 2 mmHg, 30% increases in MAP resulted in a 63% increase in MBF, 35% increase in RIFP, and sixfold increase in UNaV, whereas CBF and RBF remained unchanged. Infusion of AVP (0.50 ng.kg-1.min-1, which increased plasma AVP from normal control levels of 3 pg/ml to 11 pg/ml) produced no change in baseline MAP, RBF, or CBF but lowered MBF by 24%, RIFP by 26%, and UNaV by 71%. The slope of the relationship of AP and UNaV, MBF, and RIP was reduced to nearly zero by these small increases of plasma AVP. We conclude that an increase of plasma AVP in the range that occurs with water restriction decreases MBF selectively and greatly attenuates the arterial pressure-MBF and pressure-natriuretic relationship.

Role of renal medullary adenosine in the control of blood flow and sodium excretion

1999 ◽  
Vol 276 (3) ◽  
pp. R790-R798 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ai-Ping Zou ◽  
Kasem Nithipatikom ◽  
Pin-Lan Li ◽  
Allen W. Cowley
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Sodium Excretion ◽  
Renal Medulla ◽  
Urine Flow ◽  
Doppler Flowmetry ◽  
Blood Flows ◽  
Medullary Blood Flow ◽  
Adenosine Concentration ◽  
Interstitial Infusion

This study determined the levels of adenosine in the renal medullary interstitium using microdialysis and fluorescence HPLC techniques and examined the role of endogenous adenosine in the control of medullary blood flow and sodium excretion by infusing the specific adenosine receptor antagonists or agonists into the renal medulla of anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats. Renal cortical and medullary blood flows were measured using laser-Doppler flowmetry. Analysis of microdialyzed samples showed that the adenosine concentration in the renal medullary interstitial dialysate averaged 212 ± 5.2 nM, which was significantly higher than 55.6 ± 5.3 nM in the renal cortex ( n = 9). Renal medullary interstitial infusion of a selective A1antagonist, 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX; 300 pmol ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ min−1, n = 8), did not alter renal blood flows, but increased urine flow by 37% and sodium excretion by 42%. In contrast, renal medullary infusion of the selective A2 receptor blocker 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine (DMPX; 150 pmol ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ min−1, n = 9) decreased outer medullary blood flow (OMBF) by 28%, inner medullary blood flows (IMBF) by 21%, and sodium excretion by 35%. Renal medullary interstitial infusion of adenosine produced a dose-dependent increase in OMBF, IMBF, urine flow, and sodium excretion at doses from 3 to 300 pmol ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ min−1( n = 7). These effects of adenosine were markedly attenuated by the pretreatment of DMPX, but unaltered by DPCPX. Infusion of a selective A3receptor agonist, N 6-benzyl-5′-( N-ethylcarbonxamido)adenosine (300 pmol ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ min−1, n = 6) into the renal medulla had no effect on medullary blood flows or renal function. Glomerular filtration rate and arterial pressure were not changed by medullary infusion of any drugs. Our results indicate that endogenous medullary adenosine at physiological concentrations serves to dilate medullary vessels via A2 receptors, resulting in a natriuretic response that overrides the tubular A1 receptor-mediated antinatriuretic effects.

Aortic blood flow subtraction: an alternative method for measuring total renal blood flow in conscious dogs

2002 ◽  
Vol 282 (5) ◽  
pp. R1528-R1535 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. C. F. Sandgaard ◽  
J. L. Andersen ◽  
N.-H. Holstein-Rathlou ◽  
P. Bie
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Angiotensin Ii ◽  
Renal Blood Flow ◽  
Aortic Blood Flow ◽  
Excretory Function ◽  
Endothelin 1 ◽  
Arterial Blood ◽  
Aortic Blood ◽  
Bilateral Carotid ◽  
Total Renal Blood Flow

We have measured total renal blood flow (TRBF) as the difference between signals from ultrasound flow probes implanted around the aorta above and below the renal arteries. The repeatability of the method was investigated by repeated, continuous infusions of angiotensin II and endothelin-1 seven times over 8 wk in the same dog. Angiotensin II decreased TRBF (350 ± 16 to 299 ± 15 ml/min), an effect completely blocked by candesartan (TRBF 377 ± 17 ml/min). Subsequent endothelin-1 infusion reduced TRBF to 268 ± 20 ml/min. Bilateral carotid occlusion (8 sessions in 3 dogs) increased arterial blood pressure by 49% and decreased TRBF by 12%, providing an increase in renal vascular resistance of 69%. Dynamic analysis showed autoregulation of renal blood flow in the frequency range <0.06–0.07 Hz, with a peak in the transfer function at 0.03 Hz. It is concluded that continuous measurement of TRBF by aortic blood flow subtraction is a practical and reliable method that allows direct comparison of excretory function and renal blood flow from two kidneys. The method also allows direct comparison between TRBF and flow in the caudal aorta.

scholarly journals Anaesthesia and the Kidney

1983 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 292-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Cousins ◽  
George Skowronski ◽  
John L. Plummer
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Renal Blood Flow ◽  
Flow Distribution ◽  
Distal Tubule ◽  
Juxtaglomerular Apparatus ◽  
Anaesthetic Management ◽  
Anatomy And Physiology ◽  
Sympathetic Nervous Systems

Applied anatomy and physiology of the kidney are briefly reviewed. This includes an account of renal blood flow, glomerular filtration rate, juxtaglomerular apparatus, renal autoregulation and intra-renal blood flow distribution, tubular transport mechanisms, solute handling in proximal tubule, function of loop of Henle and distal tubule system. This section concludes with a summary of changes in tubule fluid along the length of the nephron. Acute effects of anaesthesia are reviewed in detail. Indirect effects include those on circulatory and sympathetic nervous systems, autoregulation, endocrine systems such as those involving antidiuretic hormone, adrenaline and noradrenaline, renin-angiotensin and aldosterone. Direct effects of anaesthesia on renal function have now been confirmed both in vitro and in vivo. Delayed direct nephrotoxicity of anaesthetics relates predominantly to methoxyflurane (MOF) and its metabolism to inorganic fluoride. Other factors are MOF dose, genetics, age, enzyme induction, obesity, other nephrotoxic drugs. Clinical implications are presented. Enflurane nephrotoxicity is rare but aetiologic factors are similar to the foregoing. Isoflurane and halothane are not nephrotoxic. A consideration of the influence of anaesthetic management on the incidence and severity of postoperative acute renal failure concludes the review.

Renal medullary nitric oxide deficit of Dahl S rats enhances hypertensive actions of angiotensin II

2002 ◽  
Vol 283 (1) ◽  
pp. R266-R272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mátyás Szentiványi ◽  
Ai-Ping Zou ◽  
David L. Mattson ◽  
Paulo Soares ◽  
Carol Moreno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Intravenous Infusion ◽  
Renal Medulla ◽  
Brown Norway ◽  
Ang Ii ◽  
Outer Medulla ◽  
Doppler Flowmetry ◽  
Medullary Blood Flow ◽  
Induced Hypertension ◽  
Renal Medullary Blood Flow

Studies were designed to examine the hypothesis that the renal medulla of Dahl salt-sensitive (Dahl S) rats has a reduced capacity to generate nitric oxide (NO), which diminishes the ability to buffer against the chronic hypertensive effects of small elevations of circulating ANG II. NO synthase (NOS) activity in the outer medulla of Dahl S rats (arginine-citrulline conversion assay) was significantly reduced. This decrease in NOS activity was associated with the downregulation of protein expression of NOS I, NOS II, and NOS III isoforms in this region as determined by Western blot analysis. In anesthetized Dahl S rats, we observed that a low subpressor intravenous infusion of ANG II (5 ng · kg−1 · min−1) did not increase the concentration of NO in the renal medulla as measured by a microdialysis with oxyhemoglobin trapping technique. In contrast, ANG II produced a 38% increase in the concentration of NO (87 ± 8 to 117 ± 8 nmol/l) in the outer medulla of Brown-Norway (BN) rats. The same intravenous dose of ANG II reduced renal medullary blood flow as determined by laser-Doppler flowmetry in Dahl S, but not in BN rats. A 7-day intravenous ANG II infusion at a dose of 3 ng · kg−1 · min−1 did not change mean arterial pressure (MAP) in the BN rats but increased MAP in Dahl S rats from 120 ± 2 to 138 ± 2 mmHg ( P< 0.05). ANG II failed to increase MAP after NO substrate was provided by infusion of l-arginine (300 μg · kg−1 · min−1) into the renal medulla of Dahl S rats. Intravenous infusion ofl-arginine at the same dose had no effect on the ANG II-induced hypertension. These results indicate that an impaired NO counterregulatory system in the outer medulla of Dahl S rats makes them more susceptible to the hypertensive actions of small elevations of ANG II.

Medullary blood flow responses to changes in arterial pressure in canine kidney

1996 ◽  
Vol 270 (5) ◽  
pp. F833-F838 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. S. Majid ◽  
L. G. Navar
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Arterial Pressure ◽  
Renal Medulla ◽  
Doppler Flowmetry ◽  
Cortical Blood Flow ◽  
Surface Probe ◽  
Medullary Blood Flow ◽  
Needle Probe ◽  
Anesthetized Dogs ◽  
Electromagnetic Flow Probe

Although it is well recognized that whole kidney and cortical blood flow exhibit efficient autoregulation in response to alterations in renal arterial pressure (RAP), the autoregulatory behavior of medullary blood flow (MBF) has remained uncertain. We have evaluated MBF responses to stepwise reductions in RAP for both short-term (2 min, n = 6) and longer periods (15 min, n = 7) using single-fiber laser-Doppler flowmetry with needle probes inserted into the mid-medullary region in denervated kidneys of 13 anesthetized dogs. The changes in cortical blood flow (CBF) were assessed with either a surface probe or a needle probe inserted into the cortex. Control total renal blood flow (RBF), assessed by electromagnetic flow probe in these dogs, was 5.2 +/- 0.3 ml.min-1.g-1, and glomerular filtration rate was 0.97 +/- 0.05 ml.min-1.g-1 (n = 7). RBF, MBF, and CBF all exhibited efficient autoregulatory behavior during changes in RAP from 150 to 75 mmHg. The slopes of RAP vs. RBF, CBF, as well as MBF, were not significantly different from zero within this range of RAP. Below RAP of 75 mmHg, all indexes of blood flow showed linear decreases with reductions in pressure. The data indicate that blood flow in the renal medulla of dogs exhibits efficient autoregulatory behavior, similar to that in the cortex.

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