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Biomedical subjects

D B Bernard

Publications and source records attributed to D B Bernard.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Redistribution of regional blood flow following angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition. Comparison of normal subjects and patients with heart failure.

The systemic and regional circulatory effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition were investigated in 30 normal subjects and in 36 patients with severe congestive heart failure. Regional blood flow was measured in individual patient groups. Cardiac index rose and systemic vascular resistance fell in normal subjects after angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition. In the patients with heart failure, a similar rise in cardiac index and fall in systemic resistance occurred. In addition, right and left ventricular filling pressures decreased. The fall in systemic vascular resistance correlated with plasma renin activity (r = 0.57, p less than or equal to 0.001). Of the regional circulations investigated in normal subjects, only forearm blood flow increased after angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition. Although over-all there was no change in renal or coronary blood flow, coronary flow dramatically increased in some patients and the increase in flow correlated with plasma renin activity (r = 0.939, p less than or equal to 0.001). In patients with heart failure, forearm, splanchnic, and coronary flow were unaffected by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition, whereas renal blood flow estimated from para-aminohippurate clearance increased 60 percent and accounted for 50 percent of the increase in cardiac output seen in these patients. Thus, redistribution of flow occurs in congestive heart failure with a significant reduction in the fraction flow to the kidneys when compared with normal flow. The contribution of the renin-angiotensin system to the regulation of regional blood flow is different in normal subjects and in patients with heart failure. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition augments skeletal flow in normal subjects whereas it increases renal blood flow in patients with heart failure.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

Effects of alterations in sodium and water metabolism on urinary excretion of active and inactive kallikrein in man.

Renal kallikrein is present in human urine in both an active and an inactive form. Several previous studies have examined the response of active kallikrein excretion to alterations in sodium and water metabolism, but the response of inactive kallikrein has not been evaluated systematically. We have developed a method for determining inactive kallikrein in urine using two assays. Active kallikrein is measured using a kininogenase assay. Total (active plus inactive) kallikrein is measured using a direct RIA. Inactive kallikrein is calculated from the difference between active and total kallikrein excretion. We have used this technique to study the effect of alterations in sodium and water metabolism on kallikrein excretion. Acute volume expansion with saline and moderate acute or chronic increases in water intake did not alter the excretion of either active or inactive kallikrein. Dietary sodium restriction increased the excretion of total kallikrein by 30%; active kallikrein increased 82%, while inactive kallikrein excretion was found to be unchanged. Spironolactone reduced total kallikrein excretion in subjects on a low salt diet. Again, the change in excretion was entirely attributable to the active form of the enzyme. Total kallikrein excretion increased during the first 3 days of fludrocortisone administration in subjects on a high salt intake and then plateaued. Active kallikrein increased progressively throughout the 7-day study period. Inactive kallikrein increased during the first 4 days, then fell to control levels. Thus, mineralocorticoid initially stimulates the formation and/or release into urine of both active and inactive kallikrein. Later, reciprocal changes in active and inactive enzymes occur.

Body Water↗

The effect of cations on the activity of human urinary kallikrein.

We studied the effect of ions on the ability of purified human urinary kallikrein to cleave its natural substrate (kininogen) as well as two synthetic substrates, tosylarginine [3H]methyl ester and Pro-Phe-Arg-[3H]benzylamide. The kininogenase activity of kallikrein is markedly dependent upon the concentration of cations in vitro. Kininogenase activity is very low when measured in a low electrolyte buffer. The addition of cations to the reaction mixture increases activity by up to 27-fold. Maximum activity is achieved with 100 mM sodium, 100 mM potassium, or 20 mM magnesium. The activity is stable at higher concentrations of cation. Renal kallikrein is believed to act within distal tubular fluid in vivo. The concentration of cations in this fluid varies widely in response to alterations in salt and water metabolism. Thus, the relationship of kininogenase activity to the concentration of cations demonstrated in vitro may be relevant to the activity of kallikrein at its presumed site of action in the kidney. In separate experiments, we evaluated the effect of ions on the amidase and esterase activities of kallikrein which are the basis of several assays in routine use for physiological studies. In contrast to their stimulatory effect on kininogenase activity, cations inhibit amidase and to a lesser extent esterase activity. Additional studies indicate that urinary cations probably account entirely for the well known ability of normal urine to inhibit the amidase and esterase activities of kallikrein.

Anions↗

Acute regional circulatory and renal hemodynamic effects of converting-enzyme inhibition in patients with congestive heart failure.

The acute effects of the angiotensin converting-enzyme inhibitor captopril on regional blood flow, renal hemodynamics and sodium excretion were studied in 12 patients with severe congestive heart failure. Converting-enzyme inhibition decreased systemic vascular resistance by 27% and increased cardiac index by 16%. Estimated hepatic blood flow decreased 17%, but renal blood flow increased 60%. The ratio of renal-systemic blood flow increased from 0.10 +/- 0.01 to 0.14 +/- 0.02 (p = 0.031). Although renal plasma flow increased from 202.8 +/- 28.8 to 323.7 +/- 42.7 ml/min (p less than 0.008), the glomerular filtration rate did not change significantly from the mean pretreatment value of 82.1 +/- 12.3 ml/min. The filtration fraction decreased from 41.3 +/- 3.8% to 33.4 +/- 4.5% (p = 0.050), while urinary sodium excretion doubled, from 34.5 +/- 9.6 to 68.2 +/- 19.6 muEq/min. The plasma renin activity increased from 12.6 +/- 5.0 to 29.9 +/- 8.4 ng/ml/hr (p = 0.030) as plasma aldosterone concentration decreased from 30.5 +/- 6.5 to 11.3 4/- 1.2 ng/dl (p = 0.010) and norepinephrine concentrations decreased from 774 +/- 105 to 618 +/- 85 pg/ml (p = 0.020). We conclude that converting-enzyme inhibition reverses renal vasoconstriction in congestive heart failure and redistributes regional blood flow. The natriuresis may be mediated by one or more of the following: improved renal plasma flow, reduction in filtration fraction, suppression of hyperaldosteronism, and lowering of circulatory catecholamine concentrations.

Acute Disease↗

Prostaglandins mediate the vasodilatory effect of mannitol in the hypoperfused rat kidney.

We have previously reported that mannitol strikingly increases blood flow to rat kidneys hypoperfused at 35-40mm Hg. This vasodilator effect is not due to volume expansion or alterations in plasma osmolality. We have tested the hypothesis that the vasodilatory effect of mannitol in the ischemic rat kidney is mediated by one of the vasoactive renal hormone systems: renin-angiotension, kallikrein-kinin, or prostaglandins. Rats were infused with 5% mannitol in 0.9% saline to 3-5% of body weight. In agreement with our previous studies, RBF increased 1.3 +/- 0.1 ml/min despite maintenance of perfusion pressure at 35-40 mm Hg. The cyclooxygenase inhibitors, meclofenamate and indomethacin had no effect on renal blood flow (RBF) in hypoperfused kidneys. However, in rats pretreated with these inhibitors, expansion with mannitol increased RBF by only 0.37 +/- 0.02 ml/min, 28% of the response in the untreated group (p less than 0.001). Infusion of prostacyclin (PGI2) into the renal artery during reduced perfusion resulted in an increase in RBF of 1.0 +/- 0.1 ml/min. Subsequent expansion with mannitol increased RBF by only 0.5 +/- 0.1 ml/min more, less than one-half of the effect of mannitol in a concurrent group of rats not treated with PGI2. Unlike PGI2 prostaglandin E2 had only a minimal vasodilator effect during hyperperfusion. Imidazole, an inhibitor of thromboxane synthesis, did not alter RBF or renal vascular resistance during hypoperfusion. Treatment of rats during hypoperfusion. with the angiotensin-converting enzyme (kininase II) inhibitor teprotide increased RBF by 1.1 +/- 0.3 ml/min. However, teprotide did not alter the vascular response to mannitol: RBF increased 1.2 +/- 0.1 ml/min more when mannitol was infused into teprotide-treated rats. The renal vascular response to mannitol was not altered by treatment with aprotinin, an inhibitor of the kallikrein-kinin system. Aprotinin was ineffective whether given before or after the vascular response to mannitol was established. We conclude that the vasodilator response to mannitol in the ischemic rat kidney is mediated in large part by increased prostaglandin (PGI2) activity. The failure of converting enzyme inhibition and aprotinin to block the vasodilator response to mannitol is evidence against a role for the renin-angiotension or kallikreinkinin systems in mediating the vasodilator response.

Animals↗

Depressed spontaneous cellular cytotoxicity associated with normal or enhanced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity in patients on chronic haemodialysis.

Lymphocyte function as assessed by spontaneous cellular cytotoxicity (NK) and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) was studied in a group of 23 patients with end-stage renal disease who were being maintained on haemodialysis. The mononuclear cells from 12 (50%) of these patients were markedly reduced in their ability to effect NK activity. When mononuclear cells from 13 patients were examined for ADCC activity, however, only two displayed reduced cytotoxicity. The remainder showed either normal or enhanced ADCC activity against erythrocyte targets. Five patients with consistently low NK cell function demonstrated a significantly enhanced ADCC function when compared with normal controls. Several patients were tested repeatedly over a period of 6 months and we found that these two mononuclear cell functions remained consistent during this time. A reduction in NK activity may reflect a lessened capability for immunosurveillance in these patients.

Adult↗

Occupational lead exposure, nephropathy, and renal cancer.

A 48-year-old lead worker was found to have a cystic renal carcinoma during an evaluation of his occupational lead poisoning. Clinical studies showed elevated blood lead levels, impaired urinary concentrating ability, and reduced creatinine clearance. Histologic and electron microscopic studies showed this cystic tumor to be similar to renal carcinomas observed in animals with prolonged lead exposure. Lead content of the tumor was elevated (2.49 micrograms/gm) in comparison with adjacent renal tissue and with normal adult levels. In light of previous animal studies, this case adds increased evidence to the concern over the carcinogenic potential of prolonged lead exposure.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Effect of volume expansion on hemodynamics of the hypoperfused rat kidney.

The hemodynamics of the rat kidney were studied during reduction of renal arterial pressure to 35-40 mm Hg (H), and after volume expansion at that pressure with 0.9% NaCl (IS), 1.7% NaCl (HS), 5% mannitol in 0.9% NaCl (MS), 5% mannitol in water (MW), or 50 mM mannitol + 125 mM NaCl. During H, left renal blood flow (RBF) was 0.8+/-0.1 ml/min. Expansion with IS did not alter RBF, but expansion with HS, MS, MW, and 50 + 125 mM NaCl elevated RBF to 200-250% of hypoperfusion values. Glomerular capillary pressure rose significantly from 15.7+/-0.7 mm Hg during H to 22.3+/-1.1, 24.4+/-0.7, and 26.6+/-0.7 mm Hg following expansion with HS, MS, or MW, respectively. Efferent arteriolar pressure also rose significantly to 6.9+/-0.5, 9.7+/-0.8, and 9.5+/-0.9 mm Hg, respectively. Preglomerular resistance fell to 18-24% of H values, and postglomerular resistance fell to 58-74% of H values after expansion with HS, MS, or MW. Glomerular filtration (GFR) could not be detected during H or after IS expansion. HS and mannitol-containing solutions restored GFR to 0.10+/-0.02-0.15+/-0.02 ml/min, and single nephron glomerular filtration to 6-12 nl/min. Papaverine, acetylcholine, and kinins had no effect on RBF or GFR at a perfusion pressure of 35-40 mm Hg. We conclude that mannitol and HS have the capacity to augment RBF during hypoperfusion by reducing arteriolar resistance. The mechanism of the rise in RBF is uncertain; it may be due to changes in effective osmolality of the extracellular fluid or to a direct action of mannitol on vascular smooth muscle. Other potent vasodilators were ineffective during hypoperfusion. Restoration of GFR occurs as a result of the combined effects of augmented RBF and elevated net filtration pressure.

Animals↗

Rapid recurrence of membranous nephropathy in a related allograft.

A patient with membranous nephropathy (MN) received a renal allograft from his brother. The allograft functioned immediately but nephrotic range proteinuria developed seven days after transplantation in the absence of any signs of rejection. Renal function deteriorated five weeks after transplantation due to ureteric obstruction. Nephrostomy drainage resulted in the return of renal function to normal and demonstrated that the allograft was the source of the nephrotic range proteinuria. An open renal biopsy of the allograft performed at the same time revealed the presence of recurrent MN. The recipient was investigated in an attempt to identify possible humoral immune mechanisms that may explain this very rapid recurrence of MN.

Adult↗

Renal sodium retention during volume expansion in experimental nephrotic syndrome.

We have studied sodium retention during volume expansion in rats with autologous immune complex nephropathy (AICN), a model of nephrotic syndrome (NS) in which GFR after volume expansion was not different from that in adjuvant-injected controls (C). AICN rats developed heavy proteinuria (298 +/- 27 vs. less than 10 mg/day), hypoalbuminemia (2.14 +/- 0.15 vs. 3.08 +/- 0.12 g/100 ml) and hypercholesterolemia (181 +/- 22 vs. 58 +/- 4 mg/100 ml). After saline, there were no significant differences in blood pressure (119 +/- 2 vs. 114 +/- 2 mm Hg), renal plasma flow (4.9 +/- 0.41 vs. 4.1 +/- 0.28 ml/min), inulin clearance (1.37 +/- 0.06 vs. 1.55 +/- 0.10 ml/min), or SNGFR (47 +/- 2 vs. 53 +/- 4 nl/min). Sodium excretion, however, was significantly lower in NS rats (4.7 +/- 1.1 vs. 9.2 +/- 1.2 muEq/min). Proximal sodium reabsorption was decreased in NS rats (35 +/- 2 vs. 41 +/- 2%, 2.5 +/- 0.2 vs. 3.3 +/- 0.2 nEq/min). Sodium delivery into the loop, however, was equal in NS and C, since the slightly lower filtered load in NS rats offset the depression in proximal reabsorption. Sodium reabsorption by the loop and by the distal convoluted tubules were equal in NS and C. Thus, sodium delivered into the cortical collecting ducts was the same in both groups (0.33 +/- 0.17 vs. 0.34 +/- 0.07 nEq/min; 4.5 +/- 0.6% of filtered sodium vs. 4.4 +/- 0.3%). The percent of filtered sodium excreted in the urine, however, was significantly lower in the NS rats, 2.18 +/- 0.48% vs. 4.0 +/- 0.58%. We conclude that antinatriuresis in this model of NS is determined beyond the superficial late distal convoluted tubule. The inability to excrete the sodium load during volume expansion is due to either enhanced reabsorption by the collecting duct or to abnormal function in deep nephrons.

Animals↗

Ischemic damage and repair in the rat proximal tubule: differences among the S1, S2, and S3 segments.

Rats were subjected to 25 min of unilateral renal artery occlusion and were studied at 5, 15, and 30 min and at 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, and 48 hr following ischemia. The patterns of epithelial injury and repair in proximal tubule (PT) segments S1, S2, and S3 were followed, and associated changes in renal function were determined. We found that S1 and S2 cells alike are only reversibly injured and recover completely to normalcy within 4 hr, whereas S3 cells selectively undergo progressive cell injury and death and are exfoliated into tubular lumina. The necrotic S3 cells are replaced by mitotic division of survivor cells 24 to 48 hr following the ischemic insult. In addition, there was selective damage within tubular cells. Wiithin 5 min of blood reflow following ischemia, the majority of brush border microvilli (MV) in all three PT segments underwent coalescence by membrane fusion and thus were interiorized into the cytoplasm of PT cells. A minority of MV fragmented and were shed into PT lumina, but nephron obstruction by shed membranes was only mild and transient, unlike in the 1-hr ischemia model. Loss of MV reached a maximum of 15 min. By 30 min, MV began to reappear; by 2 hr, large numbers of MV had been regenerated; and by 4 hr, S1 and S2 cells appeared normal. The regenerative process included the luminal repositioning of previously interiorized MV membrane. MV regeneration occurred in S3 segments also, but before the process was complete, the cells developed features of irreversible cellular injury. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was 22% of control at 30 min of reflow, rose progressively to 55% of normal by 7 to 8 hr, and was normal at 24 hr. Single nephron filtration rate (SNGFR) was not significantly different from normal throughout. Proximal tubular sodium reabsorption was depressed and urinary sodium excretion increased at 30 min and at 2 to 3 hr, i.e., at times when MV alterations were prominent, but both were normal by 7 to 8 hr when MV in S1 and S2 cells had been fully reconstituted. Our major conclusions are: 1) There is differential susceptibility by cell type to ischemic injury in rat PT. 2) A rapid brush border loss/regeneration cycle occurs after ischemic injury. 3) Intact brush border may be required for normal sodium reabsorption by PT. Reasons for the GFR/SNGFR discrepancy are unclear, but tubular malfunction may partly explain the phenomenon.

Animals↗