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Markus Horbelt

Publications and source records attributed to Markus Horbelt.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Imaging vascular pathology.

Examining the mechanisms of renal microvascular alterations in disease and the ramifications they have for overall organ function has remained a challenge due to the complexity of the renal microvascular system and the inability to examine it with sufficient resolution in vivo. However, advances in intravital microscopy have provided opportunities to meet these challenges. In this review we will examine specific areas where intravital imaging has advanced our knowledge of renal disease processes and present areas where these techniques, especially intravital multiphoton microscopy, have even further potential to integrate our knowledge of renal vascular pathology.

Animals↗

Digital fluorescence imaging of organic cation transport in freshly isolated rat proximal tubules.

The secretion of cationic drugs and endogenous metabolites is a major function of the kidney. This is accomplished by organic cation transport systems, mainly located in the proximal tubules. Here, we describe a model for continuous measurement of organic cation (OC) transport. In this model, organic cation transport in individual freshly isolated rat proximal tubules is investigated by use of digital fluorescence imaging. To directly measure organic cation transport across the basolateral membrane, the fluorescent organic cation 4-(4-dimethylaminostyryl)-N-methylpyridinium (ASP+) is used with a customized perfusion chamber. ASP+ uptake in this model displayed the characteristics of organic cation transport. Over the tested range of 1 to 50 microM, it showed a concentration-dependent uptake across the basolateral membrane. In the presence of competitive inhibitors of OC transport such as N1-methylnicotinamide+, tetraethylammonium+, and choline+, a concentration-dependent and reversible inhibition of ASP+ uptake could be documented. In conclusion, continuous measurement of organic cation transport in freshly isolated rat proximal tubules by digital fluorescence imaging using ASP+ is a useful tool for investigation of drug transport and interactions and, furthermore, may be helpful for investigation of organic cation transport under pathophysiological conditions.

Animals↗

ATP protects, by way of receptor-mediated mechanisms, against hypoxia-induced injury in renal proximal tubules.

We examined the effect of ATP on hypoxia-induced injury in freshly isolated rat renal proximal tubules and compared it with the effects of stable ATP analogues and ATP degradation products. Extracellular ATP significantly reduced hypoxia-induced structural cell damage (lactate dehydrogenase release). P(2)-receptor agonistic ATP analogues, including 2'-methylthio-ATP (2-Me-S-ATP), were also protective. In contrast, the P(1)-agonistic degradation products AMP and adenosine were not protective. Hypoxia-induced functional cell damage (loss of cellular potassium) was not changed by ATP or 2-Me-S-ATP. We therefore conclude that the protective property of ATP is not based on an effect of the degradation products or on a direct effect on cellular energy metabolism. The data indicate that the protective effect of ATP is mediated by P(2) receptors.

Adenosine↗