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Biomedical subjects

P A Craven

Publications and source records attributed to P A Craven.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Alterations in protein kinase C in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine induced colonic carcinogenesis.

Protein kinase C activity and the profile of protein kinase C isozymes alpha, beta, and gamma were examined in subcellular fractions of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine induced colonic adenocarcinomas, surrounding uninvolved colonic mucosa and colonic mucosa from age matched control rats. Responsiveness of colonic mucosal protein kinase C to phorbol dibutyrate induced translocation of the enzyme from the soluble to the particulate cell fraction was also assessed. Although total protein kinase C and specific activities of soluble and particulate enzymes were higher in colonic mucosa of carcinogen treated rats which developed tumors than corresponding values of control mucosa, the subcellular distribution of enzyme activity was not different between uninvolved colonic mucosa of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine treated rats and colonic mucosa of age matched control rats. Thus, evidence for activation of the protein kinase C system of mucosa of the carcinogen treated rats was lacking. Exposure of colonic mucosa from control rats to phorbol dibutyrate induced a clear translocation of enzyme activity from the soluble to the particulate fraction. By contrast, no change in subcellular distribution of protein kinase C activity was noted on exposure of colonic mucosa from 1,2-dimethylhydrazine treated rats to phorbol dibutyrate. Immunoblotting of subcellular fractions of colonic mucosa from control and 1,2-dimethylhydrazine treated rats demonstrated the presence of protein kinase C alpha, but no detectable beta and gamma forms. Total protein kinase C activity and the specific activity of protein kinase C in soluble and particulate fractions was significantly lower in adenocarcinomas compared to uninvolved surrounding mucosa. In contrast to results obtained with colonic mucosa from control and 1,2-dimethylhydrazine treated rats, adenocarcinomas expressed predominantly the beta form of protein kinase C. The alpha form represented less than 10% of the total detectable immunoreactivity in adenocarcinomas. The alterations in protein kinase C isoenzyme expression in tumors and loss of responsiveness of premalignant mucosa to phorbol dibutyrate may be involved in the process of malignant transformation.

1,2-Dimethylhydrazine

Alterations in protein kinase C system of colonic epithelium during fasting-refeeding. Evidence for protein kinase C independent pathway of enhanced proliferative activity.

In the present study, we compared (1) incorporation of [3H]dThd into DNA, (2) total protein kinase C (PKC) activity, (3) the subcellular distribution of PKC, and (4) PKC isozyme (alpha, beta and gamma) mass in colonic mucosal scrapings and isolated superficial and proliferative colonic epithelial cells from 48-hr fasted, 48-hr fasted-refed, and ad libitum-fed rats. Total colonic mucosal PKC activity and PKC alpha mass were higher and the in vivo rate of [3H]dThd incorporation into mucosal DNA was markedly depressed in 48-hr fasted rats compared to ad libitum-fed or fasted-refed rats. These alterations were localized predominantly to the proliferative pool of colonic epithelial cells. Despite an 11-fold increase in mucosal DNA synthesis, no alterations in total mucosal PKC activity were detected in fasted-refed rats compared to rats fed ad libitum. Moreover, no differences in the subcellular distribution of PKC were noted among any of the dietary groups. Intrarectal instillation of deoxycholate activated PKC and increased DNA synthesis 1.5- to 2-fold. Deoxycholate-induced increases in DNA synthesis, but not those induced by refeeding, were inhibited by treatment of rats with the PKC inhibitors H-7, sphingosine, or staurospaurine. The results do not support a role for PKC in the mediation of increased proliferative activity of colonic mucosa induced by refeeding.

Analysis of Variance

Contribution of platelet thromboxane production to enhanced urinary excretion and glomerular production of thromboxane and to the pathogenesis of albuminuria in the streptozotocin-diabetic rat.

Previous studies have demonstrated that urinary thromboxane B2 (TXB2) excretion (UTXB2) and glomerular production of TXB2 are enhanced in experimental diabetes and that selective inhibitors of TX synthesis prevent or delay the development of albuminuria. The present study was conducted to examine the contribution of platelet TXB2 production to the enhancement of UTXB2 and glomerular TXB2 production and to the pathogenesis of albuminuria in the partially insulin-treated moderately hyperglycemic (blood glucose, 200 to 400 mg/dL) streptozotocin-diabetic rat (SDR). Treatment of control rats or of SDR with diabetes of 5 months' duration with antiplatelet serum for 4 consecutive days reduced circulating platelet counts and serum TXB2 generation, an index of platelet cyclooxygenase activity, by 80% or greater, but reduced UTXB2 excretion by only 30%. UTXB2 and glomerular production of TXB2 of thrombocytopenic SDR remained markedly elevated compared with corresponding values from age-matched thrombocytopenic or platelet-replete, nondiabetic controls. Similarly, treatment of rats for 180 days with a dose of aspirin (ASA), which selectively inhibited platelet versus renal cyclooxygenase activity, reduced UTXB2 of both SDR and controls by 25% to 35%. The absolute reductions in UTXB2 induced by either ASA or thrombocytopenia in SDR were significantly greater than the absolute decrements in corresponding controls, suggesting that increased platelet TXB2 production in SDR may contribute to the enhanced UTXB2. However, as in the thrombocytopenic SDR, UTXB2 and glomerular production of TXB2 of SDR treated with ASA remained clearly above corresponding control values. Moreover, chronic ASA treatment failed to prevent the development of albuminuria in SDR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Albuminuria

Thromboxane in the pathogenesis of glomerular injury in diabetes.

The present study examined the role of thromboxane (TX) in the initiation and progression of glomerular injury in diabetic rats, as reflected by albuminuria and glomerular histology. Urinary thromboxane and albumin excretion (UTX and UAlb) were elevated by four months after induction of diabetes in the moderately hyperglycemic (200 to 400 mg/dl glucose) streptozotocin diabetic rat (SDR) compared to age-matched control rats. UTX and UAlb both increased progressively in SDR over the seven month period of study. Glomerular TX production, glomerular volume, fractional and absolute mesangial volume and glomerular basement membrane (GBM) width were also increased after seven months in SDR compared to control. Treatment of SDR with a thromboxane synthetase inhibitor (TXI) 4' (imidazol-l-yl) acetophenone (100 mg/kg/day) for seven months beginning at the time of induction of diabetes prevented the increases in UTX, UAlb, glomerular TX production, glomerular volume and mesangial volume and attenuated, but did not prevent, GBM thickening. When the same dose of the TXI was begun five months after induction of diabetes and continued for two months, UTX and ex vivo glomerular TX production were reduced by only 60% compared to untreated SDR and remained higher than corresponding values in control rats. Delayed treatment with the TXI alone did not alter UAlb compared to untreated SDR. By contrast, treatment of five month albuminuric SDR for only two months with the TXI plus the TX receptor antagonist (TXRA) Bay U3405 (5 mg/kg/day) prevented a further increase in UAlb, and reduced fractional albumin clearance and mesangial volume compared to values in untreated SDR. Combined treatment with the TXI and TXRA had no effect on GBM width or glomerular volume compared to values in untreated SDR. The results support roles for TX in the initiation of, and for TX and/or endoperoxides in the progression of glomerular injury in SDR.

Albuminuria

Effects of aspirin on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colonic carcinogenesis.

The influence of aspirin (ASA) on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (1,2-DMH)-induced colonic carcinogenesis was examined in weanling Sprague-Dawley rats. The incidence of adenocarcinomas in response to a single dose of 1,2-DMH was reduced 60% in rats receiving ASA for 1 week before and after the carcinogen. However, ASA had no effect on tumor incidence when initiated 4 weeks after a single dose of 1,2-DMH and continuing until the animals were killed at 36 weeks. The doses of ASA employed suppressed by 95% or more ex vivo colonic prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production and reduced colonic mucosal cAMP levels in both rats exposed to 1,2-DMH and in age-matched controls. Proliferative activity of colonic mucosa as assessed from tritiated thymidine ([3H]dThd) incorporation into mucosal DNA was increased at 1 week but suppressed by 36 weeks after 1,2-DMH exposure. ASA significantly increased colonic mucosal DNA synthesis, suppressed colonic PGE2 production and reduced mucosal cAMP levels at both 1 and 36 weeks in rats given the 1,2-DMH vehicle. However, ASA failed to alter the enhanced mucosal DNA synthesis observed at 1 week or the suppressed DNA synthesis observed at 36 weeks after a single dose of 1,2-DMH, despite significant inhibition of colonic PGE2 production and reduction in mucosal cAMP levels by ASA. Treatment of rats for 1 week with ASA significantly inhibited basal and arachidonate stimulated decomposition of the 1,2-DMH intermediary metabolite methylazoxy-methanol, assessed ex vivo in colonic mucosal homogenates. Thus, while other mechanisms are not excluded, suppression of 1,2-DMH induced colonic carcinoma by concurrent administration of ASA may be linked in part to altered metabolic activation of this carcinogen via cyclooxygenase-dependent co-oxidation. By contrast, the previously reported suppression of the promotional phase of colonic carcinogenesis in rats by the delayed introduction of cyclooxygenase inhibitors may not be linked to inhibition of local colonic prostanoid production, since (i) inhibition of colonic prostanoid synthesis by ASA did not mimic this antipromotional effect, and (ii) the doses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs employed in some earlier studies may not significantly inhibit colonic prostanoid synthesis.

1,2-Dimethylhydrazine

Effects of extracellular sodium on cytosolic calcium, PGE2 and cAMP in papillary collecting tubule cells.

An increase in cytosolic calcium (Cai2+), induced by an increase in extracellular calcium concentration or addition of the calcium ionophore A23187, has been shown to suppress basal and AVP responsive cAMP and inhibit water flow in the collecting tubule. In the present study, the relationships between extracellular Na+ concentration, Cai2+, PGE2 and AVP-responsive cAMP production were examined in cultured rat papillary collecting tubule (RPCT) cells. Reducing extracellular Na+ concentration from 144 to 24 mM increased Cai2+ and PGE2 production approximately below 144 mM on Cai2+ or PGE2 was not due to a change in media osmolality or chloride concentration, since these parameters were maintained at constant levels by addition of tetramethylammonium chloride (TMA) or choline chloride. Exposure of RPCT cells to media containing 24 mM Na+ significantly suppressed basal and AVP responsive cAMP compared to that observed at 144 mM Na+. This suppression was mimicked by the calcium ionophore A23187 which also increased Cai2+ and PGE2. The increase in Cai2+ and PGE2 and the suppression of basal and AVP responsive cAMP, which were observed at 24 versus 144 mM Na+, were abolished in calcium free media and were likely due to influx of extracellular calcium. Indomethacin did not prevent the suppressive effects of reducing extracellular Na+ concentration below 144 mM on basal or AVP responsive cAMP, suggesting that the enhanced production of PGE2 did not mediate the reduction in AVP responsiveness. In contrast to cAMP, reductions in extracellular Na+ concentration from 144 to 24 mM did not influence basal cGMP or the cGMP responses to atrial natriuretic peptide or nitroprusside.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Calcium and prostaglandin E2 in renomedullary interstitial cells.

Renomedullary interstitial cells cultured from the Dahl salt-resistant rat have higher levels of basal cytosolic calcium and prostaglandin E2 and are more responsive to vasopressin than interstitial cells from the Dahl salt-sensitive rat. We examined the potential role of inositol phospholipid hydrolysis in mediating these differences. Vasopressin-induced increases in labeled inositol phosphates were enhanced in renomedullary interstitial cells from Dahl salt-resistant compared with those from salt-sensitive rats. Addition of neomycin reduced basal production of labeled inositol phosphates and abolished the increase in inositol phosphates induced by vasopressin. Neomycin also prevented the peak decline pattern in cytosolic Ca2+ seen with vasopressin but did not influence basal cytosolic Ca2+. In the presence of neomycin, vasopressin induced a modest but prolonged increase in cytosolic calcium. In contrast to its marked effects on inositol phosphate production, neomycin was without effect on basal or vasopressin-responsive prostaglandin E2 production. Moreover, basal and vasopressin-induced increases in cytosolic Ca2+ remained higher in renomedullary interstitial cells from Dahl salt-resistant versus those from salt-sensitive rats exposed to neomycin. The results do not support a requirement for phospholipase C-induced inositol phospholipid hydrolysis in the mediation of vasopressin actions on prostaglandin E2 production by renomedullary interstitial cells and imply that the differences in cytosolic Ca2+ and prostaglandin E2 seen in these two cell lines are not related to differences in inositol phospholipid metabolism.

Animals

Decreased cytosolic calcium and prostaglandin synthesis in prehypertensive rats.

The capacity of cultured renal medullary interstitial cells derived from Dahl salt-sensitive and salt-resistant rats to synthesize prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was compared. Basal and arginine vasopressin (AVP)-induced PGE2 production by interstitial cells from salt-resistant rats was fourfold to fivefold higher than corresponding values of those from the salt-sensitive rats. Similarly, basal and AVP-responsive release of [3H]arachidonate were twofold higher by interstitial cells from salt-resistant compared with salt-sensitive rats. Differences in PGE2 production were abolished by the calcium inophore A23187 or the addition of exogenous arachidonate. The latter findings suggested a role for altered availability of endogenous arachidonate, possibly mediated by reduced calcium-responsive lipase activity. Basal and AVP-induced increases in cytosolic free calcium concentration, assessed by the aequorin method, were significantly lower in interstitial cells from salt-sensitive versus salt-resistant rats, further supporting a possible role for altered cellular calcium homeostasis. Studies of the potential contribution of various phospholipases and of triglyceride lipase to the release of arachidonate for PGE2 synthesis in interstitial cells implicated phospholipase A2 activity as a major pathway. When assessed in vitro in cell cytosolic fractions at identical calcium concentration, phospholipase A2 activity was lower in interstitial cells from salt-sensitive versus salt-resistant rats. Thus, both reduced cytosolic free calcium and phospholipase A2 activity of interstitial cells from salt-sensitive rats may contribute to the diminished capacity of these cells to liberate endogenous arachidonate for PGE2 synthesis.

Animals

Suppression of urinary albumin excretion in diabetic rats by 4'(imidazol-1-yl) acetophenone, a selective inhibitor of thromboxane synthesis.

Thromboxane contributes to the regulation of glomerular hemodynamics in experimental models of diabetes and has been implicated as mediator in some models of glomerular injury. In the present study we examined urinary albumin, protein, and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) excretion during the 170 days after induction of diabetes by injection of streptozotocin in insulin-treated moderately hyperglycemic (200 to 400 mg/dl glucose) rats (SDRs). The effects of a thromboxane synthesis inhibitor, 4'-(imidazol-1-yl)acetophenone (TXI) (100 mg/kg/day) on these parameters were also assessed. Urinary TXB2 and albumin excretion in SDRs was not different from that in normal rats between 7 and 90 days but were three times higher than normal in SDRs at 125 and 170 days after induction of diabetes. In SDRs, urinary protein excretion was higher than in controls at 170 days but not at earlier time points. Inulin clearance (CIn) of SDRs was significantly higher than control values at 7 and 90 days and was not influenced by TXI during this period. At 170 days CIn was not significantly different in SDRs and normal rats. By contrast, albumin clearance (CAIb) and fractional CAIb were elevated in SDRs when compared with those values in normal rats. Treatment of SDRs with TXI for 170 days completely prevented the rise in urinary TXB2, albumin, and protein excretion, as well as the rise in fractional CAIb, but did not alter prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) excretion. TXI also increased CIn in SDRs to levels that were significantly higher than normal at 170 days. TXI had no significant effect on urinary PGE2, TXB2, albumin, or protein excretion or on CIn in normal rats and did not influence blood pressure or blood glucose in normal rats or SDRs. The results suggest a role for thromboxane in the mediation of albuminuria in the SDR.

Albuminuria

Electron spin resonance study of the role of NO . catalase in the activation of guanylate cyclase by NaN3 and NH2OH. Modulation of enzyme responses by heme proteins and their nitrosyl derivatives.

The role of NO . catalase in the activation of partially purified soluble guanylate cyclase of rat liver by NaN3 and NH2OH was examined by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. Equilibration of bovine liver catalase with NO resulted in formation of a paramagnetic species exhibiting a three-line ESR spectrum similar to that of NO . catalase. This paramagnetic complex produced concentration-dependent stimulation of preparations of partially purified guanylate cyclase that were devoid of detectable endogenous heme content. The stimulation of partially purified guanylate cyclase by NO . catalase was similar to that obtained with NO . hemoglobin and with NO . cytochrome P-420 prepared by reaction of hepatic microsomes of phenobarbital-treated rats with NO. By contrast, these same enzyme preparations did not respond to NO or catalase alone. Addition of hematin or hemoglobin plus a reducing agent to purified guanylate cyclase restored enzyme responsiveness to NO and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), but not to NaN3 or NH2OH. Responses to the latter agents were restored by catalase and potentiated by a H2O2-generating system. Formation of the NO . catalase complex was evident by ESR spectroscopy in test solutions containing NaN3 or nh2oh, catalase, and a glucose-glucose oxidase, H2O2-generating system. The presence of NO . catalase correlated well with the ability of test solutions to activate purified guanylate cyclase. These results provide evidence for catalase-dependent NO generation from NaN3 and NH2OH under conditions leading to guanylate cyclase activation. Preformed NO . hemoglobin or NO . cytochrome P-420 also activated heme-deficient partially purified guanylate cyclase. The ability of several preformed NO . heme protein complexes, but not NO, to stimulate heme-deficient guanylate cyclase supports the concept that formation of the paramagnetic nitrosyl . heme complex, mediated by either enzymatic or nonenzymatic reactions, is a common and essential step in the process by which NO or NO-forming compounds activate guanylate cyclase. In the absence of the NO ligand, both hemoglobin and catalase suppress the stimulatory effects of the corresponding NO . heme proteins on guanylate cyclase. Release of each heme protein from the NO . heme protein complex occurs more rapidly under aerobic compared to anaerobic conditions. However, hemoglobin is approximately 2000 times more effective as an inhibitor of NO . hemoglobin stimulation of guanylate cyclase than is catalase as an inhibitor of NO . catalase action. This finding may explain the more pronounced decline in the rate of cGMP generation in air in the presence of NO . hemoglobin compared to NO . catalase. The results imply that guanylate cyclase responses to activators that can form NO are determined by both the stimulatory activity of the endogenous heme acceptors of NO and the relative inhibitory effects of the unliganded heme proteins present.

Anaerobiosis

Restoration of the responsiveness of purified guanylate cyclase to nitrosoguanidine, nitric oxide, and related activators by heme and hemeproteins. Evidence for involvement of the paramagnetic nitrosyl-heme complex in enzyme activation.

Purification of soluble guanylate cyclase activity from rat liver resulted in loss of enzyme responsiveness to N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), nitroprusside, nitrite, and NO. Responses were restored by addition of heat-treated hepatic supernatant fraction, implying a requirement for heat-stable soluble factor(s) in the optimal expression of the actions of the activators. Addition of free hematin, hemoglobin, methemoglobin, active or heat-inactivated catalase partially restores responsiveness of purified guanylate cyclase to MNNG, NO, nitrite, and nitroprusside. These responses were markedly potentiated by the presence of an appropriate concentration of reducing agent (dithiothreitol, ascorbate, cysteine, or glutathione), which maintains heme iron in the ferro form and favors formation of paramagnetic nitrosyl . heme complexes from the activators. High concentrations of heme or reducing agents were inhibitory, and heme was not required for the expression of the stimulatory effects of Mn2+ or Mg2+ on purified guanylate cyclase. Preformed nitrosyl hemoglobin (10 micron) increased activity of the purified enzyme 10- to 20-fold over basal with Mn2+ as the metal cofactor and 90- to 100-fold with Mg2+. Purified guanylate cyclase was more sensitive to preformed NO-hemoglobin (minimally effective concentration, 0.1 micron) than to MNNG (1 micron), nitroprusside (50 micron), or nitrite (1 mM). A reducing agent was not required for optimal stimulation of guanylate cyclase by NO-hemoglobin. Maximal NO-hemoglobin-responsive guanylate cyclase was not further increased by subsequent addition of NO, MNNG, nitrite, or nitroprusside. Activation by each agent resulted in analogous alterations in the Mn2+ and Mg2+ requirements of enzyme activity, and responses were inhibited by the thiol-blocking agents N-ethylmaleimide, arsenite, or iodoacetamide. The results suggest that NO-hemoglobin, MNNG, NO, nitrite, and nitroprusside activate guanylate cyclase through similar mechanisms. The stimulatory effects of preformed NO-hemoglobin combined with the clear requirements for heme plus a reducing agent in the optimal expression of the actions of MNNG, NO, and related agents are consistent with a role for the paramagnetic nitrosyl . heme complex in the activation of guanylate cyclase.

Animals

Effects of thiol inhibitors on hepatic guanylate cylase activity.

Several thiol blocking agents inhibit basal guanylate cyclase activity of 100 000 X g hepatic supernatant fractions and the stimulation of enzyme activity by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), NaN3, NaNO2 and nitroprusside. The relative potency of the thiol blockers as inhibitors was CdCl2 greater than p-hydroxymercuribenzoate greater than N-ethylmaleimide greater than arsenite greater than iodoacetamide. Inhibition of basal and MNNG-responsive soluble guanylate cyclase activities by arsenite was markedly potentiated by an equimolar concentration of 2,3-dimercaprol, but not by mercaptoethanol. Inhibition of soluble guanylate cyclase by either arsenite or CdCl2 was completely reversed by excess 2,3-dimercaprol. Qualitatively similar effects were observed with DE-52 cellulose purified soluble hepatic guanylate cyclase, and suggested an involvement of closely juxtaposed thiol groups in the regulation of enzyme activity. For several reasons inhibition by thiol blockers appeared to be mediated through multiple mechanisms and/or sites of interaction: (1) Concentrations of the thiol inhibitors which had no effect on basal activity strikingly inhibited the responsiveness of the enzyme to a submaximal concentration of MNNG. (2) CdCl2 abolished the action of excess MnCl2 to stimulate purified guanylate cyclase, but was a relatively ineffective inhibitor when MnCl2 and GTP were present in equimolar concentrations. By contrast, arsenite-2,3-dimercaprol was uniformly effective in inhibiting guanylate cyclase activity in the presence or absence of excess MnCl2. (3) Arsenite-2,3-dimercaprol increased the Km for MnGTP (control, 0.13 +/- 0.02 mM; 0.2 mM arsenite-2,3-dimercaprol, 0.31 +/- 0.03 mM), whereas CdCl2 had no effect on this parameter. (4) Hepatic particulate guanylate cyclase activity was significantly inhibited by arsenite 2,3-dimercaprol but not by CdCl2. Thus, the data not only indicate that vicinal dithiol groups are required for expression of basal guanylate cyclase activity and enzyme responses to agonists, but strongly suggest the involvement of more than one interacting site containing free thiol residues.

Animals

Alterations in rat renal cortical and medullary guanosine 3'5'-monophosphate accumulation by oxygen- and calcium-dependent and -independent mechanisms: evidence for a calcium-independent action of oxygen in renal inner medulla.

Factors influencing guanosine 3'5'-monophosphate (cGMP) metabolism were examined in slices of rat renal cortex, outer medulla, and inner medulla. In the presence of extracellular Ca2+ and O2, a gradation of steady-state cGMP levels was evident among the tissues (inner medulla greater than outer medulla greater than cortex). Carbamylcholine, bradykinin, histamine, and the divalent cation ionophore A23187 significantly increased cGMP in each tissue. The cGMP-stimulating action of these agents was reversibly abolished by exclusion of either Ca2+ or O2. The influence of Ca2+ and O2 on expression of effects of carbamylcholine and related cGMP agonists was interdependent in each region of the kidney, since both were required for expression of agonist action. By contrast, nitrite, nitroprusside, NH2OH, and nitrosoguanidine increased cGMP in the presence or absence of Ca2+ or O2. Thus, at least two distinct mechanisms for altering cGMP accumulation are operative or expressible in each region of the kidney: one that requires and one that does not require the presence of extracellular Ca2+ and O2. Results also suggested a role for transmembrane transport of Ca2+ in the maintenance of basal cGMP and in the expression of the responses to Ca2+-dependent agonists in renal cortex, outer and inner medulla. Thus, verapamil, which can block such transport, lowered basal cGMP and abolished these responses while ionophore A23187 enhanced cGMP in cortex and medulla only in the presence of Ca2+. The interrelationship of Ca2+ and O2 in control of basal cGMP levels clearly differed in cortex compared to inner medulla. In cortex, Ca2+ and/or O2 deprivation produced quantitatively similar reductions in cGMP. Moreover, expression of the action of O2 to increase cortical cGMP required Ca2+. Thus, O2 effects on cGMP in cortex were closely coupled with or mediated through Ca2+. By contrast, in inner medulla, O2 deprivation resulted in more pronounced reduction in basal cGMP than did Ca2+-deprivation, and O2 significantly increased inner medullary cGMP in the absence of extracellular Ca2+...

Animals

Effects of osmolality and oxygen availability on soluble cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity of rat renal inner medulla.

The renal inner medulla is ordinarily exposed to osmolalities that are much higher and to O2 tensions that are lower than those in other tissues. The effects of media osmolality and O2 availability on basal and arginine vasopressin(AVP)-responsive soluble cyclic (c)AMP-dependent protein kinase activity were examined in slices of rat inner medulla. Increasing total media osmolality from 305 to 750 or 1,650 mosM by addition of urea plas NaCl to standard Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer significantly reduced basal cAMP content and protein kinase activity ratios. This occurred in the presence or absence of O2. Incubation of slices in high osmolality buffer also blunted increases in inner medullary slice cAMP and protein kinase activity ratios induced by O2. These changes reflected predominantly an action of the urea rather than the NaCl content of high osmolality buffers. In contrast to effects on basal activity, high media osmolality significantly enhanced activation of inner medullary protein kinase by AVP. Conversely, increases in media O2 content suppressed AVP stimulation of enzyme activity. This inhibitory effect of O2 was best expressed at low osmolality. Naproxen and ibuprofen, inhibitors of prostaglandin biosynthesis, reduced basal kinase activity ratios and increased AVP responsiveness in the presence, but not in the absence, of O2. Exogenous prostaglandins (PG) modestly increased (PGE2 and PGE1) or did not change (PGF2alpha) cAMP and protein kinase activity ratios in O2-deprived inner medullary slices. Protein kinase activation by PGE2 was not observed in oxygenated inner medulla with high basal activity ratios. The stimulatory effects of PGE2 and PGE1 on protein kinase activity observed in O2-deprived slices were additive with those of submaximal or maximal AVP. PGE2, PGE1, and PGF2alpha all failed to suppress AVP activation of protein kinase. Thus, enhanced endogenous PGE production may contribute to the higher basal protein kinase activity ratios induced by O2. However, the results do not support a role for PGE2, PGE1, or PGF2alpha in O2-mediated inhibition of AVP responsiveness. The present data indicate that both solute content and O2 availability can alter the expression of AVP action on cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity in inner medulla. AVP activation of protein kinase is best expressed when osmolality is high and O2 availability is low, conditions that pertain in inner medulla during hydropenia.

Animals