C. Tschope et al., BRADYKININ EXCRETION IS INCREASED IN SEVERELY HYPERGLYCEMIC STREPTOZOTOCIN-DIABETIC RATS, Immunopharmacology, 33(1-3), 1996, pp. 344-348
The renal kallikrein-kinin system (KKS) was studied in pair-fed strept
ozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and compared with age-matched con
trols. Twelve weeks after STZ injection, rats were normotensive, showe
d hyperglycemia, proteinuria, polydipsia and reduced glomerular filtra
tion rate (GFR) and body weight. The activities of urinary prekallikre
in (PRLK) and kallikrein (KLK) were reduced accompanied by an up to 3-
fold increase of bradykinin (BK) excretion compared to controls. The i
ncreased BK excretion suggests that the renal KKS in STZ-diabetes is a
ctivated and that the reduction in urinary PKLK and KLK activity may b
e due to an increased consumption of these enzymes or to a negative fe
edback mechanism. The stimulation of the renal KKS in STZ-diabetcs cou
ld reflect an attempt of the organism to balance glomerular hypertensi
on.