RECURRENT SEIZURES ALTER RENAL-FUNCTION AND PLASMA ATRIAL-NATRIURETIC-PEPTIDE LEVELS IN RATS

Status epilepticus can lead to impaired renal function, which has been attributed to complications of myoglobinuria. We confirmed changes in renal function in the absence of myoglobinuria by measuring renal hem odynamics, fluid and electrolyte excretions, and plasma levels of reni n and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) before and after a 30-min perio d of recurrent generalized seizures in anesthetized, paralyzed rats. R enal plasma flow (RPF), renal blood flow (RBF) and glomerular filtrati on rate (GFR) decreased by similar to 60% after seizures. In contrast, urinary sodium excretion, urine flow, and plasma ANP levels increased approximately threefold. Urinary potassium excretion and plasma renin levels were unchanged. Renal function is profoundly altered after 30 min of seizures, primarily due to intense renal vasoconstriction preci pitating a dramatic reduction in GFR. The concomitant increases in sod ium and urine excretion may be mediated by the marked increase in plas ma ANP levels. The decreases in GFR and RBF might contribute to the re nal failure observed in some patients after status epilepticus.