K. Schricker et al., ENDOTHELIUM-DERIVED RELAXING FACTOR IS INVOLVED IN THE PRESSURE CONTROL OF RENIN GENE-EXPRESSION IN THE KIDNEY, Pflugers Archiv, 428(3-4), 1994, pp. 261-268
To study the influence of endothelium derived relaxing factor/nitric o
xide (EDNO) on renin gene expression, the effects of a 2-day treatment
with the NO-synthase inhibitor nitro-L- arginine-methylester (L-NAME,
40 mg/kg twice a day) on plasma renin activity (PRA) and renal and ad
renal renin m-RNA levels were examined in conscious rats with and with
out unilateral renal clips (0.2 mm). In sham-clipped animals L-NAME le
d to a decrease of PRA from 7.5 to 2.5 ng angiotensin I (ANGI).h(-1).m
l(-1) and to a 35% decrease of renal renin m-RNA levels. Unilateral re
nal artery clipping increased PRA to 35 and to 13 ng ANGI.h(-1).ml(-1)
in vehicle and in L-NAME-treated rats, respectively. In the clipped k
idneys renin m-RNA levels increased to 450% of control values in vehic
le-treated animals and to 220% of control values in L-NAME-treated ani
mals. In the contralaterals as opposed to clipped kidneys, renin m-RNA
levels decreased to 16% and 50% of the control values in vehicle- and
in L-NAME-treated animals, respectively. In the adrenal glands renin
m-RNA levels were not significantly changed either by clipping of one
renal artery or by treatment of animals with L-NAME. The NO-donor sodi
um nitroprusside (100 mu M) was found to increase renin secretion and
renin m-RNA levels in primary cultures of renal juxtaglomerular cells.
These findings suggest that EDNO is involved in the control of the re
nin gene by the renal perfusion pressure.