The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of cicletanine on ren
al cGMP production. To do so we measured mean arterial pressure (MAP), crea
tinine clearance (CC), and urinary excretion of electrolytes and cGMP under
basal conditions and after 6 h of cicletanine administration (10 and 15 mg
/kg body weight by oral gavage) in conscious Wistar rats. Also, the in vitr
o effect of cicletanine was assessed by incubating renal slices and isolate
d rat glomeruli with two concentrations of cicletanine (0.1 and 1 mM) for d
ifferent times (1, 2, 5, and 30 min) in the presence of 3-isobutyl-1-methyl
xanthine. Oral administration of cicletanine induced an increase in urinary
flow (V) and the urinary excretion of electrolytes and cGMP, with no chang
es in CC. In addition, a significant decrease in MAP was observed, but only
with the lower dose. Incubation with cicletanine did not induce significan
t changes in cGMP production in glomeruli or renal slices. These results sh
ow that cicletanine, administered in vivo at diuretic and antihypertensive
doses, induces an increase in urinary cGMP excretion.