Concerted action of dopamine on renal and intestinal Na+-K+-ATPase in the rat remnant kidney

The present study evaluated renal and intestinal adaptations in sodium hand ling in uninephrectomized (Unx) rats and the role of dopamine. Two weeks af ter uninephrectomy, the remnant kidney in Unx rats weighed 33 +/- 2% more t han the corresponding kidney in sham-operated (Sham) animals. This was acco mpanied by increases in urinary levels of dopamine and major metabolites [3 ,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid] and increases in maximal velocity values (169 vs. 115 nmol.mg protein(-1).15 min(-1)) for renal aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase, the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of renal dopamine. High salt (HS) intake increased (P < 0.05) the urinary excretion of dopamine and DOPAC in Unx and Sham rats. However, the urinary levels of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, dopamine, and DOPAC in Sha m rats during HS intake were lower than in Unx rats. Blockade of dopamine D -1 receptors (Sch-23390, 2 x 30 <mu>g/kg) reduced the urinary excretion of sodium in Unx (31% decrease) more pronouncedly than in Sham (19% decrease) rats. However, inhibition of renal Na+-K+-ATPase activity by dopamine was o f similar magnitude in Unx and Sham rats. In parallel, it was observed that uninephrectomy resulted in a significant reduction in jejunal sodium absor ption and Na+-K+-ATPase activity in jejunal epithelial cells. In jejunal ep ithelial cells from Sham rats, dopamine (1 muM) failed to inhibit Na+-K+-AT Pase activity, whereas in Unx rats it produced a significant reduction. It is concluded that uninephrectomy results in increased renal dopaminergic ac tivity and dopamine-sensitive enhanced natriuresis. Furthermore, it is sugg ested that decreased jejunal absorption of sodium may take place in respons e to partial renal ablation, as an example of renal-intestinal cross talk.