Relationship between basal no release and cyclooxygenase products in the normal rat kidney. Baylis, Chris, Brigitte Slangen, Sarah Hussain, and Carol Weaver. Department of Physiology, Medicine and Physical Therapy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506-9229 and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Academisch Ziekenhuis Maastricht, Postbus 5800, 6202AZ, MAASTRICHT, Netherlands
APStracts 3:0278R, 1996.
We investigated the physiologic regulation of renal function by nitric oxide (NO) and its interactions with the endothelial cyclooxygenase products, in the conscious chronically catheterized rat. A subpressor dose of NO inhibitor nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), produced renal vasoconstriction that was unaffected by cyclooxygenase inhibition with indomethacin (INDO). Acute, high dose L-NAME produced a pressor response of 40mm Hg and marked renal vasoconstriction. INDO selectively amplified the renal vasoconstriction, whereas inhibition of the thromboxane/endoperoxide receptor, had no effect. Chronic NO inhibition for 5 weeks led to sustained hypertension and renal vasoconstriction, the latter was amplified by acute INDO. These data suggest that in the normal, conscious rat the kidney is under important NO-dependent tone. There is no obvious interaction between NO and the cyclooxygenase products in control of basal renal function. When systemic NO inhibition is produced with either acute or chronic high dose L-NAME, the kidney is severely vasoconstricted. The renal vasoconstriction is not ameliorated by thromboxane/endoperoxide antagonism but is exacerbated by cyclooxygenase blockade, suggesting that vasodilator cyclooxygenase products compensate for the renal hypoperfusion due to severe NO deficiency.

Received 16 May 1995; accepted in final form 6 May 1996.
APS Manuscript Number R297-5.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Regulatory Integrative
Comp. Physiology).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1996 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 25 July 1996