PubMed1996
The interaction between moderate salt depletion and urinary excretions of prostanoids (PGE2,6-keto-PGF1 alpha and TxB2), as well as the effective role of the activated renin-angiotensin system (RAS), in the control of renal function and urinary prostanoid excretions have been investigated in healthy women. Salt depletion (SD, n = 8) was induced by low sodium chloride dietary intake (< or = 60 mmol per day) and combined treatment with natriuretic and potassium sparing drugs. The cumulative sodium deficit was 381 +/- 55 mmol. The renal function and urinary excretion of prostanoids were evaluated during hypotonic polyuria (oral water load) and subsequent moderate antidiuresis (lysine-8-vasopressin (LVP) low-dose infusion). Basal plasma renin activity (PRA) and urinary aldosterone excretion were determined, before the water load, in both the SD group and control studies in normal balance of sodium and potassium (N, n = 20). Paired studies were performed in the absence and in the presence of enalapril in the same SD group, as well as in a subgroup, with normal sodium and potassium balance, previously studied (N3, n = 6). In the SD vs. N group, significantly higher values of PRA and urinary aldosterone excretion were found. The renal antinatriuretic mechanism was activated and the diuretic response to water load depressed. During polyuria, the urinary 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and TxB2 excretions were significantly higher, probably reflecting an increase in the renal synthesis of their precursors. During the late LVP infusion, the urinary PGE2 excretion was also significantly increased, in absence of significant differences in urinary flow rate. In both SD and N3 groups, enalapril decreased the mean arterial pressure (MAP). Despite the decrease in MAP, not significantly different in SD vs. N3 group, the drug did not significantly affect the creatinine clearance. Also, the urinary prostanoid excretions were not significantly affected by enalapril. However, in the SD group, but not in the N3 group, the drug was effective in significantly decreasing the absolute and fractional excretions of sodium and chloride. Moreover, the plasma potassium concentration significantly decreased, despite the concurrent decrease in urinary potassium excretion. The data suggest that: (1) in salt depletion, the prostanoid release from the renal cortical structures was stimulated; (2) the renal prostanoid synthesis, either activated (sodium depletion) or not (normal sodium and potassium balance), was not affected by the RAS pharmacological blockade in the short-term; (3) in salt depletion, the RAS blockade recruited a homeostatic mechanism responsible for the improved renal salt conservation, as well as for the redistribution of potassium between the extra- and intra-cellular compartments.