• The Korean Journal of Physiology
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.291-296
• /
• 1987

There have been reports on the aberration of the control mechanisms of the blood pressure, hormone secretion, and renal functions in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). However, the contribution of the renin-angiotensin system in the maintenance of high blood pressure in SHR is still controversial. Recently, it has been reported that the negative feedback short loop control mechanism of the renin-angiotensin system may be changed in SHR. In the present experiment, it was attempted to explore the possible alterations in the effect of arginine vasopressin (AVP) on the renal function in SHR. Experiments have been done in anesthetized SHR as well as in normotensive Wistar and Sprague-Dawley rats as control groups. Pharmacologic doses of AVP (10-13 mU/rat/10 min) decreased urine volume, excreted amount of creatinine and para-amino-hippuric acid. No differences in these parameters was observed between normotensive and hypertensive rats. AVP increased sodium and potassium excretion, but the responses in SHR were suppressed as compared with normotensive rats. Intravenous infusion of AVP also increased blood pressure in normotensive and hypertensive rats and a vasopressor effect of AVP was attenuated in SHR. There was a positive correlation between the changes in blood pressure and excreted amount of sodium during AVP infusion. These data suggest that the attenuated natriuretic effect of intravenous infusion of AVP may be due to a difference in renal tubular responsiveness to AVP but not due to a difference in vasopressor responsiveness.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.237-244
• /
• 1993

The effect of nicotine on the secretion of $[Met^{5}]-enkephalin$ (ME) in addition to proenkephalin A (proENK) mRNA levels and effects of indomethacin, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), and captopril on nicotine-induced responses were studied in bovine adrenal medullary chromaffrin (BAMC) cells. Long-term exposure of BAMC cells to nicotine at a concentration of $10{\mu}M$ significantly increased proENK mRNA level and the secretion of ME into the medium. Treatment of BAMC cells with NDGA (a lipoxygenase inhibitor, $10{\mu}M$), indomethacin (a cycloooxygenase inhibitor) or captopril (an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor) alone did not affect ME secretion and proENK mRNA levels. The pretreatment of BAMC cells with NDGA inhibited the increased ME secretion and proENK mRNA level induced by nicotine. However, indomethacin and captopril did not affect nicotine-induced responses. Our results indicate that neuronal regulations of ME secretion and proENK mRNA level induced by nicotine in BAMC cells are in part mediated by a lipoxygenase-but not cyclooxygenase-and endogenous renin-angiotensin pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.67-78
• /
• 1989

Since the atrial receptor was suggested to be involved in the control of extracellular fluid volume, it has been shown that the granularity of atrial cardiocytes can be changed by water and salt depletion, and that an extract of atrial tissue, when injected intravenously into anesthetized rats, causes a large and rapid increase in renal excretions of sodium and water. The immunoreactive atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) has been found in the plasma of patients suffering from various cardiovascular diseases. A high level of ANP in the plasma has been reported in essential hypertension. Several studies on the effects of ANP on renal function and arterial blood pressure have presented contradictory results showing attenuated or accentuated responses. Thus, involvement of the ANP in the development of hypertension remains unresolved. Present study was undertaken to investigate whether the ANP is involved in the development of hypertension in two-kidney one-clip Goldblatt hypertensive rats. The plasma concentration of immunoreactive ANP appeared to be significantly elevated in hypertensive rats as compared with normotensive Goldblatt operated and sham-operated rats. Plasma renin concentration was higher in hypertensive rats than in normotensive rats, as observed in earlier experiments. Intravenous infusions of ANP resulted in increases of urine flow and urinary excretions of sodium and potassium in both hypertensive and normotensive rats. The renal response to ANP was markedly accentuated in Goldblatt hypertensive rats. The plasma concentration of ANP showed a linear relationship with the arterial blood pressure. Infusions of ANP reduced blood pressure both in hypertensive and normotensive rats. These results suggest that in Goldblatt hypertensive rats an elevation of ANP level in the plasma may not be a cause, but instead a consequence of hypertension, and that the renal responsiveness to the ANP is accentuated by some unknown mechanisms.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.113-117
• /
• 2012

Primary aldosteronism is characterized by hypertension, hypokalemia, and metabolic alkalosis, associated with excessive aldosterone production and suppressed plasma renin activity. Hypokalemia-induced rhabdomyolysis has been rarely reported in primary aldosteronism patients. This paper reports a case of primary aldosteronism presented with rhabdomyolysis due to severe hypokalemia. A 48-year-old male with a three-year history of hypertension presented himself at the authors' hospital with generalized weakness and myalgia in both legs over a period of several days. His laboratory findings showed hypokalemia (1.8 mEq/L) with elevations of his serum creatine phosphokinase and serum myoglobin. His plasma aldosterone level was also elevated, and his plasma renin activity was reduced. An abdominal computed tomography revealed a 2.0 cm hypodense mass in the left adrenal gland, which suggested adrenal adenoma. The accordingly underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Three months later, his plasma potassium level and blood pressure became normal without the use of medications.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.91-96
• /
• 2018

Nephrotic syndrome in the first year of life, characterized by renal dysfunction and proteinuria, is associated with a heterogeneous group of disorders. These disorders are often related to genetic mutations, but the syndrome can also be caused by a variety of other diseases. We report an infant with nephrotic syndrome associated with a neuroblastoma. A 6-month-old girl was admitted with a 10% weight loss over 10 days and nephrotic-range proteinuria. She was ill-looking, and her blood pressure was higher than normal for her age. Her cystatin-C glomerular filtration rate was decreased, and levels of plasma renin, aldosterone, and catecholamines were elevated. Renal ultrasonography and abdominal computed tomography showed a retroperitoneal prevertebral mass encasing both renal arteries and the left renal vein. The mass was partially resected laparoscopically, and the pathologic diagnosis was neuroblastoma. Findings on a simultaneous renal biopsy were unremarkable. The patient was treated with chemotherapy and several anti-hypertensive drugs, including an alpha blocker. Two months later, the mass had decreased in size and the proteinuria and hypertension were gradually improving. In an infant with abnormal renin-angiotensin system activation, severe hypertension, and nephrotic-range proteinuria, neuroblastoma can be considered in the differential diagnosis.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.91-95
• /
• 2004

We report a 2-month-old boy who presented with severe hyponatremia and hyperkalemia secondary to ureteropelvic junction(VPJ) obstruction. By prenatal ultrasonography at 19 weeks of gestation, severe hydronephrosis was found which was confirmed postnatally Pyeloplasty was done on the 45th day of life, and fifteen days after pyeloplasty, non-bilious vomiting, decreased activity and dehydration developed. Severe hyponatremia and hyperkalemia were observed, as a result of elevated serum aldosterone and plasma renin activity. The anterior posterior pelvic diameter(APPD) and Society for Fetal Urology(SFU) grade measured showed no interval change before and after pyeloplasty. Pseudohypoaldosteronism was diagnosed, and 2M NaCl was administrated orally for 7 days. The electrolyte imbalance was corrected, and 8 weeks later, the elevated levels of aldosterone and plasma renin activity were normalized. The left hydronephrosis was improved at 5 months of age. We hereby report a transient pseudohypoaldosteronism secondary to UPJ obstruction with a review of the literature.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.32 no.5
• /
• pp.134-138
• /
• 2011

Glycyrrhetinic acid, which is a component of licorice, can cause hypermineralocorticoidism through the inhibition of $11{\beta}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. So, a high dose intake of licorice can lead to hypermineralocorticoidism with potassium loss and depression of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. We report a 73-year-old man with muscle weakness of proximal lower limbs with hypokalemia (Serum $K^+$: 1.4 mEq/L) due to taking self-prescribed licorice without OMD's diagnosis. He boiled 60~100g licorice / day in water and drank it intermittently for 1 month due to arthralgia and swelling of both his knees. Patient's serum renin activity and aldosterone level were far beyond the normal range. He also had metabolic alkalosis with pH 7.552. After quitting the licorice, hypokalemia and muscle weakness of proximal lower limbs gradually improved within 1week.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.17 no.1 s.31
• /
• pp.212-221
• /
• 1996

The aim of this experiment was to elucidate the effects of Saseuptang water extract on the renal function plasma renin activity and plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide and aldosterone in rat The results were as follows; 1. Water balance decreased significantly after the administration of Saseuptang water extract, 0.4 and 0.8ml/kg. 2. Urine volume increased significantly after the administration of Saseuptang water extract, $0.4\;m{\ell}/kg$. 3. Urinary excretion of chloride increased significantly after the administration of Saseupthang water extract, $0.8\;m{\ell}/kg$. 4. Free water clearance increased significantly after the administration of Saseuptang water extract, $0.8\;m{\ell}/kg$. 5. Urinary excretion of creatinine increased significantly after the administration of Saseuptang water extract, $0.8\;m{\ell}/kg$. 6. Plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) decreased significantly after administration of Saseupthang water extract, $0.8\;m{\ell}/kg$. These results suggest that the changes of urine volume after the administration of Saseuptang water extracts are related to the increments of glomerular filtration rate and free water clearance, and it is suggested that the changes of renal function by which Saseuotang may related to the renin-angiotensin and atrial natriuretic peptide system.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.193-198
• /
• 2001

This study was designed to investigate the effects of Korean Lycii Fructus water extract in Pb-administered rats. The Pb exposed rats were given 100 ppm and 200 ppm in the distilled water. Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing between 90 and 110g were blocked into 6 groups according to body weight. The control group was fed a normal diet, without lead. The experimental groups, which was fed a normal diet plus 100 ppm and 200 ppm lead, and one group received a normal diet plus Lycii Fructus water extracts. The results: the Food intake, the weight gain, and the kidney weight content in the cadmium added groups were lower than those in the Lycii Fructus water extracts group. The contents of Pb in the kidneys of the rats were determined by using ICP(lnductively Coupled Plasma Spectrophotometer). The accumulation of lead in the kidney was lower in the Lycii Fructus water extracts group. The Plasma levels of renin activity was higher in the lead administration groups, as compared with the Lycii Fructus water extracts. Plasma levels of aldosterone activity was higher in the lead administration group, as compared with Lycii Fructus water extracts. These results suggest that Lycii Fructus water extracts has a lowering effects on the accumulation of pb on kidney and it is believed that the Lycii Fructus water extracts have some protective effects on lead-induced nephrotoxicity in rats, but the mechanism of these effects was obscure.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.28-36
• /
• 2011

To investigate the protective effect of omija(Schizandra chinensis Baillon) tea extracts against the aluminum toxicity, Sprague-Dawley rats($100{\pm}10\;g$) were divided into 6 groups consisting of a control group, a 3% Schizandra chinensis Baillon tea plus extract group, a 1,000 and 2,000 ppm aluminum group, and a 1,000 and 2,000 ppm aluminum plus 3% Schizandra chinensis Baillon tea plus extract group. The rats administered aluminum were given 1,000 and 2,000 ppm of $Al_2(SO_4)_3$ dissolved in distilled water. The aluminum content in tissues from rats administered aluminum was lower than in the tissues of rats of administered aluminum plus 3% Schizandra chinensis Baillon tea in the water extract. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase(ALT) levels were increased in the aluminum group and lower in the group receiving a 3% extract of Schizandra chinensis Baillon tea. Lactate dehydrogenase(LDHase) was lower in the group receiving a 3% extract of Schizandra chinensis Baillon tea plus aluminum than in the aluminum group. Cholinesterase(ChEase) was higher in the 3% Schizandra chinensis Baillon tea-aluminum group than in the aluminum group. Plasma levels of renin were increased in the aluminum group, compared to the group receiving 3% Schizandra chinensis Baillon tea plus aluminum. Plasma levels of aldosterone were increased in the aluminum group compared with the 3% Schizandra chinensis Baillon tea plus aluminum group. These results suggest that the group receiving Schizandra chinensis Baillon tea in water extract had a lowered level of aluminum accumulation, and it is believed that the Schizandra chinensis Baillon tea plus water had some protective effects against aluminum toxicity when administered in rats, but the mechanism of these effects remains obscure.