The effects of angiotensin II on renal water and electrolyte excretion in normal and caval dogs

Abstract. The effects of intravenous administration of angiotensin II on renal water and electrolyte excretion were examined during hydropenia, water diuresis, and hypotonic saline diuresis in anesthetized normal dogs and dogs with thoracic inferior vena cava constriction and ascites (caval dogs). The effects of unilateral renal artery infusion of a subpressor dose were also examined. During hydropenia angiotensin produced a decrease in tubular sodium reabsorption, with a considerably greater natriuresis in caval dogs, and associated with a decrease in free water reabsorption (TCH2o). Water and hypotonic saline diuresis resulted in an augmented angiotensin natriuresis, with a greater effect still observed in caval dogs. In these experiments free water excretion (CH2O) was limited to 8-10% of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), although distal sodium load increased in every instance. In the renal artery infusion experiments a significant ipsilateral decrease in tubular sodium reabsorption was induced, particularly in caval dogs. These findings indicate that angiotensin has a direct effect on renal sodium reabsorption unrelated to a systemic circulatory alteration. The attenuation or prevention of the falls in GFR and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) usually induced by angiotensin may partially account for the greater natriuretic response in caval dogs and the augmentation during water or hypotonic saline diuresis. However, a correlation between renal hemodynamics and the degree of natriuresis induced was not always present and, furthermore, GFR and ERPF decreased significantly during the intrarenal artery infusion experiments. Therefore, the present experiments indicate that another mechanism is operative in the control of the angiotensin natriuresis and suggest that alterations in intrarenal hemodynamics may play a role. The decrease in TCHSo and the apparent limitation of CH2O associated with an increase in distal sodium load localize the site of action of angiotensin to the ascending limb of Henle's loop and the proximal tubule. Introduction animals independent of its effect on glomerula

To dope or not to dope: Neuroenhancement with prescription drugs and drugs of abuse among Swiss university students

Background: Neuroenhancement is the use of substances by healthy subjects to enhance mood or cognitive function. The prevalence of neuroenhancement among Swiss university students is unknown. Investigating the prevalence of neuroenhancement among students is important to monitor problematic use and evaluate the necessity of prevention programs. Study aim: To describe the prevalence of the use of prescription medications and drugs of abuse for neuroenhancement among Swiss university students. Method: In this cross-sectional study, students at the University of Zurich, University of Basel, and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich were invited via e-mail to participate in an online survey. Results: A total of 28,118 students were contacted, and 6,275 students completed the survey. Across all of the institutions, 13.8% of the respondents indicated that they had used prescription drugs (7.6%) or drugs of abuse including alcohol (7.8%) at least once specifically for neuroenhancement. The most frequently used prescription drugs for neuroenhancement were methylphenidate (4.1%), sedatives (2.7%), and beta-blockers (1.2%). Alcohol was used for this purpose by 5.6% of the participants, followed by cannabis (2.5%), amphetamines (0.4%), and cocaine (0.2%). Arguments for neuroenhancement included increased learning (66.2%), relaxation or sleep improvement (51.2%), reduced nervousness (39.1%), coping with performance pressure (34.9%), increased performance (32.2%), and experimentation (20%). Neuroenhancement was significantly more prevalent among more senior students, students who reported higher levels of stress, and students who had previously used illicit drugs. Although “soft enhancers”, including coffee, energy drinks, vitamins, and tonics, were used daily in the month prior to an exam, prescription drugs or drugs of abuse were used much less frequently. Conclusions: A significant proportion of Swiss university students across most academic disciplines reported neuroenhancement with prescription drugs and drugs of abuse. However, these substances are rarely used on a daily basis and more sporadically used prior to exams