An Intact Kidney Slice Model to Investigate Vasa Recta Properties and Function in situ

Background: Medullary blood flow is via vasa recta capillaries, which possess contractile pericytes. In vitro studies using isolated descending vasa recta show that pericytes can constrict/dilate descending vasa recta when vasoactive substances are present. We describe a live kidney slice model in which pericyte-mediated vasa recta constriction/dilation can be visualized in situ. Methods: Confocal microscopy was used to image calcein, propidium iodide and Hoechst labelling in ‘live’ kidney slices, to determine tubular and vascular cell viability and morphology. DIC video-imaging of live kidney slices was employed to investigate pericyte-mediated real-time changes in vasa recta diameter. Results: Pericytes were identified on vasa recta and their morphology and density were characterized in the medulla. Pericyte-mediated changes in vasa recta diameter (10–30%) were evoked in response to bath application of vasoactive agents (norepinephrine, endothelin-1, angiotensin-II and prostaglandin E2) or by manipulating endogenous vasoactive signalling pathways (using tyramine, L-NAME, a cyclo-oxygenase (COX-1) inhibitor indomethacin, and ATP release). Conclusions: The live kidney slice model is a valid complementary technique for investigating vasa recta function in situ and the role of pericytes as regulators of vasa recta diameter. This technique may also be useful in exploring the role of tubulovascular crosstalk in regulation of medullary blood flow

Endothelin Receptor A Antagonism Attenuates Renal Medullary Blood Flow Impairment in Endotoxemic Pigs

BACKGROUND: Endothelin-1 is a potent endogenous vasoconstrictor that contributes to renal microcirculatory impairment during endotoxemia and sepsis. Here we investigated if the renal circulatory and metabolic effects of endothelin during endotoxemia are mediated through activation of endothelin-A receptors. METHODS AND FINDINGS: A randomized experimental study was performed with anesthetized and mechanically ventilated pigs subjected to Escherichia coli endotoxin infusion for five hours. After two hours the animals were treated with the selective endothelin receptor type A antagonist TBC 3711 (2 mg⋅kg(-1), n = 8) or served as endotoxin-treated controls (n = 8). Renal artery blood flow, diuresis and creatinine clearance decreased in response to endotoxemia. Perfusion in the cortex, as measured by laser doppler flowmetry, was reduced in both groups, but TBC 3711 attenuated the decrease in the medulla (p = 0.002). Compared to control, TBC 3711 reduced renal oxygen extraction as well as cortical and medullary lactate/pyruvate ratios (p<0.05) measured by microdialysis. Furthermore, TBC 3711 attenuated the decline in renal cortical interstitial glucose levels (p = 0.02) and increased medullary pyruvate levels (p = 0.03). Decreased creatinine clearance and oliguria were present in both groups without any significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that endothelin released during endotoxemia acts via endothelin A receptors to impair renal medullary blood flow causing ischemia. Reduced renal oxygen extraction and cortical levels of lactate by TBC 3711, without effects on cortical blood flow, further suggest additional metabolic effects of endothelin type A receptor activation in this model of endotoxin induced acute kidney injury

A Concise and Industrially Viable Synthesis of Squalene

Squalene, a naturally occurring molecule with anti-cancer, UV-protective, and dermophilic properties, is a valuable component for pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. An industrially viable alternative to naturally sourced squalene was developed, hinging on skeletal editing techniques which prevent isomerization, under conditions which the sensitive molecule can tolerate upon being generated. Alternative pathways toward key intermediates were also investigated with industrial scalability being kept in consideration. Ultimately, a scalable synthesis of isomer-free squalene was successfully carried out, which presents the first concise and pharmacologically viable pathway to production of the elusive hydrocarbon

Reared Association And Equivalency Of Baetis Adonis And B-Caelestis

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Prostaglandin E2 abrogates endothelin-induced vasoconstriction in renal outer medullary descending vasa recta of the rat.

Endothelins (ET) and prostaglandin E2 are synthesized in the inner medulla by collecting duct epithelium and interstitial cells, respectively. All ascending vasa recta (AVR) blood returns from the inner medulla to the cortex in outer medullary vascular bundles. We reasoned that hormones might influence medullary blood flow by diffusing across AVR fenestrations to modulate vasoconstriction of outer medullary descending vasa recta (OMDVR). To investigate this possibility, OMDVR dissected from vascular bundles were exposed to ET-1, 2, or 3. Each endothelin isoform induced stable vasoconstriction with potency, ET-1 > ET-2 > ET-3 (EC50, 1.8 x 10(-15), 5.9 x 10(-12), and 8.8 x 10(-10) M, respectively). The ETA receptor antagonist BQ-123 and BQ-610 (10(-6) M), as well as an ETA and ETB receptor antagonist combination, attenuated vasoconstriction due to ET-1 (10(-12) M). BQ-123 had no effect on the response to ET-3 (10(-8) M). The ETB receptor antagonist BQ-788 (10(-6) M) attenuated the response to ET-3 (10(-10) M), but not that to ET-1 (10(-12) M). Finally, PGE2 (10(-6) M) reversibly dilated OMDVR preconstricted with ET-1 (10(-12) M) or ET-3 (10(-8) M) but not ET-1 (10(-10) M). We conclude that ET-1,2, and 3 are potent constrictors of OMDVR and the response to ET-1 is mainly ETA receptor subtype mediated, while ET-3 acts via the ETB. PGE2 modulates ET induced constriction. These findings are consistent with interactive feedback and control of medullary perfusion by locally synthesized hormones