Expression of TGF-beta 1 and matrix proteins is elevated in rats with chronic rejection.

The pathogenesis of fibrosis in chronic renal allograft rejection remains unknown. Since TGF-beta 1 plays a key role in fibrogenesis, we studied a rat model of chronic allograft rejection that shows similarities to the structural lesion described in patients. We previously demonstrated an increased expression of TGF-beta 1 in human kidney biopsies with acute and chronic rejection. Recipients of renal allografts (F344-Lewis) and isografts (Lewis-Lewis) were sacrificed at 4, 8, 24 and 52 weeks. Characteristic histologic changes of chronic rejection developed in the allografts as early as four weeks and were accompanied by progressive albuminuria significant by eight weeks. Allografts showed a progressive increase in mRNA expression of TGF-beta 1 and matrix proteins during the 52 week course. Increased matrix deposition by immunofluorescence was mostly present in the interstitium and vessels early and in all kidney compartments later. The mRNA expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor, a protease inhibitor stimulated by TGF-beta 1, increased along with TGF-beta 1 and matrix proteins. These results suggest that the fibrosis of chronic renal allograft rejection is mediated, at least partly, by the dual action of TGF-beta 1 on matrix deposition and degradation.

Effect of high salt intake on sodium, potassium-dependent adenosine triphosphatase activity in the erythrocytes of normotensive men.

1. We measured ouabain-insensitive adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), sodium, potassium-dependent adenosine triphosphatase (Na+,K+-ATPase) and intracellular Na+ and K+ in the erythrocytes of 19 healthy volunteers, before and after supplementation of their normal diet was 6.0-8.9 g of salt (102-137 mmol of NaCl) per day, for 5 days. 2. The subjects had a small but significant gain in weight. Mean plasma renin activity decreased from 1.57 to 0.73 pmol of angiotensin 1 h-1 ml-1 and plasma aldosterone from 0.46 to 0.24 nmol/l. 3. Total ATPase activity fell from 197.9 nmol of inorganic phosphate h-1 mg-1 during the control period to 173.5 during the high-salt period (P less than 0.0125). Na+, K+-ATPase activity fell from 162.2 to 141.4 nmol of inorganic phosphate h-1 mg-1 (P less than 0.05). Intracellular Na+ and intracellular K+ did not change. 4. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that salt-induced volume expansion causes the release of a factor inhibitory to the Na+ pump.

Effect of treatment with hydrochlorothiazide on the red cell Na,K-adenosine triphosphatase in men with hypertension.

We studied the effect of hydrochlorothiazide, 50 mg daily, on Na,K-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity in the red cells of 10 black men with hypertension. We also examined net sodium and potassium movement in sodium-loaded, potassium-depleted, red cells. Treatment with hydrochlorothiazide resulted in a significant increase in mean ouabain-sensitive ATPase activity (+/- SEM) from 118.4 +/- 14.6 to 158.1 +/- 15.3 nmol phosphate released per milligram of protein (P = 0.0004). Ouabain-resistant ATPase did not change. Net sodium extrusion rose significantly, from 1.62 +/- 0.27 to 2.32 +/- 0.33 mmol/L/hr (P = 0.0275). We postulate that the enhanced activity of the Na,K pump results from the volume contraction induced by the diuretic. This interpretation is consistent with the concept that the Na,K pump is inhibited in volume expansion and volume-expanded hypertension. The finding of enhanced pump activity in subjects given treatment with hydrochlorothiazide suggests a possible mechanism of the antihypertensive action of diuretic therapy.