Croxatto's fifty-year pursuit: from pepsanurin to the discovery of a new kininogen-derived peptide (PU-D1).

This paper narrates Dr Héctor R Croxatto and collaborators' efforts over the past 50 years in search for peptidic hormones obtained by pepsin hydrolysis of blood plasma substrates. In the forties, Croxatto described three peptidic fractions characterized by their hypertensive, oxytocic and antidiuretic properties, designated as pepsitensin, pepsitocin and pepsanurin, respectively. While pepsitensin and pepsitocin were later identified as angiotensin I and metlys-bradykinin, pepsanurin was not identified and its research was halted for 35 years. During that time, Prof Croxatto and his group worked mostly on the renal kallikrein-kinin system, studying its physiological anti-hypertensive role, making significant contributions in the field of renovascular hypertension. After the discovery of atrial natriuretic peptide, Croxatto resumed his work with pepsanurin. In a series of papers from 1988 to 1998, it was shown that: 1) when injected intraperitoneally or in the intestinal lumen of anesthetized rats, or in the isolated perfused rat kidneys, pepsanurin is a potent inhibitor of the natriuretic effect of ANP; 2) plasma kininogens are identified as the substrates for pepsanurin formation; 3) bradykinin and prokinins exert the anti-ANP effect when injected either intravenously, intraperitoneally or intraduodenally, at small non-vasodilator doses; endogenous kinins also block ANP renal excretory effects; 4) a 20-amino acid peptide released by pepsin from domain 1 of purified LMW kininogen was isolated by Croxatto and collaborators, designed as PU-D1, and shown to exert similar anti-ANP effects as pepsanurin or kinins, but being more potent and longer lasting; 5) the anti-ANP effect of pepsanurin, kinins and PU-D1 is mediated by B2 kinin receptors, since it is blocked by a bradykinin receptor antagonist. Currently, Dr Croxatto is working on the hypothesis that intestinal-borne kinins and/or PU-D1 may reduce renal excretion during the prandial cycle.

Interactions between bradykinin and ANP in rat kidney in vitro: inhibition of natriuresis and modulation of medullary cyclic GMP.

In anesthetized rats, the renal excretory actions of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) are inhibited by intravenous or intraperitoneal injections of bradykinin. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying this inhibition, we evaluated bradykinin effects on: i- ANP-induced natriuresis and diuresis in isolated perfused rat kidneys, and ii- ANP-induced cGMP production in rat renal medulla in vitro. In perfused kidneys, 1 microgram bradykinin completely inhibited the diuretic and natriuretic responses elicited by 0.5 microgram ANP, without changes in perfusion pressure. The inhibitory effects of bradykinin were abolished by HOE-140, a kinin-B2 receptor antagonist. Bradykinin alone had no effect on urinary excretion or perfusion pressure. Incubation with ANP (0.1 nM to 1 microM) increased renal medullary cGMP content up to 30-fold, in a concentration-dependent fashion. Medullary cGMP was moderately increased by the nitric oxide donor, sodium nitroprusside (1 microM), but it was unchanged by bradykinin (0.1 nM-0.1 microM). Despite this, ANP-induced cGMP production was significantly enhanced by co-incubation with low concentrations of bradykinin (up to 0.1 nM). In contrast, ANP-induced cGMP accumulation was unchanged by concentrations of 1 nM bradykinin or higher. In the presence of 100 nM HOE-140, bradykinin (0.1-1 nM) did not affect ANP-induced cGMP production. These results demonstrate that bradykinin counteracts ANP-stimulated sodium and water excretion, by acting directly on the kidney. The interaction between both peptides is complex; our data suggest that renal medullary ANP receptors are subjected to an on/off modulation by fluctuating bradykinin concentrations.

Kinins mediate the inhibition of atrial natriuretic peptide diuretic effect induced by pepsanurin.

Pepsanurin is a peptidic fraction resulting from pepsin digestion of plasma globulins, that inhibits ANP renal excretory actions. We studied whether kinin-like peptides mediate the anti-ANP effect by testing if pepsanurin: 1) was blocked by the kinin B2 receptor antagonist HOE-140, 2) was produced from kininogen, and 3) was mimicked by bradykinin. Anti-ANP activity was assessed in anesthetized female rats by comparing the excretory response to two ANP boluses (0.5 microgram i.v.) given before and after i.p. injection of test samples. Pepsanurin from human or rat plasma (1-5 mL/kg), and bradykinin (5-20 micrograms/kg), dose-relatedly inhibited ANP-induced water, sodium, potassium and cyclic GMP urinary excretion, without affecting arterial blood pressure. The same effect was exerted by pepsin hydrolysates of purified kininogen, whereas hydrolysates of kininogen-free plasma had no effect. HOE-140 (5 micrograms, i.v.) did not alter baseline, or ANP-induced excretion, but blocked the anti-ANP effects of pepsanurin. Histamine (15 micrograms/kg) plus seroalbumin hydrolysates did not affect ANP response, despite inducing larger peritoneal fluid accumulation as compared with pepsanurin or bradykinin. We concluded that kinins cleaved from kininogen mediate the anti-ANP effects of pepsanurin by activation of kinin B2 receptors, independently of changes in systemic arterial pressure or peritoneal fluid sequestration.

Blunting effect of pepsanurin introduced in the duodenum on the atrial natriuretic peptide diuretic action in rats.

Pepsanurin (PU) is a peptide(s) obtained by pepsin hydrolysis of human plasma or its globulin fraction. We have reported that the accelerated renal excretory rate induced by atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) can be considerably blunted by PU either in the intact rat or in the isolated perfused rat kidney. We explored whether or not PU can be part of a signaling mechanism originated in the digestive tract, involved in the regulation of water and electrolyte homeostasis. PU obtained either from human (0.5 ml) or rat plasma (0.25-0.5 ml) administered into the duodenal lumen of rats, counteracted significantly the diuretic-saluretic action of a 0.5- microgram bolus of ANP, reproducing qualitatively the effect of its intraperitoneal administration. Human PU reduced the ANP-stimulated renal excretion by 67-90% for Na (P < 0.001) and by 35-54% for water (P < 0.02-P < 0.001); the inhibition induced by rat PU was 45-96% for Na (P < 0.05-P < 0.01) and 35-65% for water (P < 0.05-P < 0.01). Rat PU (0.5 ml) abolished the rise of glomerular filtration rate induced by ANP without affecting fractional Na excretion. All the samples tested decreased K excretion, but in some experiments, the difference did not reach statistical significance. Contrary to the effect of PU, the introduction in the duodenum of (i) isotonic glucose solution, (ii) hydrolysate of bovine serum albumin, or (iii) hydrolysate of casein prepared after the same procedure yielding PU from plasma failed to produce an inhibition of the ANP stimulation of renal excretory rate. In addition, human plasma incubated at 37 degrees C for 24 to 48 hr, prior to pepsin digestion, did not yield PU, which indicates that PU is generated from a substrate sensitive to endogenous enzymes and/or that its stability is vulnerable to endogenous enzymes.

[N-methyl-Tyr1,N-methyl-Arg7-D-Leu8]-dynorphin-A-(1-8)ethylamide, a stable dynorphin analog, produces diuresis by kappa-opiate receptor activation in the rat.

The i.v. administration of E-2078 ([N-methyl-Tyr1-N-methyl-Arg7-D-Leu8]-dynorphin-A-(1-8) ethylamide) to conscious animals in doses of 15, 50 or 200 micrograms/rat caused a dose-related diuretic response associated with a significant in crease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and in blood pressure. The overall excretion of Na+ was not modified by the opioid, whereas it reduced K+ output and its fractional excretion. Time course studies demonstrated that the increase in GFR and in blood pressure were transient and did not parallel the changes in urine outflow. Pretreatment of the animal with 1 mg/kg of naltrexone or of naloxone reduced the pressor response but did not reduce the renal action of E-2078. Doses of naltrexone 10 times larger (10 mg/kg) were required to attenuate the diuretic effect and abolish completely the changes in K+ excretion; however, the increase in GFR was not antagonized by 10 mg/kg of naltrexone. Consonant with the studies in conscious rats, perfusion of isolated rat kidneys with 0.2 to 1.8 microM E-2078 increased urine flow in a dose-dependent manner, and this effect was prevented by the simultaneous perfusion of 2 microM naltrexone with the peptide. In pentobarbital-anesthetized animals, E-2078 elicited a diuretic response that was not parallelled by changes in GFR or electrolyte excretion. In addition, E-2078 caused a long lasting decrease in blood pressure which was blocked completely by pretreatment of the animal with 1 mg/kg of naltrexone. The diuretic effect of E-2078 was not modified by pretreatment of the animals with beta-funaltrexamine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Inhibition of atrial natriuretic peptide-induced natriuresis by plasma hydrolysates containing pepsanurin.

The specificity of antidiuretic actions of pepsanurin, a peptidic fraction obtained by pepsin hydrolysis of plasma, was studied in anesthetized rats and in isolated perfused rat kidneys. Pepsanurin was obtained from fresh dialyzed human plasma digested with pepsin (2,400 units/ml, 18 hours at 37 degrees C, pH 2.5), deproteinized (10 minutes at 80 degrees C), and centrifuged. In the rat, intraperitoneal injections of pepsanurin (0.5 ml/100 g body wt) significantly inhibited the effects of an intravenous bolus of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) (0.5 micrograms) on water, sodium, and potassium excretion without altering systemic blood pressure. In addition, pepsanurin abolished the peak in glomerular filtration rate and reduced the ANP-induced rise in fractional sodium excretion. Pepsanurin also inhibited the natriuretic effects of amiloride (10 micrograms/100 g body wt i.v.) without changing glomerular filtration rate, but it did not inhibit the potassium-retaining effect of amiloride. In contrast, pepsanurin had no effect on basal urinary excretion, and it did not affect the diuretic response induced by furosemide (doses of 25, 50, or 100 micrograms i.v.). Control peptidic hydrolysates prepared from human plasma preincubated 48 hours at 37 degrees C (PIPH), bovine albumin (BSAH), or human albumin did not inhibit ANP, amiloride, or furosemide. In perfused kidneys, pepsanurin significantly and reversibly reduced sodium and water excretion. Furthermore, pepsanurin, but not PIPH or BSAH, blocked the natriuretic and diuretic effects of ANP. These results support the existence of a specific plasma substrate able to release a peptide or peptides that counteract distal tubule diuresis and natriuresis by an intrarenal mechanism.

Polarity of kallikrein release and activation in perfused rat kidneys.

The polarity of release and activation of renal kallikrein and its regulation by adrenal hormones was studied in isolated perfused rat kidneys. Bilateral adrenalectomy (AX) produced a decrease in kallikrein and prokallikrein excretion into urine and perfusate of isolated kidneys, as well as in active kallikrein excretion in vivo. One-week treatment with deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA 2.5 mg/day) or dexamethasone (DEX 0.25 mg/day) increased the urinary output of active and total kallikrein above AX levels but below control. In contrast, neither corticoid increased enzyme secretion to perfusate. Regardless of AX or corticosteroid treatment, the prokallikrein fraction was 90% of total enzyme in perfusate and only 40% in urine. These results confirm that adrenal steroids are necessary for renal kallikrein synthesis and excretion; however, neither DOCA nor DEX appears to be a unique regulator for release or activation of this enzyme. In addition, whereas the processes of secretion and activation toward the urine are regulated in parallel, kallikrein release to the venous effluent seems to be regulated separately.

Quantitation of bradykinin-induced microvascular leakage of FITC-dextran in rat cremaster muscle.

We studied the in vivo effects of bradykinin (BK) on transvascular movement of macromolecules in the rat cremaster muscle. The muscle was fashioned as a single layer, placed in a transparent chamber, and superfused with a bicarbonate buffer solution (pH 7.4, 35 degrees). FITC-Dextran 150 (MW 150,000) was injected iv as a macromolecular tracer. The fluorescent tracer remained in the vascular compartment during control observations. BK (8 X 10(-8) to 8 X 10(-7) M) was topically applied for periods of 5 min. Depending on the dose, leakage of FITC-Dextran 150 started 2-3 min after the application of BK. Discrete leakage sites were detected for a short period at the beginning of the response only. Subsequently, the entire interstitial space became fluorescent as the leakage lasted for several minutes. The preparation returned to control appearance after 40-60 min of continuous superfusion with bicarbonate buffer. Macromolecular leakage was observed in postcapillary venules ranging from 15 to 50 microns in diameter. Neither arterioles nor true capillaries showed leakage of the tracer. To better quantitate the effect of BK on macromolecular transport, the superfusate output was collected at 5-min intervals and analyzed by fluorometry to determine FITC-Dextran 150 concentration. After BK, fluorochrome concentration in the superfusate rose, peaked by 15-20 min, and returned to control levels following 60 min of washout. A direct dose-response relationship was found between BK concentration and clearance of FITC-Dextran 150. These data demonstrate the feasibility of quantitatively studying blood-tissue transport of macromolecules in vivo in skeletal muscle.

Urinary kallikrein activity during rat pregnancy.

Changes in urinary kallikrein activity and its possible correlation with changes in blood pressure and renal excretory function during pregnancy were studied in the rat. To establish a possible physiological role of kallikrein in this condition aprotinin, which inhibits kallikrein as well as other serine protease was administered to pregnant rats. Urinary kallikrein activity was markedly increased during pregnancy and correlated positively with urine volume and electrolytes excretion, but not with blood pressure. Aprotinin administration almost completely inhibited kallikrein activity, however, blood pressure levels, urine volume and electrolytes were not changed after one day of aprotinin treatment. In conclusion, although renal kallikrein is highly enhanced during pregnancy, its physiologic role in this condition remains elusive.

Urinary kallikrein activity in pregnant hypertensive rats.

Goldblatt one-kidney one-clip (G1K-1C) hypertensive rats were studied to determine the changes of blood pressure (BP) and urinary kallikrein (UK) excretion throughout pregnancy. Uninephrectomized rats (Unx) were used as controls. Both groups showed a significant decrease in BP on day 21 of pregnancy, although G1K-1C rats had higher values. UK activity was markedly stimulated in both groups, reaching its highest level on day 21. This increment in UK was due to greater delivery and/or synthesis of the enzyme, since no change was observed in the active fraction. We postulate that the highly activated kallikrein-kinin system might be contributing to the hypotensive effect of pregnancy.

Dexamethasone, aldosterone and kallikrein release by isolated rat kidney.

1. The effect of D-aldosterone and dexamethasone on kallikrein release was studied in the isolated rat kidney perfused with modified Krebs-Henseleit buffer. 2. Animals received D-aldosterone or dexamethasone (10 microgram/100 g body weight) daily for 3 days. Their isolated kidneys were then perfused with the same steroids at rates of 2.0-2.5 microgram/min for 30 min. 3. Dexamethasone increased kallikrein release significantly (P less than 0.001) both in urine and in venous outflow. 4. D-Aldosterone had no significant effect on kallikrein release, either in urine or in venous outflow.

Release of renal kallikrein to the perfusate by isolated rat kidney.

The addition of furosemide to the fluid used to perfuse isolated rat kidney increases the kallikrein activity found in the perfusion fluid. The experiments favour the concept that furosemide activates a kallikrein precursor or/and the synthesis and release of kallikrein in the kidneys.