Nitric oxide alters renal function and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate

Endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) activates soluble guanylate cyclase, resulting in an increase in vascular smooth muscle guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) levels, which correlates with its relaxing effect. Using a microdialysis technique, we investigated changes in right and left renal interstitial fluid cGMP levels in response to right intrarenal administration of an EDRF inhibitor, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA). Studies were conducted in anesthetized dogs (n = 5) in metabolic balance at a sodium intake of 40 meq/day. Urine was collected directly from the right and left ureters individually. Changes in the right and left urinary cGMP excretion and renal function in response to cumulative doses of L-NMMA were studied. In the right kidney, 20-100 micrograms/kg/min L-NMMA caused 1) a dose-dependent decrease in renal interstitial fluid and urinary cGMP levels (p less than 0.0001 and p less than 0.001, respectively), 2) antinatriuresis (p less than 0.01), 3) antidiuresis (p less than 0.01), 4) a decrease in renal blood flow (p less than 0.01) and glomerular filtration rate (p less than 0.01), and 5) a decrease in fractional sodium excretion (p less than 0.01). No changes in left renal interstitial fluid and urinary cGMP levels or excretory and hemodynamic function were observed during right intrarenal administration of L-NMMA at 20 and 60 micrograms/kg/min.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)