[Roles of endothelin and nitrogen monoxide in the adenine-induced acute renal failure models]

To determine the roles of endothelin (ET) and nitrogen monoxide (NO) in the adenine-induced acute renal failure (ARF) models.

ARF models were established by feeding adenine in rats. The activity of NO synthase (NOS) in kidneys of rats was tested by NADPH-diaphorase. Expression of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in kidneys of rats was studied by immunoreactivity method. The area densities for ET-1 and NOS expressions in kidneys were determined by CMM3 pathology image analysis system to calculate the mean light density.

Expressions of ET-1 in normal rat kidneys were wide and weak, but they were greatly enhanced in medulla renis of the ARF models while remained unchanged in the cortex. The activities of NOS were stronger in the cortex and the inner medulla than in the outer medulla. The renal functions of the ARF models were improved after they were treated with L-argine, but the expressions of ET-1 and NOS were not improved. After the withdrawal of adenine, the ARF model rats recovered gradually in their renal functions, and the same was true for the expressions of ET-1 and NOS.

ET-1 and NO both play important roles in the occurrence, development and recovery of ARF. It is supposed that L-Arg can partly protect the renal functions of ARF rats.