Angiotensin II inhibition attenuates postexercise proteinuria in rats

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Exercise Physiology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Postexercise proteinuria is a common physiological response.
• Angiotensin II is implicated in its mechanism, potentially inhibited by ACE inhibitors.
• The role of the kallikrein-kinin system in this context is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the involvement of the kallikrein-kinin system in the therapeutic effects of ACE inhibitors on postexercise proteinuria.
• To evaluate the role of angiotensin II in exercise-induced proteinuria.

Main Methods:

• Rats were subjected to exhaustive treadmill exercise.
• Animals received either an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (enalapril) or an angiotensin II type I receptor antagonist (losartan).
• Urinary protein levels were measured and compared between groups.

Main Results:

• Exhaustive exercise significantly increased urinary protein levels in rats.
• Both enalapril and losartan administration significantly reduced postexercise proteinuria compared to untreated exercised rats.
• Urinary protein levels were unchanged in non-exercised, drug-treated animals.

Conclusions:

• Angiotensin II plays a significant role in postexercise proteinuria.
• Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors effectively reduce exercise-induced proteinuria.
• The kallikrein-kinin system does not appear to be involved in the effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors on postexercise proteinuria.