Urinary and renal papillary solutes during cyclooxygenase inhibition with ibuprofen

We investigated the mechanisms by which prostaglandin synthetase (cyclooxygenase) inhibitors cause antidiuresis and antinatriuresis in anesthetized dogs. Cyclooxygenase inhibition with ibuprofen caused an increased total solute (Na+, K+, and urea) concentration in the renal papilla. Xenon 133 washout studies revealed no change in medullary blood flow. Ibuprofen induced a 147% increase in papillary Na+ concentration, while increasing urea and K+ only 98% and 35%, respectively, suggesting that a Na+ reabsorption mechanism rather than decreased papillary blood flow was responsible for a majority of the increased papillary solute concentration. A decrease in the excretion of Na+, but not of K+ or urea, in treated dogs further implies increased Na+ reabsorption. Thus, it appears that cyclooxygenase inhibition increases papillary solute concentration primarily by increasing Na+ transport into the papilla.