Tubuloglomerular feedback-mediated decreases in glomerular pressure in Munich-Wistar rats

These experiments were performed to evaluate directly measured glomerular capillary pressure and single nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR) tubuloglomerular feedback responses in Munich-Wistar rats during increased distal flow rate achieved by infusing an isotonic electrolyte solution into unblocked late proximal tubules. Arterial pressure averaged 114 +/- 2 mmHg and proximal tubule pressure was 14 +/- 1 mmHg. In eight tubules, control SNGFR based on distal tubular fluid collections averaged 22 +/- 3 nl/min, decreased to 15 +/- 2.3 nl/min when 10-12 nl/min of perfusate was infused into the late proximal tubule, and further decreased to 9 +/- 1.7 nl/min at an infusion of 20-24 nl/min. In 22 tubules, control glomerular capillary pressure was 55 +/- 1.6 mmHg, decreased to 43 +/- 2.5 mmHg with addition of perfusate into a late proximal tubule at a rate of 24 nl/min, and returned to 53 +/- 3.1 mmHg when perfusion was stopped. In eight nephrons, glomerular capillary pressure was shown to be responsive to smaller increments in the late proximal infusion rate and was reduced by 4 +/- 0.5 and 7 +/- 1.1 mmHg at the intermediate rates of 10 and 15 nl/min, respectively. These results demonstrate that glomerular pressure decreases during increased distal delivery even when the tubule is not blocked. They are consistent with the hypothesis that increases in afferent arteriolar resistance are primarily responsible for feedback-mediated reductions in glomerular filtration rate.