Effect of imidazole on renal function in unilateral ureteral-obstructed rat kidneys

Imidazole has been proposed to reverse renal vasoconstriction following unilateral obstruction, presumably through blockade of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) synthesis. We examined this hypothesis in rats subjected to unilateral ureteral obstruction for 24 h by 1) performing renal function studies before and during imidazole infusion, and 2) measuring TXB2 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in urine collected before and during imidazole infusion and the profile of products generated by metabolism of arachidonic acid with renal microsomes in vitro. Imidazole infusion was associated with only a bicarbonaturia in the postobstructed kidney; in contrast, clearance of PAH and inulin, fractional sodium excretion, and bicarbonate excretion were all increased in the contralateral kidney. In the postobstructed and contralateral kidneys, TXB2 excretion was diminished and PGE2 excretion was variable not only following imidazole infusion but after saline infusion as well. The profile of products generated by renal microsomal metabolism of arachidonic acid was similar among obstructed, contralateral, and normal kidneys. These results do not support the proposal that TXA2 is the mediator of renal vasoconstriction following unilateral ureteral obstruction.