Role of glomerular eicosanoid production in the obstructed kidney

The regional production of prostaglandin E2 and thromboxane B2 was investigated in the kidney with unilateral or bilateral ureteral obstruction for 24 hours in rats. The production of these eicosanoids was highest in the inner medulla both with or without ureteral obstruction, although the production rate by the tubules was relatively low in the obstructed kidney compared to the sham-operated control. A greater production of these vasoactive compounds was noted by glomeruli from the kidneys with unilateral or bilateral obstruction and the contralateral kidney with unilateral obstruction. Glomeruli obtained from the kidney with unilateral obstruction produced more thromboxane B2 than the kidney with bilateral obstruction, and the resultant TxB2/PGE2 ratio was higher in the unilaterally obstructed kidney. This difference in the glomerular thromboxane B2 production may be responsible for the haemodynamic changes between unilateral and bilateral ureteral obstructions. An increased prostaglandin E2 production by glomeruli from the contralateral kidney with unilateral obstruction may contribute to a compensatory response.