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Urinary kallikrein activity during rat pregnancy
S P Salas1, J S Roblero, H R Croxatto
1Laboratory of Physiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Catholic University of Chile.
Archivos De Biologia Y Medicina Experimentales
|January 1, 1987
Summary
Pregnancy significantly increases urinary kallikrein (a protease) in rats, but this enzyme
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Physiology
- Renal Function
Background:
- Urinary kallikrein plays a role in regulating blood pressure and renal function.
- Pregnancy is associated with significant physiological changes, including alterations in renal hemodynamics and excretory function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the changes in urinary kallikrein activity during pregnancy in rats.
- To explore the correlation between urinary kallikrein activity and blood pressure or renal excretory function.
- To determine the physiological role of kallikrein in pregnancy using aprotinin, a kallikrein inhibitor.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of urinary kallikrein activity in pregnant and non-pregnant rats.
- Administration of aprotinin to pregnant rats to inhibit kallikrein activity.
- Monitoring of blood pressure, urine volume, and electrolytes excretion.
Main Results:
- Urinary kallikrein activity was significantly elevated during pregnancy.
- Increased kallikrein activity positively correlated with urine volume and electrolytes excretion.
- Aprotinin administration inhibited kallikrein but did not affect blood pressure, urine volume, or electrolytes after one day.
Conclusions:
- Renal kallikrein is markedly enhanced during rat pregnancy.
- The physiological role of this enhanced kallikrein activity in pregnancy remains unclear.
- Short-term inhibition of kallikrein does not impact key physiological parameters during pregnancy.