Abstract
The aim of the present study was to visualize the superficial glomeruli of the Munich-Wistar (MW) rat and to characterize the responses of the renal microvasculature to endothelin-1 (ET-1). We first examined the distribution of superficial glomeruli of the MW rat compared to that in a control strain (Wistar rat). Secondly, we examined the effects of ET-1 on the renal microcirculation of the MW rat. The right kidney was perfused with a Krebs-Ringer solution containing fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran (FITC-dex-tran) and was visualized under an epi-illuminated fluorescence microscope system. Changes in perfusion pressure and diameter of the microvessels accompanying the administration of ET-1 (10 fmole- 300 pmole) were measured. The number of superficial glomeruli was greater in the MW rat than in the Wistar rat. ET-1 had long-lasting and dose-dependent pressor effects. Perfusion pressure showed a 3.5-fold increase compared with the control, and the afferent arterioles showed greater dose-dependent vasoconstriction than the efferent arterioles. These findings suggest that the MW rat is a useful animal model for the study of renal microcirculation and that the renal microcirculation is extremely sensitive to ET-1.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 221-229 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | The Japanese Journal of Pharmacology |
Volume | 66 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1994 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Endothelin-1
- Fluorescence microangiography
- Intravital microscope system
- Munich-Wistar rat
- Renal microcirculation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pharmacology