Diabetic Endothelin B Receptor–Deficient Rats Develop Severe Hypertension and Progressive Renal Failure

The endothelin (ET) system has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. The role of the ET-B receptor (ETBR) is still unclear. The effect of ETBR deficiency on the progression of diabetic nephropathy in a streptozotocin model was analyzed in four groups: (1) Homozygous ETBR-deficient (ETBRd) diabetic rats, (2) ETBRd rats, (3) diabetic controls, and (4) wild-type controls. BP and kidney function were measured for 10 wk, followed by biochemical and histologic analysis of the kidneys. The study demonstrates that ETBRd diabetic rats on a normal-sodium diet develop severe hypertension, albuminuria, and a mild reduction of creatinine clearance. The strong BP rise seems not to be caused by activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system or by suppression of the nitric oxide system. Elevated plasma ET-1, possibly reflecting a reduced ETBR-dependent clearance, seems to cause the severe hypertension via the ETA receptor. The results do not support the hypothesis that a reduction of ETBR activity inhibits the progression of diabetic nephropathy. The study demonstrates for the first time that the combination of diabetes and ETBR deficiency causes severe low-renin hypertension with progressive renal failure.