Modulation of the hydro-osmotic effect of vasopressin on the rabbit cortical collecting tubule by adrenergic agents

The effects of catecholamines on antidiuretic hormone ([Arg(8)]-vasopressin [AVP])-induced water absorption were evaluated in cortical collecting tubules isolated from the rabbit kidney and perfused in vitro. In the presence of AVP (100 muU/ml), net fluid volume absorption (J(v), nanoliters per minute per millimeter) was 1.14+/-0.12 and osmotic water permeability coefficient (P(f), X 10(-4) centimeters per second) was 217.3+/-39.9. The addition of the alpha-adrenergic agonist, phenylephrine (PE), in a concentration of 10(-6) M resulted in a significant decrease in J(v) and P(f) to 0.83+/-0.13 (P < 0.001) and 148.8+/-41.8 (P < 0.02), respectively. Increasing the concentration of PE to 10(-5) M resulted in a further decrease in J(v) and P(f) to 0.53+/-0.05 (P < 0.05 vs. PE 10(-6) M) and 88.5+/-9.0 (P 0.05 vs. PE 10(-6) M), respectively. In a separate group of tubules, in the presence of AVP (100 muU/ml) and PE (10(-5) M), J(v) and P(f) were 0.35+/-0.07 and 66.0+/-17.3, respectively. The addition of the alpha-adrenergic antagonist, phentolamine (PH), in a concentration of 10(-6) M resulted in a significant increase in J(v) to 1.07+/-0.19 (P < 0.001) and P(f) to 193.3+/-35.9 (P < 0.005). PH (10(-5) M) alone did not significantly affect J(v) and P(f) in the presence of AVP (100 muU/ml) nor in the presence of 8-bromo adenosine 3',5' cyclic monophosphate (8-BrcAMP). J(v) and P(f) were 1.20+/-0.21 and 174.0+/-25.8, respectively, in the presence of 8-BrcAMP (10(-4) M). We next examined the effect of the beta-adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol (ISO), on J(v) and P(f) in the presence of AVP. J(v) and P(f) were 1.04+/-0.10 and 202.6+/-17.2, respectively, in the presence of AVP (100 muU/ml) and 1.06+/-0.18 and 193.4+/-27.7, respectively, in the presence of AVP (10muU/ml). However, in the presence of AVP in a concentration of 2.5 muU/ml, J(v) was 0.60+/-0.07 and P(f) was 100.7+/-24.7. ISO (10(-6) and 10(-5) M) did not have any significant effect in the presence of the above maximal and submaximal concentrations of AVP. In the absence of AVP, control J(v) was 0.01+/-0.12 and P(f) was 4.6+/-11.0. The addition of ISO at 25 or 37 degrees C did not result in any significant change in J(v) or P(f). These studies indicate that alpha-adrenergic agonists directly inhibit AVP-mediated water absorption at the level of the tubule, an effect that can be blocked by a specific alpha-adrenergic antagonist. This effect appears to be exerted at the level of activation of adenylate cyclase since it is absent in the presence of cAMP. The beta-adrenergic agonists do not directly inhibit or enhance AVP-mediated water absorption at the level of the renal tubule.