Urinary concentrating mechanism and Aquaporin-2 abundance in rats chronically treated with aluminum lactate

The aim of this work was to study the effects of chronic administration of aluminum (Al) on the urinary concentrating and diluting mechanisms in the distal tubules and collecting ducts. Male Wistar rats were chronically treated with aluminum lactate for 12 weeks (0.575 mg Al/100 g of body weight, i.p., three times per week). After 12 weeks, renal function of control and Al-treated rats was evaluated by clearance techniques. To study urinary concentrating mechanisms, renal function was also measured in control and Al-treated rats deprived of water, after the administration of desmopressin (vasopressin agonist) and after the infusion of hypertonic saline at increasing infusion rates. Sodium and water balance were impaired. We found decreased urinary concentrating ability in situations in which endogenous (thirst or infusion of hypertonic saline) or exogenous plasma antidiuretic hormone was increased. Solute-free water formation, measured during the infusion of hypotonic saline showed normal transport in the thick ascending limb. Aquaporin-2 (AQP 2) expression was measured by Western blot to evaluate water permeability in collecting ducts. We found that Al produced downregulation of AQP 2 in plasma membranes and intracellular vesicles, that could account for the impaired water handling. Administration of desmopressin increased AQP 2 in plasma membranes, suggesting that Al did not impair trafficking of this protein, but could interfere with AQP 2 synthesis.