Effects of dopamine prodrugs and fenoldopam on glomerular hyperfiltration in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats

Intrarenal dopamine inhibits progression of diabetic nephropathy

The kidney has a local intrarenal dopaminergic system, and in the kidney, dopamine modulates renal hemodynamics, inhibits salt and fluid reabsorption, antagonizes the renin-angiotensin system, and inhibits oxidative stress. The current study examined the effects of alterations in the intrarenal dopaminergic system on kidney structure and function in models of type 1 diabetes. We studied catechol-O-methyl-transferase (COMT)(-/-) mice, which have increased renal dopamine production due to decreased dopamine metabolism, and renal transplantation was used to determine whether the effects seen with COMT deficiency were kidney-specific. To determine the effects of selective inhibition of intrarenal dopamine production, we used mice with proximal tubule deletion of aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (ptAADC(-/-)). Compared with wild-type diabetic mice, COMT(-/-) mice had decreased hyperfiltration, decreased macula densa cyclooxygenase-2 expression, decreased albuminuria, decreased glomerulopathy, and inhibition of expression of markers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis. These differences were also seen in diabetic mice with a transplanted kidney from COMT(-/-) mice. In contrast, diabetic ptAADC(-/-) mice had increased nephropathy. Our study demonstrates an important role of the intrarenal dopaminergic system to modulate the development and progression of diabetic kidney injury and indicate that the decreased renal dopamine production may have important consequences in the underlying pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.

Dopamine D1 receptor (DRD1) genetic polymorphism: pleiotropic effects on heritable renal traits

Because dopamine D(1) receptors (DRD1) influence renal sodium transport and vascular hemodynamics, we examined whether genetic polymorphisms play a role in renal function. We conducted polymorphism discovery across the DRD1 open reading frame and its 5'-UTR and then performed association studies with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), plasma creatinine (pCr), and fractional excretion of uric acid (FeUA). We used a twin/family group of 428 subjects from 195 families and a replication cohort of 677 patients from the Kaiser health-care organization sampled from the lower percentiles of diastolic blood pressures. Although the coding region lacked common non-synonymous variants, we identified two polymorphisms in the DRD1 5'-UTR (G-94A, A-48G) that occurred with frequencies of 15 and 30%, respectively. In the twin/family study, renal traits were highly heritable, such that DRD1 G-94A significantly associated with eGFR, pCr, and FeUA. Homozygotes for the G-94A minor allele (A/A) exhibited lower eGFR, higher pCr, and lower FeUA. No effects were noted for DRD1 A-48G. Patients in the Kaiser group had similar effects of G-94A on eGFR and pCr. Kidney cells transfected with the -94A variant but not the wild type vectors had increased receptor density. Because the -94A allele is common and may reduce glomerular capillary hydrostatic pressure, G-94A profiling may aid in predicting survival of renal function in patients with progressive renal disease.

Effect of L-Dopa Decarboxylase Inhibitor Benserazide on Renal Function in Streptozotocin-Diabetic Rats

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Benserazide (BZD), an inhibitor of the dopamine synthesis, abolished the increase in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) following the infusion of a mixed amino acid solution. These results reveal endogenous dopamine as a mediator in the renal response to amino acids. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether dopamine is also involved in the regulation of glomerular hyperfiltration during the early state of diabetes mellitus (DM).

METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with a single dose of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg i.p.) for induction of experimental DM (n = 7-8/group). Age-matched non-diabetic animals, injected with citrate buffer, served as controls (CON, n = 8/group). Clearance experiments were performed 2 weeks after induction of DM in thiopental-anesthetized rats (80 mg/kg i.p.), which were continuously infused either with BZD (30 microg/min/kg) or vehicle (VHC).

RESULTS

Mean arterial blood pressure was around 110 mm Hg and did not significantly differ among the groups. GFR was 0.95 +/- 0.02 ml/min/100 g b.w. in VHC-treated CON. BZD treatment did not significantly change GFR in the CON group (0.92 +/- 0.06 ml/min/100 g b.w.). As expected, glomerular hyperfiltration was observed in diabetic rats infused with VHC (1.24 +/- 0.08 ml/min/100 g b.w.). Treatment with BZD significantly reduced the diabetes-induced increase in GFR to control levels (0.95 +/- 0.05 ml/min/100 g b.w.).

CONCLUSION

Our results show that the inhibition of dopamine synthesis prevented the increase in GFR due to diabetic conditions, indicating that endogenous dopamine is involved in the regulation of DM-induced changes in renal hemodynamics.

Effect of dopamine D3 receptor blockade on renal function and glomerular size in diabetic rats

Dopamine D2-like receptors, including D2, D3, and D4 receptors, are involved in the regulation of glomerular hyperfiltration due to diabetes mellitus. These hemodynamic alterations represent a risk factor for the later development of diabetic nephropathy. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the D3 receptor subtype modulates the diabetes-induced increase in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in rats. Renal function was studied in Sprague-Dawley rats 14 days after induction of a moderate diabetes mellitus (DM) by streptozotocin and in non-diabetic controls (CON). Rats were orally treated either with the peripherally acting, selective dopamine D3 receptor antagonist BSF 135170 (BSF, 10 mg/kg per day for 2 weeks) or with vehicle (VHC). Perfusion-fixed kidneys were used for estimation of glomerular volume. In conscious rats, which were treated with BSF, the DM-induced increase in fluid intake, urinary output, and renal sodium excretion was significantly less pronounced than in the vehicle group (DM-VHC). In the clearance experiments, GFR in CON was about 0.84+/-0.04 ml/min per 100 g body weight. The DM-VHC group presented a significant glomerular hyperfiltration (1.09+/-0.04 ml/min per 100 g body weight). Treatment with BSF significantly lowered GFR towards levels of CON. The estimated glomerular volume was 0.73+/-0.03 x 10(6) microm3 in the CON-VHC group and 0.86+/-0.04 x 10(6) microm3 in the DM-VHC animals. Interestingly, treatment with BSF decreased the glomerular volume in both groups. Irrespective of BSF treatment, kidney wet weight related to body weight was about 36% higher in DM animals compared with CON animals. We conclude that dopamine D3 receptors represent a target for the modulation of diabetes-induced glomerular hyperfiltration. Therefore, the results encourage the testing of the possible beneficial effects of long-term D3 receptor blockade on the development of diabetic nephropathy.

Fenoldopam treatment improves peripheral insulin sensitivity and renal function in STZ-induced type 2 diabetic rats

Dopamine and diabetes mellitus are reported to have close link between them. We have studied the effect of six-week treatment with D1 receptor agonist fenoldopam (1 mg/kg, i.p., daily) on glucose, lipid, and renal profile in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced (non-insulin dependent) type 2 diabetic rats. Streptozotocin (90 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected to two day old Sprague-Dawley pups. Streptozotocin produced hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, increase in serum urea and creatinine by the time animals were 10 week old. Treatment with fenoldopam significantly decreased serum glucose, insulin, cholesterol, triglyceride, urea, creatinine, and blood pressure. During oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), diabetic rats showed increase in AUC(glucose) and AUC(insulin). Fenoldopam significantly decreased AUC(glucose) in diabetic rats. Diabetic rats showed lower insulin sensitivity index (K(TTT)) that was significantly increased by treatment with fenoldopam in diabetic rats. Diabetic rats showed decrease in urinary sodium. Fenoldopam treatment significantly increased urine output as well as urinary sodium indicating reduced sodium retention. Our data indicates fenoldopam treatment improves peripheral insulin sensitivity and renal function in STZ-induced type 2 diabetic rats.

Oxytocin-induced renin secretion by denervated kidney in anaesthetized rat

The effects of oxytocin on renin secretion by denervated kidney were investigated in vivo, by infusing the peptide directly into the renal artery of anaesthetized rats. Renin secretion was calculated by the renal veno-arterial difference in plasma renin activity multiplied by renal plasma flow. The intra-renal arterial (i.r.a.) infusion of oxytocin (1.5 or 15 ng/kg/min, 10 min) induced a sixfold increase in renin secretion as compared to vehicle-treated controls, without effects on renal blood flow, mean arterial blood pressure, glomerular filtration rate or natriuresis. The effect of oxytocin (1.5 ng/kg/min) was prevented by pretreatment with an oxytocin receptor antagonist, desGly-NH(2),d(CH(2))(5)[D-Tyr(2),Thr(4),Orn(8)]vasotocin] (5.6 microg/kg bolus i.v. 20 min before oxytocin infusion, followed by 2.8 microg/kg/min i.r.a.). Nadolol (2.5 mg/kg i.v.), a beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, also blocked the oxytocin-induced increase in renin secretion. These results show that oxytocin is able to stimulate renin release by activating oxytocin receptors but that beta-adrenoceptors also seem to be involved.

The therapeutic potential of dopamine modulators on the cardiovascular and renal systems

In the periphery, physiological dopamine increases renal blood flow, decreases renal resistance and acts on the kidney tubule to enhance natriuresis and diuresis. The loss of dopamine function may be involoved in the deterioration in kidney function associated with ageing and may have a role in the pathogenesis of hypertension and diabetes. Intravenous dopamine is used as a positive inotrope in the treatment of acute heart failure and cardiogenic shock and as a diuretic in renal failure. The clinical uses of dopamine are limited, as it must be given intravenously, and also has widespread effects. The levels of peripheral dopamine can be increased by the administration of L-dopa to increase synthesis, prodrugs to release dopamine (docarpamine, glu-dopa) or by inhibiting the breakdown of dopamine (nitecapone). Preliminary clinical trials suggest that docarpamine may be useful in patients with low cardiac output syndrome after cardiac surgery and in refractory cirrhotic ascites. Ibopamine is an agonist at dopamine D1 and D2 receptors, which may retard the progression of chronic renal failure. Glu-dopa is selective for the kidney, thus avoiding widespread side effects. The early clinical studies with ibopamine as a diuretic in heart failure were favourable but the subsequent large mortality study showed that ibopamine increased mortality. Fenoldopam is a selective dopamine D1 receptor agonist. Intravenous fenoldopam may be useful in the treatment of hypertension associated with coronary artery bypass surgery or in hypertensive emergencies. Although our understanding of physiological and pathological roles of peripheral dopamine has been increasing rapidly in recent times, we still need more information to allow the design of clinically useful drugs that modify these roles. One priority is an orally-active selective dopamine D1 receptor agonist.

Reduction of glomerular hyperfiltration by dopamine D(2)-like receptor blockade in experimental diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Dopamine D(2)-like receptors are involved in the physiological response of renal haemodynamics to amino-acid infusion. The present study was performed to investigate whether domperidone, a D(2)-like receptor antagonist, modulates the pathological hyperfiltration in experimental diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

Renal function was studied in anaesthetized rats 2 weeks after induction of moderate diabetes mellitus by streptozotocin, and in non-diabetic controls. Rats in both groups continuously received domperidone or vehicle via drinking water. Following infusion of Ringer's saline for measurement of baseline values, an i.v. amino-acid load was applied to investigate the renal functional reserve.

RESULTS

In vehicle-treated diabetic rats baseline glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow were significantly higher compared with controls (1.10+/- 0.04 vs. 0.83+/-0.02 (P<0.004) and 4.83+/-0.26 vs 3.32+/-0.24 ml/min/100 g body weight (bw) (P<0.001) respectively). Domperidone completely normalized glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow in diabetic rats to values observed in vehicle-treated controls (0.81+/-0.07 (P=0.740) and 3.35+/- 0.30 ml/min/100 g bw (P=0.889) respectively). In the clearance experiments, arterial blood pressure, urinary flow rate and sodium excretion did not significantly differ when comparing the four groups. However, in conscious rats, urinary flow rate and sodium excretion were significantly higher in diabetic rats compared with non-diabetic controls. In both non-diabetic groups, amino-acid infusion induced a significant glomerular hyperfiltration that was completely absent in diabetic rats, and restored by domperidone treatment. In conscious vehicle-treated diabetic rats urinary albumin excretion was enhanced (449.0+/-47.7 vs. 185.7+/- 18.1 microg/24 h in non-diabetic rats (P<0.001)) and significantly lowered in diabetic rats by domperidone treatment (109.8+/-15.4 microg/24 h (P<0.001)).

CONCLUSION

The data suggest that dopaminergic mechanisms are involved in the changes in renal haemodynamics during early experimental diabetes mellitus in rats.

Vasopressin does not effect hypertension caused by long-term nitric oxide inhibition

Nitric oxide attenuates both vasopressin-induced vasoconstriction and vasopressin release. We tested whether hypertension and renal dysfunction elicited by chronic inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis using N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) could be mediated in part by vasopressin V(1A) receptors. Male rats were treated orally for 6 weeks with L-NNA (15 mg/kg per day), a nonpeptide V(1A) receptor antagonist (2S)-1-[(2R,3S)-5-chloro-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-1-(3, 4-dimethoxybenzene-sulfonyl)-3-hydroxy-2, 3-dihydro-1H-indole-2-carbonyl]-pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide (SR 49059, 30 mg/kg per day), or a combination of SR 49059 and L-NNA (same doses), or they received no treatment. Both drugs were added to the food. Measurements were performed in conscious rats (urine collection in metabolic cages, tail-cuff arterial pressure) and at the end of the study in anesthetized rats (clearance measurements). L-NNA produced sustained hypertension, decreased glomerular filtration rate, and increased renal vascular resistance, plasma renin activity, and urinary albumin excretion. SR 49059 had no effect per se on these parameters and also did not attenuate the hypertension and renal dysfunction induced by L-NNA. Surprisingly, SR 49059 potentiated L-NNA-induced hypertension at the end of the 6-week treatment. However, the blood pressure response and the renal and mesenteric vasoconstriction elicited by exogenous vasopressin were attenuated in rats treated with SR 49059. L-NNA did not change plasma vasopressin concentration or 24-hour urinary vasopressin excretion. Our findings suggest that activation of vasopressin V(1A) receptors does not contribute to the hypertension and renal dysfunction induced by chronic NO synthesis inhibition. They also document unchanged plasma vasopressin concentration in NO-deficient hypertension.

Effect of chronic salt loading on kidney function in early and established diabetes mellitus in rats

Glomerular hyperfiltration and renal hypertrophy are among the events that characterize the early course of diabetes mellitus in rats and human patients. Previous studies from this laboratory demonstrated that salt restriction paradoxically reduces total renal vascular resistance (RVR) and increases glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in diabetic rats (J Am Soc Nephrol 1995;5:1761-7). In the present study we examined the converse condition by testing the effects of chronic salt loading on kidney function in moderately hyperglycemic insulin-treated rats with early and established streptozotocin diabetes. Salt loading was accomplished by adding 1% NaCl to the drinking water 1 day or 35 days after diabetes was induced. The high-salt diet appropriately increased salt excretion in diabetic rats and nondiabetic controls. GFR and renal plasma flow were determined by inulin and para-amino hippuric acid (PAH) clearance 7 days after salt loading was started. Diabetic rats receiving tap water exhibited hyperfiltration with no change in renal blood flow (RBF). In nondiabetic rats, salt loading caused a reduction in total RVR and proportional increases in RBF, GFR, and kidney weight (KW). Salt loading in early diabetes did not affect RVR, RBF, or KW and caused a paradoxical reduction in GFR. In established diabetes, salt loading reduced RVR and increased RBF, similar to results in nondiabetic rats, but as in rats with early diabetes, it did not increase GFR or KW. In summary, although the response in RVR and RBF to chronic salt loading depends on the duration of diabetes, the increase in GFR and KW as seen in nondiabetic rats is blunted in the early and established state of insulin-treated diabetes in rats. These findings further support the notion that the renal response to variation in salt intake is altered in insulin-treated diabetes in rats.

Short-term effects of quinapril and nifedipine on early renal changes in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats

The effects on renal function of quinapril, an angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, and of nifedipine, a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, were studied in the early stages of diabetes in rats. Wistar rats received one injection of streptozotocin (STZ) to induce diabetes; the hyperglycaemia was then controlled with daily insulin therapy (2-3 units NPH insulin/rat). One week after STZ injection, rats were treated orally with quinapril (0.3 or 3 mg/kg/d) or nifedipine (30 mg/kg/day) for 1 week, after which renal functions were compared with those of untreated diabetic rats or non-diabetic control rats. At the end of these two weeks, diabetic rats had gained less weight and had developed renal hypertrophy and glomerular hyperfiltration (3.21 +/- 0.23 vs 2.36 +/- 0.09 ml/min for non-diabetic rats, mean +/- SEM, P < 0.01). Their urinary albumin excretion was higher, as was the urinary excretion of water, sodium, potassium, urea and glucose. One week treatment with quinapril or nifedipine had no significant effect on the increase in the glomerular filtration rate (respectively 2.97 +/- 0.18 and 2.99 +2- 0.15 ml/min). Quinapril and nifedipine differed with regard to their effects on urinary albumin excretion. Albuminuria was increased by nifedipine but not by quinapril (respectively 0.554 +/- 0.158 and 0.149 +/- 0.046 mg/day/100 g BW, P < 0.05). This difference between the effects of the dihydropyridine and the ACE inhibitor on albuminuria may be linked to different effects on the glomerular functions.

Regional haemodynamic effects of dopamine and its prodrugs L-dopa and gludopa in the rat and in the glycerol-treated rat as a model for acute renal failure

1. In this study the renal selectivity of dopamine and its prodrugs L-dopa and gludopa, with respect to their effects on regional blood flow, vascular resistance and central haemodynamics was investigated in normal rats and in rats with glycerol-induced acute renal failure (ARF). 2. In normal, anaesthetized rats, dopamine as well as its prodrugs caused a dose-dependent reduction of vascular resistance in the kidney (RR), mesentery (MR) and hindquarters (HQR) (dose range: dopamine: 0.1-5 mumol kg-1 h-1; L-dopa and gludopa: 1-200 mumol kg-1 h-1). Blood pressure and heart rate were affected at the highest dose only. 3. Administration of glycerol induced a preferential renal vasoconstriction; renal blood flow (-60%) and vascular resistance (+190%) were significantly more affected than MR (+40%) and HQR (+60%). This was only ameliorated by a low rate (10 mumol kg-1 h-1) infusion of gludopa: the glycerol-induced reduction of renal flow and increase in RR were significantly attenuated. A high dose of gludopa (100 mumol kg-1 h-1) or any dose of L-dopa or dopamine did not induce this beneficial effect. The glycerol-induced increase in MR and HQR was not attenuated by any of the treatments used. 4. The results indicate that gludopa is not renally selective at a pharmacodynamic level in normal, anaesthetized rats. Contrary to this, a low dose of gludopa does cause a renal selective vasodilatation and reduction of RR in rats with glycerol-induced ARF. This difference could be explained by a difference in renal vascular tone between normal rats and glycerol-induced ARF rats. A high dose ofgludopa does not cause these renal-selective effects: renal resistance and renal flow are at the same level as following glycerol and saline. This is probably due to the systemic effects of the released dopamine.

Effects of thromboxane synthetase inhibitor (OKY-046) on urinary prostaglandin excretion and renal function in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of a selective thromboxane synthetase inhibitor (OKY-046) on urinary prostaglandins (PGs) excretion and renal parameters such as endogenous creatinine clearance rate (Ccr) and urinary protein excretion in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. STZ-diabetic rats were divided into two groups; one fed standard chow (DM1) and the other, standard chow mixed with 0.1% OKY-046 (DM2) for 24 weeks. Male Wistar rats were fed standard chow for 24 weeks as control (C). Urinary thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha excretions significantly increased in STZ-induced diabetic rats (DM1 and DM2) compared with C after 24 weeks. The increased urinary TXB2 excretion in DM2 was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) compared with that in DM1 (261.1 +/- 18.6 ng/gCr versus 380.0 +/- 48.4 ng/gCr, mean +/- SEM). No significant difference could be found in urinary protein excretion between DM1 and DM2, which was significantly higher in both diabetic groups than C after 12 and 24 weeks. Ccr in both DM1 and DM2 significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared with C after 12 weeks. In contrast, after 24 weeks, Ccr in DM1 fell down to 0.18 +/- 0.02 mL/min 100 g body weight (BW), thus being significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that in C (0.27 +/- 0.03 mL/min 100 g BW) and DM2 (0.25 +/- 0.02 mL/min 100 g BW). Electron microscopic findings in diabetic rats after 24 weeks were the typical change of early diabetic nephropathy, whereas there were no obvious differences between DM1 and DM2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of dietary protein on the renal response to fenoldopam in diabetic rats

The effect of the dopamine D1 receptor agonist, fenoldopam, was studied in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats treated with insulin to maintain a moderate hyperglycemia and fed a low, normal or high protein diet. Fenoldopam at 1 microgram/kg per min i.v. resulted in a significant increase in both glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal blood flow (RBF) in diabetic rats fed a normal protein diet. In rats fed a low protein diet, fenoldopam failed to alter either parameter, however, there was a very significant increase in both GFR and RBF in diabetic rats fed a high protein diet. Since diabetes is associated with a decrease in both urinary dopamine excretion as well as the hyperemic response to protein ingestion, it is possible that stimulation of dopamine D1 receptors by fenoldopam restores renal functional reserve in diabetic animals. The observation that the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist, SCH 23390, at a dose (1 microgram/kg per min) that abolished the renal vasodilator effects of fenoldopam, failed to alter renal hemodynamics in diabetic rats suggests that endogenous dopamine has little effect.

The dopamine prodrug, gludopa, decreases both renal and extrarenal noradrenaline spillover in conscious rabbits

1. Renal and total noradrenaline (NA) spillover rates were examined under control conditions and during graded infusions of gludopa (gamma-L-glutamyl-L-dopa) in conscious rabbits. 2. Gludopa infusion at 25 and 100 micrograms/kg per min did not alter mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR), but had significant dose-related effects on the renal dopamine (DA) system. At the high dose there were pronounced increases in urinary DA excretion (> 6000-fold) and renal DA content (> 100-fold); renal NA content doubled. 3. Renal venous DA increased after gludopa infusion, but arterial plasma DA concentrations were not significantly changed. Mean arterial plasma gludopa and L-dopa concentrations reached 890, 3190 ng/mL and 3, 10 ng/mL at low and high doses, respectively. 4. Gludopa resulted in a pronounced dose-dependent fall in renal NA spillover, which at 100 micrograms/kg per min accounted for almost half of the reduction in overall NA spillover rate. 5. The significant falls in renal and extrarenal NA spillover rate during gludopa infusion are consistent with suppression of renal and overall sympathetic activity. Gludopa-induced inhibition of renal NA spillover is likely to be due to the actions of DA generated in the kidney on presynaptic DA-2 and alpha-2 receptors. A central sympathoinhibitory mechanism may explain the reduced total NA spillover.

DA-1 receptors mediate renal effects of the dopamine prodrug, gludopa, in conscious rabbits

1. Eight male rabbits were implanted with Doppler flow probes around the lower abdominal aorta and left renal artery. A 2 week recovery period was allowed prior to the experiment. 2. Normal saline, gludopa at 25 micrograms/kg per min and at 100 micrograms/kg per min were each infused i.v. for 60 min. One week later the same protocol was administered to four of these animals in addition to DA-1 antagonist SCH 23390 (0.3 mg/kg i.v.) before gludopa infusion. 3. Gludopa elicited significant increases in urine flow, urinary sodium excretion and renal blood flow, and decreased renal vascular resistance. These changes were abolished by the DA-1 antagonist. Blood pressure, heart rate and hindlimb blood flow remained unchanged. 4. Urine dopamine excretion was increased 1200-fold and 7800-fold after gludopa administration at 25 micrograms/kg per min and 100 micrograms/kg per min, respectively, while plasma dopamine concentration and plasma renin activity (PRA) were not significantly altered. However, PRA was elevated by gludopa with DA-1 antagonism. 5. The renal vasodilation, natriuresis and diuresis produced by gludopa in conscious rabbits appears to be mediated by locally generated dopamine via DA-1 receptors.