Horm Metab Res 2006; 38(1): 48-52
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-924978
Original Clinical
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Influence of Thyroid Disorders on Kidney Angiotensinase Activity

A.  B.  Segarra1 , M.  Ramírez1 , I.  Banegas1 , F.  Hermoso1 , F.  Vargas2 , F.  Vives2 , F.  Alba3 , M.  de Gasparo4 , I.  Prieto1
  • 1Unit of Physiology, University of Jaén, Spain
  • 2Department of Physiology, University of Granada, Spain
  • 3Institute of Neuroscience “Federico Oloriz”, Granada, Spain
  • 4MGConsulting Co., Rossemaison, Switzerland
Further Information

Publication History

Received 17 May 2005

Accepted after revision 8 September 2005

Publication Date:
13 February 2006 (online)

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Abstract

Thyroid disorders affect renal function, which involves changes in local renin angiotensin system (RAS). Angiotensin peptide levels in the tissue are regulated by the activity of several aminopeptidases (AP) known as angiotensinases. The nature and consequences of the thyroid-induced RAS changes are not completely understood. We investigated the relationship between thyroid status (hyper- and hypothyroidism) and several kidney AP actions involved in RAS control. We have determined fluorometrically soluble (SOL) and membrane-bound (M-B) alanylaminopeptidase (AlaAP), glutamylaminopeptidase (GluAP) and aspartylaminopeptidase (AspAP) activity using naphthylamide derivatives as substrates. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups - control, hyperthyroid, and hypothyroid. Hyperthyroidism was induced by daily subcutaneous injection of L-thyroxin (300 µg/kg/day). Hypothyroidism was induced by continuous administration of methimazole (0.03 %) in drinking water. Hypothyroid animals demonstrated a significant increase in SOL and M-B GluAP activity in renal cortex and a decrease in M-B AlaAP compared to euthyroid rats. This result may suggest higher Ang III availability. In hyperthyroid animals, M-B AlaAP and M-B AspAP activity increased significantly, which may suggest increased Ang III to Ang IV metabolism and greater formation of Ang 2 - 10, respectively. In contrast, no differences were observed between euthyroid and hypothyroid animals for SOL and M-B AP activity in renal medulla. However, hyperthyroid animals demonstrated a significant decrease in SOL and M-B GluAP activity compared to euthyroid rats, which may suggest a greater availability of Ang II in renal medulla. Alterations in angiotensin metabolism may, in part, account for some changes in renal function during thyroid disorders.

References

Manuel Ramírez-Sánchez

Unit of Physiology · University of Jaén

23071 Jaén · Spain ·

Phone: + 34 (953) 21 23 02

Fax: + 34 (953) 212943

Email: msanchez@ujaen.es