Subtotal nephrectomy stimulates cyclooxygenase 2 expression and prostacyclin synthesis in the rat remnant kidney.

Background: Recently, two isoforms of cyclooxygenase (COX) have been identified, a constitutive form (COX-1) and a mitogen-inducible form (COX-2). Several studies have suggested that COX is activated in renal insufficiency, but little is known about the relationship between progression of renal insufficiency and the COX isoforms.

Methods: Five-sixths-nephrectomized (NX) rats were used.

A cyclic GMP-dependent housekeeping Cl- channel in rabbit gastric parietal cells activated by a vasodilator ecabapide.

1. The membrane potential of rabbit gastric parietal cells is dominated by a Cl- channel with a subpicosiemens single channel conductance in the basolateral membrane. The effects of 3-[[[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]carbamoyl]amino-N-methylbenzamide++ + (DQ-2511: ecabapide), a vasodilator, on the opening of this Cl-1 channel, the cyclic GMP content and the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) of parietal cells were investigated by whole-cell patch-clamp technique, enzyme immunoassay and Fura 2-fluorescence measurement.

A gastric housekeeping Cl- channel activated via prostaglandin EP3 receptor-mediated Ca2+/nitric oxide/cGMP pathway.

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) has a cytoprotective role in the gastric parietal cell. PGE2 opened a housekeeping basolateral Cl- channel of rabbit gastric parietal cells, the single channel conductance of which was about 0.3 picosiemens.