Effects of the enantiomers of a new dihydropyridine derivative, S12968 and S12967, on renal functions in rats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the two enantiomers of a new dihydropyridine, S12967 and S12968, on rat renal function. Male Wistar rats were injected intravenously with saline, S12967, or S12968 (0.1, 0.3, or 1 mg/kg body weight). Urinary flow, glomerular filtration rate, renal plasma flow, urinary sodium, potassium, and calcium excretions, mean arterial pressure, and renal vascular resistance were determined before and every 30 min up to 180 min after administration of the tested substance. The levogyre enantiomer S12968, at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg, induced a 4-fold increase in urinary sodium excretion, without significant or with minor changes in glomerular filtration rate, renal plasma flow, or renal blood flow. The hypotensive effect was small and nonsignificant. At 1 mg/kg, S12968 caused a profound hypotensive effect that impaired the renal function, induced marked oliguria, and decreased glomerular filtration rate and renal blood flow to almost negligible values. The dextrogyre enantiomer S12967 had much less effect on renal function. These data showing specific stereoselective renal effects are in agreement with pharmacological studies that have demonstrated that S12968 possesses a higher affinity for the dihydropyridine-binding site than its dextrogyre enantiomer, S12967.