Participation of renal prostaglandins in the nephrotic syndrome.

The participation of renal prostaglandins in the nephrotic syndrome has been investigated by the measurement of the urinary excretion of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), renal function and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system before, during and after the administration of indomethacin in a group of patients diagnosed as having chronic idiopathic glomerulonephritis with and without nephrotic syndrome. Our results indicate increased renal production of PGE2 in nephrotic patients. This contributes to the maintenance of renal function, probably by counteracting an activated renin-angiotensin system and could be accompanied by a simultaneous and deleterious enhancement of the degree of proteinuria. Nevertheless, the participation of angiotensin II in this last even cannot be excluded.