Altered PGE2 and PGF2 alpha production by glomeruli and papilla of sodium-depleted and sodium-loaded rats.

Prostaglandin (PG) E2 and F2 alpha synthesis by isolated glomeruli and papillary homogenates prepared from control, salt-loaded, and salt-depleted rats was measured in vitro with and without added arachidonic acid using specific radioimmunoassays. Glomeruli from salt-depleted rats synthesized less PGE2 and more PGF2 alpha than glomeruli from control rats under both conditions. The effect of sodium restriction could be attributed to stimulation of glomerular 9-keto-PGE2 reductase activity unrelated to a change in the concentration of this enzyme. High salt diet had no effect on PG synthesis by glomeruli. Papillary homogenates prepared from salt-loaded rats synthesized more PGE2 than those from control rats both with and without added arachidonic acid. This finding suggests an effect of high salt diet at a stage further than phospholipid deacylation. Low salt diet had no effect on PG synthesis by papillary homogenates. The physiological control of PG synthesis in response to changes in the NaCl content of the diet is, therefore, different for the glomeruli and the papilla.