The effect of prostaglandin E2 and ADH on diffusional water permeability in collecting duct of an isolated rat papilla.

The effect of prostaglandin on diffusional water permeability has been studied in collecting ducts in an isolated rat papilla. PGE2 increased water permeability. The effect was significant at a concentration of 10(-8) mol 1(-1) and was maximal with a concentration of 10(-6) mol 1(-1). The maximal increment of 0.94 +/- 0.10 (SEM) micron s-1 was approximately half that produced by maximal stimulation with antidiuretic hormone (2.18 +/- 0.12 micron s-1). A concentration of 10(-8) mol 1(-1) produced an increase in basal water permeability and 24 mu unit ml-1 ADH, which without PGE2 present gave a similar increase, had no incremental effect. ADH 100 mu unit ml-1 increased permeability to a value similar to that observed in the absence of PGE2. Thus PGE2 and ADH both increase water permeability but the increments are not additive. Indomethacin in a concentration that inhibited prostaglandin production altered the response of the collecting duct to ADH. The dose response curve was shifted to the left and the maximal increase in water permeability and the lowest dose at which a response occurred took place at concentrations less than 1/2 those required in its absence. Prostaglandins influence the action of ADH and it is likely that in life they regulate and modulate the change in water permeability induced by anti-diuretic hormone.