The effect of chloroquine on renal function and vasopressin secretion: a nitric oxide-dependent effect.

We have previously reported that chloroquine administration increases plasma vasopressin concentration and urinary sodium excretion in Sprague-Dawley rats. Because chloroquine has also been shown to stimulate nitric oxide production, the aim of this study was to determine whether nitric oxide mediates chloroquine-induced changes in renal function and secretion of vasopressin. Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 6-8/group) were infused with 2.5% dextrose under Intraval anesthesia (100 mg kg(-1) i.p.). After 3-h equilibration and a control hour, animals received either vehicle, chloroquine (0.04 mg h(-1)), N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (nitric-oxide synthase inhibitor, 60 microg kg(-1) h(-1)), or combined chloroquine and L-NAME over the next hour. L-NAME or vehicle infusion continued for a further recovery hour. Plasma was collected from a parallel group of animals for vasopressin radioimmunoassay. Chloroquine stimulated a significant increase (p < 0.05) in urine flow rate, glomerular filtration rate, and sodium excretion over the hour of infusion, in comparison with vehicle-infused rats. These effects continued after cessation of chloroquine, reaching maxima in the following recovery hour. Coadministration of L-NAME abolished these effects, returning all parameters to levels comparable with those in vehicle-infused animals. Chloroquine administration was accompanied by a significant increase (p < 0.05) in plasma vasopressin, which was also reversed by L-NAME. The effects of chloroquine on renal function and vasopressin secretion seem to be mediated by pathways involving nitric oxide. These data suggest that chloroquine may stimulate nitric-oxide synthase both centrally, stimulating vasopressin secretion, and within the kidney, where it modulates glomerular hemodynamics and tubular function.