Loop diuretics reduce hypoxic damage to proximal tubules of the isolated perfused rat kidney

The straight portion (S3) of the proximal tubule lies in close proximity to the thick ascending limbs (TALs) at the cortico-medullary junction. Since a delicate balance exists between oxygen demand and the limited oxygen supply in this region, we hypothesized that reduction of thick limb metabolic activity might augment oxygen availability to S3 segments, which depend heavily upon aerobic metabolism, and prevent hypoxic damage. The degree of functional deterioration and morphological damage to S3 was assessed in isolated rat kidneys perfused with an erythrocyte-free medium. Bumetanide (10(-5) M) and furosemide (10(-4) M) reduced S3 fragmentation from 9.8 +/- 3.9% of tubules in controls to 0 and 1.4 +/- 0.9%, respectively (P < 0.0005). Tubular glucose reabsorption was better preserved in kidneys exposed to loop diuretics than in control kidneys (P < 0.01), and urinary alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.05) and the total amount of LDH released into the perfusate and urine (P < 0.01) were lower in the treatment groups. Morphological damage to S3 was closely correlated with medullary TAL necrosis (r = 0.66, P < 0.001), urinary alkaline phosphatase excretion (r = 0.89, P < 0.001) and glycosuria (r = 0.83, P < 0.001). We conclude that under hypoxic conditions TALs and S3 segments may compete with each other for a limited oxygen supply. Reduction of active transport in the mTAL might augment oxygen availability to S3 segments and improve their survival.     

The role of testosterone undecanoate in correcting disorders of the copulative function

Testosterone andecanoate (andriol) was used for treatment of copulative dysfunction in 18 young and middle-aged males in a dose 160 mg/day (a 10-12-day treatment course) or 40-80 mg/day (up to 6 week maintenance course). Clinical responses concerning such sexual symptoms as libido, erection, ejaculation and orgasm were achieved in most of the patients. Pretreatment blood levels of testosterone were not decreased. The treatment aroused these levels which persisted higher that pretreatment ones for 3 months. Estradiol was slightly higher after the treatment. Andriol is recommended for treatment of copulative dysfunction in young and middle-aged males.