Influence of glucagon on GFR and on urea and electrolyte excretion: direct and indirect effects

Clearance experiments were performed in anesthetized male Wistar rats to determine the level of peripheral glucagon concentration required to elicit changes in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and in solute excretion. Glucagon was intravenously infused at a rate of 1.25 (group G-1, n = 8), 3.75 (group G-3, n = 7), or 12.5 (group G-10, n = 7) ng.min-1.100 g body wt-1 for 100 min. Measurements were performed before, during, and after this infusion. Group G-10 resulted in a plasma concentration of glucagon severalfold higher than usually observed in peripheral blood after a protein meal but normal for the hepatic circulation. Group G-10 simultaneously increased GFR, plasma adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) concentration, and the excretion of water (i.e., urinary flow rate), Na, Cl, PO4, K, and urea. Some of the effects of glucagon on electrolyte excretion were also observed with group G-1 and/or G-3 and were fully reversible, suggesting a direct renal action of glucagon. The significant and reversi...