Brief early life angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition attenuates the diuretic response to saline loading in sheep with solitary functioning kidney

A solitary functioning kidney (SFK) from birth predisposes to hypertension and kidney dysfunction, and this may be associated with impaired fluid and sodium homeostasis. Brief and early angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition (ACEi) in a sheep model of SFK delays onset of kidney dysfunction. We hypothesized that modulation of the renin–angiotensin system via brief postnatal ACEi in SFK would reprogram renal sodium and water handling. Here, blood pressure (BP), kidney haemodynamics and kidney excretory function were examined in response to an isotonic saline load (0.13 ml/kg/min, 180 min) at 20 months of age in SFK (fetal unilateral nephrectomy at 100 days gestation; term 150 days), sham and SFK+ACEi sheep (ACEi in SFK 4–8 weeks of age). Basal BP was higher in SFK than sham (∼13 mmHg), and similar between SFK and SFK+ACEi groups. Saline loading caused a small increase in BP (∼3–4 mmHg) the first 2 h in SFK and sham sheep but not SFK+ACEi sheep. Glomerular filtration rate did not change in response to saline loading. Total sodium excretion was similar between groups. Total urine excretion was similar between SFK and sham animals but was ∼40% less in SFK+ACEi animals compared with SFK animals. In conclusion, the present study indicates that water homeostasis in response to a physiological challenge is attenuated at 20 months of age by brief early life ACEi in SFK. Further studies are required to determine if ACEi in early life in children with SFK could compromise fluid homeostasis later in life.