Diuresis by intravenous administration of xanthurenic acid in rats, and inhibition by probenecid

The conjugates with sulfate and glucoside of xanthurenic acid, a tryptophan metabolite, were reported to show natriuresis. Sulfotransferase for xanthurenic acid works in the renal proximal tubule to produce the sulfate of xanthurenic acid as well as the liver, and we recently found that xanthurenic acid is a substrate of renal organic anion transporter OAT1. The purpose of this study was to examine relationship between the transport by OAT1 and diuresis related with xanthurenic acid. Drug transport experiment using Xenopus laevis oocytes represented that probenecid inhibited xanthurenic acid uptake by rat OAT1 (rOAT1). Although no diuresis was recognized by the intravenous injection of xanthurenic acid as a bolus in rats, the addition of its infusion exhibited natriuresis. Simultaneous administration of probenecid significantly decreased the urine volume and excreted amounts of sodium into urine. These findings showed the diuresis by the xanthurenic acid administration, and it was probenecid-sensitive. The rOAT1-mediated transport of xanthurenic acid might, at least in part, contribute to its diuretic effect.