Modulation of the sodium-calcium exchanger in the rat kidney by different sequential stressors

Stress, if exaggerated, modulates a variety of metabolic pathways and results in development of serious health consequences. The cell membrane sodium-calcium exchanger (NCX) is a major calcium extrusion system and is also modulated by stress. It has been shown previously that mRNA, protein levels and activity of the type 1 NCX (NCX1) in the left ventricle of the rat heart are increased by stressors, such as immobilization or hypoxia. In this study we investigated whether exposure to a subsequent different stressor can affect gene expression, protein level and activity of the NCX1 in rat kidney compared to exposure to only one type of stressor. In these experiments, we used immobilization and cold as the model stressors. We found that cold exposure at 4 degrees C for 24 h, when applied after immobilization repeated seven times, completely abolished the immobilization-induced increase in NCX mRNA level and after 7 days cold exposure the increases in NCX1 protein and activity in rat kidney were also abolished. Permanently increased NCX1 expression can result in imbalance of cellular calcium homeostasis and thus contribute to kidney dysfunction. Based on our results, we conclude that exposure to a cold stressor can have a protective effect on the kidney in rats exposed previously to repeated immobilization stress. This might be explained by differential stimulation of sympathetic neural and adrenal medullary responses by these different stressors.