Asghar M, Chillar A, Lokhandwala MF. Renal proximal tubules from old Fischer 344 rats grow into epithelial cells in cultures and exhibit increased oxidative stress and reduced D1 receptor function. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 295: C1326 -C1331, 2008. First published September 17, 2008 doi:10.1152/ajpcell.00367.2008.-Earlier we reported defects in D1 receptor function in renal proximal tubules (RPTs) of aged Fischer 344 (F344) and obese Zucker rats. However, the defects in the receptor function in RPTs of obese Zucker rats do not pass onto primary cultures of RPTs from these animals. Here, we determined whether the defects in D1 receptor function in RPTs of aged F344 rats pass onto the primary cultures. RPTs from aged (24-mo) and adult (6-mo) F344 rats were grown into primary cultures. The microscopic studies showed that cells in cultures from adult and old rats were healthy as determined by the shape and size of the cells and nuclei. D1 receptor agonist SKF-38393 produced inhibition of 86 Rb (rubidium) uptake, index of Na-K-ATPase activity, in cells from adult rats, but this was reduced in old rats. Also, SKF-38393 increased the [35 S]GTP␥S binding, index of receptor activation, in the membranes of cells from adult rats but to a lesser extent from old rats. Furthermore, there was a downward trend in the levels of D1 receptor numbers and in the receptor proteins in old rats. Interestingly, gp 91phox subunit of NADPH oxidase and cellular protein carbonyl levels (oxidative stress marker) were higher in cultures from old rats. These results show that RPTs from adult and old F344 rats grow into epithelial cells in cultures. Furthermore, cells in cultures from old rats are at a higher level of oxidative stress, which may be contributing to the reduced D1 receptor function in the cells from old compared with adult rats. dopamine; NADPH oxidase; G protein-coupled receptor; aging DURING INCREASED SODIUM INTAKE renal dopamine maintains sodium homeostasis by promoting sodium excretion via activation of D1 receptor and inhibition of sodium transporter Na-K-ATPase in renal proximal tubules (RPT) (1,9,19,20). Diminished D1 receptor signaling in RPT has been linked to the reduced natriuretic response to dopamine and development of hypertension in animals and humans (16,25,34).Aging initiates various structural and functional changes in several body organs including in the kidney (13). In the elderly, reduced ability of the kidney to respond to dopamine and increase sodium excretion during salt loading has been linked to the development of age-associated hypertension (33). In old Fischer 344 rats (F344), renal dopamine D1 receptor function is also impaired, partly due to reduced D1 receptor G protein coupling in RPT, resulting in diminished natriuretic response to dopamine in aging (6). Age-related increase in oxidative stress has been linked to uncoupling of D1 receptors from G proteins leading to D1 receptor dysfunction in RPTs of old rats (14).Primary cell cultures from different organs such as the brain, heart, and kidney ha...