Abstract
Summary
The effects of intra-arterial infusion of dopamine (3 μg/kg/min) and isoproterenol (0.15 μg/kg/min) on renal blood flow (RBF) and renal venous plasma renin activity (RVR) were studied in eight anesthetized dogs, before and after propranolol. Dopamine caused an increase in RBF from 201±21 to 238±39 ml/min (p < .01); and a decrease in RVR from 470±130 to 333±115 ng/100 ml (p > .05). Isoproterenol increased RBF from 202±28 to 214±39 ml/min (p < .05) and augmented RVR from 470±130 to 1192±395 ng/100 ml (p < .01). Propranolol did not alter the effects of dopamine on RBF and RVR, but effectively blocked the isoproterenol-induced vasodilation and renin secretion.
This demonstrates the unique action of dopamine on renin secretion. The presently available evidence suggests that there probably are no specific adrenergic receptors directly mediating renin secretion by the kidney.
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