Abstract
Summary
The role of the renin-angiotensin system in pig-to-dog renal xenograft rejection has been studied. Both autograft and xenograft kidneys show an acute increase in renin and angiotensin I and II levels in renal-vein blood, but the increases are higher in the xenografts. The period of maximum secretion of renin and angiotensin is delayed when the hyperacute rejection is delayed by the infusion of sodium EDTA into the graft. The chelating agent also prevents the in vivo conversion of angiotensin I to II. During the rejection process, the generation of angiotensin by the secreted renin is so massive that the renin substrate is exhausted and therefore probably a limiting factor. These studies thus demonstrate that the renin-angiotensin system is markedly activated during hyperacute heterograft rejection.
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