Role of the Renin-Angiotensin System in Dogs with Perinephritis Hypertension 1

Abstract

Summary

Cellophane perinephritis hypertension was produced in four dogs, while five additional dogs served as normotensive controls. A competitive antagonist of angiotensin II, 1-sarcosine-8-alanine angiotensin II, was infused iv into these conscious dogs at a rate of 6 μg/min/kg of body weight for 45 min. Arterial pressure averaged 170 ± 11 (SEM) mm Hg in the dogs with perinephritic hypertension, and was not altered significantly during infusion of the angiotensin antagonist. In the normal dogs the arterial pressure averaged 100 ± 10 mm Hg and likewise, did not change during administration of the angiotensin analog. Plasma renin activity values were essentially the same in these two groups of dogs and did not change during infusion of the angiotensin antagonist. These studies provide strong evidence that the renin-angiotensin system is not involved in maintaining the elevated arterial pressure in dogs with chronic hypertension produced by cellophane perinephritis.

The authors gratefully thank Dr. A. W. Castellion of Norwich Pharmacal Company for supplying the 1-sarcosine-8-alanine angiotensin II used in these studies. The cellophane used to produce perinephritis hypertension was supplied by E. I. DuPont de Nemours and Company. Mr. Charles Payne assisted in the surgical procedures and the assays for plasma renin activity were performed by Ms. Jane Green.