Renin Response to Volume Contraction and Indomethacin in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Abstract

1. The effects of volume contraction and indomethacin on renin response were examined in spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar-Kyoto normotensive rats. Volume contraction was induced by frusemide or by salt-restricted diet combined with frusemide administration. 2. Plasma renin levels were not altered by either procedure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (5.2 ± 0.8 versus 5.6 ± 0.9 ng h−1 ml−1). Normotensive rats responded to volume contraction with a sharp increase in plasma renin activity (13.1 ± 1.2 to 23.3 ± 1.1 ng h−1 ml−1). 3. Intraperitoneal injection of indomethacin for 1 week did not alter basal renin levels in either group. In contrast, indomethacin pretreatment caused renin to rise in response to frusemide in spontaneously hypertensive rats (4.7 ± 0.8 to 27.1 ± 1.8 ng h−1 ml−1). 4. These findings suggest that a prostaglandin normally inhibits the renin response of spontaneously hypertensive rats to frusemide-induced volume contraction. Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis allows volume contraction to stimulate renin release.