Effect of beta-adrenergic blockade and inhibitors of angiotensin II and prostaglandins on renal autoregulation.

The role of the renin-angiotensin system and prostaglandins in renal autoregulation was investigated in dog kidneys in situ. Renal autoregulation during decreases in renal arterial pressure (RAP) was examined in animals pretreated with a competitive antagonist of angiotensin ii, [1-sarcosine, 8-glycine] angiotensin II, or one of two chemically dissimilar inhibitors of prostaglandin synthetase, indomethacin and meclofenamate. Because of recent evidence suggesting a role for an intrarenal beta receptor in regulating renin release, renal autoregulation was also examined in animals treated with the beta-adrenergic blocking agent propranolol. In all groups of animals constancy of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal blood flow (RBF) was observed after substantial decreases in RAP to a range of 70-90 mmHg. These studies therefore do not provide evidence in support of a role for angiotensin II, prostaglandins, or an intrarenal beta receptor as mediators of the renal autoregulation of GFR or total RBF.