Maintenance of renal vascular reactivity contributes to acute renal failure during endotoxemic shock

Septic shock is characterized by hypotension and decreased systemic vascular resistance and impaired vascular reactivity. Renal vasoconstriction markedly contrasts with sepsis-induced generalized systemic vasodilation, which is strongly dependent on nitric oxide. Whether maintained renal vascular reactivity to vasoconstrictors contributes to the decrease in renal blood flow (RBF) and GFR observed during LPS-induced sepsis was tested by assessment of the acute effects of pressor agents on mean arterial pressure (MAP) and renal hemodynamics in endotoxemic and control mice. LPS-injected mice displayed lower MAP, RBF, and GFR than controls (P < 0.001). Despite a lower MAP, basal renal vascular resistance (RVR) was higher during endotoxemia (P < 0.02). Angiotensin II infusion produced a weaker MAP response in septic mice (24 versus 37%; P < 0.005), suggesting impaired vasoconstriction and hyporeactivity. A similar MAP increase was observed between groups during norepinephrine (NE) infusion. The MAP increase to nitric oxide synthase inhibition by N-G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) was much greater in LPS-treated mice (41 versus 15%, P = 0.01), indicating a strong influence of nitric oxide in sepsis. In contrast, the RBF and RVR responses to angiotensin II, NE, or L-NAME were similar in both groups. Moreover, vasopressin produced greater changes in MAP, RBF, and RVR in septic mice than in controls. Among the vasoconstrictor challenges, only NE ameliorated the decrease in GFR 14 h after LPS injection. The in vivo results demonstrate that the renal microvasculature displays a normal or enhanced reactivity to constrictor agents as compared with nonrenal circulatory beds. Such responsiveness may contribute to reduced RBF and GFR during endotoxemia.