INVOLVEMENT OF RENIN-ANGIOTENSIN SYSTEM IN THE REDUCED PRESSURE NATRIURESIS RESPONSE OF HYPERTHYROID RATS

Previous studies have indicated that the pressure diuresis and natriuresis (PDN) response is greatly impaired in thyroxine-treated hypertensive rats. In the present study, we have examined the role of the renin angiotensin system (RAS) as a mediator of these alterations by characterizing the relationships between renal perfusion pressure and urine flow and sodium excretion in hyperthyroid rats acutely treated with a converting-enzyme inhibitor (captopril, 2 mg/kg) or an AT(1) angiotensin II receptor blocker (losartan, 10 mg/kg). In the control animals, captopril did not change mean arterial pressure (MAP) or renal blood flow (RBF) but significantly decreased MAP and increased RBF and glomerular filtration rate in the hyperthyroid rats. Captopril did not change the PDN response of the control animals but improved significantly that of the hyperthyroid rats, although it was not completely normalized. Losartan also significantly improved renal hemodynamics and excretion in hyperthyroid rats. These results indicate that an increased intrarenal activity of the RAS is partly responsible for the blunted renal PDN mechanism of the hyperthyroid rats.