ANG II dependence of tubuloglomerular feedback responsiveness in hypertensive ren-2 transgenic rats

The present study was performed to determine the angiotensin II (ANG II) dependence of stop-flow pressure (SFP) tubuloglomerular feedback responses in hypertensive transgenic rats [strain name: TGR(mRen2)27] harboring the mouse ren-2 renin gene. SFP feedback responses to increases in late proximal perfusion rate were assessed in pentobarbital-anesthetized male ren-2 transgenic rats during control conditions and after administration of the AT1 receptor antagonist, L-158,809 (1 mg/kg iv). During control conditions, increases in late proximal perfusion rate elicited flow-dependent decreases in SFP. The magnitude of the maximal SFP feedback response to a late proximal perfusion rate of 40 nl/min averaged 16.1 +/- 1.4 mmHg (n = 7), a value higher than that normally observed in normotensive rats. Administration of L-158,809 decreased mean arterial blood pressure (174 +/- 6 vs. 117 +/- mmHg, P < 0.01, n = 10) and attenuated the magnitude of the maximal SFP feedback response by 84 +/- 4% (16.1 +/- 1.4 vs. 2.6 +/- 0.5 mmHg, P < 0.01, n = 7). In contrast, mechanical reduction of renal arterial pressure from 179 +/- 5 to 113 +/- 1 mmHg (P < 0.01, n = 7) attenuated the magnitude of the maximal SFP feedback response by only 43 +/- 5% (14.4 +/- 1.9 vs. 7.9 +/- 0.7 mmHg, P < 0.01, n = 7), indicating that approximately one-half of the attenuation of SFP feed-back responses elicited by AT1 receptor blockade was due to removal of the stimulatory effect of ANG II on the sensitivity of the tubuloglomerular feedback mechanism.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)