Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
The effect of α-adrenergic, β-adrenergic, and combined blockade on the increase in plasma renin activity produced by renal nerve stimulation was studied in dogs. Prior treatment with the blocking agent propranolol abolished this response. In dogs given phenoxybenzamine, blood pressure fell and plasma renin activity rose, but in dogs given propranolol as well as phenoxybenzamine the same depressor response was observed without a rise in plasma renin activity. Stimulation of the renal nerves in dogs treated with phenoxybenzamine caused a further increase in plasma renin activity, while no increase was observed in dogs that had received both blocking agents. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that renal nerve stimulation and α-adrenergic blockade increase renin secretion by way of a β-adrenergic receptor. Renal nerve stimulation also increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure. This pressor response was unaffected by β-adrenergic blockade, but was reduced by α-adrenergic blockade.
Loeffler et al. (Wed,) studied this question.