Prostaglandins And Sodium-Balance During The Reversal Of Chronic 2-Kidney, One Clip Hypertension In Rats

To determine the role of endogenous prostaglandins and sodium balance in the maintenance of high blood pressure in chronic two-kidney, one clip hypertension in rats, we studied the effect of indomethacin infusion on the reversal of hypertension by unclipping. Indomethacin was infused after control measurements, and blood pressure was monitored continuously in conscious rats. Parallet control experiments and sham operations were also performed. Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis did not affect the postoperative course of blood pressure after the unclipping operation despite the marked decrease of urinary prostaglandin E excretion. The decrease of blood pressure after unclipping was significantly correlated with plasma renin activity prior to unclipping. Sodium balance was not significantly different between the experimental groups. These data indicate no major participation of prostaglandins in the reversal of chronic two-kidney, one clip hypertension, and suggest that the renin angiotensin system participates, at least in part, in the maintenance of high blood pressure in this model of hypertension.