THE EFFECTS OF HISTAMINE ON RENAL FUNCTION IN HYPERTENSIVE AND NORMOTENSIVE SUBJECTS 1

Abstract

The effect of a subcut. injn. of histamine upon renal function was investigated in 5 hypertensive and 5 normotensive subjects with the aid of measurements of the mannitol and para-aminohippurate clearances. Four of 5 hypertensive subjects responded with an increase in the filtration fraction and efferent arteriolar resistance, probably caused by a constriction of efferent glomerular arterioles. In 2 of the 4 patients, this constriction was accompanied either by relaxation of the afferent glomberular arteriole (decreased afferent resistance), or, less likely, by increased glomerular permeability. In 4 of 5 normotensive patients, there were observed manifestations of both efferent and afferent arteriolar constriction; in only 2 of the 5 was the filtration fraction definitely elevated. Significant changes in the urine volume were not regularly observed. The renal vein was catheterized in 3 patients; it,was detd. that the renal extraction of para-aminohippurate did not change after the admn. of histamine.