Effect of High Oxygen Concentrations on Erythropoietin and the Renal Juxtaglomerular Cell.

Abstract

Summary The relationship of renal erythropoietin to the juxtaglomerular cell was studied. Several investigators have noted a correlation between juxtaglomerular granularity and plasma levels of erythropoietin in the presence of simultaneous changes in distention of the renal arterial bed and in oxygen tension of the tissues. To separate these 2 stimuli, rats were kept in an atmosphere of high oxygen concentration and, thus subjected to hyperoxia without obvious changes in the distention of the renal arterial bed. Under these circumstances, during which plasma levels of erythropoietin are known to be low, a decrease in juxtaglomerular granularity did not occur. The results suggest that the renal juxtaglomerular cell does not secrete the erythropoietin which is responsive to changes in tissue oxygen tension.