Reduced Responsiveness to -Adrenergic Stimulation in Renal Hypertensive Rats

Abstract

Induction of hypertension in rats by encapsulation of both kidneys with latex envelopes was accompanied by a reduced responsiveness to .beta.-adrenergic stimulation. Responsiveness was assessed by measurement of tail skin temperature during 2 h following s.c. administration of the .beta.-adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol. At doses of 15, 25, 35 and 45 .mu.g isoproterenol/kg of body wt, the responsiveness of tail skin temperature of rats with renal hypertension was significantly less than that of normotensive controls. The mechanism responsible for the reduced responsiveness in renal hypertensive rats remains speculative.