Effect of propranolol on plasma renin activity, renal cortex renin, and adrenal and brain isorenins in rats.

Propranolol administration to rats was studied for its effects on plasma renin activity, renal renin content, and adrenal and brain isorenins. Propranolol was given intraperitoneally at 6 and 30 mg/kg/day for a 15-day period. Pulse rate was significantly decreased. There were no effects on the isorenin content of adrenal or brain tissue or on renal renin content. Rats responded in two completely different ways with respect to plasma renin activity. Two-fifths had a total suppression of plasma renin activity; the rest had concentrations similar to those in controls. These observations are consistent with those seen during chronic administration of propranolol to hypertensive patients and suggest that its antihypertensive effect may in some patients be through the suppression of renin release. Its mechanism of action in most patients remains at present unclear.