Role of adrenergic innervation in experimental renal hypertension

Renal hypertension was induced by ligation of the aorta between renal arteries in rats sympathectomized with 6-hydroxydopamine. In the early phase, equally severe hypertension developed in the denervated group as compared to innervated controls. Later, blood pressure was lower in the denervated rats. Initially, increases in plasma renin were seen in both groups; the levels, however, were markedly lower in the denervated rats. Later, the renin levels were similar and not different from baseline. It is concluded that adrenergic neural activity is not essential in the development of renal hypertension; the maintenance of the chronic state, however, depends in part on adrenergic innervation.