Neural regulation of renal blood flow: a re-examination

1. The importance of renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) in the regulation of renal function is well established. However, it is less clear how the renal vasculature responds to the different mean levels and patterns of RSNA. While many studies have indicated that small to moderate changes in RSNA preferentially regulate renin secretion or sodium excretion and only large changes in RSNA regulate renal blood flow (RBF), other experimental evidence suggests that small changes in RSNA can influence RBF 2. When RSNA has been directly measured in conjunction with RBF, it appears that a range of afferent stimuli can induce reflex changes in RBF. However, many studies in a variety of species have measured RBF only during stimuli designed to reflexly increase or decrease sympathetic activity, but have not recorded RSNA. While this approach can be informative, it is not definitive because the ability of the vasculature to respond to RSNA may, in part, reflect the resting level of RSNA and, therefore, the vasoconstrictive state of the vasculature under the control conditions. 3. Further understanding of the control of RBF by RSNA has come from studies that have analysed the underlying rhythms in sympathetic nerve activity and their effect on the cardiovascular system. These studies show that the frequency-response characteristic of the renal vasculature is such that higher frequency oscillations in RSNA (above 0.6 Hz) contribute to setting the mean level of RBF. In comparison, lower frequency oscillations in RSNA can induce cyclic vasoconstriction and dilation in the renal vasculature, thus inducing oscillations in RBF. 4. In summary, the present review discusses the neural control of RBF, summarizing evidence in support of the hypothesis that RBF is under the influence of RSNA across the full range of RSNA.