Methods for serial study of renin-angiotensin system in the unanesthetized rat

Micromethods for measurement of plasma renin concentration (PRC) and plasma renin-substrate concentration (PSC) have been developed for rat plasma with radioimmunoassay of angiotensin I. An improved technique for aortic implantation of plastic cannulas was developed for use in experiments 1-2 wk in duration. The effects on components of renin system of anesthesia and tail cutting were studied. Arterial blood was sampled through cannulas without animal manipulation. PRC varied little in unanesthetized rats, was moderately and variably increased during pentobarbital anesthesia, and was markedly and consistently elevated during ether anesthesia. PSC was unchanged during anesthesia. PRC was increased in blood obtained by tail cutting within 1-2 min after cutting. With the use of the methods and techniques described here serial studies of the renin system in plasma of unanesthetized rats are shown to be feasible. A role for the sympathetic nervous system in the mediation of renin secretion by ether is proposed.