Effects of hepatic NaCl receptor stimulation on renal nerve activity in conscious rabbits

The effects of intrahepatic NaCl or osmo-receptor stimulation on renal nerve activity were examined in chronically instrumented conscious rabbits. Combined infusions of 9% NaCl via the portal vein and distilled water via the inferior vena cava did not alter plasma osmolality or plasma Na concentration of the systemic circulation but decreased renal nerve activity. Combined infusion of 6.5% LiCl and distilled water did not have any effects on renal nerve activity. The decrease in renal nerve activity induced by portal 9% NaCl infusions was completely abolished after section of the anterior and posterior hepatic nerves. These results indicate that stimulation of the intrahepatic NaCl receptors, not of the osmoreceptors, elicits a reflex decrease in renal nerve activity, which is mainly mediated by the anterior and posterior hepatic nerves.