The effect of beta adrenergic receptor blockade on the renin response to respiratory acidosis

The effect of beta adrenergic blockade on the increase in plasma renin activity produced by acute respiratory acidosis was studied in chloralose anesthetized dogs. Sixteen mongrel dogs were given 4%, 8% and 12% CO2 in room air, successively. Propranolol (2 mg/Kg) was given to 8 dogs prior to CO2 inhalation. The other 8 dogs served as the control group. The response of elevated plasma renin activity during 4% and 8% CO2 inhalation was not different between the control and propranolol groups. However, the increase of plasma renin activity in the control group was greater than that of the propranolol treated group during 12% CO2 inhalation. It is suggested that activation of beta adrenergic receptors is not the sole factor in renin control during acute respiratory acidosis, although these receptors do mediate a significant fraction of the renin response to CO2 inhalation.