Reflex increase in renal nerve activity during acutely altered portal venous pressure

This study was designed to determine the reflex effects of renal nerve activity during acutely altered portal venous pressure in anesthetized dogs. Following inflation of a balloon in the main portal vein of animals with the neuraxis intact, mean blood pressure (MBP) fell significantly from 127 +/- 8 mm Hg to 101 +/- 7 mm Hg, while renal nerve activity (RNA) increased to 189 +/- 11%. This significant increase in RNA during inflation of the balloon was not entirely eliminated by either carotid sinus nerve (CSN) denervation (163 +/- 9% of the control level) or vagotomy (161 +/- 11% of the control level). The reflex increase in RNA observed with the combined denervation of the carotid sinus and vagal nerves (CSN + Va denervation) was 138 +/- 2% of the control level, and this level of RNA increase was significantly smaller compared to those in the other 3 groups (intact, CSN or Va denervated). Even when the portal venous pressure below caudal to the balloon was controlled at a pre-distension level by means of opening an artificial bypass constructed between the mesenteric vein and the femoral vein in the CSN + Va denervated group, the increased RNA response during inflation of the balloon remained. After hepatic denervation in the CSN + Va denervated group with the opening of the bypass, however, inflation of a balloon caused no significant changes in RNA, even when more profound hypotension existed during inflation of the balloon.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)