Regulation of papillary plasma flow by angiotensin II

We examined in anesthetized dogs the effects of left (L) intrarenal artery infusion of angiotensin II (AII) on renal hemodynamics, urinary concentration and Na excretion, and papillary plasma flow (PPF) (measured by the albumin accumulation technique) in both kidneys. Following AII infusion (0.5 ng/kg/min) into the L renal artery, urinary Na excretion decreased and osmolality increased slightly ipsilaterally, whereas Na excretion did not change significantly and osmolality decreased in the right (R) kidney. PPF was significantly lower in the L compared to the R kidney. When saline loading was superimposed on L intrarenal AII infusion, there was a blunted natriuretic response ipsilaterally with a significantly smaller decrease in urine osmolality compared with the R kidney. PPF increased significantly in the R, but not in the L kidney. Finally, AII blockade with saralasin prior to AII infusion and saline loading prevented the differences between the two kidneys, including PPF. In all groups GFR and renal blood flow did not differ between the two kidneys before or after AII. These data suggest that AII regulates regional blood flow in the medulla, and that the exogenously administered AII induces papillary ischemia, which serves to preserve medullary hypertonicity, preventing an increase in PPF during saline loading, and possibly contributing to the diminished natriuretic response.