Effects of extracellular volume expansion on plasma renin concentration in rats with diabetes insipidus

The effect of acute and chronic expansion of the extracellular fluid volume on plasma renin concentration (PRC) was studied in normal Long-Evans rats (LE rats) and in rats with hereditary hypothalamic diabetes insipidus (DI rats). Chronic deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) treatment, combined with a high sodium intake, significantly reduced PRC of both DI and LE rats. PRC of DI rats, however, remained higher than that of LE rats. Acute volume expansion, either alone or with DOCA treatment, also significantly diminished PRC of both DI and LE rats. PRC of untreated and DOCA-treated DI rats again remained significantly higher than that of LE rats after acute volume expansion. These findings suggest that the elevated PRC normally observed in DI rats is not due solely to diminished volume of extracellular fluid. Instead, the absence of ADH per se may directly alter renin secretion or the sensitivity of the granular cell to other stimuli.