Renal sodium reabsorption after acute renal denervation in the rabbit

1. Separate effects on the functions of left and right kidneys were examined after left-sided renal handling and acute denervation. Studies were done on pentobarbital-anaesthetized rabbits using clearance techniques to evaluate renal haemodynamics and water and electrolyte excretion.2. When compared with its counterpart, the handled kidney exhibited some decrease in function for at least 20 min. Recovery of most functions occurred in 40-60 min.3. The effects of denervation on renal functions were observed when the effects of handling had subsided. Renal plasma flow (R.P.F.) and glomerular filtration rate (G.F.R.) were not significantly changed, whereas the decrease in Na, K and water excretion, which was usually observed for no ascertained reason in the innervated kidney, was prevented.4. The magnitude of the denervation natriuresis was greater in these rabbits than in dogs studied previously; other functions studied were comparable in the two species.5. The results from thirty-five experiments are interpreted to indicate that denervation decreases Na reabsorption independently of G.F.R., perhaps by a direct effect on tubular transport, but more probably by a redistribution of filtration to nephrons of lesser reabsorptive capacity.