Cardiovascular responses in rats with glycerol-induced acute renal failure

Autonomic and cardiovascular function were assessed in rats with glycerol-induced acute renal failure (ARF). Rats with ARF had significantly lower mean arterial blood pressure and heart rates and significantly elevated plasma noradrenaline concentrations. The chronotropic responses to right cervical sympathetic and vagal stimulation were diminished in rats with ARF. The pressor and depressor responses to noradrenaline and nitroprusside respectively when expressed as a change in mmHg pressure were significantly reduced in rats with ARF when compared to controls. However, when the depressor responses to nitroprusside were expressed as a percentage fall in basal mean arterial pressure, with the exception of the response to a dose of 10 micrograms kg-1, there were no significant differences between control and uraemic rats. The present findings show that in the rat, changes in cardiovascular responsiveness occur after a brief period of uraemia which are similar to those observed in patients and rats with chronic renal failure.