Factors causing natriuresis after hypothalamic injection of a cholinergic drug in rats

We investigated possible mechanisms for the natriuresis seen after injection of the cholinergic drug carbamylcholine chloride (carbachol) into the lateral hypothalamus of conscious rats. In unrestrained rats injection of 1 microgram of carbachol in 1 microliter of 0.15 M NaCl solution through a permanently implanted cannula produced a significant natriuresis and kaliuresis. Injection of vehicle produced no changes. The same animals were then subjected to bilateral renal denervation (n = 13) or sham denervation (n = 13) and injected with the same solutions 1 wk later. Carbachol injection produced a natriuresis (P less than 0.0001) and a kaliuresis (P less than 0.01) in all animals studied. Both responses were of a magnitude similar to the responses seen before denervation. We studied other rats while awake but restrained, which permitted the performance of clearance studies and blood pressure measurements. Injection of carbachol produced diuresis, natriuresis, and kaliuresis in all rats, with no change in p-aminohippurate clearance and only transient change in inulin clearance. An increase in blood pressure occurred in some but not all rats. The response in rats with bilaterally denervated kidneys (n = 7) was similar to that of rats with innervated kidneys (n = 5). The natriuresis seen after cholinergic stimulation of the hypothalamus in conscious rats is not primarily mediated by inhibition of renal nerve activity and can be dissociated from changes in blood pressure, glomerular filtration rate, and renal plasma flow.