Atrial receptor modulation of renal nerve activity in the nonhuman primate

Experiments were done in the nonhuman primate Macaca fascicularis to determine the extent to which low-pressure receptors modulate renal nerve activity (RNA). Left atrial pressure (LAP) was increased either by inflating a balloon in the left atrium or by intravascular volume expansion. Arterial pressure (AP) was increased by the administration of epinephrine. Balloon inflation produced variable changes in RNA when all reflexes were intact. In the bilateral vagotomized animal, balloon inflation significantly increased RNA. Compared with the intact state, neither carotid sinus denervation nor sinoaortic denervation had a significant influence on RNA during balloon inflation. The response of both baroreceptor-denervated groups, however, was significantly less than that of the vagotomized group. Vagotomy plus sinoaortic denervation essentially prevented any effect of balloon inflation on RNA. Volume expansion produced a greater inhibition of RNA per increase in AP than did epinephrine. However, this difference was abolished after bilateral cervical vagotomy. These experiments demonstrate a significant influence and interplay of low- and high-pressure receptors on RNA in the nonhuman primate.