In the Lyon hypertensive rat, renal function alterations are angiotensin II dependent

To assess the role of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the renal alterations of the lyon hypertensive (LH) rat, the renal function of LH rats and of their normotensive (LN) controls was studied at different pressure levels after an early and chronic blockade of the RAS by perindopril (3 mg.kg-1.day-1 orally from 3 to 15 wk of age) and after an acute infusion of angiotensin II (ANG II, 10 or 50 ng.kg-1.min-1). Over the range of renal perfusion pressures studied (115-165 mmHg), control LH differed from LN rats by an increased preglomerular vasoconstriction and a blunted pressure-natriuresis curve. Perindopril fully prevented the development of hypertension in LH rats, suppressed their preglomerular vasoconstriction, and markedly improved their pressure-natriuresis. In perindopril-treated LH, ANG II produced a greater reduction in renal blood flow, glomerular filtration rate, and urinary sodium excretion that was not significantly modified by blockade of thromboxane A2-prostaglandin H2 receptors. These results indicate that the blood pressure level and the renal function of LH rats are closely dependent on an active RAS.