The Effect of Mercuric Chloride, of Bilateral Ureteral Ligation and of Bilateral Nephrectomy on Plasma Renin Substrate Concentration in Rats

Abstract

Plasma renin substrate has been studied under various experimental renal damages in rats. Substrate concentration was determined indirectly by the addition of an excess dose of hog renin and expressed as equivalent of angiotensin II (ng) per milliliter of plasma. After bilateral nephrectomy plasma substrate concentration increased significantly. Furthermore, the similar phenomenon was observed after mercuric chloride-, sodium-potassium tartrate-intoxication and also after bilateral ureteral ligation. On the other hand, after bilateral adrenalectomy, plasma substrate decreased significantly. The possible mechanisms responsible for an increase in the plasma substrate concentration observed in this study were discussed.