The adrenocortical response to angiotensin II infusion in anephric and non-nephrectomized patients on regular hemodialysis.
In the present study 8 anephric and 4 non-nephrectomized patients were stimulated with angiotensin II (A-II). In 5 of the anephric patients, an increased plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) in response to ACTH stimulation had previously been demonstrated. After A-II stimulation, all 8 anephric patients responded with a significant rise in PAC although the increase was less pronounced than in 4 non-nephrectomized patients. In both groups of patients the increase in PAC was correlated to the increase in diastolic and systolic BP and to the A-II dose. Furthermore, in the non-nephrectomized patients, the plasma renin activity showed a significant decline, which was inversely correlated to the increase in PAC. When all 12 patients, regardless of the difference in remaining renin-angiotensin system, were considered as one population, the variable basal levels of PAC correlated significantly to the increase in PAC during A-II and ACTH stimulation. It is concluded that the adrenals of anephric man respond to A-II with an increase in PAC and that the reason for a lower response appears to be the lack of the renin-angiotensin system.
D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects*; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009392:Nephrectomy; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood*
D000804:Angiotensin II; D000450:Aldosterone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D012083:Renin