title: Effect of methylprednisolone upon arterial pressure and the renin angiotensin system in the rat.
abstract: The effect of methylprednisolone or deoxycorticosterone upon systemic arterial blood pressure and components of the renin-angiotensin system was studied in the rat. Rats maintained on regular diets given methylprednisolone suspension 20 mg/kg body wt demonstrated a significant increase in arterial pressure of + 37 plus or minus 5 mmHg, mean plus or minus SE, over a 2-wk period, whereas those treated with DOC and untreated controls showed no significant change. On normal diets, plasma renin concentration (PRC) of methylprednisolone-treated rats was significantly higher than that of DOC-treated rats. Methylprednisolone treatment also resulted in a significant elevation of plasma renin substrate concentration (PRS). Calculated plasma renin activity (PRA) was highest in methylprednisolone-treated rats, significantly above that of the DOC and no-steroid groups. NaCl supplementation resulted in a significant fall in PRC and PRA in all three groups; however, PRS remained significantly above normal in the methylprednisolone-treated rats. The pressor effect of angiotensin II was slightly increased in methylprednisolone-treated rats. Infusion of [Sar1,Ala8]angiotensin II (P-113) in methylprednisolone-treated rats resulted in a significant fall in diastolic arterial pressure. The results imply that methylprednisolone hypertension in the rat may be in part angiotensin dependent.
mesh_terms: D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D003900:Desoxycorticosterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
chemical_list: D000804:Angiotensin II; D003900:Desoxycorticosterone; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D012083:Renin; D009638:Norepinephrine; D008775:Methylprednisolone