title: Regional responsiveness of renal perfusion to activation of the renal nerves.
abstract: We tested for regional differences in perfusion responses, within the renal medulla and cortex, to renal nerve stimulation in pentobarbital sodium-anesthetized rabbits. Laser-Doppler flux (LDF) was monitored at various depths below the cortical surface (1-15 mm). Basal cortical LDF (1-3 mm, approximately 200-450 U) was greater than medullary LDF (5-15 mm, approximately 70-160 U), but there were no statistically significant differences in basal LDF within these regions. The background LDF signal during aortic occlusion was similar in the cortex (2 mm, 31 U) and outer medulla (7 mm, 31 U), but slightly greater in the inner medulla (12 mm, 44 U). During electrical stimulation of the renal nerves (0.5-8 Hz), cortical LDF and total renal blood flow were similarly progressively reduced with increasing stimulus frequency. Medullary LDF (measured between 5 and 15 mm) was overall less responsive than cortical LDF. For example, 4-Hz stimulation reduced inner medullary LDF (9 mm) by 19 +/- 6% but reduced cortical LDF (1 mm) by 54 +/- 11%. However, medullary LDF responses to nerve stimulation were similar at all depths measured. Our results indicate that while the vascular elements controlling medullary perfusion are less sensitive to the effects of electrical stimulation of the renal nerves than are those controlling cortical perfusion, sensitivity within these vascular territories appears to be relatively homogeneous.
authors.affiliation: Circulatory Control Laboratory, Department of Physiology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Sarah-Jane
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Guild
authors.forename: Gabriela A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Eppel
authors.forename: Simon C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Malpas
authors.forename: Niwanthi W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Rajapakse
authors.forename: Alistair
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Roger G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Evans
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000502:physiology; D004431:Ear, External / Q000098:blood supply; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D007668:Kidney / Q000294:innervation*; D007672:Kidney Cortex / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology; D007679:Kidney Medulla / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D012079:Renal Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology