Captopril and tubuloglomerular feedback in remnant kidneys of prehypertensive rats.

The activity and characteristics of tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) are altered subsequent to reductions in renal mass or blockade of the renin-angiotensin system. This study assessed the combined effects of renal ablation and captopril on TGF. Renal mass was reduced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by the surgical removal of 1 1/2 kidneys. At 2 and 8 wk postsurgery, TGF was studied by micropuncture before and after the administration of captopril (0.5 mg/kg i.v.) Before captopril, TGF in remnant kidneys (NX) was characterized by a higher tubular perfusion rate required for a 50% maximal response (TGF turning point) as compared with intact kidneys of controls (CNT) at both 2 (NX, 35 +/- 3; CNT, = 19 +/- 1 nL/min; P less than 0.05) and 8 wk (NX, 54 +/- 5; CNT, 20 +/- 1 nL/min; P less than 0.05). Captopril significantly increased the turning point in both intact and remnant kidneys at both 2 (NX, 43 +/- 2; CNT, 25 +/- 2 nL/min) and 8 wk (NX, 61 +/- 5; CNT, 28 +/- 2 nL/min) postsurgery. Captopril also significantly reduced the maximal TGF response in both intact and remnant kidneys at 2 (NX from 13 +/- 3 to 7 +/- 1 mm Hg; CNT from 10 +/- 1 to 5 +/- 1 mm Hg) and 8 wk (NX from 15 +/- 1 to 9 +/- 2 mm Hg; CNT from 13 +/- 1 to 7 +/- 1 mm Hg).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)