Further observations on the response of the glomerular filtration rate to glucagon: comparison with secretin.

Glucagon causes marked elevations of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in dogs when administered intravenously (i.v.) in small doses. The associated natriuresis is thought to be entirely due to increments in the filtered sodium load. In this study, renal denervation, thyroparathyroidectomy, and blockade of cholinergic, alpha- and beta-adrenergic, dopaminergic and histaminergic receptors did not prevent the usual glucagon-induced elevations of GFR or rate of sodium excretion (UNaV). This effect of glucagon was not mediated through the release of cyclic AMP, or by plasma compositional changes of Ca-2+, K+, or amino acids. Pure porcine secretin, in doses of 5--10 mug/min delivered either i.v. or into the left renal artery did not alter GFR; clearance of the p-aminohippurate (CPAH) or UNaV in either hydropenic or saline-loaded dogs. Nor did this polypeptide, structurally very similar to glucagon, abolish the effect of glucagon on GFR. It did, however, partially inhibit the glucagon-induced natriuresis, presumably by preventing a previously undetected glucagon action on tubular reabsorption of sodium.