Role of dopaminergic mechanisms in the kidney for the pathogenesis of hypertension.

1. To estimate the role of renal dopaminergic mechanisms in the pathogenesis of hypertension, patients with essential hypertension and animal models of hypertension were investigated. 2. Impaired dopaminergic activity in kidneys for natriuresis was observed in patients with 'salt-sensitive' hypertension and with low-renin hypertension. 3. Decreased dopaminergic activity in kidneys was observed in the Dahl S-rats without salt loading. 4. In spontaneously hypertensive rats, renal dopamine synthesis was enhanced whereas there was a decrease of adenylate cyclase activity in renal tubules. 5. Demonstration of impaired dopaminergic mechanisms in kidneys of human and animal hypertension suggests that renal dopaminergic mechanisms play an important role in development of hypertension.