Erythropoietin production after renal denervation or beta-adrenergic blockade.

The ability of either beta-adrenergic blockade or bilateral renal denervation to alter erythropoietin (ESF) production in rabbits exposed to hypobaric hypoxia was studied. ESF elaboration during 5 h of exposure to hypoxia was not affected by beta-blockade, but was markedly reduced by prior surgical denervation of both kidneys. After 18 h of hypoxia plasma ESF levels in renal denervated rabbits did not differ significantly from those of sham-operated controls. Previous studies have shown that ESF production during this more prolonged exposure to hypoxia was significantly inhibited by some beta-adrenergic blocking agents. Combined renal denervation and beta-blockade were more effective than renal denervation alone in attenuating ESF production during 5 h of exposure to hypoxia. However, ESF elaboration during 18 h of hypoxia was significantly greater in animals with combined denervation and beta-blockade than in control rabbits. These results suggest the existence of two distinct mechanisms for ESF production in rabbits exposed to hypobaric hypoxia.