The effect of angiotensin, noradrenaline and vasopressin on blood flow distribution in the rat kidney.

1. The effect of val(5)-angiotensin II amide, noradrenaline and vasopressin, on kidney volume and intrarenal distribution of carbon particles and thioflavine S was examined in the rat.2. Angiotensin produced a dose-dependent shrinkage of the kidney coinciding with the rise in systemic blood pressure. Noradrenaline and vasopressin, however, produced reduction in kidney volume only in much higher doses than were necessary to produce a pressor effect.3. An intravenous infusion of angiotensin sufficient to produce a diuretic response resulted in a striking increase in glomerular content of injected carbon particles, and a marked reduction in filling of the capillary plexuses of the subcortex and outer medulla. The reduction in outer medullary filling was also observed using the thioflavine S technique.4. Noradrenaline infused in amounts sufficient to produce diuresis, aortic constriction above the kidney and vasopressin injection produced no measurable change in carbon particle distribution.5. The reduction in capillary blood flow produced by angiotensin may result in impaired tubular reabsorptive capacity by reducing peritubular removal of reabsorbate, or by reducing oxygen availability. Thus the vasoconstrictor effects of angiotensin may explain its diuretic action.