Attenuated development of renal hypertension in essential fatty acid-deficient rats.

Renal hypertension (one-clip, two kidney) developed to a lower level in essential fatty acid (EFA)-deficient rats than in controls on a complete diet. Body weight gain was the same in both clipped groups. Hypertension in rats on an EFA-deficient diet supplemented with linoleic acid (corn oil) was comparable to that in rats on a complete diet. Plasma renin activity was significantly higher in both hypertensive groups. However, in the EFA-deficient groups the difference between hypertensive and sham-operated rats was 63% less than in the "control" groups. Indomethacin potentiated the development of renal hypertension of the control group. Addition of 3.5% linoleic acid (corn oil) to a complete diet blunted the development of hypertension. It is suggested that in the EFA-deficient rats, a lack of endogenous prostaglandin biosynthesis is not responsible for the attenuated development of renal hypertension.