Vasoconstriction of the vasa afferentia in the rat kidney after long-term adrenaline application.

Adrenaline applied in the form of a retard tablet was implanted subcutaneously under short ether anesthesia under the neck skin of rats. Animals in the V 15 group received one 15 mg adrenaline tablet and those in the V 30 group two 15 mg tablets. The tablets were removed after 24 h. Twenty-two h later plasma catecholamines with the exception of dopamine are elevated in accordance with the amount of adrenaline applied. Histological examination reveals hyalinization of the vasa afferentia and glomerula which is more expressed in the inner part of the renal cortex. Hyalinization begins in the vas afferents and juxtaglomerular cells and extends to the glomerulus. Electron microscopic examination of the vas afferents shows vasoconstriction and beginning cellular degeneration of this vessel. Vasoconstriction is considered to be responsible for the decrease in kidney function.