Influence of hepatic innervation on renal glomerular filtration rate.

Electrical stimulation of perivascular portal nerves leads to rapid, transient increase of renal glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and of urinary flow rate (V). In contrast, perivascular stimulation at the vena cava inferior does not significantly alter GFR and V. Spinal transfection at the thoracocervical junction does not significantly modify the effect of periportal nerve stimulation. Infusion of the alpha-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine (20 nmol/min) into the superior mesenteric vein increases GFR and V, whereas infusion of identical amounts of phenylephrine (20 nmol/min) into the jugular vein does not significantly alter GFR or V. The observations indicate that alpha-adrenergic innervation of the liver modifies renal function.