The effect of eplerenone on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system of rats with thyroid dysfunction.

OBJECTIVES

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of eplerenone on the RAAS and kidney function in rats with thyroid hormone disorders.

METHODS

This study involved 30 male Wistar albino rats, divided into three groups. The first group (N = 6) served as a control. The second group involved 12 rats with experimentally induced hypothyroidism through receiving propylthiouracil (0.05% w/v) in drinking water for one month, which was divided into two subgroups of six rats each. The first subgroup served as a positive hypothyroid control, and the second subgroup received oral daily dose of eplerenone (100 mg/kg) for 14 days. The third group included 12 rats with induced hyperthyroidism with L-thyroxin (0.0012% w/v) in drinking water, and rats in this group were also divided into two subgroups. The first subgroup served as a positive hyperthyroid control, and the second subgroup received oral eplerenone 100 mg/kg.

RESULTS

Eplerenone indicated a significant increase in renin and angiotensin I from 184.09 pg/ml and 178.66 pg/ml to 603.31 pg/ml and 250.88 pg/ml, respectively, meanwhile, aldosterone indicated no significant changes after inducing hypothyroidism and eplerenone administration. The induction of hyperthyroidism led to a significant increase in angiotensin I from 248.84 pg/ml to 292.22 pg/ml. Oral administration of eplerenone for 14 days caused a significant increase aldosterone from 364.23 pg/ml to 497.02 pg/ml.

CONCLUSION

Eplerenone significantly increased the serum renin and angiotensin I in hypothyroid and aldosterone and angiotensin I in hyperthyroid rats. Aldosterone in hypothyroid rats was not changed by eplerenone.