The different effects of exogenous and neuronally released norepinephrine on renin release in rat kidney cortical slices.

The effects of veratrine on renin release from rat kidney cortical slices were compared with those of norepinephrine (NE). Veratrine (10-100 micrograms/ml) produced a concentration-dependent increase in renin release. This action was markedly attenuated by propranolol but not influenced by prazosin. On the other hand, relatively higher concentrations of NE produced an inhibition of renin release and the inhibitory action was reversed by prazosin. These results suggest that exogenous NE inhibits renin release by preferential activation of alpha 1-adrenoceptors while neuronally released NE stimulates renin release by exclusive activation of beta-adrenoceptors.