Renal hemodynamic, fluid volume, and arterial pressure changes during hyperproteinemia.

The chronic effects of hyperproteinemia on renal hemodynamics, fluid volume, and arterial pressure were determined in six conscious dogs over a 32-day period. Plasma protein concentration was increased by intravenous infusion of approximately 300 ml/day of previously collected autologous plasma, and the responses to changes in sodium intake were studied. By the end of a 9-day period of hyperproteinemia and normal sodium intake, plasma protein concentration had increased 2.2 g/dl, plasma colloid osmotic pressure had increased 7-8 mmHg, mean arterial pressure had increased 12 mmHg, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) had increased 15%, estimated renal plasma flow (ERPF) had increased 51% primarily due to renal vasodilatation, and filtration fraction had decreased 23%. Also, sodium balance was negative, water balance was positive, sodium iothalamate space had increased, plasma sodium concentration had decreased, and the relationship between mean arterial pressure and urinary sodium excretion was shifted to the right along the arterial pressure axis. In conclusion, long-term increases of plasma protein concentration result in a marked increase in ERPF as well as significant increases in GFR, extracellular fluid volume, and arterial pressure.