Plasma renin, renin substrate and angiotensin II changes following experimental endotoxinaemia.

The effect of a single dose of endotoxin (B. coli, 1.5 mg/kg intravenously) on plasma renin concentration (PRC), renin substrate (PRSC), and angiotensin II (AT II) was studied in rats over a period of 48 hours. All determinations were performed by specific radioimmunoassay. Six and nine hours following endotoxin administration, renin secretion was decreased, whereas at 48 hours a slight increase in the PRC was found. In contrast, a three-fold elevation of the PRSC occurred during the first 24 hour period, attributable to a stimulation of the hepatic biosynthesis as result of corticosterone oversecretion. According to the observed changes in PRC and PRSC, AT II remains unchanged after six and nine hours, whereas a significant increase was detected after 24 and 48 hours. Based on the actual AT II level, the findings emphasize that in the rat the RAS does participate in the later stages of endotoxin stress only.