Effect of beta-adrenergic blockade by propranolol upon intravascular coagulation in the rat kidney.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation in rats was induced by intravenous infusion of thrombin for 30 min. The glomercular filtration rate was measured as the clearance of polyethylene glycol 1000. The fibrin deposition in organs was quantitated by a method using previous injection of 125I-labelled fibrinogen. Administration of the beta-adrenergic blocking agent, propranolol, prevented the decrease in glomerular filtration rate after infusion of thrombin. This result could be explained by an observed partial redistribution of the fibrin from the kidneys to the lungs.