Is the adrenergic control of renin release dominant in man?

Two beta-blocking agents with different properties were used to define the adrenergic component of the renin release which follows orthostasis. Five normal young subjects were tilted to 85 degrees for 30 min on four separate occasions. In two control studies the release of renin, as indicated by changes in plasma-renin activity, was highly reproducible. The effects of intravenous oxprenolol and intravenous propranolol, were then compared under the same experimental conditions. Oxprenolol attenuated the renin response in all subjects without completely abolishing it. Propranolol completely abolished the renin response. The difference in the ability of these agents to suppress renin release may be related to the presence (oxprenolol) or absence (propranolol) of intrinsic sympathomimetic activity. The increased rate of renin release in orthostasis seems to be mediated entirely by the adrenergic nervous system.