Increase in plasma renin activity, water intake and blood pressure following application and reapplication of a renal artery clip.

Application of a renal artery clip in rats with an undisturbed contralateral kidney caused a sustained increase in blood pressure and a transient rise of plasma renin activity and water intake. The response of blood pressure, plasma renin activity and water intake was augmented after reapplication of the clip to normotensive declipped rats (renal hypertensive rats, from which the clip had been removed 24h before the reapplication). The time-course of the changes of blood pressure, plasma renin activity and water intake were similar after the initial application as after reapplication of the clip. Administration of an inhibitor (SQ 14.225) of the converting enzyme abolished the increase in blood pressure and water intake after reapplication of the clip. These data indicate a critical role of renin in the rise of blood pressure and water intake after initial application of a renal artery clip as well as after reapplication of the clip to declipped rats.