Effect of high dose d-l propranolol on the renin-angiotensin system in glycerol induced acute renal failure in rat.

Stimulation of the renin-angiotensin system has been implicated in the pathogenesis of post-ischemic and nephrotoxic acute renal failure. This study was designed to determine the effect of d-l propranolol in glycerol induced acute renal failure in rats. 50% glycerol administered alone, induced a significant rise in blood urea and plasma renin concentration but no significant change in renal renin concentration. When administered with d-l propranolol (10 mg/kg body weight in 5 subcutaneous injections), mean blood urea, plasma renin and renal renin concentrations were not significantly different from the preceding group. Propranolol alone, administered in the same fashion, unexpectedly induced a rise in plasma renin concentration (p less than 0.05) while blood urea and renal renin concentrations were unchanged. Considering the unusually high dose of propranolol used, a second protocol was devised to compare the effects of d-l propranolol, in doses of 10 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg. Plasma renin concentration rose after high dose propranolol, but decreased, although not significantly, after administration of 1 mg/kg. Renal renin concentration was unchanged. High dose d-l propranolol, does not protect rats against glycerol induced acute renal failure. Contrarily to the usual 1 mg/kg dose, it was found surprisingly to increase renin release.