Glomerular angiotensin II receptors in gentamicin-induced renal failure in the rat.

We evaluated the properties of glomerular angiotensin II receptors in renal glomeruli isolated from control rats and from rats with gentamicin-induced renal failure. There were no differences in the affinity of angiotensin II for its receptor between glomeruli from control and those from rats treated with gentamicin. Angiotensin II receptor density was lower in glomeruli from rats with renal failure than in those from control rats (985 +/- 71 in gentamicin treated rats vs. 1602 +/- 213 fmol/mg prot in controls). No significant differences were observed in renin activity in the supernatant from glomeruli isolated from control rats (3.74 +/- 0.29 ng angiotensin l/mL h) and those isolated from rats with gentamicin-induced renal failure (2.99 +/- 0.29 ng angiotensin l/mL h, p > 0.1). These findings do not support the contention of a role of angiotensin II in the development and maintenance of gentamicin-induced ARF.