Increased circulating plasma catecholamines and plasma renin activity in dogs after chemical sympathectomy with 6-hydroxydopamine.

Circulating plasma catecholamines, plasma renin activity, and other variables were measured in unanesthetized dogs before and after chemical sympathectomy with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA, 50 mg/kg). Chemical sympathectomy resulted in an immediate fall in mean arterial blood pressure and a delayed reduction in heart rate. Significant increases in plasma glucose and lactate concentrations, circulating plasma catecholamines, and plasma renin activity were found 24 h after 6-OHDA treatment. Circulating catecholamine levels decreased rapidly as time elapsed after sympathectomy and were half the initial values after 2 weeks. Plasma renin activity remained elevated during the 1st week after 6-OHDA treatment and returned to control levels during the 2nd week. Significant correlations were found between circulating catecholamines and heart rate mean arterial pressure, and plasma glucose and lactate concentrations. A significant correlation was also found between plasma renin activity and the mean arterial blood pressure. These results confirm that the adrenal medulla increases its catecholamine secretion rate into the circulation to compensate for the loss of adrenergic innervation after 6-OHDA treatment. They also indicate that the renin-angiotensin system represents another important compensatory mechanism for circulatory homeostasis in sympathectomized animals.