Abstract
The effect of lithium on renin secretion and on plasma renin activity (PRA) was studied in the rat. Administration of 3 mmoles/kg of LiCl caused a significant lowering of PRA within one day of beginning treatment and continued throughout the 14 days of lithium administration. Progressive increase of the dose of LiCl from 2 mmoles/kg to 16 mmoles/kg produced lowering of PRA at small doses and elevation of PRA at higher doses of lithium. The increase of PRA by high doses of lithium was abolished by the simultaneous injection of NaCl. Perfusion of the isolated rat kidney with a solution containing LiCl(> 5 mM) caused increased release of renin into the renal vein. Kidneys from rats pretreated with LiCl showed lower rates of renin secretion into the renal vein when perfused with lithium-free solutions. The possible mechanisms of the dual effect of lithium on renin levels are discussed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 347-351 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | European Journal of Pharmacology |
| Volume | 24 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Dec 1973 |
Keywords
- Kidney perfusion
- Lithium
- Plasma renin activity
- Renin
- Sodium