Vascular and excretory effects of angiotensin II in the rat isolated perfused kidney: influence of an AT1 and a nonselective AT receptor antagonist

Angiotensin II (AII) is a potent vasoconstrictor which, at physiological plasma concentrations, produces antinatriuresis, whereas high intrarenal concentrations cause natriuresis and diuresis. We examined the effects of a selective AT1 receptor antagonist, losartan, and a nonselective AT receptor antagonist, Sar1Thr8AII, on the response to infusion of AII in the isolated rat kidney perfused at constant pressure with a recirculating modified Krebs-Henseleit buffer. AII increased renal vascular resistance (RVR), glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and urinary volume (UV) and sodium excretion (UNaV) without changing the fractional excretion of water or electrolytes. Thus, changes in GFR can account for the natriuresis/diuresis. Both AII receptor antagonists prevented the increase in RVR. However, losartan was without effect on angiotensin-induced increases in GFR, UV or UNaV, whereas Sar1Thr8 AII also prevented the increases in GFR, UV and UNaV. The angiotensin receptor mediating the increase in GFR can be dissociated from that mediating the increase in RVR, providing functional evidence of angiotensin receptor subtypes in the rat kidney.