Effect of beta-receptor antagonists on HgCl2-induced acute renal failure in rats.

During the first 48 h of HgCl2-induced acute renal failure (ARF), a single intraperitoneal injection of 100-100 micrograms/kg of the beta-adrenergic blockers pindolol, propranolol and practolol caused a significant rise in urinary sodium excretion and a decrease in plasma renin activity (PRA), renal cortical renin activity (RRA) and urinary catecholamine excretion. A single intraperitoneal injection of 3 mg/kg HgCl2 resulted in ARF characterized by progressive azotemia, a transient increase in PRA, a progressive rise in RRA and urinary catecholamine excretion. After pretreatment with these beta blockers, PRA, RRA and urinary catecholamine excretion remained unchanged and azotemia was markedly reduced; urine flow rates did not fall, and were significantly higher than control flows till after 48 h. These results indicate that pretreatment with beta blockers decreases the severity of ARF, though they cannot prevent is; that increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system is involved in ARF and that increase in RRA may be an aggravating factor in the pathomechanism of the nephrotoxic model in ARF.