RENAL BLOOD FLOW IN OBSTRUCTIVE JAUNDICE: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY IN BABOONS

1. The distribution of intrarenal blood flow has been measured using the ¹³³Xe-washout technique in thirteen baboons 2 weeks after ligation of the common bile duct. 2. In comparison with eight sham-operated baboons, there was a significant decrease in the percentage distribution of blood flow to the cortex, although the rate of flow was unchanged. These changes were accompanied by a significantly increased flow rate and percentage distribution of flow through the juxtamedullary circulation. 3. In a further five baboons treated in the same way, various doses of noradrena-line were infused into the renal artery. In these animals there was an enhanced pressor response to noradrenaline, and this effect was completely abolished by an α-adrenoreceptor blocking agent (phenoxybenzamine). The β-adrenoceptor blocking drug (propranolol) had no such effect. 4. This enhanced response was not seen when noradrenaline was infused into three sham-operated baboons. 5. These observations suggest that the alterations in renal perfusion in obstructive jaundice may be due to an increased renovascular sensitivity to circulating catecholamines and an enhanced α-drenoceptor activity.