Role of the renal nerves in one-kidney, one clip hypertension in rats

The effects of renal denervation on the onset and maintenance of one-kidney, one clip Goldblatt (1K1C) hypertension were determined. Renal denervation was performed at the time of 1K1C surgery, and was repeated at 3-week intervals to prevent renal nerve regeneration. Denervation delayed the onset of 1K1C hypertension by about 5 weeks, but the final hypertensive state was unaltered. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) averaged 196 +/- 11.4 mm Hg in six rats at 9 weeks after 1K1C surgery and 194 +/- 11.3 mm Hg in eight renal-denervated rats at this time. The delay in the development of 1K1C hypertension following renal denervation could not be explained by interference with renin release. This delay in the development of hypertension could be prevented, however, in renal-denervated 1K1C rats by substituting saline for the drinking water. Two weeks after 1K1C surgery and a high sodium diet, MAP averaged 164 +/- 6.4 mm Hg in eight rats rats with intact renal nerves and 173 +/- 4.8 mm Hg in nine renal-denervated rats. Intact renal nerves are not necessary for the development or maintenance of 1K1C hypertension. Renal denervation delays development of 1K1C hypertension, possibly by delaying the ability of these rats to retain sodium.