PROTECTION OF ISCHEMIC KIDNEYS BY PHARMAC OLOGICAL BLOCKADE OF THE RENIN-ANGIOTENSIN-SYSTEM

After pretreatment of rats with either 0.9% saline (control) or an ang iotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor one renal artery was clamped for 60 minutes. Then contralateral nephrectomy was performed and renal fun ction parameters were followed. In the acute phase (1 to 3 hours) and chronic phase (48 hours) after ischemia glomerular filtration rate and renal blood flow were significantly higher in treated animals. Urine volumes were also increased, whereas renal vascular resistance was sev erely reduced compared to control. Therefore postischemic renal functi on appears to be significantly better after blockade of the renin-angi otensin-system. This could be of clinical use for organ-preserving ren al surgery under temporary ischemia of the kidney.