Influence of the renin-angiotensin system on the effect of prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors in the renal vasculature.

The effect of meclofenamate and indomethacin on renal blood flow and renal vascular resistance was determined under basal experimental conditions and during renal ischemia in pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs. Renal blood flow was measured with an electromagnetic flowmeter and renal arterial pressure was recorded from a catheter in the renal artery. Intra-arterial infusion of indomethacin or meclofenamate in concentrations of 4 and 4 to 8 mu-g/ml, respectively, did not cause any significant change in renal blood flow or renal vascular resistance under basal conditions. During the period of ischemia (50% reduction in renal blood flow), 4 mu-g/ml of either prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor caused a marked increase in renal vascular resistance. Prostaglandin E in the renal venous blood was decreased at the time renal vascular resistance was increased by meclofenamate. The renal vasoconstrictor response to angiotensin II injected intravenously was potentiated by both inhibitors under basal as well as ischemic ...