The angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril in acute ischemic renal failure in rats

The influence of the renin-angiotensin system on renal hemodynamics, tubular pressure and tubulo-glomerular feedback was investigated with the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor MK 421 (enalapril), in uninephrectomized rats with and without ischemia-induced acute renal failure. In animals with normal renal function proximal tubular pressure and tubulo-glomerular feedback response were lowered by enalapril long-term treatment, whereas glomerular filtration rate and renal blood flow were not influenced by the drug. After 45 and 70 minutes ischemia there was no difference between treated and untreated animals in the severely impaired glomerular filtration rate. Renal blood flow remained unaffected by the treatment. The histological damage due to ischemia (tubular casts, tubular necrosis and medullary capillary congestion) was not influenced by enalapril. As tubulo-glomerular feedback had been significantly inhibited during renin-angiotensin inhibition, its importance in mediating acute renal failure remains doubtful; other factors such as tubular obstruction and medullary congestion may be crucial.