Effect of Castration on the Experimental Renal Hypertension of the Rat

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Abstract
Rats were rendered hypertensive by clamping 1 renal artery. Both kidneys remained in situ (''2-kidney one-clip Goldblatt hypertension''). Half of the animals were simultaneously castrated. After the operation, 18-24 wk, both castrated females and males had a lower level of hypertension than the uncastrated controls. The kidneys of castrates contained less connective tissue (measured as the content of hydroxyproline) and long-chain (C-18) fatty acids and had a higher specific activity of the enzyme N-acetylating p-aminohippurate (N-acetyltransferase) than those of uncastrated rats. Thus, castration seems to alleviate some renal effects of the Goldblatt hypertension. In all animals, the clamped kidney contained more hydroxyproline and C-18 fatty acids and had a lower N-acetyltransferase activitythan the contralateral untouched organ. These results are in accordance with the theory that renal fatty acid concentration interferes directly with the N-acetyltransferase activity of the kidney. The enhanced hydroxyproline content of the kidneys (nephrosclerosis) inhibits N-acetylation most probably indirectly by raising the tissue concentration of C-18 fatty acids.