Mechanism of Renin Inhibition by Beta Adrenergic Blocking Agents

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Abstract
To reveal the mechanism of renin inhibition by .beta. adrenergic blocking agents, the effects of dl-, d-, l-propranolol and pindolol on renin release were studied. This was done by injecting them i.p. or by using an in vitro system of rat kidney slices. In the in vivo study, dl-, d- and l-propranolol inhibited plasma renin activity and renal renin content significantly in normal rats. In the in vitro study, the basal levels of renin in the media and that in the kidney were significantly inhibited by the agents. Pindolol inhibited renin release, but its effects were significantly less than those of other agents. d-Propranolol (which has little .beta.-adrenergic blocking action) inhibited renin release, and the effects of pindolol (which displays strong .beta.-adrenergic blocking action but little membrane stabilizing action) were less than those of other agents. These findings suggest that the inhibitory effects of .beta.-adrenergic blocking agents on renin release are dependent mainly on the membrane stabilizing action rather than the .beta.-adrenergic blocking action.