Lead Exposure, Begun in Utero, Decreases Renin and Angiotensin II in Adult Rats

Abstract

Male rats were exposed continously to Pb in utero and after birth by giving their mothers, during pregnancy and lactation, drinking water containing 0, 5, or 25 ppm Pb (as Pb acetate) and then continuing this regimen after weaning for approximately 5 months. At the time of sacrifice (5 months) the 5- and 25-ppm groups had mean blood Pb concentrations of 5.6 and 18.2 μg/dl, respectively. No differences in systolic blood pressure occurred between groups. Rats exposed to 25 ppm manifested a significant decrease in basal plasma renin activity (PRA) but a significant increase in PRA during stimulation of renin release by acute volume depletion. In this latter state, the ratio of angiotensin II to PRA was significantly reduced in the 25-ppm group. Groups exposed to 5 and 25 ppm both had significant decreases in renal renin concentration. We conclude that chronic exposure of rats to doses of Pb which produce blood Pb concentrations similar to those generally present in urban human populations does not induce hypertension but does inhibit renin synthesis and release, as well as reducing plasma angiotensin II concentration at any given PRA, either by inhibiting conversion of AI to AII or by enhancing AII catabolism.