Amiloride lowers arterial pressure in cyp1a1ren-2 transgenic rats without affecting renal vascular function.

Objective: The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) is expressed in the renal vasculature, where it may be involved in the control of vascular tone and arterial pressure. Using a rat model with an inducible mouse renin transgene (cyp1a1ren-2 transgenic rats), we tested the hypothesis that stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) for 3 weeks is associated with an impairment of renal vascular function that is sensitive to treatment with the ENaC blocker amiloride.

Methods: Rats were randomized to control, transgene induction, or transgene induction plus amiloride treatment (n = 7-10 per group).