Central 6-hydroxydopamine and renal sodium retention in mineralocorticoid-treated rats

Cerebroventricular administration of 6-hydroxydopamine attenuated the development of deoxycorticosterone hypertension in the rat but did not affect the inital period of renal sodium retention. However, escape from the sodium retention was greater in 6-hydroxydopamine-treated rats. These data support the hypothesis that destruction of central catecholamine-containing neurons influences the renal handling of sodium. The enhanced escape may lead to diminished total body sodium, which attenuates the development of deoxycorticosterone hypertension.