Effect of Pneumonectomy and of Lung Extract on Experimental Renal Hypertension. ∗

Summary

1. Daily intramuscular injections of lung extract for two months preceding and following clamping of the renal artery and contralateral nephrectomy failed to prevent the development of hypertension in two dogs. 2. Pneumonectomy performed on 2 renal hypertensive dogs and pneumonectomy plus contralateral lobectomy on 2 other hypertensive animals did not alter their pressure levels. 3. The pressures of 2 normotensive dogs were not influenced by pneumonectomy, nor were the hypertensions subsequently produced by renal artery constriction and contralateral nephrectomy. 4. The results of these experiments suggest, but do not prove, that the lungs do not elaborate an antihypertensive substance and do not inactivate the pressor agent of experimental renal hypertension. 5. Further work is necessary to explain the pulmonary normotension of renal hypertensive dogs.