Allogeneic kidney transplantation after active immunological enhancement: a model to study post-transplantation hypertension in rats.

A model was developed to study post-transplant hypertension after allogeneic kidney transplantation between two inbred normotensive rat strains. Prolongation of graft survival was achieved by 'active immunological enhancement'. Renal function, systolic blood pressure and plasma renin concentration were determined. The systolic blood pressure started to rise in the second week after allogeneic transplantation. The glomerular filtration rate was impaired to a greater extent than the effective renal plasma flow. Histopathological changes occurred indicating immunological reactions in the renal graft. The plasma renin concentration was lower in transplant recipients than in controls. We hypothesize that retention of sodium is mediately involved in the post-transplant hypertension observed in this model.