The Effect of Moderate Hypothermia on ReninAngiotensin- Aldosterone System in Male Rats

Despite th e diversity of stu dies on hypo- therrnia, many of its biologic andphysiologic effects are stili poorly recognized. in this stu dy the effect of hypothermiaon the renin- angiotensin- aldosteroneaxi s wa s explored.materials and methods: ten male albino wi starrats after anesthetizing by chloral hydrate (0.5m1f100gr body weights) were cooled to 25°c. beforeand just after hypothermia, and once every24 hours for three da ys; serum le vel s of agiotensini and aldosterone were measured, usingthe radioimmunoassay method. plasma renin activitywa s also determineded by the stan dardformula for angiotensin determinates at twotemperatures of 4°c and 37°c.results: plasma renin activity increased duringhypothermia but then decreased to a level notsignificantly different from basal values. angiotensini increased signif icantly in the secondsample taken 24 hours following hypothermia(p