Micropuncture analysis of glomerular ultrafiltration (SNGFR) was conducted in Munich-Wistar rats to assess the functional responses to moderate-frequency (3-Hz) renal nerve stimulation. Angiotensin II inhibition (ANG II-inhib) was produced by the intravenous administration of [Sar1, Ala8] angiotensin II or MK 421 to investigate whether it modulates the effects of renal nerve stimulation. Micropuncture measurements were obtained before and during renal nerve stimulation. Renal nerve stimulation decreased SNGFR approximately 25% (from 49.9 +/- 2.3 to 38.0 +/- 1.4 nl X min-1 X g kidney wt-1), the result of decreased glomerular capillary hydrostatic pressure gradient and nephron plasma flow. These decreases were due to increased afferent (approximately 43%) and efferent (approximately 30%) arteriolar resistances, since the glomerular ultrafiltration coefficient remained unaffected. The effects of renal nerve stimulation during ANG II-inhib were less in magnitude than in renal nerve stimulation alone: SNGFR decreased from 48.0 +/- 1.5 to 44.8 +/- 2.0 nl X min-1 X g kidney wt-1 after renal nerve stimulation. The net renal production of norepinephrine was augmented by renal nerve stimulation but it was not influenced by ANG II-inhib. In conclusion: renal nerve stimulation can regulate glomerular ultrafiltration by altering vascular resistances, and angiotensin II appears to be a critical factor for the full functional expression of renal nerve stimulation at the glomerulus.