Studies on the Role of the Adrenal in Renin Kinetics

Summary Renin substrate and renin reaction velocity rise transiently with stress reactions such as sham operation and these changes are shown to be mediated via pituitary-adrenal stimulation. Salt administration raises slightly the renin substrate level but does not change renin reaction velocity. The augmentation of renin substrate which follows nephrectomy is diminished by prior adrenalectomy. The concomitant rise in renin reaction velocity is not modified by adrenalectomy. Reasons are given for assigning a primary role to loss of a renal inhibitor in the increased renin reaction velocity which accompanies the hypertension which is seen in the partially or completely renoprival rat.