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Renin content of individual juxtaglomerular apparatuses and the effect of diet, changes in nephron flow rate and in vitro acidification on the renin content

  • Transport Processes, Metabolism and Endocrinology; Kidney, Gastrointestinal Tract, and Exocrine Glands
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Abstract

Individual glomeruli and attached tubular tissue (JGA) were isolated by microdissection. The mean renin content of superficial JGA was 4.6 ng AI/JGA/h and the renin content of deep JGA was 2.1 ng AI/JGA/h (P<0.01). These values rose with salt depletion but the renin content of superficial glomeruli (22.9 ng AI/JGA/h) remained significantly higher than that of the deep (7.3 ng AI/JGA/h,P<0.005). Surface JGA isolated by a microbiopsy technique had a renin content of 15.5 ng AI/JGA/h which was significantly higher than that found by microdissection. The microbiopsy technique was used to examine the effect of altered distal tubular sodium load on JGA renin content. Increasing proximal tubule flow by 40 nl/min by microperfusion for 20 min with 150 mmol/l NaCl increased significantly the renin content (non perfused controls 12.9 ng AI/JGA/h; perfused 28.7 ng AI/JGA/h). When a perfusion solution containing NaCl 30 mmol/l was used JGA renin content did not change.

Acidification of a microbiopsied glomerulus increased JGA renin content by an amount similar to that seen with microperfusion. These results support the hypothesis that single nephron glomerular filtration rate is controlled by a local action of renin. Renin content and secretion changes in response to NaCl load or concentration at the macula densa. The increased renin concentration may result from activation of inactive renin.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, 3079, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia

    Al Gillies

  2. Department of Medicine, Royal Newcastle Hospital, University of Newcastle, 2300, Newcastle, N.S.W., Australia

    Trefor Morgan

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  1. Al Gillies
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  2. Trefor Morgan
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Supported by N.H.F. of Australia

Research Fellow supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the N.H.M.R.C.

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Gillies, A., Morgan, T. Renin content of individual juxtaglomerular apparatuses and the effect of diet, changes in nephron flow rate and in vitro acidification on the renin content. Pflugers Arch. 375, 105–110 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00584154

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00584154

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