THE EFFECT OF DESOXYCORTICOSTERONE ACETATE AND OF SODIUM ON THE JUXTAGLOMERULAR APPARATUS1

Abstract

THERE is considerable indirect evidence supporting Goormaghtigh's (1) hypothesis that the granular cells of the juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA) constitute one phase of a secretory cycle which leads to the production of a renal vasomotor substance or a precursor thereof; yet the role of these cells, in the absence of more convincing evidence, must be considered as unknown. The morphological changes exhibited by these specialized elements, which are found at the vascular pole of the renal glomerulus in all mammals studied thus far (2), suggest a high degree of functional activity. The factors which modify or regulate these changes are of great interest because they may offer additional clues as to the function of the JGA. Goormaghtigh (3) suggested that a lowered renal blood pressure or reduced oxygen tension of the renal blood are factors which cause an increase in the JGA granular cells and presumably an increase in secretory activity.