Genetic Influence on the Renin-Angiotensin System

Abstract

Two strains of rats with opposite, genetically determined predispositions to hypertension were compared. Rats from the hypertension-prone strain had significantly lower plasma and kidney renin activities than did rats from the hypertension-resistant strain. Although renin activities were modified by NaCl intake and blood pressure, significant differences between the two strains were present with all four experimental regimens used: low-NaCl diet, high-NaCl diet, unilateral renal artery constriction, and unilateral renal artery constriction plus contralateral nephrectomy. Therefore, we concluded that renin activities along with blood pressure were modified by genetic influences in these two strains of rats.