Evidence of Prostacyclin Deficiency in the Syndrome of Hyporeninemic Hypoaldosteronism

Abstract

Hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism is an important cause of hyperkalemia and is characterized by low renin secretion. We found that prostacyclin, a potent vasodilator and renin secretagogue, was markedly reduced — as reflected by its stable urinary metabolite 6-keto-prostaglandin F_1α — in seven patients with hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism as compared with seven matched controls with renal insufficiency and as compared with 12 normal volunteers (mean±SE, 42±7 vs. 185±37 and 164±20 ng per gram of creatinine, respectively; P0.8).