Canonical Question
Endo – Renal/Adrenal
Master answer
Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone system primarily for hormonal regulation of blood volume.

Renin
- Proteolytic enzyme
- Secreted from granula cells in juxtaglomerular apparatus
- Secretion:
- Stimulated by:
- ↓ GFR
- ↓ tubular Na/Cl at macula densa
- β1 SNS stimulation of granular cells
- ↑ prostacyclin levels
- ↓ levels of angiotensin 2 or ADH
- Inhibited by:
- ↑ renal perfusion pressure
- ↑ sodium delivery to DCT
- ↑ by ATII and ADH
- Stimulated by:
- Target:
- circulating angiotensinogen
- Effects:
- Tubular effects:
- ↑’d PCT Na/Cl reabsorption, ↑’d tubular K secretion
- Direct PCT effect
- Aldosterone release
- Volume Status effects:
- ↑’d total body water via
- ↑’d thirst (hypothal)
- ↑’d ADH secretion
- Renal Blood flow effects
- Direct: Reduced RBF and GFR (Aff>Eff)
- ↑’d renin → ↑ AT2 (see AT2 below) → ↑’d Aldosterone
- Vasoconstriction (aff=eff)
- Mesangial cell contraction
- Tubular effects:
Angiotensin 2
- Production:
- Angiotensinogen is the precursor peptide hormone produced by the liver
- Angiotensin 1 (decapeptide)
- ↑ Renin by JGA (above) → cleavage of Angiotensinogen → AT1
- No biological activity
- Angiotensin 2 (octapeptided)
- Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) in pulmonary capil endothelia
- → ↑AT2
- Angiotensin 3 (septapeptide)
- 40% of the pressor activity AT2
- 100% of the aldosterone-producing activity
- Angiotensin 4 (hexapeptide)
- Minimal biological activity
- Target:
- Mesangial cells, arteriolar SM, CNS, posterior pituitary
- AT1 and AT2 receptors
- Acts via GPCR (Gq via PLC to increase IP3 and intracellular Ca)
- Effect:
- CVS
- Vasopressor
- Resets baroreceptor control of HR at higher pressure
- Potent mitogen for smooth muscle and cardiac myocytes
- Direct positive inotrope
- CNS
- ↑’d sympathetic outflow
- ↑’d thirst
- ↑’d ADH release from posterior pituitary.
- Renal
- Negative feedback on renin release
- ↑’d aldosterone release
- ↓’d RBF and GFR
- Direct renal arteriole constriction (efferent = afferent)
- Mesangial cell contraction thus ↓’d Kf and GFR
- ↑’d sodium/chloride reabsorption in PCT
- Direct effect and via ↑’d aldosterone release
- CVS
Aldosterone
- Steroid Hormone
- Source:
- Adrenal cortex (zona glomerulosa)
- Release Stimuli:
- adrenal cortical hyperkalaemia
- ↑’d AT2
- ↑’d ACTH
- Target:
- Distal collecting duct and CCD principal cells ENaC receptors.
- Na/K ATPase co-transporters in DCT/CCD, GIT and secretory glands
- Effect:
- Sodium (↑’d plasma Na)
- Upregulates basolateral ENaC and Na/K ATPase to increase Na reabsoption
- ↑’d Na reabsorption throughout the GIT/sweat and salivary glands via Na/K ATPase
- ↑’d H2O reabsorption and ↑’d Na via solvent drag
- Potassium (↓’d plasma K)
- ↑’d K secreation at DCT/CCD principal cells (via ROMK)
- ↑’d K secretion throughtout the GIT/Salivary glands
- ↑’d intracellular K uptake
- Chloride (↑’d plasma Cl)
- ↑’d Cl uptake in distal tubule
- Acid (H) Effects
- Upregulation of H and H/K-ATPase in type A intercalated cells of CCD
- Increases H secretion (and HCO3 reabsorption)
- Sodium (↑’d plasma Na)
Gladwin 2016
Exam appearances
| Exam | Exact wording | Relationship | Success |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011B Q06 | Describe the physiology of the Renin and Angiotensin system. | historical_member | 60.00% |