Involvement of chloride in renin secretion from isolated rat glomeruli

The sensitivity of renin release to changes in anion and calcium concentrations was assessed in superfused rat glomeruli with attached juxtaglomerular cells. Isosmotic substitution of Cl-with gluconate (1/12, 1/6, 1/3, 2/3, or total exchange), isethionate (15 or 101 mM), or sulfate (10 mM) inhibited renin release reversibly. Substitution of Cl- with nitrate (101 mM) stimulated renin secretion. Substitution with iodide (15 or 101 mM) had no consistent effect. The stimulation induced by calcium-free solutions was high in May and low in September. In the absence of chloride, the response to calcium-free solution was inhibited similarly all year. In May reintroduction of calcium and chloride stimulated renin release, suggesting that releasable renin had been stockpiled during the exposure to calcium-free solution. In September reintroduction of calcium and chloride inhibited renin release. It is concluded that the renin secretory process has a demand for permeant anions. The stimulation caused by low external calcium involves at least two mechanisms: one is anion sensitive, powerful, varies with the season, and includes a recruitment phenomenon; another is anion insensitive and weak.