Plasma renin activity in diabetics with and without microangiopathy

Plasma renin activity was measured in ten diabetics with nephropathy, 10 uncomplicated diabetics and 10 normal healthy controls. All the groups were comparable for age, sex, and duration of diabetes. Plasma renin activity was found to be significantly lower in patients with nephropathy in comparison to uncomplicated diabetics and normal healthy controls. There was no correlation between plasma renin activity and mean blood pressure or degrees of renal failure. These findings raise the possibility that microangiopathic changes occurring in the glomeruli and juxta-glomerular apparatus may alter the renin-angiotensin system. Also the finding of low renin in diabetics with nephropathy may modify management policies.