Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026

A Modified Two Kidney One Clip Mouse Model of Renin Regulation in Renal Artery Stenosis
Published on: October 26, 2020
ON THE NATURE OF THE PRESSOR ACTION OF RENIN
1Lilly Laboratory for Clinical Research, Indianapolis City Hospital, Indianapolis.
Repeated renin injections cause tachyphylaxis in animals, a response linked to a loss of renin-activator. Restoring this activator can reverse the effect, highlighting its role in renin
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Renal Physiology
Background:
- Renin plays a crucial role in blood pressure regulation.
- Tachyphylaxis, a rapid decrease in response to a drug, has been observed with repeated renin administration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanisms underlying renin-induced tachyphylaxis.
- To identify factors influencing the pressor response to renin.
Main Methods:
- Repeated intravenous injections of renin in various animal models (dogs, cats).
- Surgical manipulations including hepatectomy, suprarenalectomy, nephrectomy, and evisceration.
- Isolated rabbit ear perfusion studies with renin and renin-activator.
- Analysis of blood samples for renin-activator content.
Main Results:
- Tachyphylaxis to renin occurs consistently across different experimental conditions.
- The pressor response to renin is largely independent of arterial pressure and adrenal glands but is reduced by evisceration and ergotamine.
- Renin-activator is essential for renin's vasoconstrictive activity in isolated systems.
- Blood from tachyphylactic animals lacks renin-activator, and its addition restores renin's efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Renin-induced tachyphylaxis is mediated by the depletion of a blood factor, termed renin-activator.
- The presence and activity of renin-activator are critical for maintaining the pressor response to renin.
- Understanding renin-activator dynamics is key to managing renin-based therapies and understanding cardiovascular regulation.
Related Concept Videos
Antihypertensive Drugs: Direct Renin Inhibitors
Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
Hormonal Regulation
Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
Antihypertensive Drugs: Action of β1 Blockers
Hormonal Regulation of Blood Pressure
Epinephrine and Norepinephrine
The adrenal medulla releases epinephrine and norepinephrine, catecholamines that enhance and extend the sympathetic or "fight or flight" physiological response. These hormones escalate heart rate and the force of contraction while...
