Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Receptor Autoradiography Protocol for the Localized Visualization of Angiotensin II Receptors
12:03

Receptor Autoradiography Protocol for the Localized Visualization of Angiotensin II Receptors

Published on: June 7, 2016

Urinary angiotensinogen is correlated with blood pressure in men (Bogalusa Heart Study)

Hiroyuki Kobori1, Maki Urushihara, Ji H Xu

  • 1Hypertension and Renal Center of Excellence, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112-2699, USA. hkobori@tulane.edu

Journal of Hypertension
|April 9, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Urinary angiotensinogen (UAGT) correlates with blood pressure in young adults, particularly men. This novel biomarker may help identify individuals at risk for hypertension and early kidney disease.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Disease Research
  • Renal Medicine
  • Biomarker Discovery

Background:

  • The Bogalusa Heart Study has tracked cardiovascular disease risk factors in a biracial population for over 35 years.
  • Urinary angiotensinogen (UAGT) is a novel biomarker for intrarenal renin-angiotensin system activity.
  • Sex and racial differences are known to influence cardiovascular disease outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between UAGT and traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors.
  • To assess UAGT in asymptomatic young adults within a biracial cohort.
  • To explore UAGT as a potential indicator of early hypertension and kidney disease.

Main Methods:

  • Recruited 251 individuals, collecting a single random spot urine sample.
  • Excluded participants with diabetes or on antihypertensive medication.
  • Analyzed data from 190 eligible participants.

Main Results:

  • UAGT levels did not significantly differ by race or sex.
  • UAGT showed significant correlations with systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP).
  • Stronger correlations were observed in men, especially black men, linking UAGT to blood pressure even without proteinuria.

Conclusions:

  • UAGT is correlated with blood pressure in men, indicating its potential as an early indicator.
  • This biomarker may aid in identifying individuals at risk for developing hypertension.
  • UAGT could facilitate early detection of asymptomatic renal disease.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors01:30

Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), a vital component of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, is abundant in lung endothelial cells. ACE converts the inactive decapeptide, angiotensin I, into the active octapeptide, angiotensin II. This potent vasoconstrictor narrows blood vessels, increasing resistance to blood flow and elevating blood pressure. Angiotensin II also stimulates aldosterone production, encouraging kidney cells to reabsorb more sodium and water from urine, thereby increasing...
Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers01:30

Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers

In the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, a hormone called angiotensin II plays a crucial role. It binds to the AT1 receptors in vascular smooth muscles coupled with Gq proteins. The activation of these receptors activates an enzyme called phospholipase C, which releases two molecules: inositol trisphosphate and diacylglycerol. These molecules cause a chain reaction that leads to the phosphorylation of myosin light chains and promotes interaction between actin and myosin, leading to smooth...
Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure01:18

Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure

Hypertension, the most common cardiovascular disease, is diagnosed through repeated measurements of elevated blood pressure. Its risks, including damage to the kidney, heart, and brain, are directly proportional to blood pressure levels. Starting from 115/75 mm Hg, the risk of cardiovascular disease doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg. The diagnosis relies on blood pressure measurements, not on patient symptoms, as hypertension is often asymptomatic until end-organ damage is imminent or...
Hormonal Regulation01:33

Hormonal Regulation

The renin-aldosterone system is an endocrine system which guides the renal absorption of water and electrolytes, thus managing blood pressure and osmoregulation. Activation of the system begins in the kidneys with a small cluster of cells adjacent to the afferent and efferent blood vessels of the renal corpuscle. As the nephrons are filtering blood, juxtaglomerular cells monitor blood pressure. If they detect a decrease in pressure, they release the hormone renin into the bloodstream.
Hypertension II: Pathophysiology01:29

Hypertension II: Pathophysiology

Hypertension is a chronic condition in which the blood's force against artery walls is excessively high, posing risks such as heart disease. The condition's underlying mechanisms involve complex interactions among the cardiovascular, kidney, and autonomic nervous systems.Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS): This system significantly influences blood pressure regulation. When blood pressure decreases, the kidneys secrete renin. This enzyme transforms angiotensinogen, a plasma protein,...
Antihypertensive Drugs: Direct Renin Inhibitors01:25

Antihypertensive Drugs: Direct Renin Inhibitors

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is an intricate physiological pathway involving numerous enzymes and hormones, including renin, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin I and II, and aldosterone. Imbalances within this system increase the production of angiotensin II and aldosterone. Increased angiotensin II levels promote vasoconstriction and blood pressure elevation. Concurrently, higher aldosterone levels stimulate sodium and water reabsorption in the kidneys,...