[Renin-angiotensin system in acute hepatitis (author's transl)]

Plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma concentrations of angiotensin II (A.II) were measured radioimmunologically in 31 patients suffering from acute virus hepatitis during the course of the disease. Average PRA and A II values did not differ from values of normal persons, neither during the acute phase of the disease nor during the recovery phase though there were deviations from the normal in single cases. PRA and A II were correlated significantly (r = 0,86, p < 0,001), but there was no correlation to the levels of transaminases. There was no indication, that A II plasma levels were lowered because of increased activity of angiotensinases. In some cases PRA and A II were elevated; this however was probably due to increased renin secretion following changes in water and electrolyte balance rather than to decreased hepatic metabolism of renin.