Computer modelling of aldosterone regulation in patients on regular hemodialysis

To evaluate the relative influence of changes in plasma renin activity, potassium, ACTH, and sodium concentrations on the secretion of aldosterone, a multifactorial analysis was performed on different sets of investigations in anephric as well as non-nephrectomized patients on regular hemodialysis. During steady-state conditions the relationship between the stimulating effect of each of these factors and combinations between these factors and the resultant plasma aldosterone concentration was analyzed. Linear models could not explain all variations in plasma aldosterone, especially not a variation found within patients. The stimulus-response curve is therefore probably non-linear and at least one or more additional factors may take part in the aldosterone regulation.