Renin, prorenin, and renin gene expression in rats with acute nephrotic syndrome

1. The concentration of total, active and inactive renin was analysed in plasma, urine and kidney from control (C), pair-fed (PF) and nephrotic (NS) rats, as well as renin mRNA levels in kidney, liver and brain. 2. Nephrotic syndrome were induced by a single subcutaneous injection of puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) and determinations were made 6 days after PAN injection. 3. Plasma total renin did not change, active renin increased in NS rats with respect to PF and C groups and in PF rats with respect to C. In contrast, the inactive renin percentage decreased in NS rats with respect to PF and C groups and in PF animals with respect to C. Total, active and inactive renal renin content did not change and active and inactive renin were significantly excreted by urine with no changes in the prorenin percentage with respect to C and PF groups. 4. In both NS and PF groups, renin mRNA levels did not change in any of the tissues studied. In another group of rats, kidney renin mRNA levels were measured on days 1, 3, 5 and 7 after PAN injection and no time-course changes in its expression were found. 5. These results suggest that renin gene expression is not altered in acute nephrotic syndrome and that plasma renin concentration is regulated at the translational or post-translational level in this experimental model.