Kidney Enzymes Cause Hypertension

In the preceding sections facts were presented which show that the mammalian kidney contains two independent enzyme systems, both of which are capable of forming and destroying pressor substances. These processes can be summarized by two simple equations  

In the light of the available evidence one might be tempted to accept the theory of the renal origin of hypertension and to visualize perhaps a disturbance in the balance between these two enzymic processes as the driving force behind a vicious circle of pathological events. However, the following discussion will show that the problem of the pathogenesis of hypertension has not yet been solved. 

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Licorice was one of the first substances that Western physicians used to treat Addison s disease, an ailment of the adrenal glands. Addison s sufferers don t produce enough cortisol, a hormone that helps regulate blood pressure and water retention. Glycyrrhizic acid interferes with an enzyme that normally breaks down excess cortisol in the kidneys when this enzyme is rendered inactive, cortisol levels rise, and this can cause hypertension. Furthermore, high cortisol levels cause retention of sodium and excretion of potassium. Sodium retention, in... 

Tc-DTPA is specific for the diagnosis of renal artery stenosis (Gruenewald and Collins 1983). Angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACE) inhibitors such as captopril reduce filtration pressure and thus cause a fall in GFR, as manifested by decreased renal uptake of Tc-DTPA. In patients who do not have renovascular hypertension, the GFR of each kidney is unchanged. 

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