Studies on Renal Juxtaglomerular Cells

Abstract

Since Ruyter (1) first described epithelioid cells in the preglomerular arteriole of the kidney, many attempts have been made to elucidate the function of these apparently endocrine "juxtaglomerular cells. ''1 Goormaghtigh (2), from his extensive observations in hypertension and related conditions, postulated that they were probably the source of the vasopressor substance, renin. Among others, Dunihue (3, 4) subscribed to this theory, and his more recent investigations have revealed a relationship between juxtaglomerular cells and the adrenal glands (5). In adrenalectomized animals he found an abnormal increase of secretory granules which could be prevented or reversed by administration of desoxycorticosterone acetate (])CA) (6). A similar increase in granules has also been described by McManus (7) in kidneys from cases of Addison's disease in man. Since DCA is the salt-retaining hormone, these findings suggested to us that the effect of adrenal insufficiency on juxtaglomerular cells might be due primarily to a disturbance in sodium metabolism and that this effect could perhaps be produced by dietary means alone. The current clinical use of diets low in sodium for the treatment of hypertension further stimulated our interest in this possibility.In a preliminary experiment, we were able to demonstrate in the rat, that restriction of dietary sodium chloride for a period of 2 weeks to 1 month caused a striking increase in the numbers of granules in the juxtaglomerular cells. A further series of experiments was then designed to confirm these observations and to determine the effect of variations in the level of dietary sodium chloride with or without DCA administration.

The Granulation of Juxtaglomerular Cells in Renal Hypertension, Desoxycorticosterone and Post-Desoxycorticosterone Hypertension, Adrenal Regeneration Hypertension, and Adrenal Insufficiency12

“…This study was greatly facilitated by the use of the staining technique developed by the Hartrofts for the juxtaglomerular (JG) apparatus (3). Each granule.…”

“…Compensating eyepieces (12x) were used in conjunction with this objective. The degree of granulation in the juxtaglomerular apparatus was estimated using the system devised by the Hartrofts (3). Their weighted juxtaglomerular index (JG index) was utilized, giving a total index number per 100 glomeruli.…”

Effect of acute hypertension on sodium reabsorption by the proximal tubule

“…Thus, d-aldosterone did not seem to be involved, since large intravenous doses of this hormone did not prevent the effect of hypertension on proximal sodium transport. Similarly, the renal renin-angiotensin system did not appear to be responsible, since chronic oral saline loading, which is thought to significantly reduce the renin content of the kidney (16,17,26), did not alter the response to acute hypertension. While these latter observations are not conclusive, because small amounts of renin most likely remained in the kidney even after 5 wk of saline ingestion, recent split-drop micropuncture experiments by Thurau cast serious doubt on the ability of angiotensin to inhibit proximal sodium transport in the rat (27).…”

Prolonged Infusions of Angiotensin II and Norepinephrine and Blood Pressure, Electrolyte Balance, and Aldosterone and Cortisol Secretion in Normal Man and in Cirrhosis with Ascites*

“…Evidence for this is derived from numerous experiments in man (2-4) and animals (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17).…”