Renin Health Dictionary

A substance formed in tissues or blood vessels when there needs to be local or even massive vasoconstriction. The primary precursor is renin, made by the kidneys, and elevated when the blood seems dehydrated or low in volume; the next substance needed for this reaction is a liver protein, angiotensinogen; when both are present in the blood, local factors can then form this pressor substance. Excess production is often implicated in high blood pressure.... angiotensin

A group of drugs used to treat high blood pressure (HYPERTENSION). Untreated hypertension leads to STROKE, heart attacks and heart failure. The high incidence of hypertension in western countries has led to intensive research to discover antihypertensive drugs, and many have been marketed. The drugs may work by reducing the power of the heartbeat, by dilating the blood vessels or by increasing the excretion of salts and water in the urine (diuresis). Antihypertensive treatment has greatly improved the prognosis of patients with high blood pressure by cutting the frequency of heart and renal failure (see KIDNEYS, DISEASES OF), stroke, and coronary thrombosis (see HEART, DISEASES OF). Drugs used for treatment can be classi?ed as follows: diuretics; vasodilator antihypertensives; centrally acting antihypertensives; adrenergic neurone-blocking drugs; alpha-adrenoreceptorblocking drugs; drugs affecting the renin-angiotensin system; ganglion-blocking drugs; and tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitors. The drugs prescribed depend on many factors, including the type of hypertension being treated. Treatment can be di?cult because of the need to balance the e?ectiveness of a drug in reducing blood pressure against its side-effects.... antihypertensive drugs

An ACE-inhibitor drug introduced for the treatment of patients with severe HYPERTENSION. It acts by lowering the concentration in the blood of angiotensin II which is one of the factors responsible for high blood pressure. (See ANGIOTENSIN; RENIN.)... captopril

The universal herb. Sweet root. Glycyrrhiza glabra L. Shredded or powdered dried root. Long history for strength and long life in Chinese medicine. Sweet of the Pharoahs of Ancient Egypt. Carried by armies of Alexander to allay thirst and as a medicine.

Constituents: volatile oil, coumarins, chalcones, triterpenes, flavonoids.

Action: demulcent expectorant, glycogenconservor, anti-inflammatory, mild laxative. Adrenal restorative (has glycosides remarkably similar to body steroids). ACTH-like activity on adrenal cortex (Simon Mills). Female hormone properties (Science Digest). Regulates salt and water metabolism (Medicina, Moscow, 1965). Anti-stress. Anti-ulcer. Antiviral. Increases gastric juices up to 25 per cent, without altering pH. Aldosterone-like effect. Liver protective. Anti-depressive.

Use s. Adrenal insufficiency – sodium-retention properties suitable for Addison’s disease. Hypoglycaemia. Peptic ulcer – reduces gastric juice secretion. Inflamed stomach. Mouth ulcer. Duodenal ulcer. Respiratory infections: dry cough, hoarseness, bronchitis, lung troubles, catarrh. Tuberculosis (Chinese traditional). In the absence of more effective remedies of value in food poisoning. To prevent urinary tract infections.

Combinations: with Iceland Moss for wasting and cachexia to nourish and increase weight; with Lobelia for asthma and bronchitis: with Raspberry leaves for the menopause; with Comfrey for dental caries.

“Liquorice is recorded as a cancer remedy in many countries.” (J.L. Hartwell, Lloydia, 33, 97. 1970) Preparations. Average dose: 1-5 grams. Thrice daily before meals.

Decoction: half-1 teaspoon to each cup water, simmer 15 minutes. Half-1 cup.

Liquid Extract: 1:1. Dose: 2-5ml.

Sticks: for chewing.

Powdered root: 750mg (three 00 capsules or half a teaspoon).

Diet: Pontefract cakes – use in kitchen for adrenal failure; because of their sodium-retaining properties may be taken as sweets without added sugar. Low salt when taken.

Contra-indicated: In pregnancy, cirrhosis (liver) and in the presence of digitalis.

Note: If over-consumed may result in low potassium levels, high blood pressure and falls in renin and aldosterone. Where taken for a long period, increase intake of potassium-rich foods. May cause fluid retention of face and ankles which could be tolerated while primary disorder is being healed. ... liquorice root

A hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex (the outer part of the adrenal glands). Aldosterone acts on the kidneys to regulate the concentrations of sodium and potassium in the blood and tissues and control blood pressure. Production of aldosterone is stimulated mainly by the action of angiotensin , a chemical produced by a series of reactions involving the enzymes renin and angiotensin-converting enzyme. Aldosterone production is also stimulated by the action of ACTH, which is produced by the pituitary gland.... aldosterone

(pseudohypoaldosteronism type II, chloride shunt syndrome) an autosomal *dominant condition associated with increased chloride absorption in the distal tubule leading to a syndrome of mild volume expansion, hypertension, and metabolic acidosis with otherwise normal renal function. Plasma *renin and *aldosterone are suppressed as a result of the volume expansion. Other features can include short stature, intellectual impairment, muscle weakness, and renal stones.... gordon’s syndrome

disease affecting the arterial supply to the kidneys, leading to ischaemia and resultant stimulation of the renin-*angiotensin-aldosterone axis. In the major vessels, the most common cause is atheromatous plaque disease. Other causes are fibromuscular dysplasia and *Takayasu’s disease.... renovascular hypertension

A disorder that results from the excessive production of the hormone aldosterone from one or both adrenal glands. Aldosteronism caused by an adrenal tumour is known as Conn’s syndrome. Aldosteronism may also be caused by disorders, such as heart failure or liver damage, that reduce the flow of blood through the kidneys. Reduced blood flow through the kidneys leads to overproduction of renin and angiotensin, which, in turn, leads to excessive aldosterone production.

Symptoms are directly related to the actions of aldosterone. Too much sodium is retained in the body, leading to a rise in blood pressure, and excess potassium is lost in the urine. Low potassium causes tiredness and muscle weakness and impairs kidney function, leading to thirst and overproduction of urine.

Treatment in all cases includes restriction of dietary salt and use of the diuretic drug spironolactone.

If the cause of aldosteronism is an adrenal tumour, this may be surgically removed.... aldosteronism

(JGA) a microscopic structure within the kidney that is important in regulating blood pressure, body fluid, and electrolytes. It is situated in each nephron, between the afferent arteriole of the glomerulus and the returning distal convoluted tubule of the same nephron. The JGA consists of specialized cells within the distal tubule (the macula densa), which detect the amount of sodium chloride passing through the tubule and can secrete locally acting vasoconstrictor substances that act on the associated afferent arteriole to induce a reduction in filtration pressure (tubuloglomerular feedback). Modified cells within the afferent arterioles secrete *renin in response to a fall in perfusion pressure or feedback from the macula densa and form a central role in the renin-*angiotensin-aldosterone axis. Mesangial cells support and connect the macula densa and the specialized cells in the afferent arteriole and have sympathetic innervation, facilitating the renin response to sympathetic nervous stimulation.... juxtaglomerular apparatus

a rare autosomal *dominant condition characterized by hypertension associated with hypokalaemia, metabolic alkalosis, and low levels of plasma *renin and *aldosterone. The hypertension often starts in infancy and is due to excess resorption of sodium and excretion of potassium by the renal tubules. The syndrome is caused by a single genetic mutation on chromosome 16, which results in dysregulation of a sodium channel in the distal convoluted tubule. Treatment is with a low salt diet and a potassium-sparing diuretic that directly blocks the sodium channel, such as amiloride or triamterene. [G. G. Liddle (1921–89), US endocrinologist]... liddle’s syndrome