Renin is an enzyme secreted by certain kidney glands.
Renin is the name of an enzyme secreted by certain kidney cells . It should be remembered that enzymes are proteins that are responsible for catalyzing metabolic reactions, acting on various molecules.
Also known as angiotensinogenase , this enzyme is secreted when the body experiences reduced volume (that is, it registers a low volume of circulating blood) or hypotension (low blood pressure). Renin allows the activation of the so-called renin-angiotensin system , which contributes to the regulation of extracellular fluids and blood pressure.
Renin function
Specialized cells in the kidney can secrete mature renin or prorenin . In its mature state, this enzyme has 340 amino acids , according to what was detected by scientists.
What renin does is increase the level of angiotensinogen in the blood flow, something that results in an increase in blood pressure (thus combating hypotension). The process, in turn, allows better control of the organic balance in relation to salts and fluids.
A doctor may order a renin test to diagnose certain pathologies.
Level measurement
The level of renin in the body can be measured through a blood test. The doctor will likely suggest temporarily not taking drugs that may affect the test result, such as medications to control blood pressure, contraceptives, vasodilators or diuretics. In addition, it is recommended to minimize salt consumption in the days prior to the study.
In the same way, we cannot overlook the fact that we must take into account that the blood tests carried out to determine renin may be altered in the case of a woman who is pregnant. And all this without forgetting that the result may also be different based on the time in which it is carried out or even the position in which the person on whom it is performed is located.
Renin analysis results
In addition to everything stated above, based on these analyzes it is necessary to know other aspects of great interest:
- As a general rule, renin is considered adequate if it results in values between 0.2 and 3.3 ng/mL/hour .
- When low levels of said enzyme are indicated, it is because they originate from causes such as the person being treated with steroids, having high blood pressure, being treated with an antidiuretic hormone, or the body It is secreting too many amounts of the so-called hormone aldosterone .
- In cases in which these levels are high, the doctor in question will carry out a study to find out which of the possible causes are responsible for them: very high blood pressure, dehydration, hemorrhage, adrenal glands. They do not generate enough hormones , there is a kidney tumor, there is a case of cirrhosis, there is heart failure...
According to the results of a renin test , the doctor will be able to detect primary hypertension and prescribe the appropriate drugs for its treatment .