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 nephro tic (NS) rats, as well as renin mRNA levels in kidney, liver and brain . 2. Nephrotic syndrome were induced by a single subcutaneous injectio n of puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) and determinations were made 6 da ys after PAN injection. 3. Plasma total renin did not change, active r enin increased in NS rats with respect to PF and C groups and in PF ra ts with respect to C, In contrast, the inactive renin percentage decre ased 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 ur ine with no changes in the prorenin percentage with respect to C and P F groups. 4. In both NS and PF groups, renin mRNA levels did not chang e in any of the tissues studied, In another group of rats, kidney reni n 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 resu lts suggest that renin gene expression is not altered in acute nephrot ic syndrome and that plasma renin concentration is regulated at the tr anslational or post-translational level in this experimental model.