High plasma concentrations of prorenin in a transgenic animal model of nephropathy with overexpression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 in the kidneys

1. Plasma concentrations of prorenin were determined in a transgenic animal model of nephropathy induced by overexpression of transforming growth fact or (TGF)-beta 1 in the juxtaglomerular apparatus. 2. In both female and male mice, plasma concentrations of prorenin were hig her in transgenic than in non-transgenic animals, In sexually mature mice, plasma prorenin concentrations were higher in males than in females in both transgenic and non-transgenic animals in accordance with a sexual dimorphi sm of the plasma concentration of prorenin, 3, The results indicate that TGF-beta 1-like androgens increase prorenin se cretion in the kidneys and may explain the increased plasma prorenin concen trations in patients with diabetic nephropathy.