Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and renin in kidneys of hypertensive or adrenalectomized rats

¹ Institute Pathology, University of Basle and Research Laboratories of the Pharmaceutical Department of CIBA Limited, Basle, Switzerland

Using a histochemical method, moderately strong glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity can be demonstrated in the macula densa of the distal tubules in the normal rat kidney. In rats rendered hypertensive by overdosage with cortexone (DOC) and saline, this enzymatic activity was found to decrease almost to zero within 4 weeks. This change was more marked in unilaterally nephrectomized animals than in intact rats. Measured by bioassay, the renin content of kidney extracts from the same animals was found to decrease simultaneously with the loss of enzymatic activity in the macula cells. The reverse effect, a marked increase in activity of the macula densa, was obtained in adrenalectomized animals. It is suggested that both the macula densa cells and the juxtaglomerular apparatus are parts of a system which respond similarly to changes in sodium balance and which may be related to the formation of renin.